HERE’S TO 2012!!!

As much as it’s a little bit of a let down when the holidays are over, it’s also kind-of nice to get back to the normal routine, don’t you think? I’m a little sick of all the junk food, the Christmas songs, the mess in the house, and yes, the kids being home! I long for peace and quiet again in my home. (Is that bad?)

I also long for getting back to the gym and shedding those holiday pounds. I can’t wait to get all those decorations back into the attic. I’m ready to start working on Spring Break plans. (By the way, only 99 days until The Sister’s Trip 2012!)

But most of all, I’m SO excited to start my new adventure this year, working at Weight Watchers!!! I am officially now a WW employee and have started my training to be a leader. Just think, I have the potential to INFLUENCE PEOPLE’S LIVES. Isn’t that an amazing thing to be able to say?

So here’s my 2012 challenge to you: Influence somebody’s life this year for the better. A friend, a relative, a neighbor, a stranger, a child, or all of the above. Through words, actions, donations, however you can, whatever they need, find a way. You can do it. It doesn’t have to be huge. Lots of influences are small, yet meaningful.

Give it some thought and let me know how you’re doing.

 

Karen

What I’ve Learned This Holiday Season…

This holiday season, I have learned three things.  First of all, I learned that as much as I like it when my husband shares things, I DO NOT like it when he shares his nasty ol’ cold with me.  Being sick over the holidays is NO FUN.  And he actually had the nerve to say, “How do you know you got it from me?”  Um, hello?  Really?  I got it three days after you, I have exactly the same symptoms as you, and oh yeah, I SLEEP IN THE SAME BED AS YOU.  Enough said.

The second thing I realized is that I am SOOOOO going to miss it when my kids stop believing in Santa Clause.  Having grown up Jewish and not having participated in the whole Santa experience (we were just told that of course there’s no such thing, but don’t spoil it for all those silly little friends of ours who believe or we’d be in BIG trouble), this has been such a magical experience, watching it through their eyes.  But they are 9 now, and I fear that this will be our last year.  Of course, I thought this last year, so you never know!

Lastly, I learned that as a mother, I must have done something right over the past 9 years with my boys.  No, really!  When they were finally allowed to wake us up (strict orders not before 7:00!), they ran down and opened Santa’s gifts, but before they would open any of the mounds (and I do mean mounds, thanks to Dad) of gifts from us under the tree, they insisted I open the gifts they made for me.  Even when I insisted they open theirs first, they refused until I opened mine.  I don’t think I was ever prouder of them than at that very moment.

I love my kids!

Happy New Year to you and your families!!!

Karen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

ALMOST time to relax. All we need to do now is take down the holiday decorations, then all reminders of this past month will be virtually erased.

HA! Who am I kidding? As much as I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the holidays, I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when they are over! Am I the only one? I feel like I have accomplished absolutely nothing of my REAL life over the past month. (I’m surprised I even got laundry done, but that was purely out of necessity and the constant nagging of naked children!)

WHAT HAPPENED TO DECEMBER???

Melissa and I had all those lofty goals to be finished by the end of the year. HA! I was going to clean out my office and have the kids clean out the basement while they were on winter break. HA! HA! I HAD PLANS, DARN IT!!!

Okay, I’m composed now… somewhat. I just need to remember that the kids had a great winter break, Christmas was awesome for them, we all had a wonderful visit with their Grandma and Aunt from out-of-town (okay, actually I did, as they are the kind of people who like adult time more than kid time!), we all stuffed ourselves silly (back on the healthy bandwagon for me!), and all in all…

LIFE IS GRAND!!!

So who cares if they house got cleaned, or the bills got paid, or our new book got completed? December is all about family and friends and good times, and if everything else got pushed to the back burner, no worries. In 3 more days, life returns to normal, and things have a way of catching up and getting done in their own time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM KAREN AND MELISSA AND KARMEL PUBLISHING!

Thursday Thoughts- Merry Christmas Eve

'Twas the night before Christmas. . .

I love Christmas. The lights. The poinsettias. The way people treat each other even if it's just for that little while. Snow- when it happens (they are forecasting it for toniiiiiggghhhttt!! Yes- that's my note of happiness). Being with friends and family. Lots of treats that we have only this time of year. Presents. Christmas stories and Christmas Traditions.

Maybe you like to celebrate The Nativity. You might be a big fan of Santa. Perhaps you celebrate Chanukah. But from where I'm sitting, they all have a common theme. . . giving. And for a little while, we all give to each other. We give gifts wrapped up in beautiful bows and pretty paper. But more importantly, we give to each other a little more of ourselves. We give more patience. More grace. We smile at people. We give hope by putting money in buckets for people we don't even know.

Whatever you believe, whatever your celebration, enjoy your Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Melissa

(Karen and I will be taking some time off this holiday season, so we’ll be talking to you again in 2010, unless we just can’t help but to share something with you before then!)