Or we could say: "A conclusion is simply the place where someone got tired of thinking." (Unknown)

I kind of like this one: "If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story." (Orson Welles)

And my personal favorite: "Consciousness. That annoying time between naps." (Steven Wright)

Okay, that last one has nothing to do with endings, but it does concern one of my favorite subjects. Endings, however, are somewhat more bittersweet. Renee and I will no longer be blogging on ReadySetMom, and it is bittersweet. For the past 2.5 years we've enjoyed building up this community and learning, sharing and laughing along with all of you. But trying to juggle two blogs turned out to be a wee bit more than we could handle, so we'll be focusing our attention on EnviroMom and working on projects that will enable us to spread the green love further afield. We hope you'll come visit us!

ReadySetMom will continue to live in cyberspace and moms will continue to comment on old posts (particularly that breastfeeding one!). We will actively maintain and update the Portland Metro Preschool & Childcare Directory, so please check back when you are ready to seek out preschools and providers.

Thanks everyone -- you all helped us create a very supportive and respectful environment here, and we've truly enjoyed getting to 'know' you. And a big thanks to our sponsors, many who advertised here for months and months. Thank you!

Red fans = good luck and prosperity. The Multnomah County Library will host a series of free, red fan-making events during the month of January:

• January 10, 2-4pm @ Northwest Library
• January 25, 2-4pm @ Fairview-Columbia Library
• January 26, 3:30-4:30pm @ Hillsdale Library

Children of all ages may decorate accordion style fans with Chinese symbols.

You can also celebrate Slavic New Year at the Midland Library this Saturday, January 10 from noon to 5pm with music, dancing crafts and Russian treats. Yum! Will there be any vodka for the moms?

Was it just last week that I was trying to figure out how to best get in shape? Mind you, it's only been a week, but dang if it hasn't been a busy one. Renee and I (a phrase that I say far more often than 'my husband and I' -- hmm) started taking a pilates mat class over at Moving Moxie, a new pilates studio in Hillsdale. Love it! While I've done pilates via DVD before, this is a full hour of coaching in a studio that is not littered with unfolded laundry, empty glasses and bits of child-related detritus. It's heaven. Seriously. What's not to love? You do most of these exercises lying down, and you only do a few reps of each exercise which is perfect for us ADD types. Hooray for pilates! If you buy a pack of 10 classes, they are only $8 each. I'm thinking that once I get more comfortable with the moves and the breathing I *might* try working on those crazy pilates machines, which is supposed to provide more resistance. It's more expensive BUT I just canceled cable and Netflix, so I figure I've got money to SPEND now. That's how it works, right? Hmm, just think what canceling electricity would net me.

The big question: Have you tried pilates and did you get results? I should say, desired results? Tell me about the tightening, the toning, the improved posture...

There came a time during the toddler-hood of my oldest daughter when I stopped reading the baby books. The kind that offer all kinds of well meaning but conflicting advice on how to raise your kids. When you've kept alive a kid for several years in a row, you either start to feel like you know what you're doing, or else you just say "Screw it, I'll wing it from here on out." And for the most part, that works for me. I also have a pretty strong network of mom friends. I pay attention to what works for them, and try new things from time to time.

Where I do feel like I might be lacking is in special knowledge regarding raising girls. I have two. I dread the time when they will both be teenagers and there will not be near enough hair dryers or bathrooms in our house. That's why I'm greatly looking forward to a parent education talk called "Raising our Daughters" to be held at Rieke Elementary on January 22 from 7 to 8:30pm. Kathy Masarie, a pediatrician who left her practice to found the non-profit Full Esteem Ahead. Her talk will focus on understanding the conflicting pressures that young girls in elementary and middle schools experience. The cost of the presentation is $10 (payable via check in the Rieke Elementary office). Seating is limited to 65 people.

I feel so bad for my kids because things are going to get really ugly around here this afternoon. And it's all because of a tiny plastic hamster. You see, my 4-year old son lost the hamster somewhere in my room this morning. This hamster, no larger than a thimble, is a favorite toy of my daughter's. That it hasn't been lost before is a mystery, but I guess she's just taken good care of it. She begged me to let her take it to school today; I said no, so she left it in the hands of her brother as she boarded the bus. Poor trusting soul. Within 15 minutes I heard the whine -- the hamster was lost.

My son and I have spent all morning tearing my room apart. Mattress is off the bed, bedding in a heap, trash can picked through, shoes dumped over, rug upended -- no hamster. So now I'm faced with the dread of telling my daughter the bad news. The former PR exec in me thinks we should craft a crisis communication plan and memorize our key talking points to minimize the damages. Part of me is packing a suitcase and wishing my son well as I deposit him at the bus station. But deep down I know an important, painful lesson will be learned today. Forgiveness.

It's one of those things that I struggle with -- letting go of resentment. So I'm not sure how well I can help her navigate her emotions. That's what we're supposed to do, right? Maybe we can both learn a thing or two together. As for little brother, I know he feels bad. What will he learn from all of this? These little life lessons are so important for them to experience (so I've been told) but I'm also hoping I can find the damn rodent before 3:15pm and avoid all of this.

UPDATE: Er, do you ever get worked up over something that *might* happen, and then ultimately doesn't? Yeah, she really wasn't upset about the plastic hamster. No biggie. No lessons learned. No need for mom to swoop in and offer wise counsel. So now I'm a little worried about her reaction. Doesn't seem normal. Oh for pete's sake woman, you obviously have way too much time on your hands.

The snow has melted. Hallelujah! I'm so happy. You may see me jumping from mountain-top to mountain-top! I went to bed with such foreboding last night as the snow continued to pile up in these West Hills. Thank goodness the snow has melted.

Today we will greet the bus driver with glee! How are you, Mr. Al? We've missed you!! With joy, I pack a lunch box! I'm not even daunted when we find 3-week old pears rotting in a small container in my first grader's backpack. Rotted pears! No big deal!

With joy we are going back into the routine. We'll get back in our groove. We'll impose the detox efforts we've been warning about for days. No more PBS Kids. No more holiday treats. We're going cold turkey. Wish us luck.

Have a super day everyone!! As for all the teachers, well, if the hyper-activity of my kids is any indication, I wish you luck. No doubt, it's going to be a chore getting these kids to settle back down. Perhaps ritalin in bulk?

Dear PPS,

While I understand that you have the safety of staff and children in mind when you make the decision to close schools for snow days, I'm begging you: YOU CANNOT close schools and declare a snow day on January 5, 2009. Really. Our kids have been out of school for over three weeks. All children will be left behind at this rate. I think I speak on behalf of all west-side moms. The children need to go back to school. Really. Really-really-really. Pretty-pretty-please. With sugar on top. I don't have many resources, but if you take bribes I'm prepared to barter.

Sincerely,
A West-side Mom

Out with the old? If you're like me, you've got a pile of stuff to get rid of -- the result of much end-of-year, snowbound de-cluttering. A few things will go on Craigslist and to my favorite kid's resale shop, but most will be donated. I try to avoid donating stuff to thrift store-type organizations and prefer non-profits that give donated items to people in our community. Here's where I'll be taking my stuff:

NW Children's Outreach: anything kid-related goes here: clothes, toys, gear -- you name it, they'll take it and give it to needy families in our community. Locations in the Pearl District, Hillsboro and Vancouver, but they have odd hours and closures so make sure to check the Web site carefully. Children's Relief Nursery in St. John's is another good one, though not as convenient for SW-dwellers.

Community Warehouse: furniture, housewares, kitchen utensils, towels, bedding, anything that makes a house a home. This is a fantastic organization that helps the homeless and people who are getting settled in a residence. 2267 N. Interstate Ave.

Portland Impact: we bring all of our adult clothing here, though they also will take kid items and housewares. 10055 E. Burnside

Free Geek: any electronics or computer equipment. These folks train people to strip or refurbish equipment -- "Helping the needy get nerdy" -- and then give them a computer in return. 1731 SE 10th

Title Wave Bookstore: this shop is run by the Multnomah County Library and the proceeds benefit the library system. I bring used books, magazines, CDs and DVDs here. 216 NE Knott

Feel free to add more resources in the comments! 

Yep. This is the year, people. This is the year I'm finally getting in the best shape of my life. Really. Really! Even though I've resolved to do this for the past 20 years, this is the one. I just turned 39 and I figure that if it ain't gonna happen this year, it ain't gonna happen ever. And even though I just resolved to slow down over on EnviroMom, I feel like exercise will help me clear my head and give me the energy to slow down. Strangely that makes sense to me.

Walking and biking will figure prominently. What I need are some weight-lifting routines, like dumbbell moves and exercises that will work all of the muscle groups (whatever those are). I'm thinking I'll be heading back to the SW Community Center gym for some of this and can use the big honkin' machines, but I've got some dumbbells at home, so I'd also like the option to say put some days. Should I give the ol' Winsor Pilates DVD another shot? Doesn't really excite me, but everyone tells me that pilates is the only way to firm up the beer belly. (And I'd really like to find my ass. I know I've got one somewhere.)

Are there Web sites you like for exercise routines and motivation?

I had a bad dream the other night. My eldest daughter, who will be turning 7 in January, had planned her own birthday party. She invited a whole bunch of kids I didn't know. She sent out the Evite herself. She promised crazy events, fabulous food and the worst part -- she scheduled it to last for 6 hours! Boy were those dream parents happy to drop off their kids for so long! But I sure woke up in a panic...

I am not the only mom with a January birthday celebration looming on the horizon. Jessica emailed looking for advice on a venue to host her daughter's birthday:

Wow. It's winter. As if there were any doubt. On the bright side, it's the PERFECT weather for snuggling by the fireplace with a hot toddy and a good book... I just started Snow, by Orhan Pamuk. Appropriate, no?

Here's the recommended books from On the Nightstand from Fall 2008. Most of them were mine. Heather seems to be on strike:

• Shift, by Jennifer Bradbury
• Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen
• Finding Nouf, by Zoe Ferraris
• Oh Pure and Radiant Heart, by Lydia Millet
• The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life, by Jennifer Worick
• Hot, Flat, and Crowded, by Thomas L. Friedman
• Without a Backward Glance, by Kate Veitch
• Made in America, by Bill Bryson
• The Risk Pool, by Richard Russo
• Genesis, by Jim Crace
• Lulu in Marrakech, by Diane Johnson
• When Will There be Good News? by Kate Atkinson

It's a sad, sad day when what I really am lusting after for my Christmas gift is a good pair of snow boots. How is it I've lived in all these snowy cold places (Wisconsin, Illinois and now PORTLAND) and I didn't manage to hold onto any boots?

If that's not sad enough. I'll give you another one. I think my best friend right now is... my snow shovel. Nothing like going out and shoveling the driveway to work out a little snow-day-cabin-fever angst that builds and builds with each passing day as they declare snow day after snow day until I think I just might explode!

So please. Join me in the pity party. Fill in the blank: What I really want for Christmas is _________. Please make it good. I need a laugh. Even the supposedly funny video about cars sliding down the south waterfront hill isn't doing it for me today.