Thanks to the wonder that is Google Analytics, we are pleased to present to you:

The Top Ten Posts of 2007

10. Parting shots

Apparently I wasted my time at the bench. I should have just been party-planning.

9. Of all the stupid …

There is not room in my hormonal brain to deal with this right now.

8. 13 Songs for Monday

7. The Strange Tale of Pteromys Squirrel

Legalities mean nothing to them. They are incredibly territorial. Keeping them in line requires daily vigilance.

6. Mmm… pickle ice cream…

It still hasn’t really sunk in that Poppy’s going to be a big sister.

5. Brushes with fame

I haven’t seen any famous people recently. But I have seen a few in the past.

4. Sister Golden Hair

When I step in the door, I hear,”DADDDYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!” and this small whirlwind of hair and flailing limbs comes running around the corner to meet me at the toddler gate next to the kitchen.

3. Ch-ch-changes

I am leaving the world of tattered jeans and flip-flops (which as far as OSHA is concerned I never wore in lab) and I’m heading for the office. Golf shirts and Khakis. Belts and shoes that match. Blackberries. Clip-on cell phones. Headsets. Breakrooms and Folgers from a machine. Carpooling. And the truth is, I couldn’t be happier.

2. Why, no! Martha Stewart didn’t help decorate!

I was delighted today to find that BooMama is hosting a holiday tour of homes today. It brings together two of my favorite things: Christmas decor and peeking inside admiring other people’s homes. In the interest of fairness, I’ll give you a peek into our home, too! Here it is, in all its festive glory.

1. Elf Yourself

Poppy thinks Daddy looks “so happy,” though, so I guess he’s making up for the littlest Grinch.

Analytics says these were the most-read posts of the year. So in 2008, we’ll try to provide more animated dancing, more home tours and more Rockford.

Once upon a time, I thought it would be fun to dye my hair red. A few minutes after I put the dye on my hair, I changed my mind. I rinsed it out as quickly as I could, but my hair still had a very faint pink tint for a few weeks after that.

It was quite a long time before I was tempted to venture once again into the world of hair color. A year or so ago, I had some partial highlights put in. Daring, I know. But it looked so much better than the Pixie Pink experiment, and it started me thinking that maybe Icould do something a little more bold.

Continue reading Time for a change →

Not too long ago, in a time known as Before Three Weeks Ago, I kept a daily to-do list. It was part of my effort to be a better housekeeper. I’m not a tidy person by nature, but I do love a good list. And I think I’d been doing a fair job of getting the things on my list done. By my admittedly less-than-Martha standards, the apartment has been tolerably clean.

Today is the first day I’ve been home alone with the children. We’ve been blessed with all sorts of help — Rockford parents were here the first week, my dad and his girlfriend came down the following week, Rockford worked half days most of last week and then his parents were back for a few days of Thanksgiving festivities. With all that assistance, today is the first day since Pete arrived that I’ve made a list.

Here’s what’s on it:

Laundry (wash, fold, put away)

Unload/reload dishwasher

Vacuum

Make bed in Pete’s room*

Move bassinet back to Pete’s room*

Sweep kitchen

Clean kitchen counters

Empty bathroom trash cans

Here’s what probably should be on it:

Survive until 6 o’clock, when Rockford comes home.

Say a little prayer for me, will you?

* Pete and I tried to sleep in the master bedroom last night, but I think we’re going to have to move back to Pete’s room so Rockford can get some sleep.