New Years Resolutions

Here it is...December 30, 2011.  Time to make my New Year's Resolutions.  Every year I make a New Years Resolution to lose weight, but not this year!  This year my resolution is to eat healthy and get in shape....to become a healthier person! 

I also am going to become a better organized person.  That means I will be weeding out a lot of stuff I don't need at home.  I have held on to some (okay, a lot) of my parent's things for sentimental reasons, so it will be hard for me to let some of them go, but I know it is what my mom would want.  She was so organized!

My last resolution is to become better with my finances (a/k/a frugal).  

2012 will be MY YEAR!  So Happy New Year's to everyone!  Hugs!!!!

Missing Mom and Dad

The night before Christmas Eve I had a dream about my mom and dad.   I have had them often in the past....from 2006 to end of 2009 of mom, then of both of them, and it always makes me miss them more and more, especially around the holiday season.

While my dad lived with us the last year of his life, I found out things I never knew.  One of those things was how they paid for Christmas when we were litte.   When we lived in Maine all of us kids looked forward to apple picking season when we would all go up on the top of the hill (I think the name of it was Woodsman's Hill) and mom and dad would get on the ladders and pick apples and us kids got to pick up the good apples off the ground, that had fallen.  We loved doing it.  Little did we know that was how Mom and Dad made "Christmas money".   If it was a good apple season, it was a good Christmas.  If it was a bad apple season, well...not so good a Christmas.  Funny thing is looking back I don't remember having a bad Christmas.   I remember going to Winthrop/Greene Christmas Eve and coming home after dark looking at lights and heading to bed for Santa to come. 

Even when we moved away from Maine we always had a good Christmas!   I don't remember much about the presents but I remember making cookies with Mom and having the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins come to visit.   Then again, isn't that what Christmas is all about...spending time with family and friends and not the presents!!!!!

I hope that is what is instilled in my kids.  I know Amanda is very sentimental and I hope Cole and Hannah will be when they get older. 

Wishing everyone a great week!  WHO DAT!!!  GEAUX SAINTS!!!!

Blessed

As the celebration of the Bir th of Jesus approaches, I can't help but think of how blessed I am.   Through the most difficult time in my life, God has brought be the best family and friends who have been there for me when I needed it most.  What more could I ask for. 

So, here is wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!   Treasure that special time of year with those closest to you!

Hugs to all!

Happy Monday Everyone

I had a great weekend.  Saturday I hosted a critiquing meeting for Beginning Experience and afterwards we went to dinner at Olive Garden.  I love getting together with my BE family because we have such a good time catching up and cutting up. 

Sunday was a lazy day.  I looked at the sale ads and did some price comparison for the kids for Christmas and mapped out my plan to go Christmas shopping this weekend.  I hate waiting this late but didn't have a choice this year.   I am not stressing out about it. 

Can't forget about the Saints game yesterday!  Talk about nervous!  I couldn't watch the last two minutes when the Titans were on our 5 yard line but the defense came through!  WHO DAT!   The officiating sucked and I don't care what you say, Jimmy Graham did make that touchdown!!!

Well, I hope everyone has a great week.  Friday we are having our Christmas lunch at Arnaud's....YUM!

Happily Moving On

I am constantly reminded of how much my life has changed for the better since my separation and divorce. I am a much happier person now and the anxiety is gone for the most part.  I say "for the most part" because I do have to have contact with my ex for Cole and Hannah's sake, but I am moving on with my life.   They are the most important part of my life (and always will be) and to make their life easier is my main goal.  I may not have a big house or drive a fancy car, but I am happy and healthy and isn't that what is most important?  

I will admit there are times when I think back to "what if" but something quickly happens to remind me of how great a life I have.  I have wonderful and true friends, an amazing family and a great job.   When I say an amazing family, it goes well beyond my brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and my beautiful grandmothers, but also all of my brothers and sisters in Christ who have been there for me with emotional support when I needed it most!

I have so many wonderful things to be happy for this Christmas season.  Thank you God, for your wondrous deeds and the blessings you have bestowed upon me.