Mondo Beyondo!

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?

• My biggest accomplishment in 2007 was returning to college. This actually began in 2006 with a huge leap of faith on my part, listening to the world around me as it nudged me into that direction (more like a huge slap) and then jumping in with both feet. But I actually worked my but off in 2007 and not only returned to school, figured out what I want to be when I grow up, pulled a 4.0 both semesters, and enjoyed every bit of it.


• I am very proud that I did not throw in the towel after seeing my class syllabus- all 10 pages of it!


• I balenced, school, work and family.


• I am teaching my kids a valuable lesson- even though they do not recognize that now.


• I spent less money.


• I was a better wife and mother.


• I got my kids out in nature, beach, hiking, etc. They connect so easily with the world around them.


• Instilled a love for photography with my kids. Pictures taken by 5 year old!


• Feel more complete.


• Paid off and consolodated some debt. Oh the relief.

2. What is there to grieve about 2007?

• I grieve for Isak- my cat that I had for 17 years. I am grateful he is not suffering anymore, but taking him to the vet to be put to sleep was absolutely heartwrenching. I had Isak before my husband and my children. He accompanied me to more cities and houses than I can remember. I miss him. Sometimes I call the new cat Isak by accident.


• I miss my husband's Buscha (grandmother). She died this September right before her 99th birthday.


• I wish my daughter would not have quit dance. I made life easier- but I wish she hadn't quit just the same (She did begin piano though).


• Wish I would have made my kids practice more for their piano lesson. Something I am going to work on in 2007.


• Not having the guts to always be honest.


• Returning to school was hard, sitting next to 19-22 years is hard. It at times made me very self conscious- especially physically. I felt old, I notice my wrinkles, I notice the parts that sag. I should have been more forgiving.

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete.

• 2007 is very complete.


• I feel as though I have absolute closure.


• It was a good year, no really a great year.


• I do not really feel that it needs an abrupt ending, 2008 is a wonderful continuation.

2007 I declare you complete

Love, Sam

I have a little bit of reading to do!

• Oh yesturday was quite a day. Got my books for Spring semester (lots and lots of reading). $167 dollars for used books. USED! What is up with that?
• Closed out all unwanted- unused credit card accounts. But not without frustration. They do not like it when you close a line of credit. We had one card sent to us- that neither of us remembers ordering. It was Am. Ex. and we just do not use them. So I tried to close the account only to be told that they would not talk to me under any circumstances because I am not the primary listed. I explained that we did not think that we opened this line of credit and would like this reconciled. But no- husband still had to call back. And when he did- he of course had no idea what the password was- because- we do not think that we have ever ordered this card. So they did not want to close it. After much haggeling and many inappropriate questions about our finances we finally go the account closed. Just pisses me off that they will issue a card and will gladly ruin my credit rating (joint state that I live in) but will not talk with me.
• The weather- we had thunderstorms in January. Normally we have frigid temps and blizzards this time of year. In the lower part of the state they actually had 3 tornados touch down. CRAZY.
• Called in sick to work yesturday. I had/have pink eye. Loved having the day off.
• Decided to convert the dining room to a play room. RIP dining room- we only used you a few times a year. And during the rest of the time you were just a dumping ground for misc. stuff.
• Made dentist appoint- need 2 crowns.
• Made eye exam appoint. Need to update my prescription and get new glasses - FOR ALL THAT READING THAT I AM DOING THIS SEMESTER.
• Finished my fingerless mittens. They are not exactly the same length. Not sure how that happened- but they are close- and they are just for me- so they will do. Doing a pair for my mother in law and then starting an adorable ear flap hat for myself.
• In total need of new tunes to listen to. Without Grey's turning out new shows with new music- I am turning to my 17 year old nephew for suggestions. Funny he likes the music I listened to 20 years ago. I told him only contemporary stuff please, I can find the vintage stuff all by myself thank you.
• I am accepting that I need to clean and organize the basement. Oh Boy- do not even know where to begin.
• Soooo disappointed to hear that Martha will no longer publishing Blueprint. It was one of my favorite magazines. It was pure eye candy. I like Domino too, but it is full of way pricey stuff. And I do not live in New York City, San Fran, etc. I just do not have that type of shopping available to me. Heck we do not even have an IKEA close by. The nearest is across state border to Minnesota or Illinois.
• Kids started piano lessons again. Oh Christmas break was wonderful- we had 3 weeks off of piano. I realizes though, that I really need to make this a priority. No Wii until homework and piano are finished. Maybe that will help.
• We planned a short winter break for next week. Swimming and lounging. I'd love to sled or hike or snowshoe but we just do not have any snow. But this is Wisconsin and after this major warm-up and melt down- we just may get that blizzard yet.

With a Little Help From My Friend!

He is so crazy helpful!@#$% Not!

• I am going to work on Mondo Beyondo.
• Bought 2 new swimsuits. Then I realized that I was trying to purchase just the necessities. 1 suit is a necessity at this point. But 2 are not. So I am returning the 2nd one. Just bought it because it was cute, and I couldn't choose between the two. And well, it will be useful.
• My winter break from classes is getting shorter and shorter. And I had aspired to do so many things.
• Glad it is Friday- thankful for so many things.
• Did pilates again today- felt it in my tummy this time. A little sore from yesturday. But I am sticking with it. Joseph Pilates said that "you will feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 sessions and will have a new body in 30 sessions." So that is my goal.
• Drinking lots and lots of water. I have had no soda (this is a big deal for me- it is a serious addiction).
• Making salmon, couscous, and butternut squash for dinner. YUM.
• Did I say I am glad it is Friday!

Fire!

• Apparently I am of the Fire Element tonight. I treated myself to the most wonderful massage tonight. I haven't had a massage since I was pregnant with kid #2. Not sure why- just did not take the time for myself or of course there may have been other things I wished to spend my money on.
• Anyway- I am fire tonight- which is totally not like me. I am a Taurus and always very earthy.
• I am taking time this year to create a better me. I promised myself during the beginning of my massage- as I tried to let go of all inner dialogue- that I would make myself healthy again. Wierd thing happened- from somewhere deep inside I heard my core say "Thank You".
• I plan to be healthier in body, mind, spirit and emotion.
• I also did pilates today. I took it easy- haven't done pilates since right after my 2nd child was born (boy kid #3 took it's toll on me). I am not sore, but everything feels just a bit more alive. (Hmmm- maybe that is where the fire comes from). My husband, the physical therapist in the house, said when I tried to explain how I was feeling, "It feels like you got oxygen to all those muscles, hey". He's always technical, and always right. But yes I feel like everything was breathing again. (Hey doesn't fire need oxygen!)
• So I am fire tonight.
• A fire has been lit...

New Edition! and my Word for the Year!

Look what I got myself for Christmas...

Not really planned that way- but he was available and I had a home...

So he was our bestest gift...

He's not always as sweet as he looks in this picture.

And well, he needed to be de-wormed (yuck)

But he purrs a lot and I am his favorite... so he's a keeper.

Wow- 2008. I feel a bit bittersweet about this.

2007 was a big year for me.

(It all started at the end of 2006)

But I finally stood up to my GHOSTS.

I finally created a NEW dream.

I am finally doing something for MY future (well and ultimately for my family as well)

But right now it is mine...

Mine to own...

Mine to live...

Mine to complete...

Last year my WORD FOR THE YEAR was FORWARD

It really did become my mantra- even if it was subconscious...

When I got down on myself- I would just say (usually in my head)-

KEEP MOVING

ONWARD

FORWARD

and OBJECTS IN MOTION STAY IN MOTION

Sometimes I moved FORWARD with my eyes open...

And sometime with them closed.

But I did it.

And I still need FORWARD.

I am the type of person who likes to lye down and close my eyes and forget the world around me... and hope that the world around me forgets me too. It is in my inner nature to stop. To just quit moving- quit trying so hard.. quit trying to prove myself to others.

So although I need FORWARD (godness I feel like I am writing a medieval morality play)

I am moving on to ACCEPTANCE...

Word for 2008 is ACCEPTANCE.

A good word for me.

Something that came to me doing a menial task today and the momment it jumped into my head- I knew it was the one. And I think this year will be a journey of discovering how I am going to define that word for myself. I think it is a very layered word and I have many many levels of myself and my life to sort through.

Mostly I need to ACCEPT where I am going. Where life is taking me.

I need to ACCEPT age- my age, my husbands age, my parents age, my children's age.

I need to ACCEPT that aging is part of my life. It is one of the parts that scares me the most.

So here's to 2007- God is Great! I honestly feel I was very blessed this past year.

And Here's to 2008 because- well it is inevitable.