IOU

Whoa. After I posted my last blog entry I seem to have slipped into some kind of work-induced coma because I have only vague recollections of the rest of November...well, with the exception of taking one of the best family vacations EVER to NYC over Thanksgiving, which I will merrily post about very soon. Promise. I just needed to do a check-in blog to prove to myself that I haven't actually forgotten how to blog.

So think of this as a placeholder of sorts. An IOU.

I have many things to blather on about - my fantabulous trip being one. My love and appreciation of the new Top Chef All-Stars being another. Oh, and the whole Christmas spirit thing...I suppose I have some thoughts to share on the way that taking a trip over Thanksgiving kind of compresses the whole Christmas season down to a matter of weeks...I haven't decided if that's good or bad yet. What I can say with certainty is that I liked it better last year when I spent the Christmas season eagerly anticipating our New Year's trip to Hawaii. Now that was good timing.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I can't go into detail about anything right now because I'm supposed to be getting ready to host a house of 40-50 people this evening. I am fighting my party anxiety by blogging...I realize that it's counterproductive. Has anyone written a book for people who don't like throwing parties on how to throw parties? I need that book...because for some reason I have accepted throwing parties as some kind of unavoidable part of life.

Yeah, so anyway...be back soon. Cheers!

Going for the Gold

I have officially begun planning the boys birthday party. It is still two months away and already on track to be one of the tackiest birthday parties ever to be thrown by two 5-year-olds. 

You see, this is their golden birthday (I don't even know who explained this concept to them) so they have decided on a gold theme -- sensible, right? Gold invites, gold balloons...I'm going to see if I can wrangle a gold cake. Think kinder-disco. 

I've decided that gold decor is better than requests for lavish gifts, which I think is customary for most golden birthdays...though I wouldn't really know, as I was only 4 on my golden birthday.

And speaking of my birthday, I'm creeping into planning mode for that as well. My big day is the day before the boys' big day, so advance planning is mandatory unless I want my birthday to be forgotten entirely. (I don't, although people keep telling me I will someday.) Last year I planned a very elaborate affair for the big 3-0 so I said this year would be no big deal...only as it gets closer, I find myself wanting to come up with that perfect idea that would be fun, but not expensive, and unique, but not a pain in the ass to execute. Ideas? Please share.