New Years Eve

It has been way too long since I have updated this! We had a wonderful Christmas, spent in New York with Julie, Pete, Lily and Mia. It was a perfect holiday, we went to Julie's church on Christmas Eve, which was Lily and Mia's fist time at church and first blessing. We spent time with all of Pete's family and enjoyed their Christmas customs. It was hard to come back home, but I knew it was time.

With 2006 coming to an end, I have been thinking about all the year has brought. Of course, most important is Lily and Mia. 2006 brought healthy babies to Julie and Pete, making me a proud aunt.

2006 was an important year for me. It seems most of my life I have just 'gone with the flow'. This year I had some decisions to make and situations to handle. This was definately the year I 'grew up'. When I was unhappy with Ali's old preschool, I had to deal with it. I had to make complaints, talk to people and decide what was best for my child. I ended up having to find a new preschool, luckily I went into this search much more prepared. At work I had to learn to balance my caring for my students with my job, which is to educate them in ELA, and then leave it all at the door when I head home.

This year I learned that I like perfume. I never wore perfume. I guess I never tried to find one I liked. Will always hated perfume (make-up too) so I never wore it. I now normally have perfume on, my new favorite being "London" by Burberry.

Speaking of that, today I looked in the mirror (I look in the mirror now before I go out) and was happy with what I have become. I was running errands, and was "dressed down" wearing fleece sweatpants and a long sleeve Patriots tee shirt, but I had my hair and make-up done. I never go out without make-up on. Not a lot, but I always have eye-liner on, and usually mascara and blush. Just a few short years ago, I NEVER wore make-up.

I now have a financial planner, a college savings plan for Alison and my credit rating is back on it's way up. I have my own apartment, car and furniture. I have a job I love and my life is mine. I guess this is really the year I found myself. I no longer go by what other people say, I make my own decisions, and don't regret them at all. I have made friends, gone out on a date (just one, but a start), and even gone out alone.

It has been a wonderful 2006, and I can't wait to see what 2007 brings.

Happy 2006 everyone, I hope yours was as wonderful as mine!