Happy New Year's Eve

Well, it's the last day of 2011.  Hubby is in bed sick, kids are in bed sleeping and watching tv.... That's ok, I'll bet they will be up late tonight.

I want and probably need to think about the grocery list (after last night's midnight search for one more roll of tp) AND unpacking the pile of loot we brought home from Grandma's house.  But I'm still bent on enjoying the last few days of the break.  Can I make clearing my desk and organizing the toys a symbol of the fresh new year?  Take down the tree and put away decorations to be treasured again next December? Of course, that's what I always do.  My goal for contentment this year has been to live in the moment and enjoy what we have and where we are now.

It's really a time-management issue.  How much do we pack into each day's schedule?  Can we stop and enjoy each moment?  ...knowing there is something on the stove or a bill that needs to be paid or a permission slip that needs to be signed.  But don't forget that load of towels that needs to be transferred to the dryer.  More important than these is to make sure to capture those memories and grant a smile and hug and love on those little ones as much as they'll let us.  Some are more skilled at this than others - not worrying about the little things that is.  I am a details person so it seems all of the to do's that are yet to be done are crammed into my head, sometimes in list form sometimes in a big nasty mind-boggling pile.  So I've struggled with shuffling things from one pile to the next, putting "home" things in my work back and taking work things to be done at home, thinking that I'm productive but only creating more brain-burning in the end.

Today I'm going to enjoy my kids being home (well 2/3 of them anyway) and take them to one more movie, grab a few snacks to ring in the new year and say "goodbye" to 2011.

Note to self:  we have milk don't forget the toilet paper this time.

Feel better Michael - you have a birthday to celebrate tomorrow.