Year End Thoughts

I don't make New Year's Resolutions (I used to joke that I make New Year's Revolutions). It is hard to escape that feeling that the New Year brings, though - the built-in opportunity for new beginnings and for change (although actually, for Catholics, that opportunity really comes at the beginning of Advent - the Catholic New Year). Just a few random thoughts to close out the year.

1. It's now been two years since my best friend ended our friendship. It's getting easier, although I still think of things I wish I could tell him every day.

2. I am so proud of all of my kids. Therese (15) was diagnosed with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), she has faced (for lack of a better word) discrimination because of her illness, and she is consistently overlooked (as far as being publicly recognized for her talents). Through it all, she has displayed so much maturity and grace. She talks me off a ledge when I get angry on her behalf. She looks to the long term and realizes that so much of the day-to-day garbage is just that. Nicholas (13) has matured this year and has continued to gain mastery over his OCD. He has found talents he didn't know he had in 4-H fishing and shooting. At least now when he gives us "the business," he's man enough to admit he knew he was doing it later (most some of the time). He is becoming a very enjoyable young man. Mary-Catherine (12) is so indescribable. She is funny and sassy and smart (but still so daffy). She is compassionate and is always exactly what I need her to be when I need her to be it. She is also a menace with a BB gun! Michael (12) makes me laugh every day, too. He does voices and faces and is a major clown. He is incredibly thoughtful. He is most like me in that he struggles with his temper, and that just makes me feel even closer to him. If I could only convince my kids now, while they are young, that nothing good will come of losing their tempers. If I could only convince myself! I am very blessed in my kids. I will confess that I fantasize about being alone, but when I am (very rarely), I start missing them almost immediately.

3. I have personal goals for the New Year. Like everyone else, I want to work out more. Like Therese, I have EDS, and that will come back to bite me more and more as I get older. I really need to be in shape. The catch-22 is that I have migraines every other day lately. It is very hard to do anything physical when your head is in agony. Still. Why are we saving for retirement so stringently if we will be too enfeebled to enjoy it? So health is a huge 2017 goal. I have work goals, too. I have a website. Now it just needs content. I want to migrate my blog there. I just need time! Maybe I need fiverr...

4. I am not looking forward to tournament season (which starts in one week). Last year was special because Therese had a really special partnership. I like her partner this year a lot, too, but it's different. I don't do different all that well. I dislike change with everything in me.

5. To end my random thoughts - if you are one of the people with whom I keep in touch solely (or nearly so) through this blog - thank you for keeping up with me like this. I probably owe you an email, and I'm sorry. Know that I do think about you and I am grateful for your friendship. I am grateful for everyone who reads. And if you read the blog for my reviews, rest assured: they will be returning in a couple of months!

Happy New Year! I wish you every blessing and good health in 2017.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I don't do Christmas cards, and I have nothing but admiration for those who do. I can't get my act together at this time of year. Maybe if Christmas were in the middle of summer...I know! I'll move to New Zealand! Problem solved! Seriously, though. Merry Christmas from my family to yours (and no, I'm not late. We're still well within the 12 days of Christmas!).

Wordless Wednesday

As I posted last month, Henry built me an amazing new nail polish rack. Well, he also repurposed my old nail polish rack!

He cut it in half and fastened it to the wall above my short Alex drawers. Of course, the shelves are super shallow (meant to hold nail polish bottles, after all), so I'm limited in what I can put on them, but it turns out that they are just perfect for eye shadow palettes! Henry chose to put the Urban Decay lipsticks in it, and they are a perfect fit, so I left them. One day I took the kids to shooting and this was waiting for me when I got back. Oh, and yes, I'm aware I have a problem hobby. It's actually worse than you know:

I'm just lucky I have the world's most supportive and understanding husband.

My Favorite Christmas Present

...I'm typing on it now! I have been extremely remiss with my posts, but that will change! I have had computer problems, connection problems, and (most of all) migraine problems. Sadly, St. Nicholas can't do anything about the migraines, but he helped out with the computer problem. I have a new Chromebook which does everything I need it to do and it does it on the fly. I can truly just throw it (place it gently) in my bag and go. I can now work anytime and anywhere. I am so happy! For anyone who is interested, this is what I got. I am obsessed with Samsung, so no surprise that that's what I went with. The keys are a little, um, squishier (for lack of a better word) than I like, but I'll get used to it.

Samsung Chromebook at Best Buy

So far, I'm in love with the simplicity and portability. I took it to the psychiatrist's office this morning and was able to work so easily with no fuss (my laptop is awesome, but it's HUGE). I remember way back when I really wanted a netbook. I'm glad I waited and I'm glad I have a very generous husband. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I won't have such a long absence again.