Welcome 2013, let's do this!

Happy New Year!  I don't know about you but I am thrilled that 2012 has ended.  It was not the worst year of my life but by far not my best.  I love the start of a new year, a new calendar, new journal ... starting fresh is quite appealing to me.  

I had a fabulous Christmas week in Lake Tahoe, The Ritz Carlton was amazing.  I did not have such a nice time attempting to snowboard for the first time.  It is much harder than it looks.  Who knew?  I think that the majority of my issue was the amount of snow that Tahoe received our first two days there but I could be mistaken. Needless to say, I spent more time relaxing, visiting the casinos, shopping, eating, drinking and being merry.

 
When I returned, I had Christmas with The Kidlet which is my absolute favorite.  I love seeing her face when I can actually surprise her.  I suppose that it helps when the surprise is the new iPad but I like to think that I had something to do with the smile on her face.

She is back at school and in full force with her Battle of the Books team (first competition is tomorrow) and basketball halftime performance this weekend.  If I could just get her off of the idea of horseback riding lessons, I would be thrilled (but just like me, once she gets something stuck in her head ...)

I feel good about this year.  Forget about the past and look forward to the future is my motto. We all make choices in our lives, it is living with them that is difficult but more importantly we learn something from the experience.

Ching ching to the New Year and I wish you all health, wealth and most of all happiness!

Love,
Kim

Letter to Santa (a week and a few days late)

Dear Santa,

Instead of writing a letter filled with "I want(s) ...", I have decided to tell you what I am thankful for during this last quite bumpy year.  I know this is likely a shock to you as I have been quite lengthy in my past letters to you.

I am first and foremost thankful for the health and well being of The Kidlet.  While she can be a total pain in the ass at times, she is a pretty good kid.  I am so proud of how she has grown over the last year (and I don't mean physically because I am not thankful for that or the money that has been spent on the constant parade of new clothes/shoes that enter my home).  She is so smart and driven.  She is not scared to try new things and she has a very good heart.  Over the last few months she has matured quite a bit, declaring some independence has been good for us both.  I am so proud of her.

I am thankful for my own health and ability to think for myself.

I am thankful to such a fantastic group of friends.  I have reconnected with several that I had lost touch with over the last few years and it has been absolutely amazing to have them back in my life.

I am thankful for my small but strong family.  I lost my grandfather and an aunt this past year and it has been difficult but they are both in a better place with better people (my father and brother) and they are no longer in pain.

I am thankful for my job.

I am thankful that I have strengthened my spirituality.  Now don't think that I am standing on the street corner, screaming bible versus at passerbys holding live snakes in my hands with burning crosses behind me.  But, I have been reading Jesus Calling devotionals for almost a year and I love it!

Santa, I feel really strong right now.  It has been a while since I have felt this solid and I like it ... a lot.  This Christmas my wish is continue on this path and be the best mother, friend, daughter, employee, person that I can be and that all haters, "suck it".

And, thank you Santa for being a constant fantasy for me in between relationships.  Stay studly!

Kim