Hello 2008!

She goes, she comes back, she goes again.

Hello, dear internet. How is 2008 treating you thus far?

My oh my, I have so many things to share with you since we last met. And you wonder why I have not stopped by to fill you in, if there are so many developments, don't you.... Well, my internet has been broken for 2 weeks, thanks to the ineptitude of AT&T, and our digital camera broke for good just before Christmas, so that meant no blogging or photo blogging.

And if its been awhile since you last had to stay updated with your friends and family via the free computers at your local library I highly recommend you try it.... it's extremely humbling. But for now, let's get to the nitty gritty.

On the New Year Front:
We spent NYE hanging out and playing Guitar Hero III for Wii. Amazing. Just as addictive as they say it is. Good thing Santa found that last one at Target, or Christmas might have been ruined. Oh, and I am not one to make New Year resolutions, but I did decide to give up alcohol for Jan, if not possibly more... I'll see how it rolls. It seems so much less drastic than my Sister's Raw Vegan 30 day diet for the new year, which she is writing about here. I am super proud of her, especially since she found my "food combining" so "interesting" (read: strange) for all those years. ;-)

On the Home Improvement Front:
The 1.2 bath renovation is absolutely completed. It has been for some time, but I can't remember if I told you about it. From the floor to the ceiling and everything in between, everything is new. And so worth it. And having taken a few months off, Kris and I were bitten by the improvement bug over New Years weekend and decided to at least give our kitchen a facelift while we save the money to gut it completely. But the facelift turned out so great, I hardly mind the kitchen at all now, so we may just get new counters and ceiling. (if we can pull it off) It amazes me every time what a difference some fresh paint makes. (full pictures coming this weekend).

On the Personal Development Front:
We (quite a few family & friends) donated our time (and some $$) to a local woman & children's shelter last weekend and helped to spruce things up a bit. We brought some cheer for the kids by way of an art contest and dance/sing along, while the rest of us battled it out and painted 2 family bedrooms. It was a good time, and I had forgotten how great it feels to volunteer. Its gonna become a regular thing for us, and there is even talk of creating a non-profit, so I am sure you will hear more about this in the coming months. (And if you want to hear a more detailed account of the activities and how it all came about, check here.)

On the Work Front:
Going well at work and on my side work. I just began as the writing esthetician for a skin care line, and I am super excited. Check it out.

On the Home Front:
Quite a few things have been falling into place for us these days. Akron just seems to evolve as we need it to and watching it all unfold is so interesting. Life overall has become easier in the past months and we are finding our stride. Our house feels like home, and I realize that next month will already mark our 1yr anniversary of moving into this big old drafty house. So many things change, so many stay the same. Maybe its finally time to have that housewarming party I keep talking about. Ha ha.

In looking back on the past year, I realized that I have been leaving out a few important details of our life since we moved here. Some of you were updated in private about this, and some not. Sorry about that, but i just didn't know really what to say.

In May 2007 Kris and I made a very difficult decision regarding our dearly loved and somewhat infamous pooch Lilah. If you ask Elliott, Lilah went to live with old dogs, on an old dog farm where she can chase squirrels all day long. I don't know if you have ever seen an animal have a mental breakdown, but to the best of my knowledge and ability, that is precisely what happened. It unfolded slowly at first, around the time we moved, and quickly got out of hand by April. Who knows what caused it, more moving (#3 for her), the lack of Kris in the first few months, health or just the combination of it all, but she made herself clear, and we felt we had to help her out.

Since then, I have been lonely. She left a big hole that I knew there was no point in trying to fill. And let me tell you, a pet-free house is a quiet house indeed. Too quiet. But we grieve, adjust and move along. With pictures of her around, and conversation of her often. Maybe we'll even have another baby now that there's no fear of it being eaten (wink, wink).

And here we are...... I thought for sure the next animal we got would be another dog, but I believe life gives you what you need, and a few days ago it brought us Bob. Mister Bob Clayman Carter. Or Bobbie the Wondercat as Elliott likes to call him. He is somewhere between 10&14 years of age, orange haired, super chill and loveable. He was left orphaned after Mr. Akron's passing... and we just couldn't have watched this story unfold any other way. Death leaves such gaping holes for all of us, but my realization is the patchwork can be done in myriad ways for all of us.

After only 2 days here, Bob has investigated the entire house except for the basement. Is eating well and making noise and playing with his toys. Yesterday he followed me all around the house, and curled up on the couch while Kris & I watched some tv. This guy.... he's the perfect fit, and exactly what I didn't know I was looking for.

In Other News:
Because of the writer's strike and no new "real" television I have gotten hooked on the return of American Gladiators. Do yourself a favor and watch it. The Eliminator competition at the end of each show is SO WORTH IT. I can't remember the last time I have laughed as hard at tv.

I also watched the series premiere of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. The exact opposite of hilarious... it is horrendous, graphic and so, so sad and absolutely captivating. I will be watching this one to the end, but I'll need my The A.G.'s to balance it out. I give some props to VH1 for not copping out on this one and putting it all in your face. We'll see how it continues.

BTW, if there are no writers in Hollywood... who's writing for the soaps? Anyone? just curious.

-over and out-