The View From Sari's World

For the most part Christmas 2010 is over. I still have one more Christmas to get through. My parents were gone for Christmas so this weekend we are heading to their house for Christmas part 2. I did take most of the decorations down, the tree is up as there are still presents waiting to be unwrapped though. It kinda amazed me how quickly I was able to put everything away and when I was done my house looked a little empty. I did not count how many Santas I have, but it would not be an exaggeration to say I had close to 30 and I had not put them all out! I have some I completely forgot about until today. Next year I am going group them together and take a picture and no I am not buying any more.

I did not get a book for Christmas. This is a first. It is partially my fault, I did not ask for one, but in the past I always got one or two whether I asked or not. I gave out books; my son got Jon Stewart’s Earth: the book. He was happy and dove right into it. I have to remember to grab it before he heads back to college. I want to read it too. I did get jewelry, a nice pair made of opal. This is a first, never did my ex-husband buy me jewelry. I would rather have these than a book that I may read just once, or worse, not read at all. Over all, Christmas this year was a hit. We had great food. I learned how to make Yorkshire pudding, which it turns out, is not a pudding at all but rather like a biscuit. Friends came over and stayed late; always a good sign for a host, but makes for a long day. Yesterday my son and I hit the stores for the after Christmas sales.

I headed back to work today knowing the week is short and that I have a four day weekend coming up. I will do a lot of organizing and getting ready for my 2011 challenges and New Year’s resolutions. This year I am in charge of a 12 month challenge for my online reading group, and at least have to come up with January’s by Friday. I am going to clean up my TBR shelf in preparation for the 2011 read from your TBR shelf challenge. I am hoping to kick out at least 15. I also vow, no swear, no, declare this next year I will track each and every book I pick up! I did this in 2006, 07 and 08 but failed in the last two years. I like to be able to go back and look at what I read, what I liked and what I wish I had not wasted my time on. I want to review more of my reads, I also want to find a review style that is engaging and fun to write. So if you notice my reviews vary it is because I am trying to find my voice. I am also going to start the WordPress blog I keep talking about. This is where I will write about non-book stuff. Wow, I have a lot of resolutions to keep!

So dear Readers, what are your resolutions? Do you normally keep them or do they roll into the next year’s plans? Let’s talk resolutions and how to keep them.

Well, it’s Christmas Eve, most of the gifts are wrapped but as always there is that last minute stuff to be done. I have one more present to get for my son; I waited until today hoping to find a great deal on the item I want. There is still a little bit of food shopping to be done. The wine and table decorations need to be picked up. I will clean the house this morning, do some shopping then settle down for a while for a nice rest before the guests arrive. We are going to a nice Indian restaurant tonight, no way I am cooking two days in a row.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Here is hoping it turns out to be a great day. As we gather our family and friends around us, let us take a moment from the stress and material goods to remember why we do this; we do this to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. I am thrilled this year I am hosting Christmas. This year I get to show my good friends how much I appreciate them. As many of you know, this has been an overwhelming year for me. Between letting my son go and having heart surgery I am finding out what is really important to me. This Christmas I get to give back to those who have been there for me. I want to thank all my blogging friends for their encouragement and support this long year. Let’s hope next year the only news I share is good!

Happy Holidays to you and your family,

Sari