New Things

It's a new year. We have a new president. I got a new (gorgeous!) camera. I'm making new friends. I have a semi-new hair color. I am in the market for new underwear. (TMI?) So I figured I needed a new title for my blog. I figured "Being Mama" was fitting, don't you?

Speaking of the new president, I don't know what to think about the inauguration. I had never really paid attention to one before, and I didn't start on Tuesday. Truth be told, it really didn't have much to do with the person being sworn in. I just don't have the attention span for that kind of thing. Maybe if I didn't have a 19 month old who also doesn't have the attention span for that kind of thing, then I could've watched some of the festivities just to see what all the chatter was about. I did catch some highlights and I suppose it was truly exciting if he got your vote. And I suppose it was even more exciting when you realize that it really was a huge day in the history of America that will be talked about for years and years to come. I will remember something else though that way too many of us will not. I will remember watching the former president, George Bush, wave good bye. I will remember feeling very sad for him. I truly believe in my heart of hearts that he did the very best he could for our country, considering the tragic hand he was dealt back in 2001. I think he had an overflowing plate to begin with and that he did what it took to keep this country safe since then. It's such a shame to think he will never get the respect that he deserves. Sure he made mistakes, but show me someone who could've handled the past 8 years any differently. Or handled it better, and I might feel obligated to join the rest of the people in the negativity. Until then, he has my utmost respect for keeping my family safe each and every day since September 11th. You'd think that would count for something, but unfortunately for most of this country, it does not. I am just pleased that TV has returned to its regularly scheduled programming and life can resume.

Moving on.

Along with a new year comes 2009 Resolutions! I wasn't going to post mine until I read Andria's. (actually, I hadn't even come up with any yet, I'm just winging it here...)

In 2009, I will:

1. Clean out my own car instead of paying $25 at the expensive car wash only to get jipped when they think I won't notice that they didn't even go near it with a vacuum. Jerks. They didn't know who they were messing with. I am one customer you do NOT want to rip off. I do apologize if I offended anyone with my loud sighing, eye rolling, and minor expletives under my breath. I'm dangerous that way.

2. Develop more pictures instead of storing them all on the memory card and/or computer. I don't want my future grandchildren huddled a computer to view online family photo albums. I was great when Brendan was first born...I was so diligent about printing out photos every few weeks and adding them so neatly to his cute little blue photo albums in an organized and timely manner. Now? Let's just say that the last actual printed photo to be placed into that adorable little album was of our trip to Florida last February. Not good.

3. Learn the ins and outs of our finances, as my husband has been begging me to do. I don't have a clue and am way too dependent on him to play the accountant in this marriage. God forbid something happen to him, there is a small chance that Brendan and I will experience just what it feels like to sleep inside a cardboard box. I don't want that to happen. I'm not a fan of cardboard.

4. That being said, I also vow to cut some corners around here, starting with the grocery bill. Good friend Andria shared some awesome tips on how to do this, and I plan to follow this one through. I am so tired of spending X amount of dollars at the grocery store only to come home and having nothing for dinner. I swear to God that always happens. If you'd like to read her tips, click on the Boy Crazy link in my sidebar. I would insert the link for you but that's something I still need to learn. Maybe that could be another resolution? "Learn how to do other things than just type and play with facebook." I don't think that I spend a lot of money on things actually, in fact the husband once commented that I'm "pretty low maintenance" compared to some wives. Let me refer again to my underwear collection, or lack there of. I am convinced that the dryer eats them, but some might disagree with that explanation. Somehow, I am down to 5 good pair TOPS which means I'm doing a lot of laundry lately just to make sure I've got clean undies. I apologize if this is TMI but it's my blog and I'm trying to make a point, which is, if I was one of those women who looooooved to spend money, I would've been out the door on my way to Victoria's Secret faster than you could blink an eye. (it's the only comfortable brand that I like. Sure, I could get them at Target for cheaper which I have done in the past, but I don't enjoy picking deep wedgies in public.) And my purse is so gross, dirty, and old, that I have pondered sending it to a lab just to see what I've been carrying around with me for the past year. Could be interesting! I have been wanting a new one for ages now but cannot justify buying one when I have one, even though I truly believe that I need one. Now that I think about it, maybe this resolution should be to just buy some new undies and a purse and call it a day.

5. Take a photography class. I've always, always wanted to learn how to take professional photos and since I've got the nice camera now, I really have no excuse not to. In my dream world, I open up my own photography business and make millions on scenic and family photos. Maybe I could start a paparazzi business here in CT? I can follow all the filthy rich people around and catch them doing dirty and illegal things. Then I can blackmail them with my wonderful photos in order to make my millions? Will keep you posted on that.

6. Stop flaking out. I am a self-proclaimed flake and way too indecisive. This drives my husband CRAZY. This conversation that took place 2 nights ago should clue you in on how bad I am:

"I need to go to the store. I hate going to the store, but I should go. Should I go honey? I could just take Brendan with me tomorrow. I need to get to the store. I am wondering if I should go. Should I just go? It's so cold outside, I hate going to the store in the cold. I can't decide if I should go!"

I thought the husband was seriously going to blow a gasket. "IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY. JUST GO IF YOU WANT TO GO. YOU EITHER WANT TO GO OR YOU DON'T!!!" He hates when I can't make up my mind on anything, which happens often. I need to stop doing that. Or do I? I can't decide.

7. I'm going to copy Andria and spend less time on the computer. Just like she said,"I didn't become a SAHM to sit on the computer all day." I agree. I don't spend as much time as I used to now that Brendan is down to 1 nap per day, and when he is awake, he certainly doesn't let me sit here and type unbothered. If I am on the computer, monster will actually come and push the keyboard in and slam the drawer. Point taken. Time to play with child. I follow a lot of fancy Mom blogs and I'm always so curious as to how they find so much time for it. One that I follow has 4 kids and homeschools them all, yet she will post 2, sometimes 3 times a day! And her blog is so darn pretty. How does she do it? I guess it doesn't matter, because I'm going to spend less time following it from now on if I live up to this resolution, right?

8. Get adventurous with the cooking. I think that I am a good cook...I mean, the husband eats it without compaining so I assume that I am a few steps above Debra Barone. The problem is that I tend to make the same things over and over. I need to step it up a notch. I just learned how to make pot roast a few weeks ago which might shock you considering I was raised in Idaho: Land of meat and potatoes. It was a little on the dry side, but that's a great excuse to try it again. I need to get Brendan to expand on his food choices also. He usually only goes for anything that contains maple syrup or ketchup.

9. Blog more. Wait, that contradicts resolution #7 right? See? I am so indecisive!

10. Hang pictures on the walls. In this entire house, we have ONE lonely picture that hangs, and it's in Brendan's room. Literally ONE picture. Husband has this weird thing with putting holes in the walls, along with "What would Roger Hazard say?" (major kudos to anyone who knows who Roger Hazard is) He's always in this frame of mind that we're selling the house, so we shouldn't add any personal touches to it because it takes the resale value down. But, last I checked, we're going to be living in this house for at least the next several years, so why I can't a hang anything up? I can't stand the bareness anymore. There are jail cells that are decorated better. He's just lucky that I don't know how to use the stud-finder yet or this place would be littered with stuff all over the walls.
(note to self: track down Home Depot associate and ask how to properly hang pictures.)

I think that's it for now. Must get to the grocery store since I didn't end up going 2 nights ago, incase you were wondering. :)