I spent all day today working on bins/boxes that I have in my garage.  A friend came over and "encouraged" me to get rid of a lot of my old things.  Cabbage Patch Dolls...I kept one of four.  It's now Gavin's baby.  We have to keep reminding him to be gentle with him.  I hope it helps him learn to be more gentle with his friends at school.  I tossed all of my My Little Ponies, but couldn't part with the Strawberry Shortcake or Rainbow Brite dolls just yet.  Maybe next time!

I got rid of almost all of my stuffed animals and quite a few things that I got from my dad.  However, I also had somebody come and pick up a beautiful teak bar/room divider and some really huge, old Altec speakers.  I'm sure we could have made some pretty good money off of both of those items, but what really matters is that they aren't taking up space in our garage anymore!  I'm glad they have gone to people that will appreciate them.  

15/365 - Bye Bye Alf!  

13/365 - I met my friend Matt at a campground that my family and I used to go to a lot when I was younger.  We met in 1990 when I was in middle school.  He didn't live all that far from me, but in sixth grade it was quite a distance.  We were pen pals all through my middle school and most of my high school years (he was a few years older).  Now we've reconnected through Facebook!

These are all the letters that he wrote to me.  We started writing when stamps cost just 29 cents

12/365 - Some of Gavin's favorite books...it's so cute when he grabs a book and walks up and says "read?"  Then he turns his back to you so that you can pick him up and sit him on your lap to read to him.

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I'm going to be working on decluttering.  I thought I had come to terms with getting rid of my old toys.  Taking them out of the box has made me doubt myself.  I have some awesome stuff!

As soon as I got home from work tonight and changed, I grabbed some boxes from the garage and got to work.  I've been filling up the dining room table with stuff that I've decided to let go.  It's hard because some of the items my dad gave me.  I am very sentimental about my things.  I'm hoping that taking pictures will make it easier to part with them.

I posted some items on Freecycle and hope they go quickly (before I change my mind!)  I got a postcard about a charity pickup on January 21.  If they don't go by then, I will put out for pickup.  This is the plan.

11/365 - Childhood friends....My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Brite...my Cabbage Patch dolls must be in another box.

10/365 - It's a bird, it's a plane....it's Captain Undies!  Guess I shouldn't leave the (clean) laundry laying around?

9/365 - Gavin's favorite Christmas present...not just one "tato!" but "two tatos!"  Mr. Tato is missing a few parts, but I'm sure they're under a couch or in a speaker somewhere around here.

And I'm including this picture because I can probably count the number of pictures I have of Gavin and me together on two hands....I guess that's what happens when you're always the one taking the pictures!

8/365 - Went to see Black Swan tonight with a friend.  She guilt-tripped me into seeing it because I drag her to all kinds of romantic comedies (read: great movies)  This movie was frickin' weird.  $9.50 I can't get back.  However, I did enjoy the glass of wine that I got to drink during the movie.  It's a cool theater.  The chairs are comfy and recline.  They also have some seats near tables so that you can order food and waiters will bring it to you at your seats.  Rockin' concept!

Apparently it was Toga night at the Rocky Horror Picture Show.  Large people in togas abound.  And it was cold!  These people were standing outside in 30-something degree weather in togas.  We thought of suggesting that they save toga night for the summertime, but figured it was a little late for that.

7/365 - Word to yo mutha!  A sign for the maintenance department in the building I work in.

6/365
I have a black thumb.  I cannot keep plants or flowers alive.  So far I'm doing ok with the kid though!  We got this Peace Lily when my dad passed away.  It's been over four years now and it's still alive!  It's not looking its best and could use some TLC right now, but water it a little and it comes right back.

And just because, I'm going to include one of my favorite pictures of my dad.  I miss him.

Had a quick meeting at the daycare today. Usually Jeff picks him up but he had something to do after work. I ended up crying in the ladies office. Nice. I guess I was just sad and overwhelmed that my son is being a bully and I'm not sure why he's hitting or how to stop it. Ugh. She still wants to meet together with one of his teachers and both Jeff and me. I guess we'll do that sometime next week.

5/365

I really needed a little pick-me-up after that. Thankfully there is a Starbucks drive-thru on the way to the daycare. A venti no foam soy latte was just what I needed!

I've been a lot better with my Starbucks habit lately.  For awhile I was going every day before work (and sometimes after too!)  When my dad passed away in December of 2006, my brother, his girlfriend, my husband (fiance at the time) and I spent a lot of time together and made many trips to get coffee that first week.  We started calling it our "cup of happiness"

Bleh.  Got a call from the daycare today that Gavin has been hitting the other kids, teachers and even parents.  I just can't imagine why he would walk up to another parent and whack em.  We're going to have to have a meeting to make sure we're all on the same page on how to handle this.  Redirection does not work.  He's so focused and determined.  We've been having the hitting issue at home as well.  It happens when we tell him no, but sometimes it seems for no reason at all.  He's such a sweet boy, but they say the other kids are starting to be afraid and avoid him.  Not good.

4/365

Lacking any inspiration today, but here's a close-up pic of my wine corkboard!  This was one of the projects that I completed right before Gavin was born.  I like to grab the cork when we drink wine at home, restaurants, wineries, etc.  Pre-baby we made many trips to the Napa/Sonoma area.  We joined a few wine clubs and tried to go at least once a month.  Post-baby....not so much!  And the wine clubs have been cancelled.  I still have my corks and my memories.

3/365
My big boy! - The boy who won't eat anything actually tried salmon and peas tonight! I think my cheering and clapping like a middle school cheerleader on a 6-pack of red bull helped.


Here he is, clapping for himself.  He also kept telling Daddy to clap for him.  I really hope that we can get a repeat performance!

2/365
Show me your smile!  When we ask Gavin to show us his smile, he scrunches up his eyes and gives the cutest, cheesy smile.  I'll keep working on capturing it, but until then here's just a cute picture of my little man!

Happy new year!  I'm excited for 2011 and hoping for great things.  Can I change the habits that I've formed over 33 years?  I'm not quite sure, but like millions I'm taking the excuse of a new year to try for a new beginning.  Each day is a new beginning but a new year gives the feeling of a clean slate.  


I'm starting off my Project 365 today - taking a photo a day for a year.  Why?  What better way to be able to reflect on what I did, who I met, what I learned....Hopefully I'll also become a better photographer in the process and learn how to use the camera that I spent so much money on!


1/365
Here's my first picture - My boys!

Another thing on the horizon is Project 30 Days - http://project30days.com/ - Tackling one bad habit at a time each month.  Month 1 is Decluttering.  I'm at least 25 cats away from an episode of Hoarders, but I could probably stand to part with a few things.  Hopefully I can tie these two projects together. 


I've failed miserably at blogging in the past.  Add in taking pictures, trying to make other changes and my lackluster writing skills - it's just a recipe for disaster.  BUT.  This is a new year, a new beginning and a new positive attitude.... right?  I've almost convinced myself.