Happy New Year!

Alright, alright, so I'm a bit late. But it's not because I don't care. It's just because 2009 kicked off and hasn't let up much since it started. Between work, maintaining a semblance of a social life, and writing and rewriting those resolutions I haven't had time to just sit down and exist without multitasking in some way shape or form.

So, I hope that everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve and rang in 2009 with plenty of gusto! And also that it was a safe day for everybody.

Now, about those resolutions, which I expect are or have been conjured up by many more people besides myself, (which subsequently may or may not be strictly kept). I may still add some to my list, but so far mine are as follows:

The Resolutions* I Hereby Make for New Year

*Resolutions are subject to change without notice.  

Any resolution listed may be amended or discontinued at any time. For further information, please see our FAQ's page.

1. Lighten up. 

Don't take yourself so seriously, and try not to take everything  personally. It'll add years to your life, and will make you more fun to be around.

2. Be spontaneous.

It's fun, it's unexpected, what could possibly go wrong? Okay, so a few things might go wrong. Still, what have you got to lose? Besides, don't they always say to expect the  unexpected? Maybe that's not such a bad idea. Or even if you don't expect it, look to participate in it.

3. Ditch the comfort zone.

At least a little. You don't always have to be uncomfortable, but try going new places, meeting new people. Break out of your shell and experience things you wouldn't necessarily have thought of in the first place. Don't turn up your nose at something when you don't know for sure whether you'll like it or not.

4. Set goals.

Who says you must suffer a flogging if you don't reach a few of them? It never hurts to try, and if you don't set any goals for yourself then you sure as heck won't meet any. Not only does it give you something to do, even a purpose if you will, but it also makes you feel pretty darn good when you succeed.

5. Be proud.

Don't be afraid to let yourself acknowledge your accomplishments. This doesn't mean you have to be a braggart. There isn't anything wrong with telling yourself "Good job!" or having pride in something you've done. Now, rubbing it in everyone's face might not be the best thing to do, but it sure isn't great to walk around as if you're a useless slob who has yet to accomplish anything in your whole pathetic life. It just isn't so. Hold your head up high and say not only "I can," but also, "I did. And I did it darn well!"

6. Be yourself.

Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Stop looking to others to see where you should be, what you should have accomplished, what your goals should be, and what you should want. It's okay to be you, it's okay to be different. It's not a race, it's not a competition. Allowing yourself to be comfortable where you are and with what you have will open doors to success in many other areas. Just think, with all of that time you spend thinking about your shortcomings, failures, etc. now free, there's no end to what you can accomplish!

7. Grow up.

Take responsibility for yourself, and all of the things that fall under the category of "should be taken care of by me". This means bills, chores, work, all of it. Don't expect everyone else to be there to do the things you don't want to or the things you think you can't. Manage your time and money properly, learn to tell yourself no. Things can wait. Responsibilities can't. It's a hard fact of life, but it's a fact that's better learnt sooner rather than later.

Since 7 is one of those good numbers, I'm stopping there. That's all I've got. Certainly more could be added, and might be if I can think of other things I'd like to see myself strive towards. But for now, surely that's a lot to work on as it is. I'm far from perfect, and sometimes a little self-reevaluation is a positive thing. It gives you the opportunity to sit down and really think about and realize what you are, who you are, and if there are things you'd like to see yourself do different. I know I have plenty of those things myself.

Good luck to everyone on keeping your resolutions! Hopefully we can all better ourselves and maybe next year have even less resolutions than the year before. Or at least all new ones. I mean, of course one of mine is "drop a few pounds", but that's such a cliche why even bother adding it to the list? I don't even think it's an earnest resolution anymore, so much as a daily mantra.

Again, I hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start, and will only continue to get better! If you haven't made your resolutions yet, never fear and don't despair! There's still plenty of time to figure out what resolutions, if any, you should have. 

Until then, enjoy the conversation with your inner-self. If yours is as attention starved as mine, it could be a long talk. 

Perhaps it's best to grab a cup of coffee and settle into a comfortable chair...

Tucker's New Sweater

-a word+photo-told story by Sarah E. Thomas

-- -- -- -- --

Once upon a time, there was a small, energetic bundle of fur, excitement, and love.

This little bundle just so happened to be named Tucker.

Sometimes this particular bundle would find himself galavanting about outdoors on days where the weather was a little less than warm. It was on days like this when he ended up calling it quits sooner than he really wanted to, retreating to the door and barking to be let back in.

He loved being outside, but it didn't take much to cool his little short-haired body down.

But one day, while shopping for clothes, Tucker's loving and devoted pet human, Sarah, spotted an absolutely adorable little gray sweater. And it was made just for dogs!

"Mom!" she cried, ecstatic even as she held up the little item proudly. "Wouldn't Tucker just love this?"

Her mom nodded in response, already in line with a few things of her own.

Sarah beamed at the sweater, happy to find that it was indeed in the proper size to fit her little pup. The purchase was made and the sweater was added to her bag of clothes to be carted back to the house.

As soon as Sarah made it home, she had the tags removed and the sweater prepped and ready for wearing. She knelt down to present the gift to Tucker.

Tucker eyed the garment curiously, his wet little nose sniffing as he pondered what this new thing could be. Then, suddenly, the thing was on him. He froze, unsure of what to do next, but then his pet human pulled his legs through and it seemed to settle onto his little body with ease. He took a few practice steps, trying to nibble at the thing's hood with his teeth.

"Look mom!" Sarah exclaimed. "He looks SO CUTE! I have to get the camera!"

Tucker turned in a couple of circles, but as he did so he found himself warming up. The warmer he got, the more accustomed to the sweater he seemed to become.

"Time to take it for a test drive," Sarah said, opening up the door and watching as Tucker high-tailed it outside.

Tucker's first order of business was to make sure that one and all knew of his brand spankin' new sweater.

Kelsi was the first to hear the news, unable to ignore Tucker as he excitedly showed off his new fashion statement.

Ever the good aunt, she feigned a smile and pretended to be more interested than she really was, hoping that in doing so Tucker would be satisfied and distract himself with something else.

From his perch on top of Sarah's car, Teddy offered his two cents, not waiting for anyone to ask his opinion.

Other than those few words of wisdom, Teddy had little to say.

Tucker, now satisfied that he'd made everyone aware of his incredible sweater, busied himself with his usual outside activities; chewing bones, running around, sniffing out big important things.

And all the while he couldn't help but notice just how warm he stayed. What an awesome sweater!

After running around outdoors for a good long while, Tucker finally wore himself out and decided it would be as good a time as any to take a break and head back in for a quick nap on the couch. Not because of the cold, oh no. Just because he had run off all of the energy he'd built up so far.

But this was only the beginning, the first of many trips out into the cool air armed with a very handy little grey sweater. Why with that one little added accessory, Tucker felt that surely he could conquer the world! Starting, of course, with his own backyard!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Merry Christmas, one and all!

I feel as though I've been neglecting this little blog 'o' mine lately. Sadly, I have had every intention of updating before now. It's been a long month so far, what with the general hustle and bustle that this season brings. Not to mention the one or two bouts of runny-nosed sore-throat constantly coughing sicknesses. Those are just the best, don'tcha know?

But anyway; excuses, excuses, right?

So really, aside from the "being sick" stuff, I've been doing what anybody has been this December -- that is, I've been working, dealing with the kind of impatient and rude customers that only rear their ugly heads at this most joyous and giving time of the year. And I've been doubling up on my vitamins and trying to keep my hands clean of any germs that would make me sick again, or sicker than I have been. 

I've been doing Christmas shopping, and specifically NOT looking at my credit card bills because the good Lord knows that none of my gift buying has done anything but bolster those numbers. But 'tis the season, and all that. And besides, I enjoy buying presents. Credit card payments can hold their little horses, thanks very much, and I'll just make a New Year's Resolution to use my Christmas money to make payments on some of them. Or at least I'll try. Remember, it's allll about motive. The thought being what counts, and all that. *conspiratorial wink*

As I sit here, surrounded by a lovely pile of used Kleenex, a mug of Airborne, and a few empty Reese's wrappers (bought for stuffing stockings, it's not my fault I had some leftovers!) I can't help but feel that despite all of the rushing around and trying to get things done, I'm still nowhere close to finished. Our tree, for instance, has lights but no ornaments. Presents but no tree skirt. And our mantle; garland but no stockings. 

Also, I can't help but notice that the presents currently residing under our tree are all FROM ME. Alarmingly, this means that none of them are FOR ME. Not quite the reassuring display I was hoping for. But, fingers crossed, all will turn out well in the end. I mean, my parents are last-minute shoppers and last-minute wrappers, so...there's still hope. 

And I may not have decorated my Christmas tree, but I DID offer my assistance decorating a friends' tree. And just to prove that I do indeed have "Christmas Spirit", the pictures that follow are proof. And so I offer you;

Exhibit A:

Myself and my partner in crime, proudly displaying our Christmas spirit 

by donning festive hats and dutifully goofing off.

Exhibit B:

The tree we decorated. Plus pretty sweet light-action happening.

Exhibit C:

Outside, putting lights on the bushes proved for some really rad pictures, 

like this one, where oddly enough the pattern made by the lights sort of looks 

like a Christmas tree minus the tree and branches.

It was quite a fun day. Especially considering it happened after a day spent running all over creation to do Christmas shopping. :)

But there it is, anyway. Proof that despite the fact that I'm still rushing around to bring Christmas together, I do indeed have Christmas spirit, cheer, good will t'wards men, etc. etc.

More to come...