Looking forward to 2006, I asked everyone's favorite Norma to fix me up with a button for the 2006 ABC-Along, my little photo op plan for next year. I've got a list of all the current participants over in my sidebar. If you'd like to be in on the fun, please let me know, and save yourself a copy of the UBER cool button that Carole agreed to make for me by way of dear N.
The rules, such as they are, are simple: Photo posted to your blog in 2-week increments that matches that week's letter of the alphabet: 26 letters, 52 weeks of the year divided by 2 = 26 opportunities to post a photo and tell us a little bit more about yourself. For example, week one - "A" is for..........Abercrombie and Fitch, Appalachia, artichokes, abstract paintings, Asia (either the band or the continent - your choice)... or anything else that has some meaning for you. Should be fun - I'm looking forward to all the cool and interesting tidbits that are bound to come out of this one.
In other news, I finally cashed in on Digger and Happy's Xmas gift. Since D and I had decided to go modest on the gift-giving, Digger and Happy decided they really wanted to get me something themselves, but had had a hard time getting a ride to the store, so instead, they wrote me a little note, which was very heartwarming. It read:
Dear Anne,
We worry that you will be lonely when you travel and since you will be doing a lot more of that this year, we decided you should have a little mp3 player to keep you company. That way, you can record all our barnyard noises and remember all of us at home.
P.S. Go ahead and use D's credit card. He'll never notice.
Love, Digger, Bill and the Wild Hares, and the grump, aka Ms. Happy.
So yesterday, having shown them all the possible options, and eliciting lots of opinions from Hap, since she ALWAYS has an opinion, I took myself off and picked up this nifty little gift. 
Not an iPod, although I looked at those. This is a little Zen Nano from Creative, which actually has more features than the iPod with the same size memory (1 Gb). It takes more file formats, you can direct record off any CD device or off satellite radio and it takes a regular AAA battery (which covers about 18 hours of listening) as opposed the iPod's special battery which, while it lasts 9-12 months, costs about 100 bucks to replace. So, last night, I downloaded a couple of KnitPod casts and transfered all of Zeppelin's IV album onto it. VERY swank. Digg is a good boy, always thinking of me, eh?
Finally, Sydney says "Enjoy New Year's and don't stay up too late, everyone!"
All for now.........
Yep, you're going to love it. I borrow audio books from the library and download them onto my ipod. Very nice. If the battery on this one decides to set me back by $100.00, I may just join you on your choice. I like rechargeable AAA's.
Posted by: Judy | December 29, 2005 at 08:40 AM
Wow! Swank indeed. Your boys (and girls) are always so thoughtful! ;-D
Posted by: Norma | December 29, 2005 at 08:42 AM
Count me in for the ABC-along! That's a great idea.
Posted by: Dawn | December 29, 2005 at 08:44 AM
One of my 2006 resolutions is to learn how to add buttons to the blog sidebar. I guess I will start with the ABC-along.
Posted by: Cathy | December 29, 2005 at 08:45 AM
Okay, I'm in. I guess I forgot to tell you that when I made the button. Whoops!
Happy New Year, too!
Posted by: Carole | December 29, 2005 at 08:50 AM
Totally in on the ABC A-Long - Hope I can last the whole alphabet! FUN!
Posted by: Cara | December 29, 2005 at 09:01 AM
Add me to the ABC-Along! Sounds like an "along" I can finally keep up with!
Posted by: Cheryl | December 29, 2005 at 09:31 AM
Exactly what I need to get me revved up for the new year. Count me in.
Posted by: Sharon | December 29, 2005 at 09:33 AM
Hey, Anne, can you add me to the ABC along. Sounds fun.
Posted by: susan | December 29, 2005 at 09:44 AM
I'm in on the ABC photo along! :) Great, thoughtful animal family you have there!
Posted by: sandy | December 29, 2005 at 09:52 AM
whats a KnitPod cast? have a link?
Posted by: pixie | December 29, 2005 at 10:53 AM
Ok, I saved the ABC Along button. So add me to the list. Sounds like fun! Now, to see if I can figure out how to add the button to my blog.
Posted by: Chris | December 29, 2005 at 12:22 PM
Love the ABC idea and I'll join you.
Wish I'd known about your choice of MP3...it will be my next choice.
Posted by: margene | December 29, 2005 at 01:24 PM
I've been behind in all thing bloglike but my first blogthing will be to install the way cool button. Here's hoping that around letter D my photos will improve with a new camera!
Posted by: Beth | December 29, 2005 at 01:42 PM
I would love to join in on the fun of the ABC- along. I like your not an Ipod - I am off to check it out!
Posted by: Tiffany | December 29, 2005 at 03:58 PM
I'm in for the ABCalong. Nice Nano! ;)
Posted by: stitchnsnitch | December 29, 2005 at 04:20 PM
The ABC along looks like fun! please add me in there... thanks!
Posted by: NessieNoodle | December 29, 2005 at 05:13 PM
Count me in too! Sounds like fun. I will go and put the button on my blog.
Posted by: Isela | December 29, 2005 at 11:10 PM
I would like to join the ABC-Along, please. :)
Posted by: Kit | December 29, 2005 at 11:44 PM
Please sign me up for the ABCalong too. Sounds like fun. I just got an iPod for Christmas and the knitting podcasts are my favorite part of the whole thing. I've got many hours of listening ahead of me. Enjoy your new MP3!!
Posted by: Kristin | December 30, 2005 at 01:36 AM
Okay this should be interesting, I am thinking about the letter a and struggling already:-) must the time of year - ok count me in
Posted by: janine | December 30, 2005 at 01:54 AM
I love the ABC-along idea, so I'd love to play. Thanks!
Posted by: Jane | December 30, 2005 at 04:29 AM
Count me in for the ABC-along. What a cool idea. I look forward to everyone's alphabets.
Posted by: Kat | December 30, 2005 at 05:37 AM
Me, I wanna join. I came here from Norma's blog and I LOVE the photo-journal idea.
Posted by: AmyP | December 30, 2005 at 06:09 AM
Oh please count me in this sounds fun! Found you at Zeneedle.
Amanda
Posted by: Amanda | December 30, 2005 at 06:37 AM