I've been cleaning my office (or rather, wading through piles of papers and moving them from one flat surface to another, sifting a few to the tax box and a few more to the trash with each move) and listening to my new iPOD!!! Such a fun toy.

Anyway. Since I decided to turn my small gathering into a party on New Year's, I corralled the boys and we did some cleanup in the garden. (The house gets it on Friday.) It had rained earlier in the day, and the air was still damp and chilly. By the time I finally made my way out to my secret garden, the sun had started to set, sprinkling the clouds with a rosy glow. My garden had a fresh scent, the weeds and grass were long and green on the ground, and the ivy has taken over the planting area.

The best news is, my lemon tree has survived summer and has ripe lemons on it, as well as putting new buds out. I know I'll need a good long time out there, puttering. I'm just hoping the cool weather continues for awhile. The pineapple express is supposed to be coming our way (a little el nino), so that would be nice.

Christmas was lovely and laid back and so much fun. The boys are growing up into fun people to be around, which is neat.

Annie (my new guitar) is playing wonderfully. Zaphod the cat is settling down to his new home, and getting in all sorts of trouble. (His latest is to wake me up by landing on my body with a thud.) The dogs are eager to make friends, but Zaphod still wants nothing to do with them. And keeping him inside isn't the easiest thing - he's a true escape artist.

Overall, life is good - and next week I have two days off in a row! Woo!