Happy New Year!

Happy new year to everyone! I love the start of a new year. It gives you a point at which you can try to improve upon any flaws. I am going to try to be more thoughtful, considerate, and procrastinate less. This means actually buying gifts for people that entail thought--no more gift cards!

It's also a great time to reflect on what we have to be thankful for. I had another year with my dad. He is continuing his battle with prostate cancer, and fortunately, he has not been sick or suffered much at all, other than being tired. My mom continues to persevere and take care of dad, and everything else, somehow. ThaKing's grandma continues to do well.

We lost Miss Ripley Kitty and Leo the Ferret this year, but gained Elka, the white German shepherd (more to come later), just before Christmas. ThaKing and I will eat hoppin' john tomorrow to get our fill of black eyed peas for luck in 2009.

If you need a tax deduction for 2008, please remember all the critters at LHS. They have a record number of animals to care for at this time, so please donate.

Dear Santa

Who has not always wanted their very own Muppet?! From watching the Muppet Show to multiple Muppet Movies, reading Muppet books, I've always wanted my own. This dream can now come true by going to FAO Schwartz.

Christmas Movie Must Sees

Due to my bah humbug Christmas mood from last year, as previously mentioned, thaKing and I spent Christmas day at home last year...no family, just us and the critters. Apparently Kroger closes on Christmas day so we could not even have a semblance of the traditional Christmas dinner. We scrounged up what there was to eat at the house and went to see Charlie Wilson's War, partly so we could eat popcorn. Even though we have Christmas planned to the hilt this year, with lots o' traveling, I still want to keep the new found tradition of going to the movies on Christmas day. There are several great movies that will be out, such as Four Christmases and Marley and Me. Love Reese and Jen. Plus, thaKing is a little Vince Vaugh/John Favreau combo.

Christmas Spirit

Last year I was not in the Christmas spirit, whatsoever. I was entirely depressed from the overwhelming commercialism that is Christmas and the pressure of having to buy presents and trying to figure out what to buy. We didn't even put up a Christmas tree! This year, I am feeling slightly more spirited. We've even put up two trees! The large tree is referred to as the flea market explosion by thaKing. The topiary tree is the bird and gnome tree. It makes me so happy to see the little gnomes peeping around the branches. R.C. is even feeling the spirit.

Floored

We finally made the commitment to rip up the carpet and linoleum and install hardwood flooring in our home. To save 50 cents/square foot, thaKing and I removed the carpet and linoleum our selves. There is a reason I don't do manual labor...IT SUCKS! We thought it would take only two to three hours, but oh no, it was easily 7! My back ached for days. My fingers were sore from tugging and pulling on the linoleum. My pink and whites were left in tatters. In the end the floor was definetly worth it.

Bad, Bad Blogger!

I have been super busy the last month with work and around the house. Too busy to blog. I had my first argument before the Court of Appeals which was nerve racking and very exciting. I can't wait to do it again, assuming of course I have all the 'right' answers for the judges like I did this time! It was way more fun than law school, when nothing other than your dignity was on the line. Also, we had hardwood flooring installed in the first floor of our lovely Ball home. Pictures to follow. The process only took a week but it seemed like two weeks!

Anyway, the important reason for this post...Lex Humane Society has collaborated with one of my favorite local stores, Isle of You, located at the corner of Jefferson and Short. Take a donation for LHS or an item off the LHS wish list to Isle of You and receive 50% off your entire purchase. Help the animals and shop at the same time!