All done... (started on 12/28/07 finished on 1/7/08)

So it is. In a flash. Every year I can't believe how quickly Christmas gets here and it over. But it's always good. Great even.

But as happy as I am to see it come is how happy I am to see it go. January for me is all about laying low and order. I usually say I hate January (its February that I really hate enough with the cold already) but I really don't. I enjoy the quiet.

The quiet of my home that has been bursting at the seams with company. Which is not a bad thing mind you. I adore company and love entertaining. But once all those zillions of Christmas tubs have been packed up and put back downstairs, and I have scrubbed, dusted, vacuumed, Windex'd, mopped every inch of the house I can feel the house sigh. Like it's saying "thank you, all those snowmen, garland and decking of the halls...... enough already."

The quiet of my head...what to buy this one and that one, which cookies to bake~ Do I have butter?~ I need more wrapping paper I know I have 17 rolls but they are old I need NEW ones...and lights~ untangle the lights~ hang the lights~ where are all those extension cords?~clean the house we are having company~ clean the house the company has gone home~cook this cook that

The quiet of my debit card(lol)....I don't even want to buy food...but we can't live on almond paste and butter for the remainder of the winter...I need to get some real food in this house besides egg nog and candy canes...but no unnecessary buying...the sales beckon but I do not answer. There's 11 more months to shop and I will make up for the month of January by the end of March. I actually needed to order a new debit card mine is worn out on the back and not working properly...Debit or credit? Swipe swipe swipe..............SHUT UP!

Quiet....read a book, send everyone off to school, drink tea, wear my new slippers...focus on all the new ways I am going to do things right this year. Well try to anyway.

Wouldn't it be great if every day of the year, even number 226 (which is just a random day in August by the way..of course I went to look it up...handling my OCD better is not a change that I choose to look into at this time, thank you) was as full of promise as the 1st? I think I will try to hold that feeling the best I can throughout this year. A friend said our motto should be "Great in 2008!" and why not? I choose greatness. Maybe everyday won't be spectacular...I am optimistic not stupid. But maybe greatness doesn't have to knock you off your feet. Greatness might be small, a kind word, a sunny day after cold weather, drinking Starbucks in the car with a bunch of friends in a deserted parking lot (yes I did that last night), laughing with someone on the phone...I don't know but I can't wait to find out.

Christmas Eve, eve

Well it's all done. Well actually just a few more odds and ends to wrap. Whew. But I must say I am not crazed this year. I think having had time now during the weekdays to get things done has helped tremendously. But I did things differently. Smaller get-togethers, wrote a few cards a day, wrapped a few things a day. Decorated over the course of two weeks instead of instant Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. I don't feel overwhelmed which of course in itself gives me stress, since I am thinking that I forgot something thats why I am not stressed. I focused on whats important this year and it made all the difference in the world. Took the kids to the city to see the tree, baked cookies, lit the Advent candle with Mikey and made a paper chain for the tree everyday (almost...) where he wrote with things he did that were extra good or he was grateful for. And of course we will have the Happy Birthday Jesus cake on Christmas Day. So all in all it was a fun ride. I am still standing. So that's good.

Looking back, I can say 2007 was pretty great. I have my family safe and secure, happy and healthy. I have more friends than I know what to do with...lucky me, who make me laugh, make me happy, lift me up, hold my hand, celebrate what's wonderful in my life, make my house a home and add such joy to my life I could go on and on. I am lucky I know it. I am grateful for all the little things too. I have learned to stop and smell the roses...although it may seem I am on overdrive and I probably am most days...but I do take notice of all the big and little blessings in my life. I dont make New Years resolutions. I will try new ways of doing things to make life a little easier and less hectic. Some will work, some won't. But that's ok. God knows I keep trying.
Bye 2007.
2008? Let's see what ya got....