Happy 2000 and WHAT?!?!!

It's January 1st, and that means a new start to a new year. In my case, it means getting back to my little blog. I can't believe it's been six months since I last wrote. What a slacker I've become! New Year's resolution #1 -- be at least SLIGHTLY less of a slacker.

The end of the year is always one of my favorite times of year--work shuts down for a couple weeks, and I get an opportunity to go home. This year, the weather was a bit crazier (read FREEZING) than I tend to prefer. I got home on Saturday (12/20), and was able to get the rest of my Christmas shopping done and was able to stop and see my Grandparents. It was very nice.

The next day, I woke up and the weather was between -15 degree and -20 degree wind chills. I felt this was a good day to put in my "lazy, don't leave the house" plan that I wanted to do at least once during my vacation. Because it costs so much to heat Mom's house in addition to the fact that the woman NEVER gets cold, she tends to keep the house a bit on the chilly side, unless she's babysitting my nephews or nieces...then the heat gets turned up over 60 degrees. Luckily, she babysits several times a week...and I was able to get feelings to my fingers and toes several times while there. :-)

On Monday, I was able to get over to Lafayette to spend the day with my friend Nicole. We decided to go to the spa to get manicures and pedicures. That was so much fun. I have to say that I could really learn to love the life of luxury...being pampered is something I aspire to in my next life. After all that pampering, we hit the mall searching for slippers for Mom to give Annette for Christmas. We searched high and low...no slippers, but Nicole found all kinds of bargains. Overall...quite a success!

The next day I was suppose to head up to Schererville to see Steve and Jennifer and work on getting the final Christmas gift finished up. Unforuntately, bad weather in the form of freezing rain hit. I was extremely bummed to not to get to spend some time up with them, but I figured that it was safer and wiser to stay in off the ice since I'm a terrible driver on a good day. With ice added...I think I'd wind up shaken, not stirred.

My Christmas holiday was great overall. I was able to spend Christmas Eve with my Grandparents, which I always enjoy. Christmas day was with the family. I have to admit that I am related to some of the most adorable kids I've ever seen. All of my nephews and nieces are just so cute. We didn't take any family pictures for me to share with you, but it's still true. And finally, after Christmas, my Aunt Jane and her family all came in to visit my Grandparents. It was great to see all of them. I can't believe that her boys are all grown up. Zachary and his wife Caytie are about to have their first baby (our Grandparents first Great Grand child!). Andrew with his big old Grisley Adams beard has graduated college and is working in the real world these days. And even Jacob is now a junior at Princeton. Since I don't see them very often, I tend to think of them as young teens...I think it allows me to feel younger than I really am. Ah well! It's still great to see them even if I have to face the cruel reality of life.

I made it back to Washington, DC on Saturday (12/27) night. I have to say that I've been more productive than I expected. I have visited a couple new places--including the biggest outlet mall that I have ever seen. I also got several things done around the house. Don't worry...I'm very carefully pacing myself. I don't want to be TOO productive; afterall, I am on vacation.

I'll finish up on a good note. I'm very excited about an upcoming trip. Over the holidays, my friends and I decided to travel to Australia in February. We're going for 11 days and will be visiting the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, and Sydney. I'm very much looking forward to it. We leave on Valentine's Day. I'm sure I'll update by blog with pictures.

Well, I wish everyone a very Happy, Safe, and Prosperous New Year!!