Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone. Today my husband and I celebrate six years of marriage. We've suffered losses that couples shouldn't, but we've prevailed. Our love got us through dark days, but we came out stronger.

May 2013 be all you wished for.

Merry Christmas

Since I was a little kid I’ve always woken up extremely early on Christmas. I remember as a kid taking all the Christmas presents and making piles for my mom and dad, while they slept. I can only imagine them just crawling into bed totally exhausted and praying for a few hours’ sleep.

I did let them sleep. I waited patiently for them to wake up. I didn’t try to wake them up. To this day I’m not sure why. I’d play with the toys Santa left and I was happy. Being an only child I didn’t have to share anything. :o)

When I had children I expected them to be the same way. Nope. They’re sleepers. I had to wake them up on Christmas morning. I’d wait until 6 or 7, but that’s it. I was more excited than them I guess. LOL

So this morning as I sit in my sunroom, with the fireplace glowing and the Christmas lights on…I eagerly await the time I can go wake up the household. I’ll let the little one sleep. She has a busy day ahead of herself.

There are so many things to be thankful for and for me, it’s my family. I’m truly blessed.

 Merry Christmas!

Pay It Forward

Why does it take a tragedy for people to come together and do something nice? Why can’t we do it all year long?

I try to do little things here and there. Like when in the drive thru at Dunkin Donuts I’ll pay for the person behind me, let that person stuck in traffic who won’t let them go, go ahead of you or hold the door for an elderly person even if I’m in a rush and have wait an extra minute for them. I think being nice shouldn’t have to be planned.

The problem is a lot of this generation is a ME, ME, ME generation. The kids are spoiled, mine included, but I teach them to respect others. Treat people the way you want to be treated.

To me it’s just a common decency.

So on this Christmas Eve when you’re running around stressed stop and smell the roses. Do something nice, not just because of a horrible tragedy but because it feels good.

My heart goes out to all the family and friends affected by the tragedy. I can only imagine their pain.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Wrong Way Driver

It's scary and it happened to me. The scary thing is I was the wrong way driver.

Why did I decide to talk about wrong way drivers? Two reasons. Yesterday marked the 28^th anniversary of my uncle’s death. Donnie was like a big brother to me. I was a troubled sixteen years old, struggling to figure out life, when he was killed by a drunk driver. We buried him on Christmas Eve and let me tell you it is the worst holiday I ever had. Even an abusive ex-husband couldn’t compare to losing someone I loved so dearly.

They say that most wrong way drivers are under the influence. I’m guilty of being a wrong way driver. I was not under the influence. Because Donnie was killed by a drunk driver I know firsthand the risks and dangers of getting behind the wheel after even one drink.

So how did my accident happen? It was Mother’s Day 2004. I’d spent the night in Rhode Island with my now husband. I was headed back to NY to spend the day with my kids, who had been with their father for his weekend.

I was excited. I was in love and centered on seeing my kids. I’d just stopped off at Dunkin Donuts for my large coffee and bagel. As I entered Route 10 I saw a car on the street next to me and in a brief second thought it was odd. I turned my attention to the road ahead of me and that’s when I saw a car coming right at me. I’m sure the couple in the car headed my way had the same fear in their hearts as I did. We both swerved, but it didn’t help. I hit the front of the car.

Coffee spilled all over the console, soaking my cell phone and a few CD’s. I had my seatbelt on so I was pretty much unharmed. I was shaken. The couple in the other car seemed to be okay too.

Down the road they tried to sue my insurance company, but from what I gather it didn’t hold up. Don’t get me wrong I didn’t care if they were paid or not. I’m just thankful they were okay. I’m glad I made it through the accident too.

I didn’t make it home in time to celebrate Mother’s Day with my children. By the time I got my car towed to a shop, got a rental car and shook of the events of the day it was midnight when I pulled into my parking spot in front of my house.

I hugged my children the next day thankful their mother was alive to do so.

My wrong way driving was due to me not knowing the area very well and no signs saying “Wrong Way” or “Do Not Enter”. They have signs up now because of my accident.

We were lucky, but all over the news I see wrong way accidents where the people who are hit aren’t so lucky.  

Sick

Who has time to be sick? Certainly not me. Too much to check off my to-do list. Yesterday I went and got my flu shot, today I woke up with a full blown cold. I know it’s unrelated, but darn it, the time couldn’t be worse.

I’m working on finishing two projects by the end of the year. I still have to shop for the hubby and work my day job. Oh and let’s not forget the hubby and I are going to the San Fran/Patriots game on Sunday. Should be interesting. I’m a huge San Fran fan. I have been since the Joe Montana days. The other guys we’re going with are groaning knowing I’ll be cheering for the 49ers. Sorry guys!

Next weekend we have family coming to town, we’re throwing two Christmas parties. I’ll be thankful for the much needed vacation.

Even though all these obstacles are trying to keep from finishing my projects, I’d like to end 2012 on a good note!

Not Sleeping

I’m not sure why, but I’m not sleeping much. Maybe it’s the stress of the pending holidays. Too much has to be done still. Maybe it’s because I’m writing again. It could be a million things. I just wish it would stop. I go to bed around 10pm every night. Some nights I’m wide awake at 1am, 2am, but most of the time 3am.

Yes, it’s nice to have the house to myself for a few hours before the rest of the family wakes up, but I also like to sleep. I get cranky when I don’t get enough Z’s. :o)

I record a bunch of shows just to have something to watch while I’m writing or surfing. Lately I haven’t had anything to record. All the shows are on hiatus and I’ve seen all the shows on the ID channel.  Yes, I’m addicted to True Crime shows.

I’ve been up for two hours and I’ve written three blogs. I should be wrapping or something, but I’m too comfy under my warm blanket. I guess I could do more shopping online, there is only two weeks until Christmas.

Calendars

I have an obsession with calendars. I use a day planner for my day job. I have one for my writing. On my desk I have two blotter calendars – one for the day job and one for everyday use. The blotters are used for passwords, appointments and other things I need to remember.

My desk is L shaped. On the side that houses all my day job stuff I have a wall calendar. It’s more for show. My son gives me a dog calendar for Christmas every year. We have three dogs; a yellow lab, a chocolate and a golden retriever. Each year I get something to do with one of them.

Where the house computer sits I have a tear-away calendar. It’s usually a Maxine. I love reading her daily rants.

Lastly, I keep a small one in my purse. It has doctor appointments for the family.

Oh, I can’t leave out the hubby’s calendar. That is on the side of the refrigerator. He keeps track of the appointments for the dogs and himself. LOL

Is it a big much? Maybe, but in my head I can justify all of them. :o)

Out with the Old In with the New

December is a time when I get rid of the old and make room for the new. I’ll be writing up a new plan for 2013.

Yesterday I spent the day going through a file of ideas. I have three or four I keep adding to throughout the year. As I weeded through the ideas I realized how many things I thought were good idea at the time, really weren’t that appealing.

I made a plan for one week worth of queries and set aside ideas that might have potential in the future. I have two more files to go through and hopefully I’ll get to them this week.

The idea of starting fresh appeals to me on so many levels. I normally begin my new year in September when school starts, but I didn’t this year. I wanted to try a different routine. It’s always nice to switch things up once in a while.

What fun stuff do I have on my to-do list today? Finishing another Chicken Soup story and sending out a Pet query.