Happy New Year. Or something like that.

I've come to the realization that 2 weeks in Florida at my parents' house is just the right amount of time to feel like I wish I hadn't stayed here for this long.  By now my whole routine is completely out of whack.  I haven't done any real exercise.  I'm eating way too much food and have had seemingly nonstop indigestion for the past few days.  And the kids...  they are starting to drive me bonkers.

But of course, I'm sure soon after I get back home again I will be wishing I were back here.  Only without the indigestion.

We missed the ringing in of the new year.  Maybe that's symbolic of how our lives are right now.  Sort of a blur because there are too many distractions that are keeping us from enjoying what otherwise could be memorable moments.  So perhaps 2009 will be the year of getting rid of clutter.  All those speed bumps that are keeping me (us) from truly living life.  My kids' happiness is tied to my own, as any mom would know.  Though I think they are doing pretty well most of the time, I always get this nagging sensation in my gut that I could be doing a better job.  And so the first thing that has to go is the garbage that is stinking up our lives.

This year I will be 38 years old.  I am in disbelief over how close I am to 40, for it seems just yesterday I was almost hitting 30.  While I can't completely blame the ex for making me feel like I wish I could declare a big "DO OVER" for a good portion of my 20s, I'll be damned if I let someone else make me wish the same thing when I hit 40.  It's not too late to change that.  But in order to do this, I need to put the garbage in the dumpster, otherwise I'll constantly be tripping over it.  Sadly, this is the sort of thing that just won't go away on its own.  I have to give it the good drop kick to send it on its merry way.  Ugh.

I know this will be an interesting year.  I have a better sense of control of my life, even though there is that whole Chicago move thing hanging over me.  Yes, the ex decided to take the job and his first day is February 1st.  And I have no idea what this entails for me and my kids, but it had better be good or else I, or WE, will have nothing to do with it.