New Year; New Me - pt 2

It is January 1st,

and all through the land,

people are vowing to change,

vowing to give a hand.

To those in need,

or just to themselves,

to be different this year,

in to January they delve. 

To lose weight this year,

or be nicer to all,

to learn a new language, 

or accept they aren't tall.

To be funnier, or laugh more

or take up a new hobby,

to be nicer to be around

or clean up their lobby.

To make some new friends,

or reconnect with current ones,

to write their first novel,

or quadruple their funds.

But more often than not,

our intentions fall flat,

we lose our ambition,

our drive blows a flat.

We should try, every day,

to be the best that we can,

but every year it's the same,

only important in Jan...

uary, that is,

for whatever reason,

is the time we insist change,

like it's the point of the season.

So this year, maybe try

to be the best you you can be,

smile and love life,

and things will change, you'll see!

January 1, 2009 - JG

Old Year to New Year in the blink of an eye

All it takes to erase the goings on of an entire year seems to be a night out with friends, a kiss at midnight, and a dropping ball. 

Ah, if only that were true. And yet, many people believe in the sanctity of "New Year, New Me". I began this very blog last year, as a resolution of sorts. I believed it would be cathartic to get feelings, thoughts and wonderings out on "paper". It has done that, and also provided me with many laughs and memories. But it hasn't "changed me" as many people-I am sure-believe that resolutions will do. You have to want it, need it and seriously work at it. 

And change doesn't happen overnight. So don't be believing that just because Dick Clark drops the ball, that the slate gets wiped clean! It may be a new year, but the old you is still there!

Another thing I don't understand is the necessity to "ring in the new year" by being as blasted drunk as is humanly possible! But it seems to be a widely accepted way to begin a new year, so I suppose it is something to just accept. 

Still, we all need to remember that in order for this year to be better than last year, we HAVE to try! We have to change things, or else we will just be living perpetually in the year we just finished. So, throw out your garbage, hug your kids, pick up your laundry, help with the dishes, learn a new instrument, count your calories, actually go to the gym, and for goodness sake SMILE! Because like attracts like... so blink your eyes and embrace the new year we have all been given.

THAT time of year

There are 12 months in the year, and 365 days in those months. People float around in their own little heads, just happy to make it through their days. I enjoy those days... the ones where you don't get in anyones way, and they generally won't get in yours (except for those few, who I swear are only on this earth to be 'in your face') That is until November hits.... and then all rules fly out the proverbial window. 

Now, November is not December... but it is the December pre-cursor. It comes and people think "Oh, it's already November! December is next month! I must start shopping and acting like I have no idea that anyone else on the earth exists!" Oh, and the fun begins. 

The fun being: fighting for parking spots, dealing with traffic, fighting through swarms of people in overcrowded and overheated malls, stores and boutiques. Dealing with people who are looking for the very thing you are looking for, and have no qualms with ripping your face off to ensure they get it before you do. Fighting with overworked staff who really don't care if you get what you are looking for, because you are just another faceless cranky customer. Not to mention having to stomach the non-stop Christmas music that is poured through the sound system, which I truly believe is only there to make people more frustrated and cantankerous, because who can stay sane and calm when you've heard "Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer" for the 37th time in one day. And then there are the children. Oh dear crud, the children! I love my kids, they are the greatest thing I've ever been given. But when I have to go to a store, all bets are off. I don't like other kids, with their runny crusty noses, whining and screaming in the cart, throwing tantrums in the aisles, wiping their dirty fingers on whatever happens to be nearby (even if it is your pants... yes, that happened to me). 

This time of year can either make or break you. And it seems to break many. Breaks their wallets, their spirits, their common sense and their will to live. Okay, maybe not that last one, but you know what I mean :) 

I think people just need to focus on the greatness of this time. The time to spend with friends and family. Time to evaluate the last year, and how to make the new one even better. Time to relax and enjoy the beauty in the fresh fallen snow, the pretty colored lights, and the closeness that this holiday season can bring. But I really believe that the commercialism kills it for many. 

So this year, try to remain calm, don't over indulge, and enjoy the company and warmth. Because this time of year should be something that we can carry in our hearts all year long (at least the really great parts... the rest should be avoided FOREVER!!!!!!)

A new first

We experienced a new first, yesterday. When your kids get older, the first become few and far between. So when you get to have one, it is exciting! 

We took Zack and Jesse to a movie! We've never done it before, as they never seemed really interested. But, Madagascar 2 came out over the weekend, and they loved the first one, so it seemed like a good one to try. I was worried that our attempt at getting into the movie was going to be an indication of how the movie itself was going to go.... 

We planned on attending the 1:00 show, so we went an hour early, as to assure we would get good seats, etc. I forgot my cell phone at home, which turned out to be a pain in the butt... I went into the theater to grab tickets, and found that there was a 12:30 show, so I figured why not! I ran outside and grabbed Tom and the boys. We went in and stood in line for 10 minutes, only to see a sign that said that the 12:30, 1:00, 1:30 shows were all sold out! Tom took the boys back to the truck and I stayed in line to buy tickets for the 3:30 show. I was next in line, and the cashier asked "everyone who is only buying tickets to please go to the kiosk in the back, so I can serve the people who are going to the movie right now." So I trudged back to the kiosk and waited another 10 minutes, while this clueless woman tried to navigate the easy to follow instructions.... she ended up storming out and swearing that the machine was broken. The man in front of me was able to get his tickets, so I stayed and waited my turn. I got my tickets picked and chose 2 concessions for us, and was about to hit CONFIRM when the lady who had been in the big line ahead of me ran over and grabbed my arm "There are still tickets for the 12:30 show, that sign was from yesterday." HA! So I hit cancel, apologized to the people waiting behind me, and got my tickets for the 12:30 show. (it was 12:15 at this time) And once again ran outside to get the boys (see how a cell would have been helpful!) The boys said "Mommy, what is going on? I am confused!" I said I am too... but just go with it. Tom took their tickets and took them to sit down, and I got back into the big line (which had grown exponentially since I had removed myself from it) I finally got to the counter and had to make 2 trips to the theather to drop off our snacks (I only have 2 hands!) 

I got in just as the movie was starting, gave the boys their little snack boxes (popcorn, a drink and a kinder egg) and they happily sat there the WHOLE time without moving, freaking out or asking to leave. Zack ate all of his popcorn, drank all of his iced tea, and finished his kinder egg chocolate. Jesse didn't eat all of his popcorn, as he was too engrossed with the movie to do much of anything. He unwrapped his kinder egg, and was eating the chocolate... and he grabbed a piece of the tinfoil and stuck it in his mouth (like I said, he was engrossed!) Tom was like NO! And grabbed it before he could finish eating it. 

They laughed, they clapped, they cheered, and had a great time. I'm glad we waited this long to go, as I think they may have been fussy if we had gone when they were younger. So now we have a great memory of their First Movie. 

Life is full of 'firsts'. And I am so lucky to have such a great family to experience them all with.

no pain, no gain

I am in such horrendous pain right now... MAN! I love volleyball :) 

We won our games, tonight... so next week, we move up one more tier. If we win next week, we move up again, thus moving our game the following week to my son's school! He would be so happy to see Mommy playing in his schools gym. 

So cross your fingers that we win - I'd love it for my boys to come and watch me slam-bang my body around, all in the spirit of the game :)

Halloween

I don't see the necessity in halloween... dress up and gather candy? Why? Who figured it would be a good idea to dress small children up in overly expensive ensembles and parade them around in the cold, at night, to strangers front doors? Any other day of the year we yell at our kids to 'not take candy from strangers... don't wear that mask, you won't be able to see where you are walking!... don't walk around in the dark... don't go to the neighbors unless you are invited... etc' So I can understand why it would be confusing to the kids to do this... but just this one night! It makes no sense to me... 

 Not to mention all of the morons that take it upon themselves to destroy things for no apparent reason. I mean yes, there are morons everywhere, and they will forever do what they can to ruin other peoples days... but why is it so important to make a big splash on this particular day? Is there some rule that states that on October 31st, you MUST be as stupid, irresponsible and thoughtless as is humanly possible? Stuff gets destroyed, kids get injured, things are stolen, lives are taken, and it makes no freaking sense to me. It is just another day, stuck in the midst of 364 others just like it. (but then I have some serious feelings about Valentines Day also... but that is another rant) 

People also decorate for Halloween, which I don't get. Why doesn't anyone go all ape-sh*t and decorate for Canada Day, or Labor Day (OMG, imagine the decorations that would be put up for that! yikes...) People's lawns are strewn with fake tomb stones and fake mummies. Their railings are strung with lights, spiders and cob webs (things we try to avoid every other day of the year... guess it gives unclean people the upper hand this time of the year! lol) There are hacked up pumpkins layed around with lit candles in them which is clearly a fire hazard any other day of the year, but is completely expected and condoned on this day.  

And the horror movies? WHY!?!!? Who could ever enjoy sitting there watching people get slashed to bits? Laughing burns calories and creates an overall good feeling? Why would anyone watch anything that doesn't make them giggle? SEE! I am clearly perplexed!!

People wear "masks" everyday. They pretend to be someone they aren't just to get through their days. So for them, maybe this time of the year is a nice break. I, personally, am the very same person 365 days a year. I am not a big candy eater, I don't see the point in dressing up, nor do I like the idea of my kids roaming the streets dressed like turtles, fetching candy from people I don't know, with all of those crazy morons running amok. But I guess right now, to my boys, this is just a chance to get a bunch of candy and dress like turtles. To them it is fun. But me in my cynical opinion, this is all unnecessary and superfluous. 

whoah

Sometimes you have good days... sometimes you have bad. Today would most certainly have fallen under the latter, and yet at the same time it wasn't all that horrible. 

First of all, I've had a bit of a tummy ache in the mornings, which makes things a bit slow going. *cranky bit #1* This morning was no exception. I got the boys ready and walked Zack to school. It was actually a really nice morning. By the time Jesse and I got home, my tummy was in need of nap. So I layed down while Jesse played his DS and watched cartoons in bed beside me. 

My Grandma arrived soon after, and we got busy with the task of preparing my potpourri for our Christmas show (which is at the end of November). Well, I ran out of my crystals and needed to run out. 

On the way to Canadian Tire, my windshield cracked! *cranky bit #2* I screamed at the top of my lungs and probably looked like a total lunatic to the people in the car beside me.  I called Tom to freak out (as he was supposed to be taking the truck in to have the chips repaired this summer), but he didn't answer. So I called his best friend (I really needed someone to yell at). So I hollered at him for a bit (and the poor sap listened like a champ) and ran into the store. I ran all over the store to find what I was looking for. I finally found it and grabbed a cart. As I threw 2 bags into the cart, the front wheel buckled in underneath, and shot the front end of the cart into a shelf... thus knocking a bunch of stuff onto the floor. *cranky bit #3* 

As the crap tumbled to the floor, I made a loud noise that could be construed as cursing and headed to the till. There was a woman ahead of me with $73 worth of stuff, and she payed for it all with CT money! *cranky bit #4* I stood there and watched the cashier count out $73 worth of 25 cent money.. I left the store and decided to run across the street and have an egg nog latte (the starbucks in my Safeway is illegaly making them already!!!!) and as I was trying to put the lid on, the cup folded in half and dumped scalding hot latte all over my hand. *cranky bit #5* 

I am sure I could carry on with my cranky bits, but I digress.... 

Even with all that ick, I still managed to make it through the day with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step. Because even though that all happened, I still survived. And what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. And now I know that it is going to take a hell of a lot to knock me down :)