Welcome 2012

I know I have been MIA for a while. I plan to still go back and post some highlights from the last year and a half, but for now, just moving on.  I also started a new thing my friend at work told me about: My365.  A picture a day for the year on my iphone.  Just be warned I may or may not post something for every day... ;)

I rang in 2012 at a mid-singles party at Noah's.  I have to admit that I was not looking forward to it.  I haven't been to a giant event like this in years, wasn't sure I would know anyone besides my friends, and they can be torturesome.  Fortunately, I had a fabulous time.  I ran into a bunch of my Boston friends and we brought out all our retro moves on the '80s dance floor.  I also ran into people I knew when I lived in Salt Lake five years ago... great surprises.  It has been a long time since I had so much fun at a dance.

The next night I helped my friend Amy put together these animal print panels for her African-themed living room.  We just stretched material and batting over frame pieces.  Not too hard and they add the finishing touch to the room.

I had to go back to work on Tuesday and when I came home the light and fan were on in my living room.  Can I just say creepy?  I walked around to peek inside the windows, then called my friend as I walked in to make sure no one was waiting for me inside.  It turns on with a button, so I must have brushed against it that morning.  Still weird.  I've only had one other freak out since I bought my house.  I came home late one night to discover I hadn't closed the garage that morning... and no, I don't lock that inside door.  I had also just heard some bad news about a friend being attacked and I was in tears going inside.  The perks of living alone.

Thursday was the first night of a co-ed volleyball league I'm playing in with my friend Destin.  I don't know why, but just in the last couple of years, it doesn't scare me to play defense against strong hitters anymore. I think it suddenly clicked how to read hitters and I can anticipate where the ball is going a little better.  Anyway, our team is off to a great start... we won all four of our games!

Mollie, my old roommate in Boston, is passing through town and I was able to go to dinner with her Friday.  So good to see her and catch up on our old friends.  AND we had yummy Italian (my favorite) at Macaroni Grill.  Bonus!

Saturday was Russian Christmas so... С Рождеством!  My friends and I used to have breakfast when I was living in Boston and came home for Christmas (seemed to be the easiest time for us all to get away from our families), so that's what we did yesterday morning.  Yummy omelets and hash browns.

 In the afternoon, I watched my nephews for a few hours while my brother packed  (they're moving next week).  Ganon wanted to play "hide-seek" but every time I said, "ready or not, here I come," he would come running out of his hiding place.  After a few of those, I decided to make him look for me.  Sometimes he would come straight to me, but if he didn't, he'd start asking, "Char-Char, are you? Char-Char, are you?"  So cute to hear his squeal when he found me.  :)  My nieces were there for pizza dinner and we played a Disney Music game. I love getting to spend time with my family.