Almost A New Year

Well kiddies, here it is almost a new year. A lot has changed and much has stayed the same. I'm not sure what it is about this time of year that makes us want to look back but... here we are. It's time to look back at where we've fallen down and where we've succeeded. Hopefully we find more successes. I don't want to say "failure" either, but rather an opportunity for improvement.

I've gotten myself happily back into college so that's a change for the better. Dale is still stuck in a job he isn't happy with but he's making progress towards certifications so somewhat positive (or at least there is hope). I still haven't gotten into shape... er, well, round is a shape but not the one I was hoping for. Room for improvement, a place to make some good personal goals. Doesn't that sound better then "FAIL"? I sure think so.

We have been blessed much this year even when we don't see it as such. I hope as the new year approaches, all will look back with something positive. I hope we look forward to all the opportunities that present us in the new year.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had as lovely a day as we had. We began with brunch with my mom and Grandmother before opening presents. The kids happily played with their new things, Dale excercised with his new Wii Fit. We all just kicked back for awhile before all meeting for dinner at my sister's house.

On our way home, it seemed bittersweet. It has all come and gone. Time moves on to the next thing. I would like to keep this feeling around all year. There wasn't a lot under the tree but what there was was exactally what we all wanted. We enjoyed each other's company and were together with family. I think that's what it should be like. Tomorrow we keep the fun going with friends. I'm so excited!!! We are going to serve soups and play games. I'm totally looking forward to great company and delicious food.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Okay, so it's not THAT cold outside but there's not much else going on to report. The weather is supposed to turn cold in the next few days. Heck, we could have a white Christmas. That would be cool... get it? I amuse me.

Still waiting and hoping for a couple of checks to come in, the house is about as clean as it's going to get and Hubby is winging his way home. I like that last part best.

These last few days have not been fun (but I made it through, whew!) Hubby has been gone doing work in New York. They worked him pretty stinking hard too. Was there any overtime or bonuses? AHAHA... ahem... sorry about that. ANYWAY, he is finally on his way home after a few delays in O'Hara airport, I'm expecting him in about an hour. ONE hour!! YIPPEEE!!! I might just stick a big bow on him and consider that enough present.

Overlooked Gifts

Today, after re watching The Ultimate Gift, I sat thinking. This is the season we think of gifts in a more material sense. More importantly, it should be about looking at our other gifts. I'm not sure what's going on but this year under the tree will be very sparse. This has really been bothering me. Nothing bad has happened, but the money just isn't there for much right now. Is that really where my focus should be?

What's under the tree really doesn't matter. It's the people around the tree, the fact that I have a family to love, a spouse I adore (and vice-versa) and a house for said tree to be in. We have employment. While it's a bugger of job on Dale- relentless in unpaid overtime and he is completely under appreciated, it's still a job. We can pay the bills, have plenty of food and manage pretty well. That's sadly more then many people can say.

It's hard to see the bright side but there really is one. I want to look at what's good at my life. There is so much to be thankful and grateful for.

Long Overdue

This last 18 weeks have flown by in a blur. After about twenty, yes twenty years, I finally returned to college. I took twelve hours at Butler Community College with the original intent to transfer to Newman University. I enjoyed the experience of Butler so much (and I admit the cheaper tuition) so much that I am not going to transfer to Newman just yet.

Throughout the semester, as part of English Comp II we kept on online journal then last night I watched Julie and Julia. I enjoyed the online journal idea and now it has come to a close. After watching the movie, it inspired me to keep the idea alive. The optimum was three times a week and that was fairly easy to keep up with. I think that while I have nothing monumental and no real challenge like cooking 500 recipes, I will challenge myself. My challenge is to record next semester using my sadly neglected blog.

The experience of going back to school was remarkably enjoyable. After all this time trying to figure out what to do with myself, the struggle of trying to find who I really am and a real purpose outside of being a mother or wife was there. I've taught the last three years and have always loved English- writing and literature. The answer was there- teach. That is my goal- improve my writing and complete my Masters Degree in Secondary Education.

I finished this last semester with a 3.75 on the Dean's Honor Roll. I'm going to do it again and keep this ball rolling!