January

Well as aforementioned it is January. January is the month that sparks hope for the coming year and angst at the coming weather, at least in this neck of the woods. Being in the midst of this schizophrenic winter freeze and thaw has me feeling somewhat similar. I revel in the luxury of a couch potato existence yet other days nothing will settle me enough to sit still. My son's cold was the perfect excuse to play hooky from the shop and read my spooky book all day. The very next day had us up early buying old junk for the store which of course set my brain buzzing with new ideas etc. etc. Due to our lack of snow accumulation this winter my fellow midwesterners appear to be like squirrels in the middle of the road, running back and forth, perpetually confused. Not enough snow to ski or sled, too cold to play outside, what to do, what to do? I have now taken my 3 year old ice skating 3 times to no avail. He is just not ready and refuses to even try to stand up so my best intentions go down the toilet along with my admission, skate rental fee, and patience. My husband and I take turns whizzing around the rink so our afternoon doesn't seem a total waste of time. Hot chocolate doesn't even help because than my dear one just cries and complains "it's too hot, it's too hot" even with 89 icecubes in his tiny styrofoam cup. Ugh. I am also getting tired of spending my hard earned pennies(it is January)at the neighborhood coffee shop. Don't get me wrong, I love our little local place, there is no need to go across the street to the commercial establishment, but vegan pastries and large mochas add up. Somehow I always feel less guilty eating the vegan fare, but probably shouldn't hold out hope that they are less fattening. Who cares anyway, it's winter, let's get fat. Seriously though, that is my other problem, exercise,just can't seem to get motivated. Thankfully I am busy enough to not worry, but in a few months we will all be running around half naked and I would like my junk to just not shake as much. Well I will get serious in February. February we should have snow.  February is when I have my ski plans, that is if my friend can fit into her ski pants. Every year we hold our breath to get the snap shut and shuffle out to the slopes, buzzed on cold air, companionship, and margaritas. Yes, even in the dead of winter a margarita can solve all your problems. For now though it is time to get my wild child in bed, turn off those insufferable preschool cartoons, and run for the wine bottle and my robe. Ah yes, winter, back to my couch. Good night world.

moving on

Well here we are, January. It is cold, windy and snowy and I opted to sit this day out, well at least until work tonight. Tonight will be the night I say goodbye to our chef, my boss(well at least he thinks so), and my dear friend. After 12 years together he is moving on to greener pastures, lucky bastard! Life as coworkers in a restaurant makes for some tedious relationships yet the two of us have held strong. We have dealt with each other's strange quirks and many different attitudes. Many a time our two big personalities would do battle, but always ended with us dancing in the kitchen while our coworkers glared at our spectacle. Tonight is the last night I will hear his big mouth yelling from the kitchen or hear the knife slam on the steel table or witness his true wrath as a server screws up again(those are always fun). Well it's certainly going to be a quiet kitchen after he leaves, I can tell you that! From this day forth I have to stand on my own for my partner in crime is moving on. Who can I torment now?! All this talk about moving on makes me dwell on future possiblilites as well. I feel the gears have started on big changes in our life and it is impossible to stop them. So much hope overwhelms me. So as not to feel as such, I am content to stay cozy inside until the time comes when my friend and I have our last dance.I love you Tony, you will be missed. Good afternoon world.

happy new year

As I settle in my chair to write,I am comforted by the sound of my husband and child happily chatting as they prepare dinner. My little family all tucked in protected by a fresh fall of snow. Happy new year to us.What beautiful reasons to be grateful. This past holiday season flew by in a blur of overindulgence. Business was booming so this broad worked continuously, well except for my last minute getaway to the sunshine state to visit a favorite friend. Three days of glorious sunshine had me feeling like the cat that ate the canary! Lounging in a beach chair, skin midwest white waiting to be kissed by a little southern sun, was positively dreamy. Another favorite moment was drinks on the dock of Alice's canal. Mullet jumping and birds in the mangroves were our only entertainment. Aah, Florida, to smell it is to know it. Nothing can compare to that smell of warm salt air and sun. Leaving was bittersweet for I was anxious to get back to Christmas land yet hated to leave my friend. Cold weather and endless Christmas preparations awaited my return. Who am I kidding, I love that stuff! Sneaking away to Florida just made Christmas even better. I was relaxed and ready to tackle the next two weeks. Working and cooking and eating and shopping and drinking consumed those 14 days. Presents were unwrapped in a flash of shiny paper. Meals and countless cookies were consumed with vigor. Christmas day had us in couch comas until it was time to start up again at dinner. More family, more presents, you know, the usual. So now it is over. Tomorrow starts the diet, the decoration deconstruction, smaller deposits at the bank, yes, reality. As we know I'm not much for that, but this year bring it on. I'm ready to charge forward and take this year by the..well, you know. I am determined to stare down all the coming changes and challenges rather than cower and complain. I know as long as I have my little family waiting for me, anything is possible. Happy New Year world.