6 Things I Couldn't Suppose in January 2009

2009 never told me I'd find these 6 great things, but oh, I am lucky I did. Lucky and favored. My only regret is a bigger waist line. (See #3)

1. Brown Rice w/ Multiple Cups of Vegetables Daily

My stomach thanks me for not putting gluten and dairy and too much corn in it anymore. After feeling some growing pains last year, I tried a program designed to find food allergies. And although sometimes I want a big juicy cheeseburger, I know eating rice with vegetables every day is right for my body.

2. Surprises and/or Pranks

This was the year for surprises and pranks. I can't list all of the prank ideas Tom and I came up with this last year, and most of the ideas we didn't even do. Just laughing about doing the pranks is almost enough.

I'm not particular to new year's resolutions, but last year I did commit to making my life funnier, even happier by laughing more. Life is funny and fun if you are looking for it.

3. Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Don't judge me if you haven't tried one of these cookies. They are irresistible and deadly in our home with Tom being diabetic and with my new intention to order/eat more desserts (see Ordering Dessert, Please). I'm no longer laughing at my friend for always having cookie dough on hand.

Matt mentioned this past week, "After I go to college, I'm always going to come home for these cookies." As far as I know, it isn't a crime to prepare your children for the future. I might be considered a hero, too, for telling him about the poor food quality in dorms and the absence of maids and laundry fairies. He was aghast, and so, I gave him more cookies.

4. Basil Plant

I picked up one of these plants at Trader Joes, and I've not been disappointed. I never knew the many uses this plant has to offer besides cooking. I mean it's very aromatic and protects against aggressive dogs. It doesn't heal sore throats, but it might heal a broken heart with laughter.

5. Gift Wrapping

Honestly, I was embarrassed to even type this. (The key word is was.) I ordered a gift wrapping book and worried it might have been a waste of last year's Barnes and Noble gift card. But I LOVE the book and all the ideas that came with it. The title is Creative and Thoughtful Gift Giving by Hallmark. Giving gifts is more fun when the wrapping becomes a gift too. A gift of time and creativity.

6. Massage School

Last year Tom's resolutions were to go to the chiropractor and to get a massage once a week. I consciously gave Tom the gift of unlimited chiropractor visits for a year and unconsciously joined massage therapy school for him. The idea came from my hair dresser. Opportunities opened for me that I never thought possible in January of 2009, which leads me to believe 2010 will also be a year of greats. Greats I wouldn't recognize in January or February or maybe even March.

2010, my hands are waiting to fill up and overflow with your gifts...

What were your gifts in 2009?

Expect Surprises and Shoes

I want you to know I came home to a clean house and 3 happy boys on Saturday after I stayed at the Le Merigot for my first ever girls' overnighter. This made my time away that much sweeter. And it gets better, not 24 hours after I returned home, Matthew started vomiting. I like to imagine it was because no one can provide the essential nutrients for my 7 year old except me. Apparently, I was missed on my trip.

It was a trip full of fun surprises like when we walked down Ocean to the 3rd Street Promenade and found one shoe, twice.

Or when Cabrena noticed we were dining next to Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck at the JiRaffe.

Or even when Karalea interrupted their dinner to ask for a photo with Jennifer for me and then paid for their dessert. I imagine Ben's chagrin as 4 women completely ignore him and swoon over his wife. Maybe he was delighted and relieved.

Or the delicious Vanilla Bake Shop cupcakes we found before eating breakfast at the communal table of Le Pan Quotidien. Or the view outside our balcony window.

I still can't figure out why I deserved such a night away. We laid around on the floor before going to sleep asking each other truth questions, and I kept asking and talking because I didn't want it to end. And when we were like sardines in the bed curled up in the covers with Mandy squished in the middle, I slipped into unconsciousness.

And the next thing I remembered was waking up. Realizing the night wasn't just a dream, but a dream come true. And if this is any indication of what the year 2010 might bring for me, I am expecting many fun surprises and dreams coming true.