Happy Birthday Daddio!

Last Monday was my dad's birthday. My dad LOVED his birthday. His excitement every year rivaled that of a ten year old, and while at times it was annoying, it was also wonderful and contagious. We celebrate every birthday in our family with the same exuberance, getting the whole fam together for dinner and cake, and a few presents. Having his birthday in January was an added bonus because, frankly, January sucks. It's cold, we're usually low on money, and it's easy to get depressed. But his birthday was a chance to celebrate, laugh, and forget about the middle of winter for a little bit.

We still all got together and had a great meal and a great time, but it just wasn't the same. I knew all the firsts without him were going to be hard. We made it through a lot of other birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, but his birthday was just impossible for me. It caught me by surprise. Sometimes it's good to be caught by surprise, let out a few tears, and get it all out there.

In the last few years our family has grown, and winter isn't as bleak as it used to be. We now have another birthday in January, one in February, and then things warm up a little in March. There are many causes for celebration, and my dad loved every second of it. I'm so happy that I live in close proximity with the majority of my family, that we're able to get together on all these occasions, and sometimes just because it's Tuesday.

Resolutions Are For Suckers

I don't like New Year's Resolution, and I do my best not to make any. The times I've tried, I've ended up failing and feeling bad about myself. Which is why I'm writing this post on January 12th, and not January 1st. This year I'm giving up from the start, and I mean that in the best possible way. My goal this year is to feel better about myself, and do whatever it takes to make that happen. 2012 was crap for the most part, and I'm ready to start a better life in 2013.

For starters, I'm going to get outside more. Tough to do in the winter, but that is why it is the best time to start. With three dogs, getting outside with them will solve so many problems. Tired dogs are well behaved dogs, and maybe they won't eat all my stuff.

I want to cook more. I love trying new recipes, and spending time in the kitchen.

I want a new job. Something I can feel good about myself doing and makes me able to pay the bills.

And if none of these things happen, that's ok too. Because I have a wonderful husband, a roof over our heads, three crazy dogs, and a cat that will likely take over the world.

Happy 2013 everyone.