Dang, it's been way too long!

"2011"..The year of 'the small stuff.'

Yep, it's the New Year and I finally have a few minutes to myself where I'm not dead tired or have 10 other pressing items on the agenda. I did not do a traditional resolutions list; rather I've decided to just appreciate the small stuff and try not to sweat what seems to be out of my hands.

Small stuff on my mind...taking up a lot of space...

1. My grandmother was laid to rest last year on a beautiful, blustery, blizzard-like day. Grandma's Will gets read this weekend amongst my mother and her siblings. I have a feeling some 'stuff' will hit the fan. No big deal. I wasn't invited and I should not sweat this as it does not involve me. I sit wrapped up in a blanket she sewed personally, just for me. This makes me happy.

2. My mother got engaged to a great guy over holidays last year. I will gain a stepfather. I will still call him by his first name as that seems most appropriate to me, although my kids have asked to call him 'grandpa.' It's hard to juggle the emotions I'm having with a man who has taken over every role my father had in my life, other than being 'my dad.' He will never be that person. I'm letting him into my life as much as I possibly can, while realizing he brings to the table his own family. It's like the Brady Bunch, but the kids are all grown up with kids of their own, and the bride and groom are retirees.

3. I graduated to a smart phone this month. I think it might just be smarter than me, but it is pretty kick-ass in it's abilities. I think the swankiest of its features has to be that I can access the internet ANYWHERE. I have not yet been to BFE to test this theory of mine, but I'm pretty sure it would reach there too. One of the most disturbing features is that the GPS locator can pin-point me almost to the toilet I would be sitting on, if I were to have to the phone with me on one of those necessary trips. No one needs to know this business. Nor will I ever allow the phone to 'track' where I'm at by posting it on Facebook. You need not know I just sat down at my local jaunt for a burger or a beer. BUT, if I'm ever lost at sea or kidnapped, I will be sure and use that feature.

4. The Flu Shot. I will not doing that next year. I had one child throwing up for entire week over the winter. Then I got it. Sore throat, chills, fever that went up and down as fast as the Ibuprofen worked or wore off, and raging ear infections; causing temporary loss of hearing. And then it happened. I was at the toilet for an entire day and a half. And I was so weak, my husband had to walk me back to the bed. I was useless for 4 days. As a mom and wife, I think 4 days might be the max time that you can take off without the children and husband moving in to the bedroom with you. It was nice to have meals brought to me. It was nice to take long, much needed naps and watch Netflix without interruption. It was nice to have antibiotics that WORK. But it is even nicer to NOT BE SICK and uncontrollably puking up...nothing! So, having previously tested the 'no flu shot' theory, and not getting sick, I think I will tempt that fate again next year. I do love fruits, veggies, my vitamins and hand sanitizer and will take my chances.

5. Our basement has acquired a really nice treadmill. It sits right in front of the 'big' tv down there. I intend to use this machine before summer. If I have time to blog, I have time to sweat, right? I need to figure out how to mount my laptop on that sweat machine.

6. We are at the last of the logs on our dwindling wood pile in the back yard. I have LOVED having a fireplace. I am still building fires in it as much as the weather allows or until the wood totally runs out. I will miss the crackle and the warmth it gives. I will admit to getting antsy for spring only because I miss the smell of crumbly turned dirt in a fresh tilled garden and the fresh veggies it will produce. I will have a garden this year. Oh..and I miss the geese and goslings that trek through our yard from pond to pond on their daily morning walk. That should be happening again soon.

7. I despise getting the mail. It is 98% bills and junk. I have one friend (a friend since high school) that is stationed in Afghanistan with whom I correspond regularly. I look forward to his letters for two reasons. I enjoy reading them because it keeps my stress in check after reading what he deals with on a daily basis. Secondly, it lets me know he's still alive. Being alive and free is NOT small stuff. It's big stuff for which to be quite thankful and happy. His letters put perspective on my life. In other 'mail' news, I got some coupons from Kroger for FREE food. In actuality, I probably paid for these items, 3 times over in what I spend there on a regular basis, but yesterday I got free butter, eggs, chips and ice cream and I was QUITE happy! Not the healthiest combo of free items, but a couple staples we can always use, and the ice cream made made the whole family happy.

The rest of my small stuff..in Cliff Notes form. Try to follow along..

My sister has a new boyfriend. She's an adult and I should not worry. I really shouldn't.

Our favorite place to take swim lessons won't be happening this summer, due to unforeseen circumstances and now I'm scrambling to find something new where our clingy child won't cry every day. I am happy all 3 kiddos do get in the water
without kicking them in (ok..not really) which didn't happen 2 years ago.

We also seem to be stuck between two park districts for children's summer sports options. We would pay 'non-resident' for either option, but that extra $5 seems to feel like the 'we don't belong' tax. Or perhaps the price one pays to not live in 'the city?'

I finally got much needed NEW bras and I will say my upper body is much happier these days.

It really is the small stuff. It fills our minds. It may or may not seem significant in the minds of others, but it's what consumes that extra space in our head. I feel pounds lighter after sharing. But I'll keep the treadmill around for the hips, thighs and rear.

Happy New Year!!...2 months late...but who cares, right?