New Year Resolutions 

Many people start out the New Year with a list of things they want to change about them, or to better themselves. I too in years past have made “the” List. I have succeeded in some, failed miserably at others.

This year I decided to not make a List. I have done a self evaluation and determined that  I am imperfect, flawed and if after 52 years I  have not achieved perfection, I shall be content  to  forever  be a work in progress.

In looking back over this past year I realized it was the simple things, the little things in my life that meant the most to me: Spending time with my family.  I am so grateful for the relationships I have within my family, and that we have such great times together. These people love me unconditionally and let me know I matter to them. They mean the world to me.

This past Sunday for example was a great day. Jeff & I went to breakfast with friends , drank lots of coffee and  solved all the world's problems.  Afterwards he set off on a  bike ride with one of his friends.  I went over to my Brother Rob’s house, where he and my Brother Michael were installing a new door. Nothing too notable right? Just the simple act of us  being together, laughing, joking, watching my brother’s work together: heart smile. Spending time with my niece and nephew learning to ride their bikes, then snuggling up with Rex & Luci on the couch to watch a kids show on TV, chatting with my “Cyster” Cyndi on recipes, Pinterest finds and birthday party planning :  “girl stuff” . These are a few of the Simple things that made my day. And I learned that there is more to installing a door than I thought!!

In retrospect:  My best moments of 2012 were centered around my family.  A few highlights but certainly not a complete inventory:

•   Helping Rob & Cyndi in the Martin version of “ This Old House” 
•   My first trip to Ft Lauderdale, Soprano Style.. shh inside joke.
• The revival of the “Rob & Cyndi  New Years Bonfire Bonanza” step away from the Lemoncello
•   Beachside time with Michael & Chrissy, crab catching lowboil &  a very Dexter howling  good time at Halloween
•   Vinnie & Phyl moving to Florida so glad they are closer : Orange you :)
• My  precious quality time with Dallas, as he somehow grew up so quickly and makes his way into his future 
• My niece and nephews: watching them grow and learn and become awesome in each of their own passions &  the way my heart sings when they shout “Mimi’s Here !”
•  A girls weekend with my Mom in  Bradenton.  Gullett's eating Mullett :)
•  Political discussions with Papa Rick and watching him play our new game C-R-L. 
•  Seeing my brother Russell and  his wonderful family for the first time in too many years.
•  Rose and Joe who have opened their hearts & home to include us.
• Chuck & Gail who make me smile and usually laugh me into tears.
• Spending time with my German Family , my home away from home.
•  Time with my husband ,Jeffrey,  the love of my life, keeper of my heart for over 22 years,  whether  it’s sitting on the couch watching Netflix or across the sea in Germany, what truly matters: as long as he is by my side I am complete.

For 2013 I do not need a list. I only have one thing to remember:

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."-- Antonio Smith