New Numbers for My Back Pocket

Today is the last day of this birth year for me.  Tomorrow I will be getting a new set of numbers to carry around in my back pocket and call my own.  Yes, tomorrow is my birthday.  Just start the parade now, because it’s going to be a great year.  I have big plans for this year. Nothing that will probably make the local papers or the news ticker that scrolls along the bottom of your TV though.  They are big plans for me however; while I’m on this wonderful adventure we call life. 

I want to start tomorrow with a smile and be joyous about all that I have in my life.  I am so thankful.  I won’t make you read all the things on the list, but they are numerous and I am grateful for them all.  Life is good.

This year I want to stretch my wings and stop holding myself back from trying new things.  I want to take risks.  I am not a risk taker and it can be almost painful to actually step outside of my sometimes very small box and spread my wings.  I can’t keep living like this.  I need to take those leaps of faith into the clouds that carry my dreams everyday.  I need to do instead of dream.  I’ve been stuck in dream mode for a while now and there is no better time than now to “do”.   That’s one of my plans.  Do the dream, and stop dreaming the dream. 


Life is short and we don’t know how long we have here with our family and friends.  I feel that sometimes I’m living in slow motion in my own life.  I procrastinate (yes, I haven’t balanced my checkbook like I said I would a few months ago).  This doesn’t help anyone, namely me.  How can I tell my children to do their homework right as they come in the door from school when I, myself am putting off things I feel are difficult or scary?  I need to work on my follow-through B.I.G. time.   Exercise, my eating habits, my positive attitude (that lacks many days I might add), are just a few that could use some attention in this area. 

Maybe this isn’t the most entertaining read for you, but know that it’s helpful to me to put the words out there.  I have to be accountable if you’re reading them.  Someone else knows.  That’s helpful to me.   I’ve enjoyed the set of numbers I’ve been carrying around in my back pocket this year, and think I might actually enjoy the new set.  Only time will tell. 

Change of Plans

Yesterday was my youngest son’s 10th birthday.  He had friends over on Friday for a sleepover and stayed up too late, had pizza and cheesecake for dessert and overall had a great time.  He has such a wonderful group of friends who are always a joy to have over, which makes saying “yes” to a sleepover so easy.

My sweet 10 year old.

On Sunday, we made Rice Krispie treats together so he could take them as snacks for his class on Monday, his actual birthday.  He melted the butter and stirred in the marshmallows.  I loved watching him stir and tell me, “I don’t need your help, Mom.”  He’s growing up so quickly. We packed them up and set them by his backpack to take to school.

Chipmunk cheeks filled with marshmallows!

Yesterday was his birthday.  This is how he spent most of the morning…an unexpected change of plans.

Home sick on his birthday.

Sick on the couch.  A head cold and fever.  He seemed to take it all in stride however.  Grandma brought him some “medicine” which closely resembled chocolate chip ice cream and I took him to Best Buy in the afternoon to use his gift card on a game he’s been wanting.  This will probably be a day he’ll remember and wanted it to have some “happy” memories from the day and not just of him being sick. 

I tried to get him to close his eyes (don’t dare call it a “nap” when you’re 10!!), but no such luck.

He felt better after dinner, so we watched The Sorcerer’s Apprentice together since he felt better.   Even after missing out on celebrating his birthday at school yesterday he still had a pretty good day…….ice cream, movie, trip to get a new game and popsicles on the couch. I told him that because he was home sick, that actually made his birthday one day longer and will celebrate it at school the next day.  He was thrilled with that.   So, I guess being sick on his birthday wasn’t all bad after all.