a new year's resolution post that kinda sorta isn't

The new year is really creeping up on me. I mean, where did December go? Or November for that matter? Wasn't Halloween just yesterday? Seriously. And here we are coming upon the possible final new year ever since the world will be ending in 2012. It probably won't. But still. It totally could. That doesn't sit well with me because there is just SO MUCH I want to do. So much I need to do. I realize in the grand scheme of things, if the world is ending it won't matter much because no one will be around to remember anything I do here. But hey, let's just make the most of the time we are given, shall we!

So here is (a small portion of) my list of things I must do before the world ends:

1. Organize photos into albums. If our world ends, there is a possibility of a new civilization being created, or even alien lifeforms landing. Even if I don't make it through, my photo albums might. My family and our photographs could be immortalized in the annals of history (hehe annals). This is a big deal, people! So it is my top priority for 2012. For a photogramom, I am pretty bad about printing pictures and keeping albums. My parents just had baby books for my sisters and I. Just one book each with mementos, letters from our mom, and photos of us from birth to maybe about 4. Since I have that whole perfectionist problem, I think the idea of just throwing all of my pictures in an album in such a disorderly fashion gave me a panic attack, so I'd rather not touch them. Then one day I had a genius idea that I don't know why I never thought of before: an album for each year. Duh, right?! And I will need lots of pictures to fill future albums, which brings me to world end goal #2...
   
   
   
2. Document EV-ER-Y-THING (but mostly just the good stuff). I'm so very bad about keeping my camera around. I like to blame my camera bag. It's kind of bulky, and adding that to the baby bag and 3 kids I also tote around, is just not ideal. But why don't you just put your camera in your baby bag? Because, I just don't. I will be investing in one of these beauties though
   
   
   I love Kelly Moore camera bags! They have separate compartments for your camera body and lenses, and are also big enough to hold diapers and wipes. Plus they are just gorgeous. I haven't decided on a style yet, but that one is pretty high on my list! So I'll be carrying around my equipment in a fashionable bag and won't allow myself any excuse to not have that camera around.
   
   
   
3. Make more time for hobbies. I love taking pictures. I want to learn the piano. I need to learn how to sew. Practice makes perfect. I want to set aside time to enjoy all the hobbies I love and all the hobbies I want to be good at. Someday one of those little aliens might be looking at my pictures and reading one of my yet-to-be-published novels while watching a video of me playing the piano, and he will be wearing some kind of drapery I've sewn that he has fashioned into a cape (assuming, of course, that my draperies and videos make it through the end of the world with my photo albums).
   
   
   
4. Focus more on family. Sometimes it's just hard to do. I get caught up in all the cleaning and the cooking, and by the end of the day I just need a moment to myself. I get incredibly annoyed when that moment is interrupted. I don't want to stress so much over everything else that I forget to just enjoy my husband and kids. In the end, I doubt I will say "man, I wish I spent more time cleaning!"
   
   
   
5. But still, I also want to keep a tidier home. I just need to utilize my time management skills better and know when to put down the broom and pick up my babies.
   
   
   
6. Cultivate strong friendships. I have my good friends, but for the most part I keep to myself and my little family. Sometimes it's a relief because when I catch wind of the latest gossip that happens to be untrue, I'm glad I'm not friends with the crazies spreading rumors (and in Okinawa, there happen to be A LOT of crazies). But then sometimes it's very lonely and pretty boring. It is hard having all of these kids and no babysitter for a girls night out, but that's an easy excuse to use. A lot of the time I'm too tired, and a lot of the time I just don't try. I want to be a reliable friend. If the crap hits the fan, I want to leave this world with many good friends by my side.
   
   
   
7. Finish the Bible. I've read bits and pieces of the bible throughout my life. I jump around from book to book and verse to verse. I have never read the entire Bible all the way through from beginning to end. In times of crisis, it is so important to have your faith to fall back on. Before the world ends, I want to have read the whole thing from Genesis to Revelations.
   
   
   
8. Continue working towards my degree as I have been, just in case the world doesn't end.
   
   
   
9. Avoid the negative people, because I do not want to spend my last days with anyone who can't find the humor and joy in the day to day more often than not.
   
   
   
10. Keep up with the laundry. End of the world or not, I don't want to keep letting this happen
    
    
    
    

Merry Kindle-mas!

This is my absolute most favorite gift this year:

I love to read!

Recent holiday photo shoot

Because a few of you asked to see the entire session :)

Feeling Festive

Look at me getting all crafty for the holidays! One of my life goals is to be like Martha Stewart, only more exciting. I realize I am a long way from pursuing that, but here's to a start!

Christmas stuff has been on display at the BX since October, so I have been anxious to start decorating. I've been trying to talk myself into putting up the tree, but I think I managed to convince myself that is not a good idea. I remembered the deal with having cats around Christmas time (if you have ever owned a cat and a Christmas tree at the same time, you may know the nuisance of which I speak), and then there's the whole kids thing. I'm sure they will do their best to knock the tree over. Also, our designated Christmas tree area doubles as the kids' play area (and triples as my studio), and our place in general is not very roomy. I can see me having to move the tree around a lot. I will be pleasantly surprised if our plastic aspen makes it through to next year.

So since I am forcing myself to put off the tree trimming until at least the beginning of December, I've been trying to make our home festive in ways that will be easier for me to keep from inevitable destruction. I threw together this lovely centerpiece:

A hurricane filled with potpourri (so it smells festive too!) with a candle in the center. I was pretty proud of this.

And bought some Christmas-y linens:

  Green and red cloth napkins that are more for looks than function (of course), White and gold-striped table runner (I have a giant poppy painting with a touch of gold hanging in my dining room, so this compliments the piece well), and red tablecloth (which is actually just the usual tablecloth, but yay that it works for the holidays!)

I also bought a wreathe for the door, a cute little fake tree that I plan on using in my holiday photo shoots, and a lovely fake poinsettia arrangement:

I feel it should be said that I've been going a little fake-plant crazy lately. I bought 4 for my living room recently. But they really add something to the space without adding anymore responsibility:

As you can see, I have more than enough responsibility around here:

I do believe this pile is made up of our entire wardrobes. Fun for me!

But the laundry can wait until morning. Right now I will bask in the gratification of subtle holiday cheer, and this decadent slice of tiramisu from Macaroni Grill (which I would love to take a photo of so I can be reminded of such sweet bliss for all time, but the camera is downstairs and I am enjoying this little treat in the comfort of my room).

Happy holidays :)