roots

Tomorrow, God willin' and the creek don't rise, DH and I will become bona fide homeowners.

I thought this day would never come.

All of the sacrifices we have made over the past two years (and before!) have been leading up to this moment. It is a bit surreal actually. I'm not sure that I will believe it until the keys are in my hot little hands. Maybe not even then.

I am so excited and happy and proud. I feel like this is where my family belongs. I feel like we can plant our memories and watch them grow roots. I can finally allow myself to feel s e t t l e d.

It has been no easy feat.
But it will all be worth it.

dear old navy

Dear Old Navy,

I appreciate a good sale as much as the next guy. Really, I do. And to be truthful, my favorite time of year to shop is in January and June when the seasons change and the big "Semi-Annual" sales are going on all over the place. I soak it up, I plan ahead, and I take full advantage. I love a deal!

But enough's enough, Old Navy. I just can't take this clearance sale anymore. I'm getting boots for $7. Tees and tanks for $1.50. Sweaters for $3. Down winter coats for $7. I am finding stuff for the whole family!

It's enough already! Why is your inventory not running out? Why do you have so many stores all over? When is this sale going to end???

My credit card is tired, Old Navy, it really is. I can't do this anymore.
We are through.

Signed,
Desperately Shopping.

good fortune

Sometimes in life you are given the rare opportunity to give something back. To throw all of the good fortune you have received back into the universe.
I thank God for giving me that opportunity.

madness

OMG, I am TOTALLY overwhelmed.

I have so much going on right now!!!
I am swimming in a sea of neglected to-do lists.

HELP ME!!!!!!

But mostly, this is all good stuff and worth the madness.
Right???

sway

Today's Little Happiness.......

One of "our songs" came on the radio, so DH and I decided to drop what we were doing and dance.
Silly, slow, high school sway kind of dancing.

DD thought we were goofy and started laughing.

Then she cut in.
But I wouldn't let her.
We all had to dance together.
Like we did when she was little.

Laughing, twirling, swaying.

I love the magic little moments that life brings.

2006 round-up

What books and/or magazines did I read this year?
I've been reading more of US Weekly than what is necessary.
I read The Lovely Bones, which made me wish I was in a book club just so I could discuss it with somebody. Instead, I made Mom read it and discussed with her.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this year?
Of course, I kept up with an unhealthy amount of reality tv. I got into The Office. Discovered and LOVE Heroes so much that it may fill the void that Alias left. Got Tivo, which has added a whole slew of new crap options for me to peruse.
I just recently saw "The Pursuit of Happyness" with lots of people who make ME happy. (Even if one of them has a foul mouth - you know who you are...) "Little Miss Sunshine" made me laugh so hard my sides hurt. It's on DVD now, check it out.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
Me and a good chunk of my friends celebrated milestone birthdays - mostly by pretending we were much younger than we really are (and were usually reminded of this fact the next day - ouch!).
I had a much needed, relaxing, romantic, FUN weekend getaway with my sweet DH for our anniversary.
Actually, we had a lot of special days to celebrate this year.... I won't list them all out here.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
I was given the gift of love and friendship, and am trying to give the same in return.
As for material things, I got a beautiful pair of diamond stud earrings for Christmas. And I hear Santa brought my niece a Nintendo DS and a Nintendo Wii for my kids, but I'm sure I know nothing about that. *wink*

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
Most of the concerns I had this year were regarding the health of others.
As for my own, any concerns that I had were unfounded. Nothing like being all worked up over nothing.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
So many things. The one that sticks out the most is our amazing camping trip this summer. We have a big, dynamic, crazy group that seems to come together for the kind of fun that money can't buy.
My Christmas trip home this year was one that can't be adequately described with words. Memorable for so many reasons.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this year?
I had a bit of an addiction to Moe's Southwest Grill there for awhile.
(Ok, I still do.)

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Did I ever tell you about the time that Santa camped outside of a Target in the dead of winter for a stupid video game console? Totally worth it, but never again.

What were this year's disappointments?
There were some major tragedies, but as for disappointments I would have to say that seeing the true nature of others turned out to be a disappointment in many cases. I was also disappointed at the direction that I thought life was going, but was pleasantly surprised to have things turn out differently than I was expecting. Stay the course.

What were my accomplishments this year?
I made better decisions.
I tried to be a better friend, wife, mother, sister, and daughter.
I tried to make a more positive contribution.
I tried to be happier and chose not to let others steal my joy.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
2006 was an extremely challenging year for so many around me. I am fortunate and blessed to have so many blessings showered down upon me, and I hope that things can start turning around for those who were not as fortunate this year. I was given a clean slate and tried to take every bit of advantage of that. My entire life has come together as a result, and I couldn't be happier.

Happy 2007 to you all. May all your dreams be fulfilled in the new year.

the night owl vs. the early bird

Can a leopard change its spots?

I am and have always been a complete night owl. The later the better, I say.

Back in my day at around 10pm I would just be getting out of the shower and getting all dolled up for a late night out. My friends and I would hang out all night, grab breakfast at 2am when bars closed, drive around and cause trouble for a bit, watch the sun come up, and head home in time to grab the morning's paper off the driveway on our way in the door.
Ahhhh.... the "good ol' days."

These days I enjoy the calm, quiet time I have alone at night. It is peaceful and still and I love it. This is when I can take the time to breathe, take in the day, and enjoy my thoughts. Nobody needs anything from me then, and I can spend my time as my own. This is when I can stop and "listen" to the quiet around me. Pure bliss.

The thing is, now that I have conformed more to a traditional schedule I am feeling that it would be more beneficial to my life to forsake my late night tendencies for an earlier start to my day. Days when I manage to drag my sorry bones out of bed sooner than normal are the days that I am most productive. These are the days with less rush, less chaos.

I need to stop feeling two steps behind myself, and I think that a few extra minutes in my morning would really help.

I just don't understand it though. I mean, who are these people sipping on coffee, reading the paper, and taking in the Today Show, all while putting the kids on the bus, and still mange to make it into work ten minutes early?
How do they do it?

If you have some suggestions please let me know, because I think it is time for this night owl to become an early bird.
Heaven help me.

blessed

I am so blessed.

I have had one good thing after another after another happen to me over the past month. It's been absolute mania. My coworkers keep trying to rub me for luck and are trying to coerce me into a trip to the casino.
It has truly been an outrageous month.

I love feeling the relief of having all the pieces fall into place.
Walking on air.
Flitting and floating along.

This is the part I like to call "happyness."