Random list of things to say

First of all I just noticed I hit 500 posts.  Huh.  Whaddyaknow.

Second, I bet none of you can guess how many blog posts I have composed in my head--from start to finish no less--and never written because I had to go do other things.

Third, I don't make New Year's Resolutions because I don't like to fail and if I don't make them, I can't fail at them, but I do usually have a few things in mind for the year that I might like to work on.  That's how I always phrase it--things to 'work on'.  So you see if I don't get to it or complete it, it's not a failure, it's just still in progress. 

Fourth, I haven't had a full night's sleep in about a week, since Karina has gone back to waking up in the middle of the night and calling me, usually for no reason but sometimes for bad dreams.  She has a very active imagination and I guess it's on overdrive with the holiday chaos.

Fifth, I watched the entire Rose Bowl Parade with Karina today while Elena napped.  I did nothing else, just sat with her on the couch while she watched and played with some little dolls.  It was fabulous.  I sort of felt like I should have been doing something, but in the end it was good that we just sat there together.  We haven't done that in a long time.  I don't watch Sesame Street much with her anymore because I just can't take it.  Too repetitive. 

Sixth, I've been getting a few things accomplished in my new craft room.  Mom gave me some storage boxes, just those photo sized ones mainly, but also some really pretty smaller boxes, and I've been having a lot of fun organizing my creative stash.  The closet area is still a wreck, sewing and various other crafts aren't done, and the girls' area is a mess, but I'm happy because now, if I want to make a card, I CAN!!

Seventh, my cousin and his wife are trying to adopt a baby.  They are doing an international adoption, and I can't give a lot of details because the agencies have strict policies and I don't want to jeopardize anything for them.  But I can tell you that the first country they were going with was going great and then some setbacks happened and they are facing some major delays now.  So instead of bringing home their baby this year, they've been told the earliest is 2015.  But they decided that instead of just sitting still and waiting, they are going to go with another country (while still waiting with the first one) and they know, right now, that THIS YEAR they will bring HOME a baby girl!  I just busted out crying when they said that.  Finally, they will have a baby!

Eighth, a sad thing, my mom's best friend Julie has been battling pretty much every form of cancer there is and she is losing the fight.  She has hospice now and the nurses have told the family that she is in transition, which basically means her body is preparing to die.  It is breaking my heart on so many levels.  She's my mom's best friend--they have known each other since middle or elementary school--and I know how I would feel if it was my best friend and that is a crushing thought.  I know Julie myself and called her Aunt Julie my whole life.  I went with Mom to her oldest daughter's wedding not that long ago.  I think it was this summer in fact.  Mostly though, I'm just sad for my mom. 

And that's it.  I didn't intend to end on a sad note, it just happened like that.  Sorry!  I hope that everyone had a nice Christmas or holiday season and that the New Year will bring much happiness to everyone.  For me, I'm just hoping to feel like I've got some measure of control over my house again.  I know I can't control most things in life, but I'd like to not walk into any room in my house and want to scream at the mess. 

Oh, and one more thing.  Elena seems not able to go to sleep tonight.  Weird.

Well, I warned you it was random!