Well, that's it. Put a cork in the 2000's. They are officially OVER! For me, it was a decade of major extremes. At the beginning of 2000 I was hosting a New Year's Eve party in Rhode Island for a few family and friends. Tonight I went to a party hosted by a good friend and celebrated with people who have become like family to me. Life is a weird thing because I find that I actually become happier as I get older. I know people who don't seem to want to age, wish that they could "relive the glory days" so to speak. I don't want to do that. I like where we are right now as a family and where I am for myself. I am eager to get started with 2010 and all that it has to offer. We were joking with the kids that they are entering their third decade on this earth. Zachary was shocked and said he felt old. Then I told him that I was entering my fifth, that I will be 40 in 3 and a half years. He snickered.
10 years ago I would have been so scared of that, aging. Now, I feel wiser for having lived. If I had told you 20 years ago that I would be homeschooling in Minnesota, no one would have believed me. If I told you 10 years ago that we'd be partying in Minnesota on a below zero New Year's Eve, no one would have believed me. Anything is possible and I am looking forward to trying all that I can. Next week I am going to start teaching Latin to about 15-20 kids for our Friday co-op. I'm terrified to be honest. I know that I've taught both of my sons Latin, but they are stuck with what I come with. What if these kids are bored or miserable? Latin is not the most exciting class in the world. Nonetheless I'm looking forward to it, the chance to teach and work with children. I don't know if I will ever be a "teacher" in the sense of a education degree, etc..., so this is a great opportunity for me.
Other resolutions I have for this year, decade:
1. To really work on my weight again. Over the past six months, I really dropped the ball. Remarkably, I didn't gain any weight, just didn't lose any. I want to drop 30 pounds in the next year or so. I want to shed my Diabetes by myself, so I am not stuck taking Glucophage for the rest of my life.
2. I want to finish homeschooling my boys. I want to take it to the end and help them get into college or whatever they want to do. I don't want to pressure them into certain schools or certain careers. I just want to help them.
3. I want to see the boys become great men- boys who drive (AHHHHHHH!!), boys who date, boys who love and respect their parents and friends, boys who work hard for the things they will attain.
4. I want to write my book. I know, I know. It's been talked about to death, but now I finally have a plan and will make it happen. I'm ready.
5. I want to go to Europe on my 25th wedding anniversary (2019). It'll happen.
6. I want to go to Florida this fall and see the new Harry Potter area at Universal Studios- it might one of our last chances at a family trip unencumbered by jobs, college, etc...
7. I'd love another chance at a house. It may have to wait a few more years, but that's ok. It'll be all the sweeter later.
A couple of things that aren't going to happen this decade. I don't think they'll be any more children in our future. I would have liked it. We saw the most adorable baby tonight, a little boy, and I turned to John and asked him, "one more baby?", and in his ever conscientious way, he said, "no more babies." He's got this crazy notion that we shouldn't have more children than we can adequately provide for. Silly, I know. I also don't plan on going anywhere near a 20th high school reunion in 2011, It just doesn't interest me in the least. I don't want to look back; I want to go forward. I'm so happy to talk to several people on Facebook from "the old days" and if I ever went "home" maybe we could get together, but not in a reunion setting. I'm just not going to be nostalgic this decade; I want to live in the now. Happy New Year!!
