Saturday, December 31, 2011

Out with the Old

It’s after 10 pm on the last day of the year – Saturday, December 31, 2011.  Facebook and Twitter are BLOWING UP with new year well wishes, resolutions and thanks that 2012 is around the corner.  Apparently, 2011 was a terrible year for people.  I didn’t have a bad year, but it definitely had it’s ups and downs.  I watched my husband and friends complete a Tough Mudder with a determination in their eyes – a deep look I had never seen from any of them; I gave birth to my second angel, thought to be a boy in utero, but proved everyone wrong.  I enjoyed a wonderful summer off of work and handled myself well when going back.  I almost lost a person so very dear to me.  That entire experience seriously put me in check while it knocked the wind out of me. 

As we turn the calendar on another year it’s customary for people to evaluate the immediate past and look towards change in the near future.  It’s the time for resolutions which are typically ridiculous expectations aimed at failure.  Most resolutions focus on some aspect of healthy living, whether it’s losing weight or eating better.  Of course, I have these resolutions.  I don’t jot them down because they generally become the framework to my lifestyle.  They’re a part of me.  This year, this coming year in about 90 minutes, I decided to do something different.  I WILL jot down a few resolutions.  Here goes:

Listen to more Foo Fighters – I had the opportunity to see them this year.  Watching the documentary pretty much sealed the deal that they’re my second favorite band.  Must hear more.

Watch more movies – I don’t really watch newly released movies anymore.  Most movies I want to see aren’t child appropriate, so when the kiddies go to bed I don’t have enough energy left to get through a half hour.  Maybe I’ll go to the theater once, too.  Haven’t seen a movie there since August 2007. 

Make a quilt – I’d like to take some of my race shirts and make a tee shirt quilt.  Sounds cool, but I’m not crafty.  AT ALL.  I don’t hem pants, stitch up holes or even iron well.  It’s time to do something out of my comfort zone.  I’ll start with a quilt. 

Read a book that has nothing to do with running – I like to read.  I like running.  I like to read about running.  I should probably change it up.  I charged my husband with buying me a non-running book. 

Write more – I like this blogging thing.  I should do it more often.

Breathe more.

Sleep more. 

Love more.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Tis the Season for a Challenge

Each year that passes yields another twelve months of good intentions.  Thanksgiving approaches with a focus on family, friends and humbling offerings.  Most of us cheer the high life and vow to not take anything for granted.  A few days pass and this mantra fades only to be rejuvenated mid-December as Christmas quickly descends upon us.  Again, we hope to live up to the hype of generous, selfless giving, but we're swept up in the unbelievable holiday sales; we spoil ourselves and our children instead of paying mind to the true spirit of the season.  It's a vicious cycle that kicks off every year.  
Now, too, is the time where we shift our attention to the gluttonous behavior that tipped the scales and left us feeling lethargic.  We are aware that these holiday's bring family and friends together with food...and lots of it.  Work parties, happy hours, brunches and early buffet style dinners litter our calendar.  We are aware that most people, indulging at these social events, pack on a few pounds within a two week period.  But, alas, we continue to belly up.  I'm not writing to preach.  I camped out with a pint of Karamel Sutra just the other night (ahem, but I didn't eat the whole thing - teehehe).  A wise doctor once told me that an occasional indulgence is okay, if not healthy.  Sure, I'll buy that for a dollar!  
As another year comes to a close we're immediately smacked in the face by reality.  The reality is that we didn't take care of ourselves, nor did we accomplish everything we thought.  The close of 2011 shouldn't be a time to focus on perceived failure, rather, these last few days give us the opportunity to start fresh and move forward.  There's no looking back.  The past is just that.Twenty-twelve gives us a clean slate to challenge ourselves whether we hope to lose weight, eat less fast food or focus on family.  I said it before: This is an opportunity; don't let it pass you by.  Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be around the corner.  

Monday, December 26, 2011

Stupid app

I wrote this awesome blog only to have this crap app erase it. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Summer I Lost My Best Friends

If I didn’t write it, I definitely said it: music is my foundation.  Music played a huge role in forming who I am, good or bad.  Most anyone can relate to a song or album bringing back memories, again, good or bad.  Just last week, with my music collection on shuffle, I happened upon a song that brought back memories from the summer of 1995.  Ah, summer.

I graduated from a local high school in 1995, WITHOUT honors.  I begged my parents to let me go to Senior Week in Ocean City, Maryland.  Begged is probably a tame word for the shenanigans I was demonstrating.  Within hours of my Mom reluctantly granting her permission I hurriedly packed and waited for my girlfriends.  The week was eventful, but too much unnecessary detail for this blog.  The trip ended with some drama and a near tragedy that left the four hour car ride home full of sarcasm, gossip and spite (if I remember correctly…I was on some prescription narcotics for the pain).  My three girlfriends helped me into the house, as my parents helped me onto the couch.  I collapsed in exhaustion while I watched my friends say their goodbye’s and walk out the door.  Two of those girls I never saw again. 

After a few weeks of recovery, I resumed my pre-college summer vacation, preparing for the ‘best years of my life’.  I spent as much time away from home causing some trouble in my town.  I can’t remember how, but I met a nice guy.  We instantly connected with stars in our eyes.  We spent our time together driving around smoking cigarettes and frequenting diners to drink gallons of coffee with cream and extra sugar.  Occasionally, we’d venture to his parents house and sit in his room listening to music.  We talked about mature things because, ya know, at seventeen you’re all grown up…educated…wise.  The music set the scene.  We could not get enough of two Smashing Pumpkins’ albums, Gish and Pisces Iscariot.  Great albums, great songs, great memories. 

As I referenced earlier, I was on my way to work a few weeks ago when my iPod selected a song from Gish.  Suddenly, my car turned into a surprise party of flashbacks.  I could smell the summer air and stale cigarettes in the car masked by incense.  The warm breeze flowed through my long dark hair and ruffled my few-sizes-too-big tee shirt.  I felt untouchable; I WAS untouchable.  The summer of ‘95 was the start of something big for me.  I couldn’t wait to leave this deadbeat town to start anew.  My overly large and open heart sucked up everything in it’s path.  This was the summer I fell in love with music, coffee, smoking, rebellious attitudes and a boy.  But, the first and last thing I remembered was that I lost my two best friends.