Thank you for being a friend...

Have I ever mentioned my love for the Golden Girls? I watched it as a kid, and then, for months following the birth of the Monkeybutt, I watched reruns on Lifetime. Bea Arthur is my hero. She is so sarcastic and funny, and she has that dark, smoky voice. I love that she was an unemployment officer in "History of the World, Part I". I was ecstatic when I recognized her as the voice of the Femputer getting it on with Bender on "Futurama". She is naughty and fabulous, and I hope to be like her someday.

Thankful Thursday

I realized I haven't posted a "Thankful Thursday" in awhile. I certainly do not want to seem unthankful, so here ya go:

Today I am thankful for:

1. The 40-degree weather we got to enjoy today, even if it will be gone tomorrow.
2. The Zumba instructor at my gym. She taught a great class, and she made me feel better about myself.
3. My Stud-muffin. He has been so supportive and motivating since I started this get healthy scheme in earnest; he never complains when I take off for a class or escape to the basement to the treadmill. I even blogged about him on my SparkPage. He's been quite the good little husband.
4. Oranges - I've been craving them lately. And no, I'm not pregnant. Just craving citrus.
5. Me. Cuz, I'm feeling pretty darn good today.

What are you thankful for?

Powerful Stuff...

"But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

President Barack Obama, inaugural address, 1/20/09

Today:

• The Girl Child attended her first sleepover - and everyone survived.
• I made some excellent French Toast for breakfast.
• I caught up on some scrapbooking.
• I snuggled my kiddles.
• I laughed with my Studmuffin.
• I painted my toenails a lovely rosy red. Tomorrow I will cover them with snow boots.

It was a good day.

My family is bizarre...

Some rather quirky developments around here (they are television related, which is probably bad, but anyway...):

1. The Studmuffin has developed an odd addiction to the show Wife Swap. He gets home from work at 5-ish, and switches on Lifetime - yes, television for women - to get his daily dose. I certainly did not foresee my generally arrogant, tv-snob husband becoming a fan. I don't even really like it (although I found myself hooked this evening when the rancher husband from Deleware actually punched the other husband in the nose. Ah, the drama.)

2. The GirlChild enjoys The Price is Right! I don't think she really even gets the show - she just likes all the excited freaky people "coming on down." She generally tries to catch the last half hour just before catching the bus to school.

Ok, that's really it for now. I have to get upstairs to catch my weekly dose of hottie-trainer guy from Diet Tribe. I'll try to blog about something interesting next time. But, come on. All of you who know the StudMuffin have to be wiggin' about the Wife Swap thing.

Yum.

Isn't he pretty? He is the new object of my obsession, I mean, affection...Jessie, the trainer from Diet Tribe on Lifetime - Monday nights at 10PM (EST). I just couldn't keep this guy to myself. I had to share...Jessie, if you're ever in my area...I could use some training...heehee.

Resolutions and One Word

For those of you who read Ali Edward's blog, you get my reference to "one word." For those who don't, it simply means choosing one word that speaks to how you plan to live this year. As the fam and I were traveling to the wide open plains of Central Illinois last week, I mentioned that I was trying to come up with that one word that spoke to my desire to learn and grow, to change myself so completely this year. I mentioned that perhaps it should be "transform" because I hope to be a different person by next year. Studmuffin says, "what if I don't like that person." I explain, I don't want to change my fundamental being, my personality, but there is so much I'd like to learn and change about myself...so he suggests "mutate."
Not a particularly pretty word, "mutate." It provokes images of three-eyed fish and radioactive waste. So I suggest "evolve," a rather soft word, which almost means the same thing. Studmuffin says "mutate" sounds more interesting. And then I think. "Evolve" really refers to change that happens over a long period of time, and is a more passive process. What I want for myself is a mutation - an active, aggressive change of self that I, myself, enact. I want to learn and grow intellectually, spiritually, and creatively, while shrinking physically. I want to balance the reading I do for pleasure with reading for information. I plan to seek out language resources at the library, and actually take steps toward my goal of learning new languages. My friend has offered to teach me to sew, which I look forward to. I want to deepen my meditation practice, and continue to search for my spiritual path. I will cut my spending; being conscious of each dollar we earn and spend. I will exercize, I will eat and move consciously, I will practice my yoga, and treat my body with the respect it deserves so it can give many more years. I will love and play with my children, while teaching them to work hard and love life.
I think I like this word, "mutate." It speaks to what I hope to become; not a different person altogether, but an improved, healthier, and more centered person. A more interesting person, a better parent, a better woman. I look forward to this mutation.

Merry New Year!

Obviously I have some major updating to do, photos to upload, chatter to post. I will get to that in the next few days, but, in the meantime, enjoy your weekend...