Last Year a Blur...

2011? Where did 2010 go? As I am sitting here writing again for the first time in forever I realize this whole year seems to have been this way. I blink and another month has flown by! I don't know why this year is so different and why it seems to have gone so fast. Is it because my youngest is in school (PT time as it may be, it's still Kindergarten!) and he has more to do which adds to my already long list of things to do with my older two? Is it because on top of being a pilot, which takes him away from home for days at a time, my husband is now also a volunteer fire fighter so our days are always filled with the "be ready to run out the door at any moment" lifestyle? Is it because I am now on two boards and chair a few school events and desperately trying to get into more of a workout routine that I am was also personally busier this past year? Or maybe my time management skills have just flown out the window!

Well I don't think it's the last one because, except for a few Christmas cards I got everything done last year on time (if there was a deadline) or at least by my own personal deadline. I am so glad that I don't have to work outside the home full time that I am able to do the things I do. It is worth every sacrifice we make in order to do this, and I personally don't think we have to sacrifice a lot. So we drive older cars. They still are safe, run good and we take care of them so they're not rusty old prices of crap to look at. We don't go on vacations every year, but we do go to a cabin a lot (my brother-in-laws) which in itself can be like a vacation. I don't have a lot of "real" jewelry, but I like my Premier jewelry just as much, if not more because I don't have to "worry" about it as it if were real. Most importantly our kids get to do things and be in activites that they want so I think things are perfect!

As I wrote on my Facebook page the other day I have a New Year's resolution. Now don't laugh or judge because it's not the usual "I want to lose 20 pounds," (which of course I do but that's beside the point), it's more profound and reflective than that. Here's what I said:

Keep what's important front & center, let go things that are not; make sure those that are important know they are; make new friends and keep old ones close and remember in making yourself happy you also make your relationships happier and stronger in the end as those who are truly your friends will want that for you.

Sadly shortly after writing this a dear old friend of mine told me she was separating from her husband. So I made sure she knew how I cared about her, was here for her and will help her with whatever she decided will be the right path for her to take. Then I felt even worse as I found myself thanking God that I had such a great relationship and wasn't having to go through that myself...does that make me a bad person? No, I think it makes me human. And this is the first New Year's resolution that Ive made that I am going to seriously and with every ounce of effort try and see this through. Every time I find myself pulled into drama that is unneeded and unnecessary I am going to try and step back from it. Now that doesn't mean I won't listen to the drama as I can't shut it out completely, as it is all around me, but I am going to try really hard to not fuel the fire of the drama so that it grows into a saga. Don't need any "never ending stories."

So as I leave tonight's blog it is with my thought for the day; don't stir the pot. And if need be, take the spoon out of someone else's hand who is as it will only benefit both of you in the end.

Wow the time is just flying by this summer but in good way. I have been so busy this summer that I didn't even get any annuals planted and those with him in Chicago on one of his long lay-overs. that know my well are still shocked by this! I thought being married to a pilot was busy, add to that a fireman and whoa, you could keep yourself busy all the time. Of course I am one of those people that joins every group possible when confronted with something interesting so that could be part of it.

My hubby finally had a set schedule in July so I was able to plan a rendezvous Besides having mechanicals and getting stuck forever trying to get home it was so much fun. Getting to meet and hang out with his crew (who were all really nice and fun to be with, of course being the captains wife they may have been extra nice...lol). I finally got the taste the world famous Gino's Pizza and it was well worth the life-passing-before-my-eyes cab ride to get there. And you thought cabbies only drove crazy in the movies...ha!

My latest conquer is now starting (or re-starting) the fire auxiliary for my hubbies unit. This is really exciting for me because as a pilot's wife there's only so much you can be a part of but this, you can be right in the action without being right in the action so I am totally psyched. Plus I can now see first hand how it really works and once the kids are a little bigger I may just want to be a fire fighter too and show those boys a thing or two...I love doing that! ;0)

So we recently went around to the national night out parties and that was a lot of fun. Seeing all the kids faces light up when that bug fire truck pulls around the corner is priceless! And the police department is sponsoring a family fun night-out at the fire station so there will be all kinds of great stuff to do and me and my new camera will be going crazy! Get to dunk the chief in the dunk tank too (along with the hubby)...good times!

Hopefully I will get to return and post more frequently but only time will tell! Until then, peace and happiness to all!

Wow - where's the last few months go?

It seems like forever since I've added my two cents...so long that it is now probably almost up to a dime now!...It seems like every time I turn around things are getting busier, but that's what I seem to thrive on. I have joined the ranks of my local city's Park Board so that adds a few meetings and the like here and there on top of just running a household of 5 where one of the grown-ups is either gone at work for days at a time, helping friends or fighting fires, etc. But I wouldn't have it any other way...though it would be nice to have a few more dollars rolling in which is why I am now also on the prowl for a home-friendly part-time job so wish me luck!

May is just a blur already and it's almost half over. With all the family birthdays (even starting end of April with hubbies) 2 of my nieces, my mom, my step-dad, my sister-in-law, my daughter and even me turn another year older this month. Good thing we don't do a big gift exchange or I'd me more broke than at Christmas time! We have a family reunion (his dad's side) at the end of the month too but that's always a blast as his family is fun to hang around with. And we go up to the cabin and just chill for a long memorial weekend so it's perfect! This year the water may even be a little warmer with that hot April we had, though most didn't care last year and still went skiing and swimming, not me though, I need warm water in my old age!

We're getting more involved with the community/fire department stuff/school too and that feels really good to do something on that level. I think it teaches the kids some good values as well. They came and helped when we assisted the Lions with tearing down and re-building their park, which is down the road from our house so we utilize it anyway. I think they'll take more ownership it in now and help keep it nice, though as of now my kids don't seem to be, or haven't been, the vandalizing kind and they'd BETTER NOT EVER BE!

One note of personal frustration has been my weight, as usual for most women. I have been eating better and working out more regularly than ever the past few months and it is a little frustrating with how slow it's going, but I am, admittedly, impatient in many aspects so I know I have to just suck it up and keep plugging away. People have started to notice and the clothes are fitting better so it must be doing a little something - except that baby pouch may be my nemesis for a while to come, at least until I have that tummy tuck ;0)

Well off to enjoy this finally sunny string of days and as the weather continues I'll admittedly not be on as much for those pining away for the next story, I'll do my best!