I'm trying to keep my feet on the ground

I decided to screw January 1st and make February 1st my "new year." I'm Chinese, afterall, so I suppose a "late" new year shouldn't be too far of a stretch, even though I've never really celebrated the Chinese New Year. Ever. (Sorry Grandmom!)

Who says I can't start now?

I told myself that January was a time to play catch up - heal sick kids, enjoy vacation, and recover from the holidays. I was going to think harder about how I can collect memories for my kids in a way that doesn't involve scrapbooking (digital or pape) but is still somewhat systematic and organized.

(Side note: I've actually started collecting tidbits of coolness - jewelry, magazines, and anything I think they might appreciate when they're older. Of course, they might turn their nose down on the cool necklace I bought them on etsy, but thus is life, right? Maybe the pretty baubles will garner their forgiveness for not keeping proper track of their developmental milestones).

I would celebrate myself thanks to Year of the Mom, make a plan to start taking more time for myself, get a schedule together that forced me to get to the gym, and maybe remember what it was like to feel human - with real clothes, shoes, and accessories that were not baby or breastfeeding related.

And on February 1, this year of new beginnings would commence! Go me!

But then I reread my book contract and realized that my book, which is actually almost done (phew!), is due on February 1, 2009 and not just "Some random day in February" like I had imagined in my mind.

Whoops.

So while I was hoping to spend this week celebrating my plans for a brand new me, or at least one that doesn't always feel like I'm running from one thing to another and never standing still, I'm going to be writing my ass off, which thanks to the large vats of guacamole that I ingested this past week isn't a bad thing.

I guess my plans will have to wait just a bit longer. 

Valentine's Day, perhaps?

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I reallly want to tell you about my vacation (I saw famous people. Well, Hungarian ones, but still. Famous!) but forgive me if that comes a bit later than sooner. Humor me, though, and check out Year of the Mom and our Blog Blast with BOCA this weekend. There's a good 8 (yes EIGHT) $100 Spafinder gift cards up for grabs between these two initiatives (plus a bunch of BOCA coupons!) and one of them could be yours!

Also, my friend Catherine has started a wonderful new initiative in the spirit of helping others in need. Do you give good blog?

Comments

[Sheri]

When's the book coming out??? i want one!!!

[Amanda]

Rubbermaid totes labeled with their names to throw the stuff you think is worth saving is a good way to keep things for them. I scrapbook, but you can't put everything on a scrapbook page. The totes are where I keep the christening outfits, first Halloween costumes, etc. The scrapbook pages are where I document things like when my oldest told me Santa has a penis because he's a boy, you know.

[Leslie]

My plans for the New Year haven't gone so well. I need a do-over.

Good luck with the writing.

[Mom101]

Wait - a new start on Feb 1 the same day your draft is due? I think it's actually just perfect.

[Lady M]

Happy New Year! It is so cool that you have a book on contract and almost done!

[carosgram]

Gong Xi Fat Cai!