Pre New Year's Eve Reflections

I have been having such a nice week that I decided to start running through the things I have learned in 2004. Hopefully once I discover just what I have been able to sponge I can then make adequate resolutions fcr 2005.

1. Mistakes do happen, even when you think that you did something perfectly. This is okay and is allowed. Just fix it, and focus on how to change it for the future.

2. Some really terrible events occurred in the early part of 2004, between Valentine's Day and my birthday. These events caused me to go into a big black hole and contemplate how shitty some of my life was at that moment. Fortunately, I learned what I really want for myself, and I did a pretty good job at fixing the crap that was bringing me down. For those of you that I emotionally took advantage of during this time ( I recall a couple of 2 AM drunken sobbing phone calls) I apologize. I needed you and I hope you know that is why I behaved that way.

3. Longish separations ( 4-6 weeks) from your significant other really suck, but the welcome home sex is great.

4. The Hurricane Grill in South Panama City Beach is the most bad-ass restaurant in Florida. If you ever have the opportunity to hit this hole in the wall, I guarantee it is worth it. I can still taste the food, and now I am drooling on the keyboard.

5. Summertime commuting is the best. I love cutting my trip in half.

6. Don't bother to go back to Chattanooga just to go to the aquarium. This year, take your daughter to the real aquarium. Also, don't go to Chattanooga for a Diabetes Specialist. One of the Chattanooga hospitals was associated with the Joslin Diabetes Institute, but they lost their affiliation.

7. The movie "Hero" would be great on Hallucinogens. Buy it anyway, the colors are so beautiful.

8. I managed to finally watch "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", for the second time. My fifteen year old pseudo-stepdaughter helped me out, by laughing at all of the horrible scenes so I didn't freak. I still can't watch " A House on Haunted Hill" but we're working on that one.

9. Zee doesn't like it when I pick up on his vibe and make him tell me what is wrong. Leave him alone for a while.

10. That Type A personality will give you a heart attack or a stroke unless you temper it, darling.

11. There were way too many incidences where you either stuck your foot in mouth or you clammed up because you were afraid to stick your foot in mouth. We need to find the middle ground, princess.

12. Apparently other people notice your impatience. Unless I want to work in some think tank in a little office all by myself, I better learn to accept that I have to explain myself.

13. Wrinkles make me unhappy. Quit wearing things that feel good but wrinkle. Our ultimate goal is to find natural fabrics that feel good and don't wrinkle. Starch only lasts so long.

14. Zee's hair advice has earned you praise. Wash every other day, never use conditioner unless you have been swimming, and then only use a dab after you shower and before you blowdry. Cut those ends yourself if need be, but be consistent with the every 3 month thing.

15. Wearing grandma's necklace, the one that she made out of her 7 melted down wedding rings, makes you feel sassy. Find more antique jewelry with good stories. Keep hitting that antique jewelry auction online and find that ring, dammit.

16. Keep instilling feng shui into your work area. It soothes your soul and makes you feel less stressed.

17. The only charitable thing you did this year was donate to the Salvation Army when you went on a monthly purge, along with your traditional gift to the JDA. You need to fix that in 2005.

18. Tod's are the best shoes ever. Continue to lie and tell everyone they are fake so they don't buy up all of your Tod's at the sole Nordstrom's in the state.

19. The quarterly shopping thing is keeping you in check financially. Let's continue doing that. The weekly thing wasn't helping anyone.

20. Continue to say please and thank you to everyone. It makes people feel appreciated and everyone needs that.