I've lost my earrings and possibly my marbles

There are many reasons for not blogging lately. The main one being that my camera cord went MIA during our move. No pretty Christmas pictures will be posted today. I rely heavily on pictures because let's face it, writing words takes thought and the only thoughts I have after the kids are finally asleep at night are: "what time is 30 Rock on again and which network did Scrubs switch to again?" And also, "how many more days until the Lost premiere?" You can see my dilemma. But seriously, I love being in this space. I've never been one to write in diaries or journals, but knowing that this blog is for and about our children is rewarding. Thinking of starting a blog? You totally should.

Early in the month I bought a pair of very pretty pair of earrings that I found online at We Dream in Color. I bought them to commemorate our big move (I do things like that, because apparently buying a new house isn't enough to remember this whole experience). I know I put the earrings someplace safe, where I'd be sure to find them once we were moved. I thought I'd packed them in my suitcase, so I could actually, you know, wear them when the four of us went here, but they are nowhere to be found. The sad thing is I'm actually losing sleep over this. I find myself laying in bed in the middle of the night, saying things like, "I thought they were in that lime green jewelry bag, I'm pretty sure I put them there. No, I couldn't have put them with my necklaces, I would have seem them there."

So with the help of my father and mother in law, my dad and step mom and one of my brothers in law, our move is [almost] done. My father and brother in law actually came and completely packed our kitchen. Not to mention the garage and the basement. Thank you, family, for all you've done for us.

So we bought a house, a 1940's Cape Cod. We went for the "worst house in the best neighborhood" school of thought this time around. To say it needs updating would be a generous understatement. It's not that I don't love wallpaper from the 60's, ultramarine counter tops, wood paneled living rooms, linoleum in the bedrooms - I mean, that's good stuff, right? Bewitched always was my favorite show back in the day.

The upside of this house, is, once we "finish" the basement (this project is at the top of a very long list), it will be the largest house we've owned yet. And it's within walking distance to the neighborhood shopping district. I'm starting to sound like my husband. ;) This has been one of those experiences, that has made me even more thankful, than usual, for Jon and his level headed, clear sightedness. To be honest, my emotional scale has sprung all kinds of springs, wires and screws. I haven't been able to make any, let's call them, rational decisions as of late. Which might explain why I just ate a large popcorn ball.

Anyway, Jon has been able to see this house shopping/buying thing much more clearly than me. When we walked away from the Craftsman house, I sort of lost it. That was a house that was pretty darn adorable and where all the remodeling had already been done. However, Jon is good at seeing the potential in our new house. I am leaning on him for that. I'm trusting him. I am trying to see it through his eyes, and that is nice.

So, if all goes well, it'll close tomorrow, Jon and I will swoop in and tear out all carpeting. The hardwood re-finishers will spend the next 3 days making things pretty and then the movers will bring back all our stuff next week and who knows...maybe I'll find those earrings.

With all the fun I'm going to be having tearing out carpeting, I wasn't sure that I'd be back here to mention that I'm starting a year in photos over at my Flickr account. It's an attempt to learn more about my camera as well as document the year 2010 with my 3 most favorite people. If you want to join me in this One Day at a Time photo challenge, click over to Flickr and sign yourself up!

Happy New Year!