Back to life as I know it

Hear that? Neither do I...and it's a wonderful sound. Aidan went back to school today and life, as I know it, returns to what passes for normal in our house. And it is very very good to be in the house by myself.

One day during the holidays, James made a comment about not doing something because he "was on vacation." And all I could think of was, when is my vacation? During the holidays, there is no break for me; in fact, my work load increases. And although it sounds as though I am complaining, I really am not - my life is pretty darn good and I know and appreciate that fact. But when husband and child are home on their holiday, there are still meals to prepare, clothes to wash, cat messes to mop up, rooms to clean...and more obstacles to prevent me from doing those tasks.

So while my glamorous life of a SAHM resumes today, there really won't be much of a celebration; just grocery shopping, laundry and an attempt to improve the sanitation level of our living space. Sounds good to me!

Things I want to do in 2009

As with last year, I am going to create a 'this year I would like to' list - nothing big, just things that are on my mind as needing a change.

In 2009, I would like to:

• Make bagels. This was on my list last year and I never got around to it. I have all the tools, I just need to put my mind to it.
• Organize my recipes. My recipe notebook is stuffed full of newspaper clippings, pages printed off the Internet, and scribbled notes. I need to sort, cull and put them in usable order.
• Get active. This one is another repeat from last year. I loathe exercise but understand that my body and my mind will benefit from regular physical activity.
  
• Stop worrying about making friends here. I have actively - even rather desperately at times - tried to make friends since moving here to Hooterville and I have failed dismally, so maybe if I sit back and stop stressing about it, it will happen naturally...and if it doesn't happen, I won't be any worse off.
• Take more risks, live more spontaneously, and believe in myself more.

Happy new year!