I guess I'll welcome January if I have to.

New Year's Eve isn't quite what it used to be. Remember how big of a deal those high school New Year's Eve dances were? Whew. Don't miss those. Two years ago Tom and I sat up playing Mario Kart (I think I mostly watched 'cause I stiiiiink at video games), last year I fell asleep at an insanely early hour, and by the looks of it, it'll be Super Mario Galaxy 2 this year (Only watching. I stink, remember?).

My New Year's resolution for last year (technically still this year) was to open our mail. ...I set lofty goals for myself, what can I say? It was a real problem we had—opening our mail—and I felt like it was a job that I could actually tackle. 2010 Report: Mail piles and stacks were reduced by about 85% except for during the month of May and possibly December.

Not bad, no? Of course—that's a made up statistic that only includes mail that was actually for us, which is a significantly low amount compared to all the mail we receive for past tenants of this apartment. Good grief—if I ever meet Michael Garcia I shall sit him down and give him a pertinent lesson on "address forwarding."

And why am I blogging about mail? Boy howdy, if I even know. I think it had something to do with resolutions, and stuff. Anyway. Then in February I tacked on a late-comer goal, which was to acquire red shoes for myself. Again, a lofty and significant goal for one's year. 2010 Report: I barely made the cut-off for it this past Tuesday (I kind of forgot about it for a couple of months), with a pretty cheap pair of flats from none other than my favorite—Payless Shoes. And of course—I can't even wear them because we're up to our shins in snow out there and my feet are already frozen as it is.

I'm in the weighted process of deciding what my 2011 New Year's resolutions should be. I try not to load too many intense goals on myself at one time, lest I become overwhelmed and sell out with a good sit on the couch while twirling my hair into a bunch of knots. Now, things are still in the early stages, but the two I've thought of so far?
• Buy a new car
• Remember to check the mail.
Ah yes—both difficult to obtain, but for (slightly) different reasons. This new car business is toying with the "necessity" line because Tom's car is falling apart faster than you can say "fall apart." But it'll be pretty hard to actually accomplish because, 2010 Breaking Report: This past year kicked us in the dirt financially. Turns out having a baby and working less hours while your husband's tuition is due every other week or something ridiculous like that will do that to you. Good thing Clara's earned her keep (and then some). Back to checking the mail. Now that I've mostly conquered opening the mail I think I can move on to remembering to check it more than once every 2 1/2 weeks. One step at a time to becoming a mail master, am I right? I'll be sure to fill the blogdom in along the way.

My only other resolution would be to teach my bathroom to clean itself. Could prove to be extremely difficult but I'm pretty sure it'd be extremely worth it.

2010 Final Report: I'm sad to see 2010 go. It's been one of my best years. Also most adventurous. How about you?






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Coming soon, depending on your definition of soon: Meet the fam part II: Giles family pictures and would you take a look at that awful double chin?? (Mine—not Clara's. Hers is 100% acceptable.)

2010 Re-Cap: A Year In Hair (with even more pics!)

Or, more appropriately, 8 months in hair.

Without further ado:

Here's hoping 2011 brings along even poofier hair and tanglier knots.

Pictures with very little commentary, if you please.

Gosh, it's been like—what? Twelve years since I've blogged? Well the only thing that's really happened since my last post is that I've formed a mild addiction to Benadryl. No biggie. That, and Tom had a birthday. That, and we went to chilly Montpelier to have an early stocking-stuffer extravaganza with Tom's fam. Observe.

Other than that, Clara's been a bit of a Crankelstiltskin as of late, and as it turns out—my mood is directly dependent on the quality of naps she takes. So I'll give you two guesses as to how they've been going. At the risk of sounding cliché—I wonder if Clara really WILL get a front tooth for Christmas?

Anyway, I've been wanting to find the time to put in a good post before Christmas. But let's be honest. December is a whirlwind of a month—is it not? So instead of a quality post, I'll just throw on a couple of pictures and call it a year. (Not that pictures aren't quality, of course.)

I present: Our weekend in Montpelier in picture form.

Let's end on that happy note.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

All Clara wants for Christmas is her own set of genuine leather coasters from Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Or perhaps more appropriately, all Season wants for Christmas is for Clara to have her own set of coasters so her current ones can have some slobber relief. See those toys tossed haphazardly behind her? That's because coasters are the only way to true happiness. MUST-HAVES for our 2010 Christmas.

Okay, but that's not completely accurate either. Because let's face it—that's definitely not all I want for Christmas. In fact, I hadn't even thought about it once until I sat down to create this post.  In fact, I don't really want new coasters. I couldn't care less about new coasters—so please nobody give me coasters for Christmas.

And another thing about Clara. If you ask her if she likes bananas, she'll shake her head no. If you ask her anything, for that matter, her response is no. But don't be fooled—she's actually quite agreeable. She's also picked up waving, which warms my already-melted mother's heart. As does this cute, drool-ridden little grin:

Anyway. As I always say—on to the bananas. This one's for all you grandmothers out there.

Comings and goings

The past 10 days were as follows:

• We set off for Denver to enjoy our turkey and mashed potatoes with Team Tag and Tracy. We endured road conditions like this:

These pictures were taken only at times when I dared to take my face out of its hiding place in my pillow. So in other words, these pictures show the better conditions.

• Clara clowned around with her BFF, Lucy. I chose this picture specifically because it demonstrates the jovial atmosphere.

• While in Denver, Tom and I participated in another murder mystery party with Tom's family and friends.
The Chicago Caper. It was a fun one.

Our costumes happen to look strikingly similar to the ones we wore for our murder mystery. Only—I borrowed a certain wig, feather boa and cigarette holder that also happened to make its appearance at that same party. And get this. Nicole, who sported the wig, boa and cigarette holder at MMP1 (that stands for Murder Mystery Party 1) took the much sought-after "Best Costume" award. And I, sporting the wig, boa and cigarette holder at MMP2, also was awarded "Best Costume." They must be magic. What other explanation could there even be? Anyway, if you happen to be participating in MMP3 and are just dying to win best costume, I bet I could pull some strings and get Nicole to let you borrow them.

• Two days after we arrived home our second super guppy died. I found it noble that he held on through our Thanksgiving vacation. Probably because he wanted to say goodbye. Now, you might think I'm having a celebration over here—but actually in recent weeks I've had a total change of heart concerning our fish. See, we bought the little guys in December of 2008. And it struck me awhile back—who manages to keep a guppy alive for TWO WHOLE YEARS?? Season Giles does, that's who. I thought it could be my main claim to fame. You know—and then there'd be a hush that would take over crowds whenever I entered the premises because, "She's the girl that kept a guppy alive for two years!" they'd all whisper. But the jerk had to keel over on November 29th. Anyway, once the little algae sucker follows suit there will be a nice new piece of real estate on Clara's wall table. I've seen a few of her stuffed animals eyeing it greedily.

• Let's see, what else? Tom said farewell to the Art Institute and is switching to the animation program at Utah Valley University in January. Long story. We feel like this is a wise move, however.

• I put up our 2-foot debilitated Christmas tree. It took all of about 20 minutes. I couldn't wait to show it to Clara the next morning. She wasn't even slightly interested. Talk about a bah-humbug. Oh and I created my mother's Christmas 2010 newsletter. I do it every year. Except for that one year. Anyway, want a sneak-peek? Sure! But only because I'm overcome with the Christmas spirit. Here is an excerpt: "Greyson was baptized this year, started Cub Scouts, and also builds entire metropolises with Legos. With no hands."

• I do believe that brings me to today. I managed to catch a cold. It's done wonders to my voice. I can't decide if I sound more like a big, brawny man or a stinky lady that smokes 12 packs of cigarettes a day. Whatever the case might be, I never got out of my pajamas today, because that is my right as a sick person. And check these puppies out:

Tom gave me these last year for Christmas. With all the love in his heart. That being said, I'm fully willing to admit their hideousness. However I think the benefits might outweigh such hideousness. Such as:
—They keep my feet warm. My feet go through a deepfreeze from October-March of each year.
—They're super slippery, which makes for great fun on tiled and wood surfaces.
—Not only do they keep my feet warm, but they also keep my ankles and halfway up my calves warm.
—Should I ever feel the need to dress up as the Cookie Monster, I've already got the foot region completely taken care of.

I'm not the only one around here with fancy feet. Clara's got it goin' on too: