January 11, 2008

Have you noticed that starting with the first of the year, we tend to reflect about our lives?  Then again, I can only speak for myself, so this column will contain the two most annoying words in the dictionary: I and ME.  So please bear with ME.  I know once I get over the 12am kiss and wish all a Happy New Year, I am able to take that 100lbs of guilt off my head,  just knowing now I have another year and that new beginning. Every year I vow to stop being angry at (fill in the blank)  and not to stress over something that I have no control over. I am fortunate because I do succeed in thinking about what's great in my life. And there is a lot of that going around.

Steve and I got to see our new granddaughter, Anna, who (spoken like a true grandma) is the sweetest little girl. We spent a great deal of time with our grandson, Seth, who amazes us each time we see him. When Anna was born there was so much chaos with her being kept in NICU for the extra 10 days due to pneumonia that Seth entertained himself by learning how to read. Here is a child who was 2 years and 9mos old and is reading. I know those who are reading this are probably saying, "She is exaggerating" or "My kid read earlier" and if that is the case, welcome to my world of amazement!  I have a T-shirt that says," NO I am not a Soap Opera star. I just look like one." He read it loud and clear. My son said, "I am not sure if I should be proud that he could read that or mortified of what he read." All in good fun. Seth is so sharp and says the cutest things. Can you tell?? I can't wait to go back to Houston to visit.

New Years Eve was nice. We did our usual get together with our friends, Bobbie and Cliff. We ate dinner at our house and then we went to see the movie, Walk Hard. It was really funny. It was a satire of the Johnny Cash movie. John C Reilly was at his best; a supporting character actor who now is in the lead category. We got back to our home a speck before midnight. We watched the fireworks from our window... it faces the Las Vegas Strip and on TV. By 12:30 our friends left and Steve and I retired for the night. Now some might say, "Oh how boring." For me it was the best. No hassle, don't have to be with people I have to be "on" with ... just a perfect way to end the year and begin a new one.

I started Weight Watchers because I need to start watching again. I had fun going to the meeting. The lady who is the lecturer (leader) is from the same part of the Bronx where I grew up. She went to my High School and knew some of the same people I knew and know. Funny how some would say it's a coincidence. But really there are no coincidences,,, just G-D doing his/her work. I lost 5.6 lbs the first week. And I am back to my swim aerobics. I am feeling better physically doing all of this. So life is good!!! 

As you know I've been cleaning house. That included some acquaintances who I believed were friends. And then again maybe they were friends and we just grew apart. Over the holiday weeks, Steve was home and we cleaned out closets with stuff that I just had to have and now it's been recycled one way or another. Many of Steve's knock around shirts and slacks were sent to the Salvation Army and some of my clothing went there too. It's very cathartic to clean out the old and for a short time the clothing closets actually look neat... Like our linen closet. I folded and refolded everything and it looks great. Do I hear wagers on how long it's going to stay that way?

I have so much to look forward to this next year. We are going to AZ for a special birthday party for one of my cousins. And the best part is my brother and sister-in-law are coming in from NY. I hope to go to the Daytime Emmys and of course the GH Weekend which is now close to lasting a week. In between, I hope to visit the kids and grandkids. SO what do I have to complain about? Absolutely NOTHING. Enjoy and embrace your family, friends, health and life, because your life is what you make of it. Think of the glass as half full, not half empty, and you will be a happier person for it.

Happy New Beginning---

Love, Maxine