To you, this is an ordinary toilet.  To me, this is a shining moment in my life as a homeowner.  I bought and installed a BRAND NEW TOILET SEAT!!! Look how perfectly it fits!  It doesn't wiggle!  And, last but not least, it is made of eco-friendly wood and the chrome fasteners match the chrome elsewhere in my bathroom.  Seriously -- I couldn't be more excited. 

• My abs hurt so much from Friday's training session that it hurts to twist to either side.  Also hurts to sneeze.
• Being around a dozen children is exhausting.
• I'm still pretty convinced that I don't want to live in the suburbs.
• When a child laughs at something you do, it makes you laugh too.
• I'd like to make meusli to take to work for breakfast.
• I wish my apartment had more light.  Since I can't install windows, will just have to buy lots of lamps.
• Sleeping is a good thing.
• My forks have seemed to slowly disappear over the years.  Where are they?
• I am now officially in love with my slow cooker thanks to this short rib recipe.  Thanks, Bill!
• I need to start buying smoked mozzarella from Alleva every now and then.  It's sooo good.

That is all.

I already have goosebumps . . . can't wait to hear the speech, not to mention to have Obama running the country.  There's hope and change in the air, and I'm proud to be an American today!

Sorry about the radio silence, gang.  Somehow between little blips on Facebook and Twitter I think I've been posting here less.  Let's see, what's new with me?  If you've been following me at either one of those places, you may know that my brother bought me a slow cooker for Chanukah/Bday and I've been seriously debating the pros/cons vs. a traditional Dutch oven.  I've decided to take the plunge and keep it.  Certainly on a day like today, it would be amazing to come home to some slow-cooked short ribs that have been cooked to maximum tenderness and are ready when I walk in the door.  [Note:  it would be also be nice to come home to a meal that someone else has cooked for me; until that day, the slow cooker will be playing stand-in]. Other than that, have gotten some estimates for re-doing two of my closets (another lovely Chanukah/Bday gift, this time from Mom & Stephen) and am planning the dinner portion of a bachelorette shindig for this Saturday night.  And finally, am eagerly counting down the days until we have a sane person in the White House again!!

Why must I insist on staying up late to watch my DVR'd Top Chef instead of going to sleep like a normal person?

I spent 4 1/2 days deep in the woods, and although I had cell phone service, I was pretty much off the grid the entire time.  I had a wonderful and relaxing time -- it was a perfect way to ring in 2009.  I learned a few things about myself while I was there:

• The caffeine from tea is enough to keep my coffee addiction under control when no coffee is available.
• If I could nap every day, I'd be a happy camper.
• I can live without indoor plumbing, at least for a short period of time.
• The relief you feel after visiting the outhouse in 5 degree weather at 7 in the morning far outweighs the benefits of the continued warmth under the blankets when your bladder feels like it's about to burst.
• I have learned to like gin, at least in cocktails.
• Making a New Year's Resolution to curse more is fun for everyone.
• I am happy that I have a habit of always bringing earplugs when I travel (there are some serious snorers out there).
• I make a kick-ass apple pie.

Some of the pictures are here -- the ones with people in them have been redacted to protect the identity of the monkeys, with whom I was very happy to spend my New Year's weekend.

PS -- Congrats to the bearded one for winning the Beard-Off!