ResoThings

This picture is a couple of years old but it encompasses my New Year's Resolutions. More athletic outings with the fam and friends.

Second to last day of 2008.
Time for the annoying self reflection and declaration of what will come next.

For me, it is all about getting in shape.
Physically, financially and all else that can be shaped up.

The last two years have been filled with graduate school and just kinda getting by. Enjoying it but not in the style I am accustomed to.
But it's been worth it. I love being a teacher. I love everything about it and in the long run there was no other path to take than that of the overworked, overtaxed in every way, student to get to where I am going.

SO, my New Year's Resolutions:

More athletic outings with the family. Back to golf at Diablo, tennis, biking, hiking, swimming at IVSC in the summer and of course dancing, yoga and kick boxing at home.

Get in big time shape. Do a mini triathlon. Join some kind of team: softball most likely or a training group.

Travel: Hawaii to see Vanessa, Georgia to see Andrea, Asa, Chris and the outer banks finally.

An out of town Christmas.

Somehow while doing all this pay down debt that didn't exist two years ago and finish last couple tasks for my credential.

Pray more for the healing of this country, financially, physically and spiritually.

AND finish my BOOK.

See, that's it. That's all.

I'm going to be busy.

Ninth Anniversary of Spinning Around

Tilden Park Merry Go Round is multicultural?

Jake putting together his enons of Christmas present models, planes, etc.
Jake the builder.
Waiting in line for our turn!

Carina read the Grinch, Jake read Twas the Night, complete with librarian style picture viewing. Me thinks we have our Christmas card for next year.

Fab-u Christmas so far.
Sight seeing with the Croker-Berrys in San Francisco in great weather, game night ("Would You Rather," i.e, would you rather walk around on stilts for the rest of your life, or pink roller blades) , walking around Berkeley, buying Cal shirts on sale, shopping for grog for New Year's Eve Bash, sleeping in, hearing the kids play, really enjoying my sonic toothbrush Santa Ron brought me, playing with Hershey the cat, getting excited about the New Year. Visting with my brother and family, hanging with family, just doesn't get any better.
And the ninth anniversary of going to the Tilden Park Christmas Merry Go Round. The first time when Jake was just six months old, spun around in his baby bjorn, eyes wide open. We were just happy he didn't spit up. Still feel the same nine years later.
We've spent most of those merry lit up nights on the carousel with Liz, Stella and family, some of my dearest and oldest friends. Stella is only nine months younger than Jake and adorable. I told her she should come over to play sometime and I would do her hair. It's gorgeous. Girly girl that she is, said with a big smile on her face, "OK!!!" We girls are so easy to please.
Two more days of 2008. It's been a good year, but 2009 is going to be awesome.

Merry Christmas To All

The stockings are hung, the presents are under the tree.
Santa has eaten his cookies, fed the reindeer and left Jake and cousins presents of their goodness.
I find Christmas Eve as magical as any night there is.
We sinners went to church, a lovely service of singing, the story of he who shall be named (Jesus) an amazing harpist and soprano soloist. I'm a fair weather Christian, even though it was stormy tonight and my soul feels whole after church. Especially when I'm accompanied by my family and my beloved cousin Carolyn and her family. Jake sang along to the carols; at Christmas, we know them all, and our new church has gone hi-tech: there are monitors on the columns, so no hymn book was necessary. My hands felt empty, so I held one anyway, even though I read the blessed words, karaoke style. As the church went dark and we lit our candles, I felt the light, I really did. I'm a believer, a believer in all The Light stands for.
We all enjoyed the ancient Christmas ritual and came home to start a new one.
Carina read the Grinch who stole Christmas and Jake read Twas the Night Before Christmas, both well read and well enjoyed. We've spent two lovely Christmas' with them and we'll miss them next year (unless we get to Australia) but we'll read our stories by the fireplace and think of them and all who we love every year.
Cuz that is what Christmas is all about. Love. Faith. Light. And Hope that we will feel this love and joy all year and bring it to others. And those that can't be with us here anymore are up there singing Gloria!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Amen.

Celebrating my Home Girls

Ok, I've been busy.
My apologies to my regular readers.
Life has been going so fast, it's a blur.
Let's just say it's all good.....

But in honor of my homegirls I must blog this before it gets too far away.
Last night was so amazing. I felt like a spoiled princess.
My friends of 30 years plus had our annual Christmas get together, just us girls.

First of all, Mia announces she's picking me up in the limosine she has for the night, a friend's business she's got a line on. No effing way. Yep, I sat in a limo last night and rode backwards there and back.

This year we met at Ingrid's the foodie of our group. She has a lovely little house in Richmond Heights she shares with her new groom of 4 months.
She prepared the most amazing dinner. Seven courses of non stop mouth magic. I swear to God it was better than any SF eatery I've been to in years. Not only was the food amazing, but her house is so warm and inviting and being surrounded by my oldest friends, it's just overwhelming.
I am so blessed to have such strong, funny, sweet, open, wonderful women in my life that love me unconditionally.
And Ingrid's cooking is just icing on the cake. Scuse the pun.

Highlight of the night: our circle of love (don't be a perv)

Truffle oil and sea salt dressing.
The Pinot Gris we drank with the zucchini soup served in acorn squash bowls.
Coffee Liquor Tortoni

Life is good.......
Thank you Ingrid and all my homegirls.
I love you more than carbs!!!