Resolution #3: The LIST

Resolution #3 is to live my life in such a way that I am constantly moving toward my goals.  For example, I want to get married again (someday).  If that's my goal, then why would I waste my time dating men who just don't fit the bill?  How do I know if they fit the bill...you may ask?  Well...I have a LIST.

Yes, I have a LIST of the Ten Things I Require in a Husband (you may be thinking to yourself that it's possible I'm a teeny bit controlling, uptight and/or anal.  Think what you may...I still have my list).

Here it is:

• He makes me laugh.
• He has a stable career and his own home.
• He likes my kids and they like him.
• He is confident enough to do and say what he wants without worrying about what other people think.
• He is well read.  I can share books with him.
• He is intelligent and capable of conversing on any topic.
• He follows, trusts and depends on the same God as I do.
• He loves me more than he loves himself.
• If the world fell apart, I would want him to be my partner.
• He doesn't need me...but he loves me.

At times in my life I have dated men who meet most of these requirements, but never all of them.  My sister tells me I'm too picky.  She thinks I need to lower my standards.  I think I should never settle for less than exactly what I want.

Resolutions

This year I've made a few resolutions.  I'm trying to be realistic about what I choose to resolve.  For instance, becoming a millionaire and looking like a super model are not on my list. 

One resolution was to create a blog.  Ta Da!!! I did it!  I actually started it in 2009 but it took me awhile to figure out how to make it work just right.  I was inspired by my sister who started a blog some time ago to keep family members updated on what was going on in her life...and...since my life is so interesting and full of intrigue and adventure, I thought it only fair that I share it with the world.  My mom is blogging now too and I love reading her posts.  And one of my students shared with me her blog...nice job, Kayla!

Resolution number two is to keep track of all the books I read this year.  I read like crazy.  I'm posting my list here...let me know if you have any suggestions.

Resolution number three is to live my life in such a way that I am constantly moving toward my goals.  More on that later...

Listen

It's the little things.  A student told me today that I am the only teacher she can talk to.  The other ones don't listen to her and just brush her off because they're too busy, she says.  Too busy?  Too busy to listen to one of the people whose life you will be molding and shaping?  Too busy to find out what's going on in the life of a young person who relies on you to impart wisdom, stability and a good example?  Too busy to do the job you chose?  Hmmm...

My teenage students don't seek me out very often, but when they do you can bet I'm listening.

Serenity, Courage and Wisdom

I was reminded tonight of the Serenity Prayer...

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

As I explained the meaning of this prayer to my son I realized the meaning it has for me.  My life isn't perfect.  In fact, it's flawed in ways too numerous to count.  But I don't look back.  I don't worry about the "what ifs", the "if onlys" or the "should have beens".  To quote my mother, "It is what it is."  I can't change the past.  What's done is done.  However, I can change how I handle it, what I learned from it, and where I'm going from here.

Lord, give me the peace of accepting those things that cannot be changed.  Give me the strength of spirit to change what I can.  And, Lord, fill me with Your wisdom, that I may know Your plan for me.

Cold Feet

My son came home from his dad's today.  He was gone for six days.  It's insane how much I love that boy.  When he's gone I don't really know what to do with myself.  Weird...I know.

He came home with frostbite on both feet.  His toes and the soles of his feet have white spots on them and he says they hurt really bad.  No blisters or bruising...yet.  It's hard for him to walk because it hurts when his toes touch his shoes.  I'm not sure what we're going to do yet since we both have to go back to school tomorrow. 

He's happy to be home.  He's tired and a little bit cranky, but he's also very snuggly and lovey (which I LOVE!!!)  I'm going to slather his feet with Eucerin and tuck him into bed.

Wendy

31 degrees below zero when I woke up this morning.  Brrrrr.  I couldn't get my car started.  It's a 2002 Mazda and it was parked in the garage.  My sister's car is a 1998 Mazda and it was parked outside...it started.  My sister named her car.  She talks to it all the time and says nice things.  Maybe that's why it started.  Maybe she has appealed to it's sensitive side?  Maybe I need to name my car and whisper sweet nothings to it when it's cold outside.

I had a car with a name once.  It was a black Grand Am.  She was pretty and she was fast.  Her name was Wendy.  Wendy was the name I used when I went out dancing with my friends.  We would meet boys and they would ask me what my name was.  It was usually better to keep details like that to myself.  One day this boy gets my number from one of my friends and calls my parent's house and asks for Wendy.  I hear my mom saying that he has the wrong number.  I said, "Is he asking for Wendy?"  My mom says, "Yes", and I tell her that it's for me.

New Year...New You?

2009 has come and gone and I have gracefully stepped into 2010.  This is usually the time I make all sorts of promises (i.e. resolutions) to myself that, if followed, will result in a brand new ME.

This year I've decided I'm perfectly happy with the old me.