It's been a long January

Warning: Complaining and whining below.

After a too-much-fun New Year's Eve, I spend the first days of 2010 not feeling as good as I should have. Then came Sunday the third. Then Sunday was over and it was Monday. The hardest Monday of the year, the real first day of the year, the one where you have to get back to work. Ugh. Ouch.

I organized my thoughts and wrote every thing I needed to do in a huge list. I was up and headed to a client's office bright and early. Then I had some coffee, and some more coffee, and seven mugs of hot water because... what's that? No, it couldn't be. Am I still hungover from New Year's Eve? No. So it must be... a sore throat! Ugh. Ouch.

I didn't sleep Monday night because it felt like I was swallowing nails. Tuesday I continued to drink and drink because it felt better than having the Sahara on the left side of my throat. Wednesday I lost my voice, but still I worked. Thursday and Friday blurred together with more work, no voice, no sleep and a chest rattling cough. Ugh. Ouch.

Saturday came early. I left bed at 5 AM, because what was the point of being in there anymore? And I had to prep for the Yarn Show! Not only was my sister in town and it's incredibly fun to watch that girl spend money, but I had a client meeting of my own. TNNA came early this year and there was no way a little cold was going to hold me back. I got home at 10 PM too excited to sleep. Sunday came too quickly and while we both agreed we were going to spend the day working we went to the beach instead. Ahhhh.

Monday hit and I just couldn't move. I had lost my drive so I finally called the doctor, got some prescriptions and did only the work that was on deadline. My friend brought us some yummy soup for dinner and I slept marginally well for the first time in a week only waking up twice with weird dreams, like this one I had where a shampoo was specially designed to wash your hair and the soles of your feet. Not really hairy feet, just normal feet. Bizarre.

Today I had to have my car smog check and run out for milk and other food. I haven't been coughing nearly as much and feel like I might one day be healthy again. I've landed in such a rut through all of this and I need some inspiration. I don't think I've been this sick since I was in college and I can't seem to see through the haze. I have to get my mojo back, but I feel like it may never come. I wish I could start the year over again... Help!

A brief review

I've been thinking that I need to spend some time to reflect over the last year to see how I've filled my time. Then I got all whiny that we didn't take a vacation in 2009 and all we did was work, but I sat down and looked through my photos and we actually did some fun stuff this year. Who knew?

1. I had a puppy party, or two, or three.

2. We replaced our very seventies kitchen floor with a new laminate floor and it was so worth it.

3. I gained a great sister-in-law.

4. I turned 30 and got a new camera.

5. My sister came to visit, but I don't have a photo.

6. We planted a cactus garden with some really cool plants.

7. Thomas' nearly-90 year old granny came to visit us from England.

All in all the year wasn't so bad I guess. Looking back on photos and blog posts not only helps me remember the fun things I've done but it gives me a lot to look forward to for the next year. What sort of home improvement projects will we do, what kind of work will I have, who will come visit, will I get off my butt and start the website I want? Maybe next year's December 31st post will answer some of these questions!

What about you? What are you looking forward to doing next year? Here's to a fun 2010!

What the?

That's what I said the first time I had these:

What are those? They are Yorkshire puddings. Yorkshire what? Yeah, I said that too. Don't the Brits call desserts puddings? Yes. So is that dessert? No, it's not. It's savory as those Brits would say.

Oh, and savory it is. So delicious. And so easy to make! I asked Thomas why we don't make Yorkshire puddings more often, not that his answer matters because I'm going to making these more often now that I have the recipe down pat. It's so simple, just a basic ratio of eggs, flour and milk. In a measuring jug break eggs, measure and tip into a mixing bowl. Measure the same amount of flour and add it to the eggs. Measure half the amount of milk, add water to match and add that mixture to the eggs and flour. Whisk to combine. Heat muffin tins in a 425˚F oven with either pan drippings or oil. Fill tins halfway and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Douse in gravy. Savor, eat and enjoy.

And what happens when you cook a beef roast? Here's a peek behind the scenes:

Charming, handsome and hilarious

As a birthday treat I was going to write a long blog post about why I love my husband. Then I thought maybe I'd make a list with one reason I love him for each year he has been alive. But I didn't think he would like either of those ideas because he doesn't like me to say too much about him on my blog. So what I will say is that I think he's the best. He makes me laugh everyday, he is an amazing cook, a provider, and my best friend. He always does what I ask him to do but not without his own flair added in to the equation. Take for example, last night's birthday photo session. First:

He tells me his granddad taught him this rule: When your wife asks you to do something always say no to maintain your manliness, then do what she asked. Second:

So life with this man is always an adventure and I love it. And I'm happy to get to celebrate another year of his life with him. Happy Birthday Thomas.

The good with the bad

It's been raining and raining some more here in California which means puppies with damp coats and muddy paws.

But it also means my garden will be in full bloom by Christmas.