goodbye . . . hello

goodbye 2008
goodbye indecision
goodbye lack of confidence
goodbye fear
goodbye inertia

hello 2009
hello new starts
hello finally losing that 5 pounds i've been talkin about forever
hello letting go of the stuff that doesn't matter
hello getting healthy
hello standing up for myself
hello feeling good about 45
hello . . .

new songs

leslie just gave me a very nice pre-Christmas gift . . . 54 songs downloaded to my i-pod!!! yeah! new music! actually, i think she has 4oo or so songs but only 54 were "mommy's music". i've been missing xm since they merged with sirius but i'm getting used to some of the new stations. i'm loving the new killers cd. also downloaded that cute song 'colors' from the dell commercial.

so, haven't really accomplished ANYTHING yet during this 17 day long break. but i still have time, right? i have lots of movies i want to watch and a few books to read and some organizing of scrapbook stuff and cleaning out leslie's bookshelf for donations and filing all the important papers before tax season rolls around (wasn't it just here?!) and maybe i will even work on an album or two . . . oh yeah, i want to make a new address book, too. while i was filling out christmas cards i realized that i have a lot of cross outs and old info in my address book - i need a clean slate i think.

okay, my thankful list for today (in no particular order) -
sleeping in
lunch with leslie at our favorite tea house
bret's yummy baklava for dessert
hot cider in the crock pot
empty laundry baskets
a fairly clean house
the smell of pine from the new soap in the kitchen
talking to sal on the phone this morning
my new songs

5 things to be thankful for . . .

thankful for a relaxing and fun weekend in Orlando w/ b and l and lori's bunch

thankful for a husband that always tries to make me smile

thankful for a daughter that still has fun with her parents

thankful for having my lessons plans already finished and handed in

thankful for my own soft bed tonight

oh, and one more:

thankful for a yummy new book that les shared with me and I'm going to finish tonight

things to tell my teenager

Okay, here's the thing. It is really strange having a teenager when I often feel like one myself. I still remember exactly how I felt when I was 14. In some basic ways I haven't changed at all. Now, here's the other thing. My kid is so much like me and nothing like me at the same time. How to give her advice for navigating the world right now?

First: Take chances. Don't be stupid about taking risks that can damage you but don't be afraid to try new things, go new places, talk to new people.

2nd: Try to stay true to who you really are. Don't let other people try to tell you who they think you should be. This is hard. Really hard. But so worth it. Sometimes you'll forget, but don't worry. Just try again tomorrow.

3rd: One thing I've always tried to do with you is this: When I make a mistake and realize it, I own up to it and apologize. We are human. We are not perfect. That's okay. But if you hurt someone, say you're sorry and really mean it. Then start over. The other side to this is forgiveness. Let go of being angry at someone if you can. It's really poison to you and not productive at all.

4th: Number 3 doesn't mean that you should let people take advantage of you or that you shouldn't stand up for yourself. Don't ever do something that you aren't comfortable with. Don't ever take abuse (physical or verbal) from anyone. You are strong and you have a really good sense of yourself. Believe in that and don't let anyone diminish it. I also know that you are really a nice person and you don't want to hurt anyone. Just don't let someone hurt you because you are afraid of hurting them.

I love you and I want the world for you. I am so excited for the way the world is opening for you. Go out into it and have a great time.

perfect day

Today was a perfect day . . .
because I spent it with Bret and Leslie
because I slept in
because the weather was unbelievable
because this cool tiny estate sale shop on 5th ave was actually open today
because Leslie and I got the coolest antique rings there
because we happened upon a street art fair
because I didn't have to cook all day
because Bret colored my hair for me and got rid of all of my gray
because I loved what I was wearing today
because I have a great book to look forward to reading tonight
because we drove through Victoria Park and looked at all of the Christmas lights
because I'm just feeling happy

Christmas brings her out

Okay, I am running in the door to catch the phone only to be bombarded by Bret's lunatic sister. What is it about Christmas time? She loses our number for the rest of the year but every Christmas she has to start making all of these insane rambling phone calls. I used to feel sorry for her. Now I just feel jittery whenever she calls. She is so off-balance that I don't trust her.

leslie made me do it

Okay, so Leslie talked me into finally creating a blog.  I have been following a couple of  blogs for awhile and loved the idea of creating my own but found it a little daunting.  So once again my daughter pushes me to do something cool that I have been meaning to do but putting off . . .  I hope that I can figure out how to add music and photos and stuff.