December 31, 2008

Reflections of The Year That Used to Be

Last January I made resolutions and as usual I didn’t stick to some many any of them.  I’m not going to fool myself into thinking this year will be any different.  Why set myself up for disappointment?

This is the year of intentions.  And it is also The Year of the Mom.  Oh, yes it is.

I’ve been reflecting on the 365 days of 2008 and I can honestly say I’m glad that year is over.  But I do have one regret.  I regret not making the best of the last year, because hot damn, time sure does fly.  Visions of me in my 80s are flashing before my eyes.  You laugh now, but seriously?  It feels like only yesterday I was a kid.  Now, I’m a mom.  Time keeps on ticking.

So, 2008.  It was the year of chaos.  Let’s flash back, shall we?

In January I was in football mode — it was all Green Bay Packers all the time.  And I was sick. A lot.  It was awful.

In February I lost my job.

But thankfully, in March, I found one that I love, love, love.  And then Brett Favre retired and I cried.

April was fabulous.  I finally made it to New York City and I got to hang with my sweet friend from Jersey.

May was an emotional roller coaster, and that month marked one year of trying to get pregnant (and the battle continues).

June was full of summer travel.  I got to meet-up with this fine blogger for a Brewer game.

The travels continued in July.  I went to BlogHer ‘08 in San Francisco.

In August, my father was injured in an accident.  I’m so thankful my dad has recovered.  And then, Brett Favre un-retired, and I cried.

Dawson turned four years old in September.

Doug and I celebrated seven years of marriage in October (and he’s still alive).

November was another emotional month filled with crying and tears over motherhood and infertility.  I’m noticing a pattern — the depression hits every six months or so.

December was difficult.  Infertility and holidays do not mix.  In fact, they lead to injuries.

Le sigh.  What a year.

2009 will be different.  Different because I’m ready for change.  Change seems to be the theme, especially since Barack Obama has won the presidency.

This year, I intend to live my life one day at a time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a plan to guide me through the next twelve months.

My intentions, in random order:

• Read 52 books this year.
• Take a photography class.
• Go away for a weekend with my husband.
• Spend quality time with Dawson, doing things he enjoys (like reading, playing, running and laughing).
• Make a conscious effort to eat healthy foods and continue exercising.
• Remodel our bathroom.
• Take a family vacation.
• Celebrate Black History Month and read books about African-American culture, heritage and history.
• Celebrate my 30th birthday without having a panic attack.
• Have another baby.
• Attend BlogHer ‘09 in Chicago, and enjoy every moment of it, without Blogger’s Anxiety.
• Visit Graceland.
• Visit Hitsville, U.S.A.
• Open a 401(k), IRA, retirement account or mutual fund.
• Attend Pulaski Polka Days, Milwaukee Polish Festival and Frankenmuth Music Festival.
• Buy American made.
• Reduce my family’s carbon footprint.
• Write a novel.
• Learn more about the Catholic faith and what it means to me.
• Celebrate every day as a gift from God.

Just looking at this list fills my heart with excitement.  I’m looking forward to taking better care of myself physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.  Bring it on, 2009.  This is The Year of the Mom.

What are you going to do?

December 30, 2008

Too Busy Rockin’ (No Time For Bloggin’)

I got a new iPod. It’s rockin’ awesome.  I’ve been dancing around the house (well, as much as I can despite the knee brace, of course) and singing at the top of my lungs.

Dawson dances along while playing his guitar.  It has an adapter that allows us to hook up his little iPod to play along with the songs.  It’s like So You Think You Can Dance mixed with American Idol and Dancing with the Stars around here.  And I love it.

When I’m not dancin’ and singin’, I’m reading (again) Gone With the Wind.  And I’m reading some awesome childrens’ books to Dawson, too.  Like this one and this one.  And this one.   Reviews of those books to follow.  They are wonderful.

Nothing else new to report.  I’m taking time away from the internet (well, as much as possible anyway) to do things I enjoy, as well as spend time with the Hubs and the Doodlebug.  And I love it.

I’ll see you next year.  Haha.  I just had to say it.

Happy New Year!

December 29, 2008

Dana Reviews: Fairy Tales Hair Care Products

I’ve got a new review posted over at Dana Reviews.  I was asked to try the Rosemary Repel lice deterrant shampoo from Fairy Tales Hair Care Products.  This awesome stuff is made of natural ingredients and smells great, too.  Check it out if you have a moment!

December 27, 2008

Long Day

Today, I decided to take Dawson along with me to the various stores to do some returns, exchanges and clearance shopping.  Big mistake.  BIG.

What was supposed to be a quick venture to Walmart and Target turned into five hours of shopping and bumming around.  (And I think I spent a little more than I intended because the Doodlebug was with me.)

Dawson was well-behaved for most of the trip, save for the few times he begged (and whined) for toys and treats, and I managed to remain calm far longer than I thought possible.  (I’m not very patient when it comes to shopping, especially with Dawson.)

We had some gift cards burning holes in our pockets and what better a day to hit the retail establishments than two days after Christmas.  I’m no dummy.  Had I tried to go shopping yesterday, I’d have never made it home with my sanity in tact.

It was still busy in the shops and stores today, but it was manageable and I wasn’t complaining.

At Walmart we exchanged a board game, picked up some bathroom tissue and more Easy-Ups for Dawson, and I got some miscellaneous things I needed — minus a black ink cartridge for our printer.  It seems the HP #21 Black ink is mighty popular.  (I tried to remember to check at Target and completely forgot.  It’s not my fault, I got distracted by all the Christmas Clearance.)

We ran into Game Stop to use a gift card that Dawson received.  He had been begging for the Mario Party game for the Nintendo DS, but once inside the store he changed his mind and picked Mario Kart instead.  (And he’s been playing it since we got home.  My 4-year-old is a gamer.  This kind of scares me.)

After that we finally hit Target.  I wanted to check out the clearance and scored some new holiday dinnerware.  It’s plastic and so adorable.  I’ll post pictures soon.  I also stocked up on wrapping paper, gift bags & tags, holiday cards and some outdoor lights, too.

Target is my favorite place to shop and I tried not to go overboard with the clearance stuff, but it was so difficult to walk away.  I grabbed some new socks for the hubs (he goes through socks so quickly, it’s crazy) and bought a new book for myself (by James Patterson, my favorite author).

All that shopping made us hungry, so Dawson and I had dinner at Wendy’s across the street.  Next we went to the book store and I perused the new releases while Dawson played in the kids’ section.  Finally, we went to Shopko and exchanged the shoes I got him that were too small and picked up a new Backyardigans DVD that was on sale.

I was so ready to go home, but ever since we walked through the door I’ve been playing video games, board games and watching iCarly with Dawson.  While I enjoy playing with my little guy, I can’t help but yawn.  It’s been a long day.