Nothing but bullet points

This is all I got. New year, schmew year.

• Our holidays were pretty good. There was as much lazing around as one can do without a lot of childcare, without a lot of vacation time and with a small, speedy, demanding and loud child around. For the sake of some peace and wine, I did introduce Dora the Explorer into our household, a move which I may live to terribly, terribly regret. I tried to make sure we ate well, listened to Christmas music, and that the house was full of pretty lights, decorations and booze cheer.

 

• The Olive had a really good time. She loved having us home, loved the nights we did drinks and snacks in front of the fire instead of sitting down for dinner. She got lots of great gifts, but not too many. She walked around the house saying "It's Christmas time! It's Christmas time!" She was adorable about wanting to open presents and more presents, but was sweet and accepting when we told her Christmas was over and there weren't any more presents. Sometimes, I think I couldn't ask for a better kid. Except when I want to put her in a box with airholes and ship her to China.

 

• My mom came for a week. I think we all had a good time. Except for the fateful day we all tried to do a Capitol tour. It began with Seth bailing on the tour and going home to save our $50 worth of fancy travel coffee mugs and Nalgene bottles and organic food from being thrown in the trash, because you can't bring ANYTHING into the Capitol. ANYTHING. Not EMPTY WATER BOTTLES, people. My mom and I bailed on the tour about 15 minutes in, when it was apparent that it was a dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, DUMB idea to bring a toddler along who can't fathom why she should not be allowed to run like a rabid raccoon around the Rotunda, shouting "Look! Windows! Lights! Statues!" Our morning ended with an actual head wound on a marble step in the Vistor's Center, FTW!
• New Year's. Pffft. The thing about New Year's Day, just now? it's not a holiday. I can't stay up late. Because it's going to be just another day where someone demands my attention full throttle at 6:00 am. I was asleep by 9:30 on New Year's Eve. I did make a really awesome dinner for the Eve. Marinated steak, Pioneer Woman's shrimp, parmesan mashed potatoes, green beans with almonds, some great bread, pastries from a local bakery, and wine, beautiful wine.
• I am opposed to New Year's resolutions. People set impossible goals, never keep them, and end up disappointed and without any change in their lives. It's the false hope of New Year's which is itself an overblown, overhyped occasion. More on that...some other time.
• That said, damn it if I didn't start thinking about what I could do better. At the top of the list: be a better wife. Gonna start with actually hiring a babysitter once in awhile. I so have control and micromanaging tendencies. They are magnified about ten thousand fold when it comes to The Preshus Child. Hence, we've barely had any babysitters (other than family) for two entire years. I know. Roll your eyes at me, tell me I'm overreacting. The kid will be fine. I am. I know. You are totally right.
• And I want to write. More. Better. Faster. Pussycat! Over 2010, I discovered so many more amazing writers here on the interwebs, people who brought me to my knees with beauty, tears, and gut-busting laughs. You inspire me, all of you.
• You can see I'm off to a REALLY FUCKING GREAT start with that "more writing" thing as I am finally posting for the first time in over a month with bullet points.
• I also want to take more photos. More! Better! Faster! Yeah, you know. My 35 mm f/1.8 lens changed my life last year. It's fast, I learned about bokeh. I shot great, different stuff; just not enough of it. This year, more of that, plus trying my hand at Photoshop, which I finally sucked up and purchased.
• I so covet one of these bags. I am sure that the second I get it, my photos will dramatically improve. Fortunately, my birthday is coming up and I think I have already wheedled my way into this bag. I'm coming for you, Annie Liebowitz!
• And now I would like 4 extra hours in each day, in which I am not doing anything for anyone else or eating or sleeping, so I can actually write something coherent, and climb up the very steep learning curve of Photoshop.
• Speaking of sleep. this time of year kills me. Just kills me. Almost literally. I don't do well with the lack of light. I don't have an office with a window. I have to actually go outside to see the sun, and brrr. I'm taking vitamin D and getting exercise to try to combat this, but I'm not sure it's working. Yesterday, an amount of coffee that should have had a Clydesdale tap-dancing still left me ready to crawl in bed at 5:00 or sooner. I used to like winter. I think I used to get outside more. I also used to have the freedom to lie on the sofa all day, wrapped in a blanket, alternately dozing and watching movies. Hibernating. Small children are not conducive to the hibernation state. Goddamn, she really wears me out, but I guess I love her anyway. Anyone with winter coping advice or crack or coke or uppers will be welcomed with open arms and more booze.
• In other news, only 59 days until we get Daylight Savings Time again. Fo' serious. March 13, y'all. I'll see you when the sun comes back.