So, I'm currently helping Bug with his research on his next English paper. This paper is to be about a place, any place in the world, and how it is significant to us. His previous assignment was about a person, any person from history, born before 1970. Bug chose Hannibal for that paper. Of course when choosing this particular historical figure, Bug thought Hannibal was the cannibalistic serial killer, who was the protagonist in the movies Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising, none of which he's seen, mind you. We soon found out that Hannibal is a real person and is NOT a serial killer. In fact, he is not only a Carthaginian general that lived from 247 to 183 BC, but he managed to accomplish one of the greatest feats in military history when he marched on Rome. His strategies are still used today and, honestly, now that I have done the research with Bug on this great general, not only can I pretty much tell you what was so great about this man I had never heard of, but I have added him to my list of people it would be cool to have lunch with.

Now that you are armed with this information. Guess the place my twelve year old son wants to write about. Go ahead, guess! I double dog dare you! I bet you will never get close...

Okay, I'll give it to you: Buchenwald.

For those of you that do not know what or where Buchenwald is, it is one of the largest concentration camps that was built during the Holocaust and is located in Germany. And, frankly, because I like to be frank with you good people that make up my fan club, I got depressed within 30 seconds of reading about this horrific place. So depressed that not only did I quit the little bit of research that I did on the internet and told Bug that "I found the information, at least two sites. So, now you need to do the research and come up with something. I'm done", but I provided a link for you good people here on my blog. Misery loves company right? So, although I want all of you to be happy and whatnot, I do not want to carry this information alone! Nor do I want to help Bug with this paper. I mean, it was tough enough to focus on all of the boring military mumbo-jumbo when helping with the last paper and here I've got to face yet again ( I took a class called Facing History and Ourselves in highschool that delved about shoulder deep into the cruelties of the holocaust - no wonder highschool was so emotionally tough for me!). So, basically, I'm complaining to you my lovely fan club.

But do not worry yourselves too much. I will survive. Yes I will come out of this radiating joy! My triumph will be the new recipes that I accomplish. See, I'm not just checking out the horrid research that must be read by Bug, but also, I'm checking out another cook book. I'm going to be cooking up a storm. It's the only true way to overcome any type of depression. And I can't eat all this food by myself! So, anyone want to come over and eat?

Happy New Year! And I sincerely mean it. Personally, I'm quite excited about this year. I'm not sure what it is. It could be that I have actual goals, resolutions, accomplishments that I want and can and will accomplish. It could be that, after taking the last few days to look back at where I've been and who I was, then looking at where I am and who I have become, I can say that I did not just arrive here, but purposely set a destination and have arrived closer than I really thought possible. It could be that I've reorganized my life in all aspects, down to bill filing, and am ready to face the new year with renewed vigor and preparation. Or, it could be the 3 cups of coffee I drank before 10 am. Okay, so I'm a bit wired. But I will still maintain that I am excited for this new year, no matter the motivation!

With that being said, I will now share with my fan base - I know, it's really just my family and maybe two of my friends, so, those of you who read this blog, spread the word, okay? If I get a larger fan base I just know I'll be more motivated to write more about my so very interesting life and ideas. But I digress, as I was saying, I will now share with my fan base the resolutions that I have for the upcoming year. Now, those of you who love me and talk to me at least weekly... okay, all of you in my fan base, you need to hold me to it. Because that's what love is, right? Making sure we stay on track, or at least reminding one another that we have fallen off the tracks and that it is so much easier to drive that train when we are following the tracks that are built specifically for us.

So, here they are:

1. Organize all of my project ideas. Oh, and organize my recipe clippings, too. All of these pieces of paper floating around my house are driving me bananas! Sure, I could just throw them away, but then I would be frantic looking for them, knowing I that I just had that recipe or that I had always wanted to try to make that mosaic table but never did and now I have no idea how, even though I went ahead and bought all this china from the thrift store.

2. Actually work on my project ideas. And, along with this one, I need to have at least two new, somewhat complicated projects finished by the new year. I mean, what's the use of collecting information on how to make a lampshade if it just sits in my new, beloved "Ideas" binder?

3. Use the God given talents to create gifts that truly suit my loved ones. Why go buy something that I know is not going to be used. Plus, according to my sister and her husband who received a knitted afghan blanket from me for their first Christmas as a married couple, these kinds of gifts are not only treasured, but named as well. Tigey currently lives on the back of their sofa when not in use.

4. Make something just for me. I mean really, just for me. Don't I deserve to have beautiful things too?

5. And, just so that I'm not considered a completely shallow ninny who only thinks of the physical realm of my world (and that would be by my own thinking), I am going to work on being a better person. As in, how can I handle this situation better so that everyone comes out feeling better about themselves? How can I handle that situation with more maturity? How can I love more? This one, I realize will require a lot more prayer, but I think I can do it. And, somehow, I think the projects will help.

Now, all that being said, I know that no matter how much we plan and design to do this or that with our lives, God really is the one doing the planning and providing the opportunities for us. I mean, that country song that says, "if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans" is so very true. However, I also believe that God gives us talents and passions and that when we follow these gifts our lives are showered in blessings. In other words, if I stay on track, I know that I will end up blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

(P.S. I can't wait to look back on this year. It's so exciting to see what was accomplished, even in terms of the unexpected achievements! Oh, and this coffee buzz is rockin'!)