Well, believe it or not, my chore list is done for the day!  YEAH!!  Tommy is taking a nap still.  Joshua has two friends over and they are playing Uno Attack!!  They have been playing that everyday.  I love that the kids all like to hang out at our house.  I always know where Josh is and what he is doing.  I also know his friends very well.   I have ended up making them lunch a few times since I have been home and they are drinking up all the pop left over from the Christmas party.    Good thing  I cleared off the dining room table.  The boys are playing their games there.  I think they were playing stratego before the third guy arrived.  Of course they have played a few play station games.  One of Josh's friends brought theirs over and they have been playing it.  I am one of those mean moms and I haven't bought any type of game system for my kids.  I really don't think it is necessary.  I don't want my kids sitting in front of the TV playing games.  They sit in front of the TV enough just watching shows.  (though I limit that too).

I am off to read for a bit and relax until Tommy wakes up. 

Here is a recipe I am making for the New Years Party tonight.  I made a double batch at Christmas and it all was eaten quickly.   Great appetizer.

This was the recipe I used for the cookie Exchange.  I posted it to my recipe site...not sure if I had shared it or not. 

Peppermint Pinwheels

¾ Cup Butter (no Substitutes), softened
¾ Cup Sugar
1 Egg Yolk
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
¼ teaspoon red liquid food coloring

 In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Beat in egg yolk and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Divide dough in half; add extract and red food coloring to one portion.

 On a work surface, roll out each portion of dough between waxed paper into a 16in. x 10-in. rectangle.  Remove wax paper.  Place red rectangle over plain rectangle; roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate overnight or until firm.

 Unwrap the dough and cut into ¼ in. slices.  Place 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until set.  Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.   Yield: about 4 dozen.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!!!!!! 

Today's TO Do:

1 load of laundry
Update Checkbook
Clean off Desk
Organize Office Shelf
Organize Supply Closet in Office
Clear Off Dining Room Table
Delete more Email from Yahoo Account
Straighten Linens/Comforters

Make Wings for Party
Grocery Store:  Peanut Oil, Crusty Bread

I best try to conquer some of the list before Tommy wakes up for the day.  Catch ya later!

I had a good evening and a productive day.  I got all my chores done but the clearing off of the Dining Room Table....we don't eat in the dining room anyway.  We always eat in the kitchen............*smirk.    I tend to use the dining room to fold clothes...LOL!  So I have to put the loads I did today away tomorrow morning, then I am done again.

We spent the evening watching a movie called "Trapped"  with Kevin Bacon in it.  Very good movie!!   I had never heard of it so I thought my hubby had rented a dud again....but actually it was a really good movie!

Good Night....I am off to bed to read.  Tomorrow we are going to a New Years party at our neighbors.  I will have to get a bit of stuff for the party yet.  We have a fondue party every year.  I am worried a bit about Tommy with him being so mobile.  It will be very difficult to keep him out of trouble in their house.   I don't think they have a gate on their steps anymore as their youngest son is 4 now.   ARGH!!  I might end up coming home early.  Oh Well.!

I wanted to share just a couple of organizing hints that I have used the last year for the paper jungle our house seems to be.  I have gotten that jungle under control.   So here are my two hints:

1.  I keep an Expand a File which is labeled by months in a drawer in my office.  After I pay the bills, I put the remaining parts of the bill in that month.  At the end of the year, I remove everything and burn everything, but my pay stubs, child support stubs and retirement and taxes info.  At the end of the year I do put the December stuff into January in case I have to look at it.  But the filing of this system is easy, just stick it in the right month!  DONE!

2.  I keep a three- ring binder for each of my children.  I keep the current information for each child in their binder.  School information, Church info, medical information, child support, etc.   If you want to know anything about one of my children I can find their info within 1 minute. 

Those are my tried and true tips to help you tame the paper jungle in your house this upcoming year.  If you have additional hints, love to hear them!!  It is the time of year when we all *swear we will be more organized this coming year!! 

UPDATE:  Hubby didn't have to work long today at his internship.  So I was albe to get a lot done in the office as he could be iwth Tommy for an hour.  WHEW!!   I think I have most everything on my list done, so this evening will be entirley spent with the boys and relaxing.  AAAH!!!  And maybe a nice long bath to read for a bit!! 

I do have to run to the store of things for the New Years Eve Party Tomrrow.  I totally didn't realize it was tomorrow.  YIKES!!  So I have a few things to buy yet.  I best get busy and fingure ourt waht is for lunch!

TO DO - MONDAY: