Good Bye 2011, Hello 2012

I don't mind seeing 2011 go. Below are the few pros from the year and the many cons:

Pro's from 2011

• Gabe started college for his bachelor's degree in March
• I was asked to be on the Ball Committee for my Mardi Gras society
• I returned to The SSI Group in November
• I am not a surgery candidate for my herniated discs at this time
• We had a wonderful family vacation to Disney in December with my parents

Con's from 2011

• Liberty had ankle surgery in June
• Gabe had stitches in August
• Our rental property was vacant July-Novemeber
• My pain returned at an all time high in August
• My Mom had neck surgery for a herniated disc on October 14 and that same day I found out I had a third herniation
• I was miserable at ITT Tech until I left at the end of October
• At the end of November I found out that the bulk of my pain is from arthritis in my neck and I was also diagnosed with occipital neuralgia
• My medications started making me ill in December so I am no longer on them
• I gained back all the weight I lost in 2010 and found some more since I have not been active due to the amount of pain I'm in

I have decided that this year I am not making any resolutions. I don't want to be disappointed in myself. Instead, I have a list of things I want to do in this new year to make things better and there are things I'm looking forward to. This year Liberty turns 10 in March. I cannot believe my baby will be 10. Time is flying by and she's growing into such a confident, smart young lady. We are so proud of her. Gabe and I will be married 15 years in June. This makes me extremely happy. I don't know where I would be without him as my rock, support, and strength. He has really stepped up this past year with everything that happened. He's an amazing husband and father. I'm so blessed to have him.

Things to accomplish in 2012

• Get the house organized and keep it that way
• Become active, as the doctors allow, to feel better about myself
• Drink more water
• Eat healthier
• Find non-medical ways to deal with the pain (meditation,etc.)
• Read at least 2 books a month
• Start sewing again and teach Liberty how to sew
• Get the pool in order so we can enjoy the backyard this summer
• Have a monthly dinner party at the house since New Year's Eve was so much fun
• Blog more often

It's a start. Since it's a list, I can always add and remove as needed. I know that getting things out in words will help me out as well.

Happy New Year! I plan on making 2012 a year to remember.

The Start to a New Year

It's a new year! It's time to say good bye to 2010 and look forward to all that 2011 has to offer. Some things I did right today. I spent the day with family. We celebrated Christmas late with my in-laws this year. The kids had a great day together. It was wonderful. We then spent a few hours with a good friend from high school and his parents. I tracked my calories using My Fitness Pal. I plan on using this site and phone app this year to help me focus on what I'm putting into my body. I even got my hubby to the add the Android app to his phone.

Others things I did wrong today. I didn't exercise today. I didn't eat right. I didn't have enough water. I know I have to take it one day at a time and that each day I can improve.

I have to remember that I have just been sick and I'm still recovering from that. I don't need to over do anything and make myself sick again.

I've started reading a lot again. I'm really enjoying my Amazon Kindle that my parents gave me for my birthday. I'm currently reading the first Percy Jackson book: The Lightning Thief. So far I'm enjoying the story of Percy and how he's learning about being a half-blood: one parent is a mortal and the other is a Greek god or goddess. I see where the stories could help children be interested in learning about mythology. I haven't seen the movie yet so I'll wait until I finish the book.

I hope that everyone has a great 2011. Remember what's important each day. It's the small moments with family that become memories that matter. If something doesn't go right or you stray from what you wanted to do, tomorrow is a new day.

My resolutions this year are to focus on the things that matter most: family, friends, and making memories of this wonderful life I have been given. I'm going to try not to stress out about the small things. I hope to have a prosperous year at my new job. I hope to continue building the healthy habits I started in 2010 when it comes to diet and exercise. I need to especially keep with the excercise to improve me health.