My Daughter

My oldest daughter turned 16 right before Christmas. She has grown up so fast I can hardly believe it. She is beautiful. I have such a hard time with her though. It is not that she gets into trouble because she doesn't. She does pretty good in school and has alot of friends. She goes out with her friends to dinner and the movies and to high school games. She plays soccer at a pretty high level so that is very time consuming as well. The problem is that I miss her! When I drive her to soccer practice and games, she either has the radio blaring because her friend is with us or she is texting on her phone. When she comes home she is on the computer or in her room getting things ready for school or doing homework. I get angry with her because I feel like I do not know her anymore. My husband feels the same way. It seems like we never get to talk to her and when we do she seems too busy for us. She is very independent but also still seems so young and naive. I really miss her. How do I get her back?

Happy New Year!!

Welcome 2008. Goodbye 2007!

Last Thursday when my husband was coming home from work, our 1997 Mountaineer decided to go crazy. We are pretty sure it is the transmission because it will not move. On the other hand, we have had that car for 11 years and I cannot accept that it is anything serious, so it has to got to the shop. Yesterday, I took our 2000 Ranger to my daughter's soccer tournament and guess what? It was acting crazy and we are pretty sure that is the transmission. Now we have one car left to get both of us to work tomorrow. All I can say is I could only expect something like that to end the year. 2007 was the pits! I am so looking forward to 2008. I have big plans for a great 08!

After taking an hour and a half to get home from a usual 35 minute drive, my husband, son and his friend, and I went to watch the Plymouth Whalers hockey game. They lost 4-2 but it was a fun game. We got excellent seats, and each got a hot dog and a pop for a total of $60 for four people. You can't even get one Red Wing ticket for that price. After that we came home and ordered Mexican food for dinner. We stayed in and watched the Red Wings and MTV. It was a nice evening. My younger daughter was home at 11:45 to ring in the new year with us and my oldest daughter was home by 12:30.

Here is my list of resolutions for the year:

1. Lose weight - I am serious this time! I have been going to weight watchers at work so I am getting serious. The real thing here is that I have vowed to exercise at least 20 minutes everyday. Even if it means going outside and walking ten minutes in one direction, turning around and coming home!

2. Stop swearing. I hate it, of course my kids hate it. My mother never, ever swore. I have no business doing it either. I am really going to work on this one!

3. Get on a budget. I am not a big spender when it comes to buying myself things. I'm just really bad at keeping track. This is important especially in this Michigan economy. I need to build up an emergency fund so that I am prepared for emergencies.

4. Make my kids do more around the house. I really need to start teaching them how to be self sufficient and responsible. They are not horrible but they could do more dishes and laundry. Especially my oldest and youngest. I do enough for all of them, it's time they help me! How can I do this without swearing? There's the challenge!

5. I am also looking for more down time in 2008. My husband and I both plan to devote more time to each other. This year will be our 24th wedding anniversary and I am happy to still be in love! Gotta keep that fire burning!

Well here's to 2008....

Love, Health, and Happiness!