Top Ten Moments

This year wasn't the best year for me.  Actually it was probably one of the worst I've had in a while.  But I've learned that no good comes from dwelling on the bad.  So I've decided to remember the good.  Which is what we should always do anyway.


I'm sure I'll miss something but here it is anyway.

The Top Ten Moments of 2010

*In no particular order

1.  Super Target in Durham, NC.  Does it get any better?  I just really don't think so.  Yes mom, the trip to Duke sucked.   The hotel sucked.  The city sucked.  The people were NOT nice. The roads sucked. Srsly NC.  WTH is up with the roads?!? The appointment sucked.  Even though the doctor was nice.  But the GPS lead us to a Super Target.  So it can't be considered a bust.  Even if it kiiiinda was.  

2.  A long soul healing summer.  With lots of days spent lounging and reading at the pool with V.  And one fateful day at the beach (RIP sunglasses, pump infusion set and top 50 layers of my skin.  You are missed.).  Lots of laughs and lots of peace.

3.  Finding my LONG LOST best friend T on Facebook. See some good comes from the evil beast that is FB.  I'd missed him since he moved away 10 years ago.  I'm glad to have my friend back.  

4.  Nick's flowers.  I'll say it again.  I have NEVER been one for fresh cut flowers (they die and make me sad).  But Nick has made a believer out of me this year.  I love looking at them.  I love smelling them.  And I love seeing him come home with them and that smirk he has when he knows he's done something sweet.  

5.  Sterling.  I am beyond excited that Jason met her.  I've only known her for a short time and I already L.O.V.E. her.  It's about time he found someone who is good and genuine and simply a beautiful person inside and out.  (Dear Jas, Hang on to this one.  love, me)

6.  Wilmington, Savannah, Charleston... you name it.  Going on Spring Break getaways with mom.  Even if I am terrible at planning them and deciding on a destination.  I do love them.

7.  Girl's Nights.  Enough said.  I can not narrow it down to one.  They are all highlights of my year.  I love you girls.

8.  Velcro cat.  Snuggling Murphy.  Goofy and Lick you to Death Kate.  These three make my heart happy.  Every time I see them.  

9. Nick being a weird sleeper.  He talks.  He gets up and turns lights on and off.  He has conversations that make no sense.  He presses down on my chest/stomach (I think he tries to kill me).  It's weird I tell you.  But usually very funny.  If I'm going to be woken up in the middle of the night...at least I get to laugh.  It's also sweet sometimes.  Like that time he put his arm around me, kissed my forehead, took his arm back, patted me on the head then rolled back over and resumed snoring.  

10. Realizing that moving in the right direction doesn't have to be this monumental event.  Slow steps count just as much.  Also, deciding that I definitely don't need everything to be happy.  Life is precious.  It's not perfect.  It's not easy.  It's not always good.   But it's all we have.  And that's enough.


11.  (I know... I said top ten.  So sue me.)  No one broke into my car this year.  *knocks on wood*  Yay!  I guess my new embarrassingly loud car alarm - that likes to go off during thunderstorms - is enough to scare the thieves away.  *knocks on wood again*

Can you narrow down your top ten for 2010?

White Christmas

I've been dreaming of a white Christmas (at home) my whole life.

Happy Dog.

Yes those are snowflakes... not creepy ghost orbs

Our "anonymous" pic.

I forgot I had the camera set to capture the snow falling... not people in the background...

but just LOOK at those snowflakes!

Dreams DO come true!

Velcro Cat

I missed my Thomas last week. Since he is a goober and tends to hide when his kennel comes out, I decided to leave him when I went home last week. When Nick came for the weekend, he also left Thomas behind so he wouldn't have to fight him into his kennel for the car ride.

Well... I was slightly worried that he would be mad at me (this is Thomas we are talking about - he is not your typical cat).

Turns out he's not.

Nick called it on our way home. "He's going to be your Velcro cat. He won't leave your side...even less than he usually does." he says.

Velcro cat huh?

I suppose you might just possibly be right.

What can I say. Thomas has always been my little duckling...

PS - Our Christmas Tree looks awfully sad without the lights on. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to leave it nice and lit up for one more day...

Don't forget

As Christmas approaches and the mad rush for hard to buy gifts or forgotten gifts begins, the frustration, the anxiety, the "now I have buy for this person... just because he/she bought something for me... I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO GET!", the attitude, the frenzy... - take a minute to remember - life is precious. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. So why spend today in a frenzy?

Don't forget to revel in the good things that surround us everyday. The cool breeze, the beautiful sights, the people we love, the warm bed, the fact that we have people in our lives worth fighting the crowds for...

Don't forget that while life isn't always wonderful or fair (trust me, I've already learned this), while some days, weeks, years are just plain hard, while some things that happen don't make sense, and while some people we love and thought we'd never say goodbye to get lost or left behind along the way - don't forget to remember - that life is good. Really good.

There is an awful lot of happiness, love, friendship, families, warm blankets, laughter, dancing like a crazy person around the living room, and good times to be had.

As I was driving home from meeting Nick for lunch and thinking what a beautiful day today turned out to be - I thought of this story:

A Flight of Geese

Yesterday I watched a huge flight of geese winging their way south through one of those panoramic sunsets that color the entire sky for a few moments. I saw them as I leaned against the lion statue in front of the Chicago Art Institute, where I was watching the Christmas shopers hurry along the Michigan Avenue. When I lowered my gaze, I noticed that a bag lady, standing a few feet away, had also been watching the geese. Our eyes met and we smiled - sliently acknowledging the fact that we had shared a marvelous sight, a symbol of the mystery of the struggle to survive. I overheard the lady talking to herself as she shuffled away. Her words, "God spoils me." were startling. Was this lady, this street derelict, being facetious? No. I believe the sight of the geese had shattered, however briefly, the harsh reality of her own struggle. I realized later that moments such as this one sustained her, it was the way she survived the indignity of the street.

Her smile was real. The sight of the geese was her Christmast present.

It was proof God existed. It was all she needed.

I envy her.

*from Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul

And lastly, a few words of wisdom,

Don't forget to do something nice for someone today. Even if it is just a smile or a "have a good day". Because we should "always be nicer than necessary. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle".

and this -

Don't forget that we don't really need to have everything to be happy. At the end of the day, they only thing that really matters who you have standing beside (or behind) you and who is in your heart.

Ok really lastly,

Don't forget to love yourself too. It's easy to love the people around us. Don't forget about you. I know I won't.

At Last...

Christmas Break!!

Woooooooo Hoooooooo!!!

Time to kick back and (*ahhhhhh*) breathe. :)

I'll find something constructive to do... tomorrow.

Breakthrough

Today my Autistic child asked to go to the bathroom.  

Asked. To. Go.

This is me... jumping for joy.

Perhaps this isn't groundbreaking news to you.  

Let me explain.

This child has difficulties with communicating his wants and needs.  If left alone, he will sit and not eat - if he can't open the package.  He will have an accident in his pants - if he can't hold it any longer.  He will wear his coat all day - if he can't get the zipper unzipped.  He will walk around with his shoes falling off - if they become untied.  He will go to the bathroom (if I asked him to go in there) and come back out without going - if he can't unbutton his pants.  This is all because he has a hard time communicating to someone that he needs something.  

So I've become extremely observant - but instead of just doing it for him - I've made him ask me for help.  Even if it means I say:  "Do you need me to open your milk?  Okay ask me:  Will you please open my milk... Will you please unzip my coat... Will you tie my shoe..." and he repeats it back to me.  I think this has helped.  

We've been in school for 81 days.  Since the beginning of the year he now (sometimes with my prompting, sometimes without):  asks me to tie his shoes, asks me to help him out of his coat and asks me to open his milk.  We are still working on asking for help with food and asking to get water or go to the bathroom.  

I've been asking him everyday (a few times a day as well as the other kids in the class so no one notices that I always ask him) if he needs to go to the bathroom.  He almost always says no.  But once he did go when I asked him.  

Fast forward to today... he asked me (without any prompting on my end).  Not only did he decide that he needed to go to the bathroom, but he also decided that he could ask me to go(!!).    

Maybe this still doesn't seem like a big deal to you.  But trust me.  This is BIG.  

*proud mama*  

Today may have been CrAzY with a capital K!  The kids may be just as ready for break as I am.  They may be climbing and hanging from the rafters. 

But today was good.  

Because we took another step forward.  

And maybe, just maybe that's all anyone needs for a day to be good and considered a success.  

Just one step in the forward direction.  

this cat

will sleep anywhere... srsly.

Must be nice.

'Tis the Season

It's always interesting with this cat around...

Oh my Jesus...

Especially when ribbon and paper is involved.

*ribbon stalking*

It's an acquired skill. Don't Hate.

It's exhausting ... being Thomas.

This is for you Sterling

I added one...ONE Christmas song.

:)

And I suppose you're right. It's not too bad.

I might add another...

weekend LOL catz

I KNOW! It's been a while...

ur kissez iz messin up mah fayce

but that's ok.

*love*

A Good Question

Me?

I'd probably write the book series that defines the next generation and be the next J.K. Rowling.

With the millions I'd make from being the mastermind behind the next worldwide phenomenon, I'd travel the world. Spend at least one day in each state. Spend at least a week in every big city around the world.

With all the spare time I'd have (since I'd no longer have to work) I'd cure a few diseases.

Oh yeah, and I'd find a solution for the world so that we can all live comfortably, peacefully and coexist.

And yes, I'd do this with Nick and a few children in tow.

Is that thinking/dreaming big enough? :)

But at the very least - I'd write the next masterpiece. That's not too much to ask for.

What would you do?

is it sad

that I am super excited for this weekend because I am pulling out all the Christmas and winter decorations to put up?

I don't think so.