YTC

Two years ago, I started making overarching goals for my year (because I don't necessarily like New Years resolutions).  First came YCB, or the Year of the Classy Broad, which sought to have me incorporate more classy activities into my life such as drinking out of fancy stemware, dressing up, traveling, trying new restaurants, accepting compliments graciously and being kinder.  Next came the YWB, or the Year of Well-Being, in which I tried to strive for a spiritual, emotional and physical well-being, standing up for others, knowing who I am and being happy.  What I like about dubbing my years is that the things I do and the attitudes and outlooks I gain can continue into the succeeding year, since we are never truly done improving our lives.

I have thus dubbed this the YTC, or the Year of Taking Control.  Probably sounds more exciting than it is, I plan on taking control in various areas of my life, in the past I have wished I had time to read more books, cook, learn to sew, be more crafty, finish school, be more daring...whatever, well, this is the year that I (finally) take control of my life and where I am going.

I will not let the actions and feelings of others dictate my life and negatively influence me.  I will be the person I want to be, realizing that I make mistakes and have the right to adjust my path and expectations as I go along.

Here's to taking control!

New Years

Have I mentioned that I am not really a celebrator of New Years?  It's true.  There was once a time when my friends and I would throw parties and stay up til midnight so we could ring in the New Year together, but those days are long...long gone.

I'm not even entirely sure when all the merriment came to an end.  Frankly, New Years isn't that exciting of a holiday unless you're into boozing (which I'm not), go to glitzy parties (which I don't) and have someone to kiss at midnight (which I do, but I don't need to stay up til midnight to do it).  I do know that the last time I purposely stayed up til midnight on New Years Eve was in....2009?  That sounds about right.  I struggled to stay awake until the all-important 12:00am, at which point, I am pretty sure I drank some non-alcoholic bubbly, fired off a noise-maker and headed to bed.  Momentous occasions and the celebration of them...thrilling.

In the years since then, Kelly and I typically get a couple bottles of the aforementioned non-alcoholic bubbly, watch a movie, eat some food and call it a night around 10:00.  Because we know how to party like it's 1999.  We also know our limits.  And we also tend to act like we're 80 years old.

This year was different in the fact that I spent the evening with T, which was nice.  We drank the bubbly, ate food, watched movies, talked....and we actually missed New Years.  It was actually 1:00 before we checked the time.  Luckily, T's feelings about the holiday fall in line with mine, so it wasn't a tragedy.

Merry (belated) Christmas!

Oh Christmas...

Yes, this is my Christmas re-cap post since I do not blog on a regular basis...much to your chagrin, I'm sure.

I began my Christmas shopping fairly early on in November.  I'm sure many people in the world begin their Christmas shopping earlier than that, but this was early for me.  Just because I began my Christmas shopping early though does not in any way mean that I finished it early...technically I purchased a Christmas gift after Christmas, but what T doesn't know won't hurt me.

I always have the most fun purchasing Christmas presents for Kelly, and to make matters easier this year, we made each other Christmas lists (seriously, I LOVE having a list to go off of.....but I HATE making them myself) which was basically brilliant.  I was fortunate enough to already know a few key items she wanted, and thanks to an Amazon wishlist (also, another great thing...I like lists) I could branch out a little...though the list could use some updating before her birthday...hint, hint.

Anyway, Kelly and I decided to celebrate our roomie Christmas on the 23rd since we were both heading to our respective homes on the 24th.  I love roomie Christmas, I am definitely going to miss it someday.  While many of the gifts Kelly got were less than thrilling (pens, pencils, erasers, bookmarks....luna bars....don't ask), it was fun to see her face when she opened the coveted Les Miserables 25th Anniversary whats-it-what DVD.  Priceless!

I totally scored, she knows me so well!  I got a super soft electric blanket, new slippers and a GORGEOUS tree calendar.  I love trees, and I love this calendar!

Christmas with the family was fun too.  I love watching the kids (my brother's kids) get so excited about everything, and it's amazing to watch James and Lillian do so many of the same things that Mike and I did when we were their age.

End of disjointed post.