Intro to 2011

Days ago I was looking forward to writing a fun blog entry. Then my life caught up with me and I got distracted. You know how that goes.

I was able to beat the Blizzard of December 2010 (2 inches in NC, and 20+ in NJ) and get home to share a belated Christmas with everyone there. It was a crazy trip but I’m so glad that I went… and that Chip went with me!

These are my nieces (Jordan/5 and Devynn/3) and we had a ball playing in the snow. They even wanted to sleep over!Devynn chased Riley, our dog, around the house for 2 days and said, “I love him” about 100 times. It was so cute. She also patted me on the arm and said, “Ciocia Colleen, you my buddy.” OMG.

As it turns out, my brother and his wife are in a rough place right now, so keeping the girls probably did some good. When Chip and I finally went to bed, I just started to cry. He loves when I do that, really. Anyway, I was just overcome with how grateful I am to be married to such a good guy. A great guy. He’s handsome and funny. Chip is good with tools, excluding plumbing apparatus. He is great with kids, and likes my family. He encourages me to enjoy time with my friends. He has provided me with a more than comfortable home, and makes me feel like he can take care of just about anything that gets in our way. I am blessed. (I am also tortured at times, but I do count my blessings)

Then I get home and get back to work, only to find that one of my friends here has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I mean, COME ON! Enough is a-freaking ‘nuff! I am hopeful that all will be well for her, and that she’ll have a quick recovery. She is younger than I am, and that scares the bajeezus out of me.

You know, you really need to let go. Work is just something we do to pass the time and, yes, pay the damn bills.

Each time I go home I realize how much I miss by not being there. Home is where my people are! I love the Outer Banks and all that this atmosphere has to offer, but I need my family and my friends. Having said that, Chip told me that I should go home at least every-other month, and I plan to do just that. So THERE, Mr.-New-Year’s-Resolution-Maker!

This year, I take care of ME… so that I can care for others.