Happy New Year!!

 Welcome 2011!!

I hope you all had a safe and wonderful start to the New Year, so far!! How did you all “Ring In The New Year”?!?!? Did attend a friend’s party? Or did you all cuddle at home with family and watch a movie?

Since it was yearend at work, I ended up having to work late. So, “Papa Bear” and I just had a quick dinner (which BTW, thanks for making pumpkin!), ran to Target and then come home cuddled up and watched a movie.  Unfortunately, I think I was sleeping by 9:30…HA!!

At work, we did have a “Snack Day” to welcome in the New Year. And possibly for the fear that we were going to have to pull an all-nighter. HA!! So, I decided to bring my ‘Sausage Enchilada Dip’. 

Speaking of welcoming in the New Year…I am SO ready for 2011!! Like many of you, our family has experienced both good and bad in the year 2010. But since trying to maintain a positive and upbeat attitude is one of my 2011 Resolutions, my hopes for the New Year are nothing but good.

Speaking of New Years Resolutions…mine for this year are based around the FIVE F’s :

FAITH…

FAMILY…

FRIENDS…

FINANCES…

and lastly FITNESS…

 ~FAITH~ In 2010 my family and I starting going to church. This has to be one of my favorite things that has happened to our family in this past year. And in 2011, I can’t wait to see how our journey in our faith will grow. Not only do I want to try to make sure we attend church regularly, I would also like to get involved more in church activities/committees, etc.

~FAMILY~ As some of you may know from reading my last few posts,  in the month of December our family lost TWO precious loved ones. So, this has put so many things into prospective in the past few weeks. Not that family hasn’t always been important to me…but in 2011, I am going to make a more conscience effort to spend more QT with my loved ones…and start treating them with the “Golden Rules”.

~FRIENDS~ This resolution kinda goes hand in hand with my previous resolution. As many of you know, good friends are hard to come by. And whenever you find one, you generally love them like they are family. So, in my opinion…the same “rules” should imply. And with that being said, Blogging is going to be a bigger part of my life this year. I truly do enjoy it. I love getting a peak into so many of your lives. I love finding new recipes and decorating ideas. And like many of you, I have made some wonderful friends thru my blog.

~FINANCES~ I think this one is pretty self-explanatory…I think we all have been hit hard in these trying times. And it has made me realize how desperately I would love to be out of debt.

~FITNESS~ I know this resolution is usually this first resolution that is broken….well at least in this house. HA!! I would really like to try to stick with this one this year. As “Papa Bear” and I FASTLY approach the age of 40, I would love to see us take our health a little bit more seriously. Both our physical and emotional health… 

So, in saying all of this…I hope that 2010 was good to you all. And I hope that 2011 is EVERYTHING you want it to be….GOD BLESS!!

BIG Hugs!! Carrie

One, Two, Three Strikes Your Out!!!!!

***WARNING WHINY POST***But ALL comments and advice welcomed!!

Ok, Ok...I PROMISED myself this year was "our year". It is supposed to be my family's year of positive changes. Fresh new starts, fresh new additudes!! So I hate to admit this, but so far I am not convinced it is (or will be). Well, at least not after today....

It started off OK, I guess. A typical work day. But shortly after arriving to work today, I received an email from my boss regarding an error made on my part last week. Of course, I think it is a "silly" error. But WHAT.EVER!!!! An error is an error, none the less!! Of course after he originally asked me about it he started joking with me to "get my boxes ready", etc.

I know he was trying to make light of the situation, but the error was and still is bothering me. I am literally still sitting here (hours later, I might add) with a knot in my stomach. You see, I am not sure who is all aware of the error and I guess I am afraid that management may call me in on it whenever they all get back from vacation on Monday. Of course, my boss said nothing to this effect but being the paranoid loony bird I can be sometimes, I am worried!!

Not that I think I will lose my job but in this day and age you never know. And I have been there to long to try to start over now!! But I think what is really sad about all of this is, that I wish I wouldn't have to work!! And that if or when they call me in on it I could just tell them where to shove their job. You know just like the songs goes...'take this job and shove it!!' I know this doesn't make much sense does it!?!?! I hate my job, but I am afraid to lose it!!

But you see, due to unforseen circumstances (my husband being injured at work and having to be on Workmen's Compensation for almost the past 6 years)I was the only one working up until about 3 months ago. So, I am the sole provider of our family's Medical / Dental insurance...so even though I long EVERYDAY to be a stay at home Mom, it just isn't possible at the moment. So needless to say, I REALLY need my job!! So, please pray for me that this little "mistake" will all blow over!!

There was STRIKE ONE against the new year. Not to big of a deal right!?!?!?

Now on to STRIKE TWO...

So, around 12:00pm I am sitting at my desk trying to recover from STRIKE ONE and my phone rings. It is my my 17 YO daughter "Miss Priss" calling to tell me that she thinks that my 15 YO son "Muscles" has broken his ankle. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME!?!?!?!? You see, what I left out regarding hubby's "Big Daddy's" accident at work is that he had his ankle and leg crushed at work. So for the last 6 or so years he has endured 16 surgeries (one being a complete ankle fusion) and still needs at least two more (knee replacements) and is still not much better. So of all bones for "Muscles" to break his ankle was the LAST one I wanted to hear!! But guess what....after HOURS in the ER, it is definitely broke and he sees the Orthopetic Surgeon on Monday!!

Yipee...STRIKE TWO!!

So now, as I am sitting here typing this, I have to wonder when will STRIKE THREE happen!! When will the next ball drop!! I just have to wonder no matter how much I pray and try to stay positive...is this really going to be "our year"!?!?!? Because quite frankly, with all of "Big Daddy's" surgeries, the passing of my MIL, the heartache and depression that both of these brought into our home and other obstacles this family has had endure in 2008, I am not sure how much more heartache this family can handle in 2009!!

I know, I know. I can't look at things this way. But it is SO hard sometimes to stay upbeat and positive. Especially when others around you aren't. So in saying all of this...tomorrow is a new day. A day of fresh start, new beginnings. Let's just cross our fingers that it won't include any errors at work (espically since I am off!! LOL!!) or broken ankles!!

Anyway, on a lighter note...tomorrow is my cousin's wedding. Which should be a lot of fun!! But I guess with "Muscles" ankle and "Big Daddy" not feeling well, it will be just me and "Miss Priss" going. A Girl's Night!! Maybe just what the doctored ordered!!

New Year's Resolutions

I was sitting here thinking about the New Year and all of the possibilities when I came acrossed this very fitting post by Kathi over at Tales From The Homefront

It was written by Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.


She says it is the most requested column she'd ever written and it was rerun in honor of her 90th Birthday. I'd say she's got a lot of wisdom to impart.


45 Lessons Life Taught Me

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.


2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.


3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.


4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


5. Pay off your credit cards every month.


6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.


7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.


8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.


9. Save for retirement early starting with your first paycheck.


10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.


11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.


12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.


13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.


14. If a relationship has to be secret, you shouldn't be in it.


15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.


16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.


17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.


18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.


19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.


20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.


21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.


22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.


23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.


24. The most important sex organ is the brain.


25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.


26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, "In five years, will this matter?"


27. Always choose life.


28. Forgive everyone everything.


29. What other people think of you is none of your business.


30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.


31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.


32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.


33. Believe in miracles.


34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.


35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.


36. Growing old beats the alternative.


37. Your children only get one childhood. Make it memorable.


38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.


39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.


40. If we threw all our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.


41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.


42. The best is yet to come.


43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.


44. Yield.


45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

In case I don't get back to you....have a safe and wonderful New Year!!