New Year's Resolution 2011

It's that time of year to make New Year's Resolutions once more! Looking back to 2010's resolution is a huge blur, but what's awesome is that I didn't do anything too wicked, so to speak, this past year. There were hush-hush mischievous times of cheap thrill foolishness (loved it) but none of which were severe enough to ruin anything.

But I love the start of anything new because it's like a fresh start and it gives a sense of hope and happiness. This year is going to be great, I can feel it.

Here's something from the book, 2,000 Ways to Cheer Yourself Up. It's cute and it made me smile.

Happy New Year 2011

Peek-a-boo, I see you!!!
Happy 2011, from Jean-the-Cat.

We had a quiet New Year's Eve, toasting our glass filled Chardonnay to celebrate the start of another wonderful year of marriage. The last day of 2010 was bitter sweet with Karen's funeral. As soon as the funeral started, I looked at the program and immediately saw my placement - after the family share their memories... Urgh! The last one to share was her daughter, Kelly, and it was definitely a tearjerker. So nonetheless, I followed that with tear filled eyes singing it right behind her open casket. It was one of the hardest things I had to do this year... very emotional but I'm glad it's over and I'm glad she's resting in peace.

On top of the funeral, our washing machine decided to conk out. There was water all over the laundry room floor and didn't completely drain out of the washer either. It was a horrible, horrible mess. After the funeral, we went to Sears to purchase a new one. So glad they had a display model on sale. It's a side load washer, so no more problems with balancing.

My Handsome Husband : New Year 2011.

Christmas Spirit

It snowed on Friday and I finally got the Christmas Spirit to decorate the house with the help of my whole family. That was the missing ingredient to my motivation. It felt great to spend time with my dad, mom, brother, and husband - decorating while laughing, joking, eating, being sarcastic, singing and listening to music. It felt good to be merry. It brought me back to the simple time when we spent a lot of family time together. It felt so cozy, it felt like home.

Below are pictures of our decorated house. I think it's pretty cute. I'm so proud of it.

Candles on top of the Mantle.

Our cute house all decorated for Christmas.

Pretzel in his elf outfit in front of the tree. He's easy to take pictures of. I wish I could say the same about Colette.

I won this snowman decor at a work Christmas party in 2004. It's only now I appreciate him. :-)

1st Snow Fall December 3, 2010: What usually takes us 15 minutes to drive took a little over an hour.
This photo was taken in front of someone's house (Clark's obviously) showing the snow fall in the state of Iowa.

1st Snow Fall December 3, 2010: Our car covered in snow. This was a sign to clear out the garage!

1st Snow Fall December 3, 2010: This was taken inside our car over our heads (sun roof). It was very pretty.

The Christmas Spirit?

Christmas 2009 : Lauralee's baby boy, Carter at the Arkhipov house.

It's bothering me that I don't have the Christmas spirit. This year, there's no motivation to put the tree up or to decorate the house with Christmas warmth. It got annoying last year when our cat constantly knocked the tree and, knocked the ornaments down and then brought it to us in the middle of the night. I really hope that the motivation comes to me soon because I feel heartless.

On a side note, Susan Boyle's Christmas Album, The Gift, is rather good in a sophisticated, serene way. The album can be purchased for $1.35 at gomusicnow.com. Sample songs can be viewed in the provided website.

Nonetheless, the pictures below are from Christmas 2008 - our first Christmas as a married couple at our first apartment. I miss that apartment. But, we choose a small tree because we're low maintenance.

Our flat, Christmas 2008. Our first Christmas as a married couple.

And we still have the same television set. Haven't updated to a flat screen. We don't watch much TV at all.

#5 - Independence Day

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 08 - Independence Day
(Pic 8/365)

Happy 4th Everyone! Let's celebrate freedom while we still have it!

Took a quick snapshot of an American Flag outside a suburban neighborhood. In this community, flags usually are placed in front of every home to show patriotism on certain holidays.

We didn't celebrate the 4th today since Mom & Dad went on a mini getaway vacation. They got back late this afternoon so we all decided to celebrate tomorrow instead. With this, Dre and I decided to hit the theatre to watch, The Last Airbender. AMAZING movie. My favorite this year thus far.

I would have taken more photos but it started to rain. So below is a pic of Dre and Pretzel inside the car while I was gallivanting around the neighborhood taking photos.

Father's Day 2010

Here’s to an awesome, amazing, funny man, dad – aka – gumpa, padje. Happy Father’s Day! You’ve been such a blessing to the family. You have have shown strength, humility, support, humor, and above all, love. Thank you for being you! There’s nothing I’d change about you. Love you dad!!!

Also a Happy Father’s Day to my father-in-law, Vladimir Arkhipov. Wish I had a better picture of you, but come September, there will be plenty! We LOVE you!!

S dnyom otsa!!