I am back at work today after a fantastic 12 days off. I only wish I had yet another week off to accomplish even more. Because of course I waited until practically the last minute to really do all the things I wanted to do while I was off.

It only took about twenty 30-gallon trash bags but I managed to get a lot of stuff either thrown away or donated to Goodwill. What’s annoying though is that you can’t really even tell by looking that we did all of this. It’s obvious we have only scratched the surface.

I will do my best to use the rest of my nights this week to keep my momentum going. And then when my mother comes to clean on Friday it will finally look clean. Not that she doesn’t do a good job when she comes, it’s just that with all of our clutter everywhere, it still looks messy. So now that I’ve cleared away about 90% of the clutter in both living rooms, I just know it’s going to look fantastic.

And speaking of things that look fantastic…

This is the new sleeper sofa we purchased yesterday. Actually, it’s more of a sleeper love seat. It’s going to go in the guest room and replace the very uncomfortable twin bed we have in there. The sofa bed will sleep two instead of one and will also allow me a bit more breathing room in the guest bedroom. Which also happens to by the room where all of my clothes are. And also where I have to keep the sewing machine and all of my crafts. There’s a lot of stuff in there.

Here’s a video of what the living rooms currently look like. There’s still a little bit left to tackle, but for the most part, I’ve had to resign myself to the fact that there is just always going to be some clutter around my house. Because I have too much stuff. And not enough cabinets with which to hide it all in.

Oh and I should totally get bonus points for having done all of this AFTER doing Jillian’s 30 Day Shred dvd… with 5 lb hand weights. My arms? They hate me. And I don’t blame them one bit.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Years. Last night Thom and I had plans a plenty. And I was a bit worried that I would crash long before midnight. Especially since my attempts at an afternoon nap were for naught. So I got me one of those 5 Hour Energy drinks I’ve been hearing about. I think that was probably a huge mistake. Did it keep me awake? Yes. But I woke up feeling like crap and it only got worse as the day went on.

One might think I just had a hangover. However, I consumed a very pitiful amount of alcohol last night and I never even managed to get tipsy. So if that was a hangover, then it was caused by some herbal overload. (not THOSE kinds of herbs silly)

We did manage to have a pretty good time last night though. We went over to a friend’s house where I played Guitar Hero for the first time ever. I can see why that game is so popular. I can also see that I might actually allow a Wii into my home. I’m shocked to even hear myself say it, considering how much I’ve enjoyed not having any gaming systems around for the past 5 years or so. If they came out with some kind of Biggest Loser/Wii Fit game, I’d go run right out tomorrow and throw down my credit card. It’s also making me wish that I had entered more contests to win one of these things. I know several bloggers out there were just giving them away.

After leaving our friend’s house, we made our way to Thom’s favorite bar to ring in the new year. All was going well until I realized that the champagne in my glass was actually beer. Blech. Oh well… you can’t have everything you want.

Since it’s New Year’s Eve… and for most of us the last night to really indulge as far as food and beverage go I thought I’d leave you with a few easy to make recipes. Just in case you are waiting until the last minute to decide what to take or serve this evening.

Hot Wing Dip:

2 blocks cream cheese
1 jar blue cheese dressing (go for the good stuff in the refrigerator section)
1 cup Frank’s hot sauce
8 oz shredded cheddar
4-6 chicken breasts

You can either bake the chicken or boil it on the stove.
Melt cream cheese on low heat, slowly adding in the salad dressing and the hot sauce.
Once the chicken is cooked all the way through chop it up and add it to the dip. Serve with celery or your favorite chip or cracker.

Goop Dip:

This one is a nice variation of the Velveeta/Rotel dip that is so common. In addition to the Velveeta and Rotel you would also add a can of cream of mushroom (or chicken) soup, a pound of ground beef or sausage, and a small box of frozen spinach.

Cookies:

Take all that leftover Christmas candy from your stocking and buy some pre-made cookie dough. I bought some peanut butter dough and got out my mini muffin pan. I filled each one with the dough and then pressed in Hershey Kisses and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

White Dip:

If you have a non cheese lover in your house like I do you can substitute cream cheese for Velveeta. And yes I know cream cheese is still cheese, but hey… at least my husband will eat cream cheese. Especially if I melt it in a crock pot with sausage and Rotel.

Lil’ Smokies:

Who doesn’t love Smokies right? Well instead of BBQ sauce, how about using yellow mustard and apple jelly? Or maybe chili sauce and grape jelly? I personally favor the mustard/apple jelly one myself.

Veggie Tray & Dip:

Mix 3/4 cup salsa with 1 block of cream cheese. Chop up some carrot sticks and celery and arrange on a platter for dipping.

I think I just gained 5 lbs typing out all of those ingredients. I should probably go for a walk now. Or a nap.

You know 2008 has been one big ball of emotions for me and my family. I think I’m looking quite forward to just putting it behind me and taking on 2009 with a much better attitude. And my like my good buddy Sizzle, I don’t do so well with New Year’s Resolutions. In fact, I purposely didn’t make any for 2008. If you don’t make any then there is no pressure to keep them.

Usually I make one to lose weight. And I always fail to keep it. This year I joined Weight Watchers again for the first time since I was 16. I also joined yet another gym. I did both good and strong for 2 months. I even lost 19 lbs. Then July came and I dropped them both like hot potatoes. Why? I have no idea. Do I secretly love the roller coaster of self destruction? Maybe.

I’ve also developed some other unhealthy habits in this past year. You may have noticed them. They seem to have taken shape in the form of handbags, wallets, clothing, shoes and whatnot. And while every gal does need some of those things, I have obviously gone way overboard with the spending. Paying off my car and a huge chunk of debt this year has freed up quite a bit of my monthly income. And instead of putting it in savings, I’ve gone a bit crazy with the spending. And that needs to stop.

I still think I’m going to go with the whole not making any resolutions for 2009, but I would like to share with you all my plans for January.

I have purchased Jillian’s 30 Day Shred dvd. I plan to do it every day for 30 days starting tomorrow. I have a nice sized bottle of 800mg Ibuprofen handy. I am most certain I will need it.

Also I plan to go the next month without buying anymore clothes, purses, shoes, or any other personal items. Only household and grocery type items will be allowed. I’m totally stealing this idea from Rhi. Although I don’t know how much success she ever had at it. And since we’re kind of two birds of the same feather… it’s probably not a good sign for me. I’ll never know unless I try though right?

Wish me luck!

Ah Christmas is finally over. Dare I say it was the best one ever?

Each Christmas Eve we spend the day with my dad’s side of the family. And it seems to just keep getting better each year. And more people keep getting added to the mix. Here’s a photo of my dad, his mom, his brother, me and my sister, and my two cousins.

That tall blonde gal over there who got all the good genes in the family? That’s my cousin Erin. She and her husband just gave the entire family the wonderful news that they are expecting.

Those two give Brad and Angelina a run for their money in the gene pool department. I cannot wait to hold that baby. I promise I’ll give it back!

The theme this year was Mexican food. And my aunt and cousin went overboard as usual with the food. There were enchiladas and tamales and casseroles and so many desserts we hardly even made a dent.

And after eating, we hit the games. Here we are trying to make Christmas trees by holding the paper behind our back. Some came out pretty good. Some did not.

Oh and did you know that in Morocco they refer to Santa Claus as Black Peter? Yeah I didn’t see that one coming.

Then we started in on the gift exchange and dirty santa game. That game is really fun with 16 people. Even if your cousin is being stingy with the much coveted tea kettle.

Then my sister got really mad that someone stole her Ped Egg. So she pulled out the big guns.

And she got her Ped Egg.

Then it was time for the forced posing of everyone against their will.

You can tell we really loved that part.

I love my family something fierce and I’m beyond thrilled that we were all able to spend it together.

I’m also thrilled that I finally got my hands on that handbag I’ve been drooling over for the last few weeks.

Next up? New Year’s Resolutions and trying to conquer my addictions. Including the ones involving handbags.