So today is New Year's Eve and while I would like to spend the evening at home, in my pajamas, going to bed early, I am actually heading out to an event at the family's house.  It doesn't start until 7 p.m., which is going to be tough for me.  I'm tired already thinking about having to stay up until midnight.  I am either a party pooper or an old fart.  New Year's Eve is just another night for me, not some awesome celebratory evening where magic happens at midnight.  When midnight finally comes the only thing I feel is grateful -- grateful that I can finally go to bed.  Yeah - I must be getting old.

New Year's Resolutions....should I bother?  I can't remember how last year's resolutions turned out so that must mean that they didn't work.  This morning on the Today Show, a segment done on New Year's resolutions and stated only 75% of people lasted more than 1 week with their resolutions.  So, do I try again?  Yes.  New Year's is like hitting an imaginary "reset" button, the one that allows you to start fresh.  Though I'm not sure how this is different from the fresh start we get every morning when the sun rises again and a new day has started.  I'll have to think about that one.

So, in this public forum (ha! ha!) I resolve to:  pray more and complain less, smile more and focus more on the beautiful aspects of my life.  I will take more time for myself and spend less time with the mundane tasks that make me crazy.  The dishes will still get done, but perhaps a bit less promptly.  If you could see my kitchen you would know that I started this resolution early!  I resolve to spend more time in silence so I can hear my thoughts and change them to be more positive and healthy.  I will relax more and spend more time recharging my spirit so my everyday experiences are healthier and I am a better mom and wife.  I will laugh more, cry less, and live every day with joy.  I have a blessed life and will be more conscious about cherishing it everyday.

I could go on but I won't.  I know in my heart what I want to do.  I now pray I will have the time and courage to persist with these resolutions.  Have I set the bar too high?  Perhaps...I guess we will find out next week.

Post #3

The night after my first post I couldn't fall asleep because I was thinking about all of the things I could blog about.  Strange for someone who isn't a writer.  I also found myself searching my blog online to see if anyone had posted a comment.  Which was also strange because before late yesterday afternoon no one know about the blog.  Now a few people know.....and they are afraid they will end up as blog material.

Yesterday we got together with my sister and her family to celebrate Christmas.  A bit belated, but fun nonetheless.  Whenever something funny happened, or not so funny, I threatened to write about it on my blog.  Like when my 6 ft 2 in brother-in-law took chicken off the bone with his hands.  I have  never seen anyone handle a rotisserie chicken that way before.  Effective, yet messy.  Or when my mother divulged that she had gifts hidden in her room for future events, such as First Communions and Confirmations, in the event she wasn't around to participate.  My sister and I wanted to look through everything right away.  Didn't she want to see her family enjoying their gifts?  Mom politely smiled, but said no.

I guess now I can threaten family and friends that they should be nice to me or else I'll write about them.  This blog thing could work out in my favor!

Me:  "I'm tired.  I think I'll go to bed."  I get off the couch where we were snuggling, watching a TV show we recorded one month ago...head into the kitchen to finish loading the dishwasher and add soap, so the cycle can run during the night.  I can empty the clean dishes in the morning after the older babe heads off to school.  I remember that tomorrow is Girl Scouts so I write a note that says my older babe won't be taking the bus home.  I also have to charge my cell phone, after I check my e-mail one more time.  I put some frozen, homemade baby food in the fridge for tomorrow so the little babe has food for breakfast.  I should rotate the laundry so my husband has clean clothes for work tomorrow...this involves emptying the dryer (there is ALWAYS a load in the dryer) and then throwing a load into the washer to run overnight, so I can rotate clothes in the morning, AGAIN.  Head upstairs to kiss the girls...fix the older babe's covers which are likely hanging onto the floor.  Then make sure the little babe is breathing and blow her a kiss.  Don't want to wake her!  Then I wash my face, brush my teeth and climb into bed.  Time elapsed:  20-25 minutes.

Him:  "I'm tired.  I think I'll go to bed."  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ  Time elapsed:  30 seconds.

 

What was I thinking?

I said to my husband, "I should start a blog."  He replied, as all good husbands should, with a supportive answer.  "You should."  He is a great husband, but I'll tell you more about him later.  I have been thinking about starting a blog for a while now, which is surprising because I do not enjoy journaling.  But, really, is blogging the same as keeping a journal?  I would argue no.  How I would structure that argument, I have no idea.  My sister is the English teacher/writer/one-who-understands-prose and I am the life-is-black-or-white gal who likes formulas, order and logic.  So, this writing-a-blog thing is definitely something that is outside my comfort zone.  Though, sharing my opinions and thoughts in an unsolicited way is not new for me.  Just ask my friends and family.

So, now what to blog about.  People in my life - must be heavily censored so as not to end up alone.  Politics - I try not to pay attention because it just upsets me on so many levels.  Religion - ehh...maybe.  Life in general - that I can do.  I have a life and stuff happens in it...there may be something here.

So, now how often to blog.  Daily - never gonna happen.  I can count on one hand the tasks I accomplish on a daily basis.  Kissing my kids, yes.  Kissing my husband, maybe. Showering, I think so.  Sleeping, at least a few hours.  Brushing my teeth, yes.  Eating chocolate, YESYESYES!!  I will see what happens.

Today the most exciting thing that happened was when I melted butter in the microwave and it popped and burst and made exploding noises.  I took out the dish and the butter popped again and splashed on my t-shirt and pants.  My main concern was the freshly baked cookies on the stove top.  I didn't want to ruin them!  Of course my shirt is ruined and my pants now have a greasy spot on them.  My husband's reaction, as all good husbands should do, was express concern, "Are you okay?  Did you get burnt?"  Then he proceeded to tell me how his mother melts butter in the microwave.  "Mom always said to melt it on 50% power."  I quickly replied that I knew that, but was in a hurry so I did it my way.  My words of advice to husbands everywhere - don't tell your wife how your mother does things.  Otherwise, no cookies for you.