Happy New Year

It has now been 2008 for 66 minutes. I have been thinking about my resolutions from year's past and the ones I would like to make this year. Several years ago I made the resolution to read each night before I go to bed and I can say I do that. Last year I resolved to read to the girls each night before bed and I do that. Here are the big ones I would like to accomplish this year.

1. Lose weight. This one tops the list each year. I am sad to say some of the weight I lost from the surgery came back. I would like to get rid of it again. Plus we are cruising this summer with the Jones' and I'll have to wear a bathing suit in front of people who know me.

2. Exercise. This can be part of resolution 1. I am looking into Zumba classes at the Y.

3. Start my masters. Jaimie is going to have me do this whether I am ready or not. I am ready, it is all about the $$ and time. Still hoping I can find someone else to pay for my masters.

4. Less time spent angry. This applies at home and school. I feel like I am always stressed and angry. I seems like it has just become a way of life and I wasn't always like this. I want to change the things in my life that make me feel this way.

5. More Family Game/Movie nights. With 3 kids going in 3 different directions, some weeks our only family meals happen in the car on the way some where. This leads to my next resolution...

6. Less eating out. Being busy we eat out WAY too much. Means I have to be...

7. More organized. I can't tell you how many Girl Scout meetings we missed last year because I didn't have it on my calendar. Having a principal who makes me turn in lesson plans and a teaching partner who I work well with makes organizing school stuff easier.

8. Keep the house cleaner. 3 kids who are pigs, busy schedule, 1 bad day and we are in a mess.

These are just off the top of my head. Some of them involve other people, especially Chris and the kids. My big thing is to just set a better example for my kids. I hear them saying things I say and doing as I do.

Here's to 2008 and me keeping my resolutions!!

Takes me to a place...

Tonight while driving home from the movies I heard My Woman From Tokyo on the radio. I know it may seem strange for me to get a little misty eyed to this song, but it took me right to a significant place in my life. The eve of my wedding, 12:30 am, 4 of us in the room trying to fall asleep after the big rehearsal day, Krissi has yelled at us at least 3 times to shut up so we can get some sleep. After a few minutes of silence, we hear her screech "My Woman From TOE-KEE-OH!!" from her! I can not hear that song without it taking me right to that event in my life. If I were to ever write a book about my life, the chapter titles would be song titles. Each one taking me to that time and place. It is a wonder I get anywhere while driving!

Abby's got better jewels than ME!!!

We wrapped up all of our holiday celebrations today with the big day at Mom's. I know that everyone had a wonderful holiday, but I think Abby has made out the best. On Christmas she got a digital camera from Santa. She has taken 100's of pictures of everything from the Barbies to Alex and I playing Guitar Hero. She got lots of great things from her grandparents and aunts from both sides. Today we had our Christmas celebration with the Jones. We decided to pick names this year. I think everyone got great gifts, but once again, Abby takes the cake. Apparently Zach, who had Abby this year, used his corporate connection with Zales to get her diamond earrings. REAL DIAMONDS! They are beautiful and nicer than any earrings I have. I hope Zach gets my name next year!!!!!

Christmas Eve

I have some catching up to do with my blog. For those who don't know, my Dad was in the hospital over Christmas. That made things a little tricky. I am happy to report that he is home now, although the reason for his stay is not yet known.

We did make our annual trip to our friends home in the city for Christmas Eve. We were able to take a picture both before and after the sun went down. It was a breezy, but lovely night. We ended our night at Aunt Nikki's. Since I spent most of the day before in the emergency room of Clermont Hospital with Dad, I had some major wrapping to do when we got home from Aunt Nik's. I think I made it to bed by 3am.

"ALVIN!!!"

After being cooped up in the house yesterday the kids and I ventured out into the cold to see the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. I was expecting lots of gag humor, which it had, but it was also very endearing as well. I challenge you not to fall in love with little Theodore when his has a bad dream. Jason Lee did a great job as Dave. I have never heard Gracie belly laugh like she did at this movie. All through the movie she kept saying, "Mom, be just gotta buy this one." The people behind us had more fun watching her than the movie. I loved the movie because all 3 kids loved it equally, which is a challenge with the age ranges I have.

Winter Wonderland

Yesterday I had some of my Gal Pals from work over for snacks. Mom spent her first afternoon as a retiree getting the food set up. I thought it was very considerate of me to give her something to do. We had a great time and yummy food. I don't think we're bitchy at all!

We woke up this morning to a beautiful snow storm. We had snowflakes the size of quarters. Unfortunately it kept us from our Knox Christmas celebration this morning. I was looking forward to getting my baby fix with Ella. We spent our day snowed in.

Of course, with snow comes the pile of wet snow clothes by the door.

To my Touchstones...

In high school I can remember watching the movie Terms of Endearment. In the movie when Debra Winger is dying her best friend looks at her and says, "Emma, you can't die, you're my touchstone." That scene has always stick with me. I had never heard the term "touchstone" used before or since. I didn't make sense to me until now.

I have been blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. I am very close to my mom and sister, closer than ever. I talk to them everyday. I work with the most amazing group of ladies. They are my dearest friends and I love them all!

Then there is Krissi and Kelley. I do not talk to them everyday. I only see Krissi once a year and Kelley sadly only a few times more. But, I know I could call either one and they would drop everything if I needed them. I can be with them after not seeing them for a year and it is like we were together yesterday. They know all the things about me that I wish I could forget and they still love me! On my 30th birthday they both gave me the same birthday card with the same poem, one bought in Connecticut, the other here in Cincinnati. Krissi was my childhood, Keley my young adulthood. Abby's first name would have been Kristine if I hadn't married and Chris and therefore her middle name is Kristine. Most people don't go their lives without people like this in their lives and I am lucky enough to have 2!

I am not saying my touchstones are better than my friends, sister, or mom. They are just different. The bond between us is not better, just different. But, I have to thank them for loving me the way that they do. They both are at a great time in their lives and I am so, so happy for them. Here's to us, girls!!!