Happy New Year 2010

Well readers, it's New Year's Eve and I'm still in Oklahoma, sucking up the loving from my niece and nephew. Most folks are probably busy making resolutions about the coming year. They are deciding to shape up, be better people, blah blah blah..

Not me.

Mostly because I've yet to meet someone who has actually KEPT their resolution. And also because I am in shape. Round is a shape.

Kidding aside, most of the things I want are out of my control. I want to live in the same state as my husband - more on that later. But its something I can't control. I want to buy a house, and start a family. But all that hinges on living in the same state as my husband - again, out of my control. So, I will set out some goals for the new year. Because this is the year that Mark and I start to set some roots and start up our home. So what can I do to prepare for that??

Goal #1: Get my body into baby making shape. I don't want to be skinny. So, I need to prepare my body to be a temple to the "tator tot" that will soon be conceived ("tator tot" comes from the joke that my brother has "beans" for babies - since he's still a Castro, and still Mexican. I'm now Irish, and the Irish are known for potatoes... yadda yadda yadda.. you get it..). I think I could stand to lose about 30 - 40 lbs.

Goal #2: Prepare my bank account for the incoming mortgage. To do this, I'm not sure what I'll do - most likely not purchase the things I really want, and stick with those things I really need.

Case in point: before Christmas I purchased the book "The Joy of Cooking". I was so excited for my purchase, that I stayed up until midnight the night I bought it, just skimming the pages. Because that is my crack cocaine: COOKBOOKS. Additionally, I purchased the book: Julie and Julia, which got me excited about cooking. Today, Mark and I went to Barnes & Noble, where I found Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". I sat in the aisle, opening the vintage blue cover and found myself growing excited. "I need this", I told myself. "Really?", I replied back to myself, "do you need this $40 cookbook, or do you need a house more?".

Damn.. Got me there.

"But I really really want this book"

"Where are you going to cook all these wonderful things? And for whom will you be cooking? Because Mark is still in California"

"Yes but I could practice until he gets here."

"Really? What about Joy of Cooking, mastered anything in that one yet? Cuz you really needed that one too."

Good point.

So - arguement with myself over (yes, I do that quite often), I put the book back. The glorious vintage recipes and ink drawings went back to the shelf. Which leaves me to my last goal:

Goal #3: Master Joy of Cooking. My reward will be Volume I of Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

I think in order to accomplish all of these, I will have to overcome one small barrier: Mind over Mattress. I need to get up earlier. I love more than anything to sleep in, especially on cold days, but I'm going to have to get up to accomplish all of these goals. Mostly because I need to get into work earlier. Then I can go to the gym for 30 mins of running (ugh.. I cringe just writing it). That will get me home in time to make dinner. And since there are only 3 of us at home eating, I'll have some for lunch, meaning I won't go out - saving time and money. I'll need your help here, readers. I'll need you to remind me of how important my goals are, and how all I need to do is overcome the "mind over mattress".

So maybe I have resolutions, but I fully intend to accomplish them this year. The year 2010 is the year for Mark and Anje. Our long term family goals will be accomplished! And it all starts on January 1!!

Happy New Year! Let's make it a great one!

No Christmas Cards This Year

It's our second Christmas as a married couple. And I think I've outdone myself this year - although Mark is sure to prove me wrong. I put a lot of thought into my gift giving this year.

My parents are coming out to Oklahoma from California. I can't believe it. Finally. They know Brianna pretty well, but they don't know Stephen and Shyanne at all. So to see them have fun together will be amazing to watch. Plus, Rachael's parents and my parents will finally meet. I think they'll get along splendidly. Time will tell..

What was I talking about before I digressed?? Oh yes: gift giving! We got each of the kids 3 gifts, plus I got to buy them gifts from my parents (so they don't have to ship). We picked names for the adults. I got my brother, Mark drew my dad, and my gramp drew Mark's name. So I got to buy gifts for Mark (from me and Gramp), my dad, and the kids. Plus, I got to nudge my mom on what to get for my gramp. I'm just really hoping everyone likes what they get, and that they realize this year is so special. It's special because it will be the first time that we will all be together as a family. Mom and Dad, their kids, and now their families. I'm relishing seeing my folks again. My dad and I usually do the Charger games during the season, but since I'm not there, I don't watch much football. So being able to just sit next to him and watch it on TV will have to be enough! Mom and I sit and talk and talk and talk ; then laugh and laugh and laugh - on the phone just isn't the same.

Christmas is supposed to be about being with family. Aunt Isy wrote in her Christmas letter this year that the best we can give others is the gift of our time. I read about my high school friend who battled cancer, and I realize that time is a gift. I exchange emails with new people I met after a mutual friend's suicide and I realize that time is a gift. But mostly, I think about my grandma, who passed away three years ago Thanksgiving. I think how much she would love to give her time with her great-grand babies; and I know time is a gift.

Since I've been attending church at Frisco, I've noticed little changes in myself. I've noticed that God sometimes asks me to do things. Not in the creepy "the voices told me to" kind of way. In the, "maybe I should send my brother a text right now so he knows that I'm thinking of him" kind of way. Used to be, I ignored those thoughts, and went about my way. Pastor Sandi's message one Sunday of "Don't ask me to do something God has called on you to do", just really hit home with me. So, I send my brother those messages. I tell my dad I love him every time I talk to him. And I call my Uncle Billy, just to ask him to help me with my new boots. I'm sure I could figure out the boots, but how cool that I get to hear about how to do it from my Uncle. I was just really compelled to do that.

Christmas is also a time to count your blessings. We should really do it all through the year, but Christmas is that magical time when I stop and really take inventory of all the things I have in my life. I have a wonderful husband, who takes good care of me. Our relationship isn't perfect, but I know that I can depend on him, and I love him so much. I have a fantastic family, an aunt who has opened her home and heart for me. I've got friends who take the time to keep in touch, even if I am living so far from them. I have my Libby kitty, who follows me all over the house. I have a great job, that pays me well, and keeps me busy. It's not my life's ambition, but I work with some truly fantastic individuals. And in all that, I try to keep love in my heart, and a smile on my face. Because when your life is as full as mine, you may not always get what you want (and ask Mark, I do still throw tantrums), but you certainly get what you need, and what God knows you should have.

So Merry Christmas, everyone. May your new year be merry, bright, and full of happiness!!