Have a great new year and all the happiness in the world. So glad I've discovered your blog. It will keep me warm and cozy through the long Canadian winter :-)

OMG - 2 years & I'm first!! I think? On the list & actually saying something. I've enjoyed your blog ever so much. I'm old enuf to be your Mom, but can still see situations I've gone thru in my own life being resolved in yours. I don't think there is a "generation gap" when it comes right down to it. Happy New Year, and I really do wish I could have seen you in MPLS. Linda

Wow!! Am I really first?
Yes, hasn't this year gone quickly?
One of my goals is to meet you and get an autographed copy of your book. :-)

Hi Laurie! Santa brought me your book for Christmas. I sat down at 7:00 on Christmas night to read it. I poured a glass of wine (a lovely Shiraz) at Chapter 30. I finished it that night!! Thanks for your book and making me smile.

I will be spending the weekend de-cluttering. I decided last month that I'd like to be able to have folks come by and to not be ashamed by my place. Perhaps that was in a Cancer horoscope and I just missed it. Good luck with your endeavors!

And gosh, a glass of wine would be good now. Except I'm still at work.

Hope you had a great Xmas. Mine was filled with family and drinking, in 80 degree weather. There is something so wrong about wearing Flip Flops, Capri Pants and a T-Shirt on Xmas. Mark and I are considering going to NC for Xmas next year instead of going at Thanksgiving like we usually do.

I too spend too much frantic time cleaning before someone comes over and I am just as sick of it as you are. I'm definitely going to work on it this year! We have moved into a new (bigger) house which comes with pros and cons as far as cleaning goes (more space for storage = less clutter, but more rooms to clean) so I am going to try to start out on the right foot this time. I wish us both good luck!!

When my dog TinyMonsters was alive (he died March 14th 2006) I used to use a similar thing to that bumper sticker as a signature on some crochet forums that I go to. It said "My Bouvier des Flandres is smarter than your honor student". (same text, just a different dog breed)

Here's a picture of it, I'd added a picture of Tiny to it, so people could see just how smart he was. (and also so that they could see what a Bouvier looked like...it's a rarer breed of dog)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/ErinLindsey/smart_bouvier.jpg

I miss my "little" mutt. I havent gotten another dog yet, unless you count the Webkinz chihuahua that I got in my Xmas stocking the other day.

Also? Drama wallet? Awesome. Way too funny.

Hi! I just discovered your site last week (it was the second hit that came up on Google when I searched for easy hat patterns! I've made two so far!) and I love reading it. Keep up the good work :)

Oh, and I totally bought your book last night and laughed so hard my parents came to check up on me. Apparently laughing until you cry by yourself isn't normal. Heh.

That bumper sticker made me think of a quote I heard once:

"Dogs accept you as thier master. Cats want to see your resume"

And really, being the owner of both cats AND dogs, I can certainly say with accuracy, that that is 100% true!

Laurie, I love how you approach your life with such thoughtfulness. This time of every year is so much about thinking and pondering and hope. Happy new year.
xo

Hope you have a great 2008. Actually, hope we ALL have a great 2008. Thinking back since I found your blog about 2 years ago (shortly after my divorce) the "lightness" (as best as I can describe it) in your words and attitude is certainly shining through and it is wonderful to see. Your future is so bright we had better all wear shades!

For the first time in years, I'm planning on making resolutions. Dieting, per se, is not to be included. And although you are still kind of young, you may be interested in a book I received this year, The Wisdom of Menopause, by Christianne Northrup. It is the most awesome book on women and emotional/physical issues. Definitely touches on those holding-on-to-sentimental-clutter issues! Happy New Year, I will join you in wine as soon as they let me out of work! Enjoy.

Happy New Year! I am here in downtown LA, having worked this week as well. I knitted on the way to work this morning and thought of you. This year I want to learn to knit with those circular needle things. And make hats. And a kitty pi. I resolve to replace my paper clutter with yarn clutter. So there.

Hope 2008 is a great year for you!

My main goal for 2008 is close to yours, I want to fix up and clean up my place enough that I'll actually let people come in at all!

Have a Wonderfully Happy and Healthy New Year for you and your feline posse.

My friend and I have a "doormat" gesture we do to each other when we know we're being taken advantage of and we're sucking it up anyway. It would be nice to not have to do that.

Bob - can't. move. must. sleep.

Frankie - Oh Romeo...

Soba - ...and thus began the reign of terror upon the land of Encino-adjacent as she smote them with her furry vengeance...

Who won the trip to meet you? Did I miss that?

Oh and my resolution is to (no not diet) Make Better Food Choices. I will have a good start as my space heater tripped a circuit breaker in my apartment sometime last night and all the food in the frig was warm when I woke up. Clean sweep.

Happy new year from Europe, too- still love your the blog, the book, and am definitely waiting for the second one.
My furry felons here at Chez Scratchville want me to send their deepest gratitude to The Great Sobakova, who taught their human how to bow to feline might and power. Meouw.
Lily

Dear Laurie,

You've made me smile so much during the past year, reading about your adventures in worlds inner and outer. Thank you for that.

Your resolutions strike a chord in my heart. We had to clear (excavate) a two-year heap of craft materials and papers to make room for the tree in the living room and what didn't go out in the eight rubbish sacks and three trash bins today joined the heaps already in the spare/my sewing room. I so need to declutter. My excuse is that I've had CFS for nineteen years and my DH has said I should save my energy for what I enjoy (so knitting,textile arts and reading rather than houseowrk then) but it can't go on like this. So good luck with the decluttering, and please spare a thought and any hints for me!

Happy New Year.
Sue.

I am so with you on the de-cluttering issue-possesions and life. 2007 sucked bigtime for me, here's to 2008!!!! And what in the world are cats thinking about when they just space out and stare like that? I often wonder....Happy New Year, Laurie! And everyone!

Yes, I'm all into the decluttering since I moved and started a whole new life.

Happy New Year to everyone!

[P.S. Looking forward to new shoes? ROFL!]
.

Hey Laurie!

The hit of Christmas dinner was your Oma's Chocolate Cake! There is still a tiny bit left and I am sort of hiding it from the rest of the house so it will be last longer. It has been disappearing one tiny sliver at a time. Everyone was quite impressed that I made a cake that did not come out of a box. This is a cake I will surely be making again. Many thanks to you and your Oma (we have an Oma too and one day I will also be Oma)...
Happy New Year to you and everyone of CAP's friends!

Laurie,

Have a happy and blessed 2008! May you continue to thrive, grow and be happy with yourself....I hope and wish the same for myself!

Happy New Year to all of Laurie's fans too!!

woot.shirt had a t-shirt the other day with the saying on it.........."2007 Well, that sucked!" and I couldn't agree more. My dad got cancer, a massive stroke and passed away all within 6 months. I was in a wreck the day after Thanksgiving. We joke and call it....Black and Blue on Black Ice on Black Friday.......hurt like a bitch tho. When you're short like me, don't sit so far up. Airbag deployed and I punched myself in the mouth (much to the delight of too many). AND December birthdays DO blow! Mine..........the 19th and I got shorted all my 47yrs. Like nobody could buy in Sept for my Dec birthday? I always got...."your birthday is so close to Christmas and I ran out of money" WTF?

Okay.........now that I've brought ALL of you down, please have a Healthy, Happy New Year. MWAH!! Thanks for all the laughs.........and the tears (missing you Roy!)
One question........
how do you keep all the litter dust down at chez Perry? I've got 4 cats and the dusting never ends.

Ciao, bella

About your thoughts on being kind vs being a doormat. I, personally, think it is nicer to not be a doormat. I know people that are always doing things (that they don't want to) for other people, but the thing is, there are always strings attached. It's the whole enmeshment thing. And eventually there is a price to pay, usually with guilt. And guilt is not kind. It sucks.

So, I think it's just nicer to avoid the whole thing. There is nothing mean about telling someone that no, you'd rather not. I've noticed that I am much nicer when I don't do things I don't want to. When I do something I don't really want to, that's when I'm a b*#ch.

I have to agree with Marilyn. In your photos, you've got two ponderers, and one plotter. After all, manifestos don't write themselves!

What a lovely thing Linda (anonymous, 2nd entry) had to say: ["I've enjoyed your blog ever so much. I'm old enuf to be your Mom, but can still see situations I've gone thru in my own life being resolved in yours. I don't think there is a "generation gap" when it comes right down to it."]

I think we all struggle with the same sorts of issues, and it's good to know we are not alone (though sometimes it feels like it). I, too, have enjoyed your blog this past year, having read all back entries as well, but have never commented before.

Laurie, very best wishes for personal growth and happiness in 2008. And, what the heck, new shoes would be nice too.

Renata

In Japan we have something called "O-soji" at this time of year - it means "Big Clean up". At the end of the year, we're supposed to clean up EVERYTHING - vacuumn, sweep, scrub, polish, dust, shine, the whole nine yards... so that we can welcome the new year into a clean space, as good space is important in the whole zen thing we pursue.

I will be cleaning up all weekend and thinking of my own list of better habits to create in 2008. Happy New Years to you Laurie, your cats, and all of us happy readers. Thanks for continuing to share with us.

Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I made Oma's fudgy cake for our Christmas celebration. It was so good that everyone wanted to know what bakery I got it at!!! (oh, ye of little faith in my cooking!!!) But let me just say that it was GREAT. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I think it might become my signature dessert at Baptist potlucks. :0)

I can't wait to try the Oma cake after the rave reviews - sounds like an excellent to-do for the weekend! As you point out, year end approaches and it is a good time to take stock. Looking back over 2007 I must say thank you for all that you have done for us readers this year...kept us company, made us laugh, inspired us to make changes in our lives, amused us with amazing cat pictures, and the list goes on. Life is more fun with Crazy Aunt Purl in it...so (imagine wine glass held high) here is to you and to 2008, may it bring you all good things and all the happiness you so richly deserve.

Laurie:
Remember that forgiveness is not for the benefit of the offender, but it is what allows you to let go and move forward. (Learned the hard and expensive way in therapy after my divorce many, many years ago.) Here's to a great 2008!
Diana

Ok, had to comment about the book by Christiane Northrup.

I read her book, "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom".

Changed my outlook on a HECKUVA lot of things.

Laurie, have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Thank you for the joy you brought me this year through your blog!

Happy New Year, lovely lady, I am WITH YOU 100% on the decluttering project! We have a small house with too much accumulated crap (emotional and physical) and this is going to be the "year to clear", so to speak.

Like you, I'm a listmaker, because I *adore* crossing things off lists when I finish them. Especially things that are (a) manageable in a short time and (b) rewarded with chocolate.

Love to you and the kitties from me (and Squeeky, who is Soba's total twin sister!)

Congrats on a great year and here's to 2008!

Wishing you a happy, happy 2008 Laurie!
Thank you so much for all the wonderful opportunities for reflection you've given me since I found your blog earlier this year. "like a road, like a road leading home." With gratitude,
-Lynne

Happy New Year, Laurie! (My Christmas wish was a bit late. My New Year one is a bit early. See? Balance.)

In 2008 I want to get a handle on our finances. In one sense they are fine: we're not in debt and we're saving for college and retirement. In another sense I'd really like to know exactly where our money comes from and where it goes. This is why your budgety goodness fascinates me.

And a resounding happy catnip! to Bob, Frankie and Soba.

Hmmm, I've had a bit of a crush on Gene Kelly since I was .... 5 years old. Pretty useless, of course.

And I'm not going on a diet in 2008. But my home could use one.

Happy New Year! To you and your cats from me and my cats :-)

From one Laurie to another,
I have a birthday on monday and I thought this would be a good time to de-lurk. (I always get the 'this is for Christmas and your birthday, hope you don't mind')
I found your book about a month ago and have since been readinjg your blog from the beginning. Thank you for being willing to put so much of your life and emotions out here for us to share. Being a true spinster (42 and never married) :) I can really relate to much of what you have been dealing with. Congrats on how wonderful your life sounds now and all of the best for 2008.
I am also going to try to get my house cleaned up so I would be willing to let people in the front door. A great goal for this next year.

As a Dec. 23 birthday girl myself, I know how much Faith must have appreciated her birthday celebration with friends. I made sure both of my daughters were born in June : )
Happy New Year!

Hi, From Illinois and 6 inches of snow. Perfect knitting weather. Before I even read this my year goal was to declutter. I have a room you can't even step into because of all the "stuff". Actually took a load of garbage to my friends house today (she doesn't have to pay by the bag like I do) anyway the wooden Christmas tree I was throwing away ended up in her garage. One man's junk......

I too love my June birthday - cause it means I get presents every 6 months! LOL! But then, I had to go and make my life harder and collect 3 December birthdays, all 2 days apart - hubby, daughter, and son-in-law!

yes, it IS possible to be nice AND not get walked on. if you exude confidence in yourself, you WILL get respect. took me soooooo long to learn that.

I am going to join you in the clutter cleanout.

happy happy great 2008 to a cute, intelligent, funny woman! that's YOU, silly!

My friend Kevin put it the best..."2008 is gonna be our year guys I can feel it!"

Your skin looks FANTASTIC in those pictures! Really really amazing Nicole-Kidman thing you've got going on with the glowing-clear-freshness.

Wow - it must be a syndrome - the craft-addicted, Web-dependent, clutter-immersed female!

I, too, am unable to have anyone over because the house is so full of STUFF - most of it useless, but I insist on at least trying to sort thru it - someday. The worst thing - besides the countless hours I waste looking for the stuff I actually NEED - is the friction it causes between me and my husband. He's pretty patient, but not a saint!

Anyway, I did something a few years ago when we had a yard sale. If you have trouble letting go of ANYTHING, it might help. I call it the House Tithe. Quite simply, you get rid of 10% of everything by catetgory; clothes, kitchen stuff, books , CD's, etc. We did it, but I expected it to have more impact than it did. Really need to do it again.

Of course, it doesn't help with the basement full of old papers - and worst of all, all the unread newspapers, which is my worst compulsion. I have a couple of books on decluttering, which I need to get back to - let ya know if I come across anything that works.

My sister's rule is: whenever a new thing comes into the house, an old thing has to go out. Of course, she's a lot more ruthless than I am - and lives in a 1-bedroom condo!

Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year to All!

You've just made me realize why I love my June Birthday so much....presents every half year!

You are incredible and such a gift to your readers Laurie!

Last year at this time, I just knew 2007 HAD to be better than rotten old 2006. Nope. Wrong - it was worse. The divorce battle finally ended but has cost me an unbelievable $45K (argh! goodbye retirement $), big water damage to the house which still needs repairs, I turned a depressing 50 - this is not where I ever planned to be after 25 years of marriage, found at last a full-time job but it pays next to nothing, and my dear Dad died last month. Bleah to you, lousy 2007.

I did, however, fully embrace the divorce therapy which involves buying many pairs of cute shoes (on sale of course). Now that I have the shoe thing down, I must move along to fully embrace decluttering. It is soooo needed! Plan to reread the CAP decluttering posts for motivation. Maybe you could write some more?

I'll try again - 2008 has GOT to be better than 2007... I hope... Please? Pleeeeeaaase.....

Like kit's slogan -
2008 - the year to clear

But, But........My Labrador Retrievers ARE smarter than your honor student!

How else do you explain that each one of my dogs (there's 3) each have a person they sleep with at night, and hubby and I have a 90 pound lab sleeping in our king-size bed every night. They gotta be smarter than we are to have such a sweet deal!

Thank you for the gift of your writing this year and for the opportunity to see you rise to meet new challenges and make us think, "if she can do it, maybe I can too". So thank you!

On the bumper sticker front, I saw one that read "My kid beat up your honor student". Funny but...

and dogs have owners but cats have staff.

Happy New Year Laurie. I'm in on the de-cluttery thing (already got started) and on the budgety thing. 2008 will be great!

Just so you know, people are reading your blog all the way over here in little old Long Island, NY. My local town newspaper had an editorial on lists of 100 things to get done in life, and how great an idea it is. They got the idea from reading your blog! I thought you'd like to hear that. Happy New Year!

thanks for the big thinks to end the year on but not sure pondering with a cabinet. Would an old wooden trunk do?

A drama wallet!
I'm sure if I could breathe out my nostrils, I would have spit all over the monitor on that one. You kill me!
Yea for less clutter. I'm all over that!!
Happy new year!

You live in the LA area, you should make you house messy and nominate yourself for Clean House!

I just wanted to drop you a comment to thank you for your blog. I love reading about your life and find you to be an inspiration. Your sense of humor is amazing and it brings a little bit of happiness to my morning.

Happy New Year!

The mother of my good friend Grace had a favorite saying: "NEVER mistake kindness for weakness." I think about that one often, when people think they can walk all over me because I try to be kind and compassionate. I have now learned to warn those types of people that even I have limits, and if they push me past those limits, watch out....! :)

Happy new year!

Laurie.... I discovered your book at a Borders Bookstore about 2 months ago. I laughed til I cried! And then I read your blog & then I started trying some of your patterns! Thank you so much for laying it out there! You have helped more than you could ever know (in all kinds of ways). Happy New Year to you & all of us fans! Love from Oneonta, NY

I'll buy your drama wallet! I would love one to go with my speedy! e-mail me!

Happy New Year!

Everyone please go and click on Allison in the picture with Laurie..she needs our help for her kid..isnt that what holidays are for? helping each other...

I am joining the ranks of the "cluttered-less in 2008" There are a few areas of my house that I have managed to organize this year (my home office, my work supplies, my yarn) and it pleases me so much that I am now looking to work on the dining room buffet (oodles of candleholders, decor items, junk), stacks 'o magazines, and the craft stuff. The laundry room may have to wait for 2009!

I think part of the struggle is to stop just saying "I want to be organized" which is too vague a statement. I determined last year to break it down into small areas to tackle and that has worked well.

Ahhhh, comtemplative kitties!

I'm an August birthday, and I totally agree with the dividing the year in half thing. Love the Chez Ponders with Wine! I myself have pondered with many a shiraz or pinot noir or sangiovese, the later being this evening, while watching Harry Potter number 4. (I gave the series of 5 movies to my husband and we've been held captive for the past 4 nights, having never read nor seen a one of them) Anyhooo… Here's to 2008 - may it be decluttered, filled with felines and… happy.

Ok Bob looks drunk, Frankie is following the flight of a dust particle, but Soba. Soba looks like another manifesto is in the works......I'd keep one eye open at night if I were you.

I'm going to try the plan where I fill one bag with trash from my house every day this year and see how much clutter I can get rid of. Happy New Year, Jane

@MathIsBeauty: Happy birthday to us! Mine is tomorrow, too. And yes, in some ways it kinda sucks to have a birthday so close to the big holidays, but my mom was always very good about making sure that my celebration was a completely separate thing.

Best wishes and hopes for a prosperous, peaceful, less clutterful new year for our hostess, Laurie, and this community of readers she's built.

We're definitely on similar tracks with the self-help stuff.

I recently discovered I most likely have some Attention Deficit problems. Having an explanation for my difficulty with organization and housekeeping, as well as my tendency towards spontaneous comments (lack of a mouth filter) that causes trouble in social settings has been a wonderful thing. There are tons of self-help books for women with ADD. Acquiring this bit of knowledge has allowed me to finally make progress toward my goal of a house I'm not ashamed of.

My favorite and newest trick/cleaning system is note cards. You write each individual chore on a note card a put them in a box (being sure to have some fun activities and exercise shuffled in here and there). You select a card and do the chore on that card and place it in another box. When the second box is full and the first is empty, you shuffle the cards and start over. There is a suspense aspect that makes me want to rush through one chore to see what's on the next card (worked like a charm on the kids, too - they kept coming back for more cards). And it breaks up the monotony of housekeeping.

You may want to try it. You go at your own pace (unlike the flylady thing you see mentioned all over the internet), and there's no guilt about whether you shined your sink each day or not (or got behind on a day of chores). it's just a card game.

Oops. That was really long. Sorry. You just stumbled upon something I'm currently obsessed with.

This has absolutely nothing to do with this particularly post (which made me laugh hard, as usual), but did you know that you're a Wikipedia entry?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Perry

That's got to be the coolest thing ever, I swear. Wikipedia is my life.

Ahhhh, On Golden Ponder. (Can you tell Bossy has already enjoyed her glass of wine?)

Here's to a happy, wild and wonderful New Year to you as well. I have been reading your blog for less than a year (but most of one) and I received your book for X-mas.

I read it in less than two days, and I must say...

Well done! I was caught laughing out loud for most of it, and I'm so happy for you that you have done so well. Being a complete stranger from the internet, I can't imagine how proud your friends and family must be. I wish you more success, luck, and well being. I also want to recommend a book called "Chinese Whispers," it will help with the de-cluttering. In addition the book is absolutely beautiful, and everyone needs a little more beauty in their lives, don't they?

Thanks again for the book, write another!

Nona

Hey Aunt Purl -- something's awry w/ the blog-ads... Couple of the links are coming up as htto:// instead of http:// -- means we gotta hand type them instead of just clicking on thru. Maybe the link-o-machine is hitting the holiday sauce a day early...

Glad your year is ending on a peaceful note. Cheers to all your fuzzy friends, and a tip of the chapeau to beloved Roy. We'll all miss him in the new year.

What a thoughtful post - bring on that wine! Have a Happy New Year and may 2008 bring you even more good things than 2007!

Yes, Hannukah and Christmas ALWAYS mess with the mid-to-late-December birthdays! (Mine was 12/18; I officially turned 39 this year, which is OLDER than you, Purl!!). Anyway, if I could legally change my birthday, I would have done so a LONG time ago and moved my birthday to late April. No more birthday presents wrapped in Christmas paper (ugh!), no more birthday cakes with large red poinsettias on them (ugh! ugh!), no more red Santa sweatshirts (need I say more?!).

Anyway, hope your 2008 is even more spectacular than your 2007! I tip my glass of Reisling to you!

To Be Kind And Not Be A Doormat...so weird, because I've been pondering that exact same thing for a while now (using eggnog martinis, and also wine...). Please let me know if you come up with anything! My solution so far has been to ditch everyone I know, quit my job and move away to an unknown location to start over...(always tricky establishing "boundaries" with people who are already used to walking all over you, isn't it?)

I also considered giving up the "Be Kind" part. Still thinking about that...

Have a great New Year!

Lori - Happy Happy to you too. I must admit that it helped that my sister also has a Dec B-Day so the family is always great about keeping the B-days separate. It is others that seem to forget. But we really can't complain, I mean the whole world throws us a party. :) Laurie

Stumbling onto your blog was one of the highlights of my year...and yes, I am ready to see 2007 go away.

I'm not a knitter, but still love your insightful and inspiring writing. You have a beautiful, natural voice, and it is apparent you have a devoted following.

Regarding de-cluttering: www.flylady.net I have been using this system for a few years and my house virtually is clean *most* of the time (except when evil teenagers descend on it!) She helps you create routines for cleaning so you don't have to do it all at once, methods for decluttering, and inspirational testimonials to keep you motivated.

Keep up the good work! All the best in the coming year.

Lisa

Happy New Year, Laurie, Bob, Frankie and Soba from me and Teddy Bear!!!

I, too, pass over the line from kindness to doormat and from kindness to weakness and I am really trying to set boundaries for myself and knock down the guilt several pegs.

This past year I did pretty well with decluttering but I've noticed lately that it's starting to creep back in again. I'm learning that it's not a one-time event, at least for me, I have to be diligent to keep it in check.

I can't wait for 2008 and all the possibilities that are in store! You've come a long way, Laurie, 2007 was a good year for you and I know that 2008 will be even better!

Any room in that yard sale for the Purse of Seething Resentment? :-)

Our family is mostly Irish and we have lots of Christmas-season birthdays .... two, in fact, on Xmas Day. Christmas is about nine months after St. Patrick's Day. Think about it. Anyway, some parents, like mine, go to some trouble to distinguish the birthdays from the holiday, and some don't. My birthday is the day after Tweltfh Night which helps me in the clutter division because I want the tree and decorations down and packed before bedtime on 12th night so I wake up to a Christmas-free birthday.

Happy 2008 to you and thanks for all the laughs. You're a gem.

Have a wonderful New Year! I started reading your book last night, you've already touched my heart more than you can imagine, and cracked me up tons! Its amazing to know that I don't know you yet feel like I know you, ya know? Yea, okay, shut up Linda! For the decluttering--have you checked out Flylady? She's wonderful, check out her website!

My resolutions:
1- Listen more, talk less, ask more about others.

2- De-clutter

3- Do the flylady thing slowly but surely
(I hear ya, Dez!)

4- Get healthier (resolve current health issues, work out more)

5- Finish all my current knitting projects.

6- Pole dancing- learn it. ;-)

Okay! I'm divorced and four furbabies own me also! So I can really relate! Did ya'll see the program, I think it aired on the Discovery Channel, about Pack Rats? Yes that would certainly be SOME of us anyway, including me! LOL. It was a very well done piece about Pack Rats and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Like my Dad used to do, I find it almost impossible to throw much of anything out the door! Who knows! Our trash may be another's treasure or collectible in the future! So many collectibles, so little time! Oh! and I can knit too! =^..^= Spend hours on my PC, I really don't think I would want to do without it!

Happy New Year from Maine! and I am not your friend Kristen in your blog! I started reading your blog before your book was published and have thoroughly enjoyed BOTH so much! You make me laugh and smile everyday! I wish the best for 2008 and your parents and the rest of your family too and of course the cats. LOVE the pics you post of them. It's snowing to beat the band here tonight so I am going to snuggle up with some knitting. I hope that you make it over to the east coast .....MAINE....to some of our great yarn shops for a visit soon. PEACE!

Ok, look at the picture of Soba - I want to see that quilt she is laying on!

On your comments about accepting what is you should look at the book "Loving What Is" by Byron Katie. It is not a book you simply read, say "that's nice" and go on with your life as usual. She takes you through steps to undo the thinking that has you angry, upset, confused. Really a healing book. And right in line with your comments.

My mom was born on December 27th, but we used to celebrate her half-birthday on June 27th. Then my younger brother was born on that day and nixed that plan.

Hey
if people can sell 'ebay barbie' or 'pokemon cards with a cutesy story for 100 times more than they are worth - still in a packet no less' I am sure emotional 32 pieces of matched Louis Vitton will sell.. see I can't even spell it!
Thanks for the laughs in 2007 and hope 2008 is a good one!
I made two resolutions for 2008...
1. Eat more chocolate
2. gain 10 lbs.. how easy is that???

Lissa

Love your blog! I pointed my mom (who JUST got her first computer this year) to it and she loves it too.

For the clutter, go to http://www.flylady.net It's FREE (bonus!) and she teaches gentle behavior modification by teaching how to set up and maintain routines. I am NOT born organized by any stretch of the imagination (and neither is she) but her method of just 15 minutes a day has really helped.

Happy New Year!

My license plate frame says "My Giant Schnauzer can lick your honor student" She may not be as smart as the kids but she is very affectionate.

You're so beautiful. When I've read about CrazyAuntPurl, I always assumed I was reading about some ugly cat lady who happened to be really funny and life-affirming. But these pictures here, you're gorgeous!

Happy New Year to you as well! I've been fighting the slow decluttering battle for as long as I can remember (I have kids so, cut me a break!) but the only thing that's really helped is Earthchicknits' Saturday Seven project. She started giving away seven things a week and profiling them each Saturday. Some are sold, some go to charity but just throwing the stuff out doesn't count. I can handle this. After all, almost any drawer in my house has seven extra things in it. I've done it for over a year and I must have fueled most of the church rummage sales in my neighborhood. Check out her blog at earthchicksknit at blogspot dot com.

Hi Crystal,,,where do you plan to visit in NC next year for Christmas? NC is proudly my home state. We had another hot Christmas this year! Thankfully this week it finally turned cold! Like most people, Christmas doesn't feel like Christmas to me unless it is cold. But we carry on and enjoy it the best we can.