Tiny Promises

November 8, 2010 SimpleSugar

My cheeks are still tingling from being out in the night.  Tonight I promised myself two things: that I would throw out any remaining Halloween candy (the kids don’t need it any more than I do, between their teeth and my waistline), and that I would go outside for a run/walk.  After dinner, I bagged the candy and took it right out to the trash bins before I headed out into the night.

The night was crisp. The air was filled with the scent of dry leaves, my breath billowed as I tried to keep up with the dog.  I sprinted, over and over, walking in between bursts of energy, and as I arrived at my friends house to walk with her, I looked up at the sky and said a quiet thank you.

My insistent dog pulled us into downtown, and stopped dead at every post, tree and fire hydrant.  You know how it goes. It was comical and we talked and laughed all the way to the drug store and back, our hands snug in our mittens, perfectly content in the now.  Three quarters of an hour passed easily.

As we parted ways and I started into a sprint again, I realized that I don’t often walk when I’m alone and outside.  I run. I sprint.  I bolt into energy I’m grateful to have.

As I rounded the corner onto my street, I slowed to a walk.  I forced myself to drink the cool air into my lungs.

Once again I looked up at the sky and said another quiet thank you.

I need to make more tiny promises to myself like this.

New Year Un-Resolutions

January 1, 2010 I'm a Tool.,SimpleSugar,There are other people besides me?

And it’s true, I do have enough shit to do this year.  I have about 2 months to complete the 7 high school courses I wanted to upgrade before University, so they will count toward my application.  I have a plate FULL of work to complete in the next two weeks, I have a bet going with Avitable to lose the highest percentage of body weight before February 1st, and yanno, kids and a house and a dog and all that stuff.

Busy is an understatement.

So rather than make unrealistic goals for myself, I’m setting a daily schedule, trying to follow it the best I can, but better yet, I’m not going to stress as much when the train goes off the rails, as it typically does in a mother’s life.

My un-resolutions will include:

1) I will no longer beat myself up about my body.  I’ll try my best every day but if a piece bar of chocolate happens to fall down my throat, I will swallow it with confidence and no regret.  Just no more, “Hey Fatty McFatterson why don’t you drive through McDonald’s ONE MORE TIME so you can pop that bellybutton right off your muffintop?” every time I spot myself in the mirror.  Besides, that’s a really long thing to say to yourself when you spend as much time in front of a mirror as I do.

2) Rather than vow get active every day (which really is a goal for me), I vow to leave home every day in workout clothes. If I happen to go shopping in my Her Shapely Yoga Pants rather than hit the gym, I will see that as walking and possibly bending to check out good deals.  Don’t look at my hair if you see me, mmmkay?

3) I will no longer spend money on frivolous things I won’t wear or use, just because they’re on sale. 2010 will be the Year of the Savings Account.  The family can put on sweaters and I’m sure I can suck the wifi from my neighbours.  3 square meals a day?  No way kids, we’re SAVING MONEY. Here’s your toast.

4) To plow through all these high school courses, I’m going to need help.  The only way I can juggle this much work along with my regular gigs is to forfeit sleep.  This is where you come in.  I need everyone to write to Starbucks and let them know we need a store here in Nowhere, Ontario.  Sure there’s one about 25 minutes away, but that’s 50 minutes out of my day I could be drinking studying.  There’s an empty lot right next to my house and they could build there and just pass me a Grande Caramel Macchiato through my bathroom window every morning.  That wouldn’t be awkward at all.  Also, this neighbour means easy free WiFi.  FTW!

2010: The Year of the Un-Resolution.  Yoga Pants, free WiFi, No Sleep ’till Nursing School!  It’s enough to make a girl giddy.

Grateful

December 31, 2009 SimpleSugar

Last night Thomas and I read The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings. He was very intrigued by the story and I think he realized just how lucky he is to have the life that he does.

This morning he woke up and wrote out all the things he was thankful for.

It reads Thomas’ Blessings up the side and the list is:

1. Ruffy
2. DS
3. DS Stuff (his case that Daddy bought him yesterday)
4. Mom
5. Dad
6. Blankets
7. Stuffed Animals
8. DS Case (again – I guess he is really thankful for that)
9. Pillow
10. Computer
11. Dylan (I hope this is no particular order)
12. I love Christmas Tree!!!!

The list was adorable and he was very enthusiastic about writing this stuff out at 7:30 this morning.  Then he taught me how to play Mario on his DS.

So what am I thankful for?

In no particular order:

Our family has a lot to be thankful for.  We had a great 2009 and I’m grateful to be part of a healthy, loving family, both immediate and extended on both sides.

Here’s to an equally amazing 2010.  Now where’s that DS?  I think I’m addicted.

Happy New Year, friends.  What are you grateful for?