Grateful

I am a lucky girl. We moved into our current apartment on July 3rd, 2008 and it wasn't until today, January 9th, 2009, that I had to set foot in our communal laundry room downstairs. Thank you Steve for all you do.

Go Gators Go!

Update:
24 to 14! I am super duper happy.

New calendar

Here's a couple pictures (January and May to be exact) from the calendar I made on snapfish. Whenever you go camping there's the good, bad and the ugly--going to the bathroom while camping falls somewhere in that mix. So when we rafted down the Colorado River last summer one of the guides mentioned a great idea--taking photos of all the toilet set-ups en route downriver and turning it into a calendar (it's about 13 nights for a commercial trip starting from Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek).

We set out doing this and of course, had a blast. Some of the guides even got in on it with some, ahem, modeling. But I won't show those shots. Here are the most scenic toilets ever.

La Befana, for the Epiphany

Growing up my sister and I got not one but three (!) peeps who would bring us presents around Christmas. On Christmas Eve we were visited by Baby Jesus, who would come to the house while we were at the vigil mass, midnight or otherwise. He seemed to like giving us pajamas :)

Christmas day was, of course, the jolly fat guy who was very, very generous.

And on the 6th of January la Befana would visit us. She's a benevolent, geriatric witch who flies around on a broom leaving presents. The Epiphany celebrates the three Wise Men meeting the infant Jesus for the first time. I'm not sure what a witch has to do with men offering frankincense, gold and myrrh, but that's how it went down in our house. In their home most Italians have a little hanging witch in honor of her, this is our wood-sculptured version of this beautifully ugly woman (this man is very talented) which I will proudly display every Christmas.

And aren't our boys adorable?

2008 - a look back

from left to right, descending: 1) at Big Basin Redwood State Park 2) on the summit of Half Dome, Yosemite National Park (we're the tiny ones at the edge defying death) 3) our group of rafters on the Colorado River last summer 4) wonderful Roberto 5) Haight-Ashbury district, SF 6) da Brunes 7) at Alta Plaza park in SF 8) the famous Painted Ladies 9) Yosemite in June 10) Point Reyes National Seashore 11) vineyards 12) sliding down the firepole at Blackthorne Inn, Inverness for Steve's birthday 13) at Pier 39 in SF 14) B. Hoods and Prince Chubby 15) gingerly descending the Half Dome cables 16) rafting the Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park 17) Mets vs. Giants, Mets won :) 18) our awesome commute 19) when the Olympic torch came to SF in April 20) Outstanding in the Field at Everett Family Farm 21) the view from Twin Peaks, SF 22) Thrill the World 23) stomping grapes = making wine 24) and of course, that fog.

Ron Howard's Best?

Now that I don't know. Apollo 13, after all, was stunning. And A Beautiful Mind was life-changing, out-of-the-park incredible.

But Frost/Nixon is wonderful. It's riveting, intense, and funny as hell. One of the facets of great movies for me is one that ends with you appreciating the duality of the characters--sympathizing with them and rooting against them all at once. This was one such film. And although it's based on a stage play, it didn't have that tunnel vision feel that some plays-turned-movies do. Here's a link to one of the trailers. And here's a link to a trailer of the actual interviews. It's now out on DVD and I really really want it, and don't think I'll have to twist Steve's arm too much to order it.

On an unrelated topic, I am thrilled that my hubby took me out to lunch today and I got to fill my belly with kumamoto oysters from Hog Island. Happy day.

My Resolutions for 2009

1. Eliminate our debt.
2. Go to Africa.
3. Exercise at least 4x/week-- yoga, running, or pilates.
4. Stop cursing.
5. Blog more.
6. Plan meals each week, including 1x/week grocery shopping rather than 5 or 6.
   
7. Join a CSA this summer for our fruits and veggies.
8. Make a big deal out of my family and friends' birthdays, since I know how great it feels to have a big deal made out of mine.
9. Throw the best-ever bridal shower for my sister.
10. Give my husband a 10-second kiss every day.
11. Be more informed about current events (don't live in a bubble).
12. Go for a picnic at the Palace of Fine Arts (it was undergoing renovation when we were living in SF).
13. Make handmade cards.
14. Plan a wonderful Valentine's Day. For the first time in years Steve has off the 14th.
    
15. Just roll with it. Wabi sabi. Life is imperfect.