In Between Holidays

* Ian did end up getting an Elmo doll for Christmas. His daycare had one that they were giving away, so they gave it to us. Elmo is wearing a Hawaiian shirt and, when you squeeze his hand (paw?), he will do the limbo. The only problem is that it freaks Ian right the hell out. But he likes it if you don't make it move, so we'll call it good.

* I went for a run outside in the rain on my lunch break. There is nothing like a good sweat to clear your head of cobwebs. The trail passes beneath some huge cedars -- they smell sweet to me, not like cedar chips, but some sort of crazy sweetness.

* I'm thinking about this coming year's list of New Year's resolutions. Here are my lists from 2011 and 2010. It was a little surprising that many of the things I've been considering for 2012 have been on my lists since 2008 (and probably earlier) -- drink more water, write a book, pay off debt. At least I'm consistent.

* Santa (i.e., me) gave me three new nail polishes in my stocking! One blue (Lapis of Luxury), one lavender (Lilacism) and one dark sparkly violet (Genius). I think it's the names that draw me in. It's the little things in life...

* I won something! My former employer, the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, held a contest on Facebook to win a copy of one of their curator's latest books, called 500 Cameras. And they picked me to receive a copy. Very cool.

* No plans for New Year's Eve. It is tough finding a babysitter on that particular night, and we didn't even try, to be honest. I'm looking forward to snuggling the boys in, safe and sound, to their beds and then snuggling up with Jon for a glass of champagne and an early bedtime.