Happy New Year!

Yes, yes. I know it is not January. But honestly, I think that is a terrible time for a new year. It's cold and dark and miserable -- all you are thinking about is surviving until the sun decides to stop being like the grumpy thermometer Nazi who insists that you only need a sweater and you'll be fine, really, no need to be actually warm. The only things new in January are the increasing numbers on the scale and the credit card statements. Of course you make resolutions then -- you are fat and broke. You can really only go up from there, right? And that assumption is completely wrong, too, because evil February is right around the corner with it's grey, damp misery -- if you know me you know how I feel about February. And if not, hang around and you'll find out. Hate it.

No, I've always thought September is a good month for starting anew. You're over the dewy, heady days of spring where everything is new and sparkly and you are just so into finally being over stinking February and seeing green that you can't even think about being productive, and then there is summer with it's fun and adventures and just letting the sun toast the brain right out of you. Every year I bring a "real" book and "brain candy" book to the beach. Guess which one I read? Guess which one I carry around to look smart?

Perhaps because I'm a geek, I love September and the beginning of school and all that new possibility just waiting. New things to learn and do and explore. I miss school. I sat in my son's Open House tonight and found myself wanting to make a car in science class, too! I wish I had time to brain storm and write and confer with others about my writing EVERY SINGLE DAY. I miss that. I didn't know how good I had it.

So as I sat there, filling out a little index card of my hopes and dreams for my 10-year-old this year (ahem, some personal responsibility would be nice), I thought, hey, what about me? What can I do that doesn't involve a tuition payment, anyway? Other than brushing up on some math and geography (Lord, I don't know where anything is on this planet unless it lives in this house.), I would like to exercise my little brain. So I'm going to read more and write more. Hence, this lovely little piece. Some of you (you know who you are), told me I should blog. OK, we were several sheets to the wind, but that's fine, as I have a feeling that some of these posts will be composed in that state, as well.

I'm not planning on making this about anything in particular. I love my kids and will probably write about them way too much, but they're my world right now. The cool thing about them is not how they suck every conscious moment of my life, but rather how, if I take a step back and a deep breath (or ten) and think about it, they have truly gifted me with a new perspective on almost everything as well as a new way of interacting with the world -- some good, some not so good, but it is what it is.

Anyway, I had a whole rant about Open House and whatnot, but I think I'll save that one for later. I'm sure what annoyed me will come up again. Hope some of you join me for the ride. Or just pop in now and then to get an update. But this is about me and for me, so you won't hurt my feelings if you don't.

Oh, and PS, the book I am going to read is The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. It has received amazing reviews if you are into this kind of stuff. I'll let you know how it goes.

:)

Janine