My kind of town, Chicago
So this is what Chicago looked like the last time I was there in the winter, it was Christmas 2005. They got a ridiculous amount of snow and the whole city was paralyzed for days, I vowed never to go back in the winter. But, here I go. The draw of 4 days in the city with NO kids is even stronger than the scare of 2 feet of snow. I mean really, what are the chances? I better check the weather report, be right back...CRAP! it's calling for snow. Still, Chicago with just me and my hubby, it's worth it. Hubby will be working two of the four days so I am on my own. The Art Institute and shopping in Buck town are calling my name plus lunch with a dear old high school friend that I have not seen in years. And, of course, drinks and dancing at the Green Mill.
On top of all this, we get to spend a couple of days in Wisconsin with my in-laws. Our timing couldn't be better, the Packers are playing the Bears in some playoff game so my husband is thrilled to be able to share this with his family. It will be ugly if the Packers don't win but we must have faith. A football fan I am not, being from Detroit, hockey is my sport. "Let's go, Red Wings".
A full vacation report to follow...
Resolutions
According to the "experts" many of us have given up on our resolutions already, and 80% will have given up by the end of this month. I have figured out a way to beat the odds...I didn't start my resolutions until today. This means that I have a 10 day jump on the rest of you. The truth is, I've had a house guest for the past three weeks so I'm getting a rather slow start to 2011. It figures, I'm late for everything. What does this say about the rest of the year? One of my resolutions was to stop procrastinating, but if I can't even start the year on time there is not much hope for that one sticking. Like most Americans I have the usual items to eat better and hit the gym more often. It's day one and I had a healthy breakfast and I'm off to the gym in 45 minutes, doing good there.
But I also want to do something to expand my horizons a bit, something fun and just for me. I'm thinking maybe a photography class or pottery or maybe even painting. I've done some really basic photography classes in the past and really enjoyed it and I took a couple of pottery classes years ago and still have a couple of pitchers that I use but painting is something I have never done but have always been interested in learning. My goal is to figure it out and get signed up for something this week. I'll keep you posted as to what I settle on.
Cheers to a fantastic 2011!
Happiness Is...
With everyone telling you "Happy Holidays", "Happy Chanukah" "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year", it got me to thinking, what is being "Happy" and am I? Sure, getting sparkly 
new earrings or a shiny new car, makes me happy, but I have yet to figure out how to do that everyday and not end up in the poor house. Sustaining this happiness throughout the year, on just a random Tuesday, isn't that what we are all striving for? It seems to me the answer is but a cliché, "happiness is in the small things". Happiness is not a place we strive for or arrive at, it's simply a matter of slowing down and enjoying the things that do make you happy, they are right there every day. When I first sat down to right this post I thought I would have a hard time coming up with 3-4 to share, but once I started to write, more kept popping into my head. So here is my challenge to you, stop for a moment and think about what makes you happy, post a few in the comments section below. I look forward to reading what makes you happy. Here are a few of mine:
A hot-pot of coffee, ready before I get out of bed in the morning. The smell and look of a freshly mown lawn. Early Sunday mornings while the house is still quiet. A good book, and nothing to do for an afternoon but grab a blanket, curl up on the couch and read. A big bowl full of lemons, they are so fresh smelling and happy looking. A decorated Christmas tree with presents beneath, it almost makes me sad to open all those pretty wrapped packages, almost. The sound of my daughter singing, or saying "I missed you Mommy", or pretty much anything she does. My electric blanket. Dinner and a bottle of wine with good company. Christmas music.
I could go on and on. Once you stop and think about what it is, they just keep coming. Oh, and by the way...Have a Merry Christmas.