Step 1: Admitting you have a problem

Progress around the house is in another lull what with Derek being back at overtime. But he has managed to get a few things done. The best of which is installing a peep hole. You see, I hang around my house in things that are inappropriate to greet guests in. So when someone knocks on the door, I scramble to put on some clothes. Because I am keeping them waiting while I get dressed, I don't bother to look through the kitchen window (which isn't always effective anyway, depending on where they're standing). This has caused problems.

Twice now I've gotten stuck talking to some sales schmuck for an hour or more. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm normally such an awful person. I have no problem telling people off, or hanging up on telemarketers, but I can't manage to slam the door in these people's faces even though every fiber of my being is telling me to do so.

Before I had this issue, Derek insisted that a peephole was unnecessary. But when, for the second time, he came out of the shower to discover that I had spent the last hour talking to some jerk about my cable or repenting or new windows, he decided that I need a peephole. He even gave me a "Don't Answer The Door For Strangers," talk that included not trusting that someone actually works for UPS even if they say they do without seeing proper ID via the window. 10 minutes into his talk, I had to inform him that I teach this stuff to kids, and have a book he can read me called Don't Talk To Strangers, if he's still concerned about my understanding of the importance of this issue.

So now, when you come to my house, you'll still have to wait at my door while I throw on some clothes, but I will know who you are before I open my door, and if you're selling cable or Jesus, I'm not answering.

In other news, our pantry now has a door. I know, we're fancy. 

But the progress hasn't stopped there. You might remember from last year my insanity over Christmas, and the AUH-MAZE-BALLS Christmas brunch I threw. Well I'm already deep into preparation for this year's bash, and that includes plenty of nagging regarding the things I want done around here before the party so we look like we're actually doing things around here. The guest bathroom is my top priority. I want it done before the party. There is tons of work to do though, including replacing the delightful light fixture...

It's not done yet, but the old one is off and has been returned to the 80's where it belongs, so I consider that progress.

In new job news, I still love it. You may want to ask me again in a week once training is over and my workload increases 10 fold, but as of today, I love it. After all, how could I not love a place where I get to pull pranks...

play with cars...

and be a pirate?!?

I'm also rocking the running thang. In fact, I recently completed my greatest accomplishment- my first 20 miler. Made me feel pretty badass...

But through all this I am suffering from addiction...

7 of the 12 months for my wreath a month project complete! BOOM!

...to crafting. It's seriously getting bad. I have about 6 new projects in the works. Plus, today I found out that the new Hobby Lobby finally opened up (of course I found this out AFTER I spent an hour and $27 in Michael's). The excitement literally made my heart race. I seriously considered skipping dinner so I could go and stare wide eyed in the the glittery world of crafty awesomeness.

I've decided to look into CA- Crafter's Anonymous. I'm hoping that the meetings are held in the party room of the new Hobby Lobby, and that Martha Stewart would be willing to be my sponsor.