Happy Year New from the Badgetts and us in Costa Rica!

Here’s Randi, Willow (inset), Jacob, Hal, Nana, Ryan, me, Robert and Mo wishing you Prosperidad, Paz y Amor [pro-spare-ee-DAHD, prosperity; pahs, peace; ee, and; ah-MORE, love] in 2008. Who could ask for anything more?

Actually, me. There are one or two more things I need to make 2008 perfect. I never make New Year’s resolutions. Not since I quit drinking and stopped making the "I will quit drinking in 198_." But this year I vow to lose 25 pounds. "But, Saratica, you look so thin in the picture," you say. That’s because, if you look closely, you’ll see I painted myself black. Life is too short to hate the way you look in pictures. Besides, there’s the book tour and that appearance on the Oprah show that’s bound to follow.

That’s the other thing: finishing Advice From A Broad: The first 100 things you need to know about coming to Costa Rica by 2 February 2008 which is also our anniversary and Ground Hog’s Day (Hal picked our wedding day presuming it would help him remember it. Some years, it does.) The thing is written, for goodness sake! I am not going to be one of those people who can’t finish a project. Am I? NO.

Sorry to have to glue Willow in that top photo. Getting everyone to smile at the same time proved almost impossible… We finally succeeded, then only got the top of Willow’s head. Sigh. Here’s one with Willow smiling and Hal scowling. But we are a happy group. Hasta in el año nuevo dos mil ocho! [See you in the new year two thousand eight!]