We are only into the first few days of the year 2007 and already I am in
a panic. This year could very well go down in the annuls of DiBella
family history as the year of many stresses.
Never before has there been a bigger year filled
with milestones, celebrations and excitement at every turn. With so much
going on, I have resolved to make not just one resolution, but rather
many more just to ensure that I make it through the year.
In
fact, I have resolved to begin a “Resolution of the Month” list. The
rules are simple. Each month may have one major resolution, or be
allowed a varied sub-group of resolutions, dependant upon the occasions
contained within the particular month.
If the resolutions are followed very carefully, I
may just live to see 2008. In order to ensure that I follow the
resolutions correctly, I am hereby going public with them…
January: Since we rang in the New Year in
Florida and flew back on New Years Day, I have resolved to never, ever
again, leave on vacation the day after Christmas, pay the exorbitant
cost of flying over a holiday, or fight the holiday airport crowds. And
I mean never, ever again.
February: I resolve to begin some serious
shopping for my “Mother of the Bride” dress. Of course, this shopping
will lead to a resolution to lose some serious weight in an effort to
look nice in my “Mother of the Bride” dress.
March: Ahhh… I love March with its first
hints of spring in the air. And so I resolve to enjoy it by not making
any resolutions for that month.
April: O.K. With the wedding only five
months away, I resolve to finalize the guest list, assist Laurie with
ordering and completing the invitations, taking her to fittings,
appointments, keep my checkbook up to date and filled with plenty of
money, and to keep on smiling even though I know that I will feel like
exploding.
May: The wedding stuff will be temporarily
put aside to allow for the college graduation of my Michael. And so, I
resolve to do the following: Make room in my house for four years of
accumulated stuff; dutifully begin to once again incorporate his dirty
laundry back into my household chores. I resolve to consolidate his
college loans at the lowest interest rate, smile, and yes, shed a tear
or two at his commencement, and then begin to plan a party deserving of
four successful years of chemical engineering studies.
June: Another milestone as Sam leaves behind
his grammar school days in the Swedesboro/Woolwich District. I resolve
to not spend too much time pondering where all of the time has gone, and
also resolve to hold him a little tighter as I begin to let him go.
July: The crunch is on. Much to do. I
resolve to make the time to hit the beach so that I don’t go entirely
crazy.
August: This is the month of reverse
resolutions. By the time August is over, I will have started to smoke
and drink, and put back the weight I hopefully lost. Of course my
“Mother of the Bride” dress will no longer fit, so I’ll have to spend
more on another and…I have to move on to September. I’m having a panic
attack just thinking about August.
September: When the big day arrives, I
resolve to wear water proof makeup, look gorgeous, remain calm and enjoy
every second of my daughter’s wedding day. I’ve dreamed about it since
the day she was born. And yes, when the day is over, I will take a small
walk down memory lane and cry a little, or maybe a lot.
October: I will celebrate a birthday this
month, and it ends in an 0. I resolve to lather on the Oil of Olay, hold
my head high and enjoy my birthday, as I turn 40…once again.
November: As if we haven’t celebrated enough
this year, I anticipate that Sam, not to be left out of
this important year, will be celebrating his religious confirmation. But
since the date is not yet definite, this may also take place sometime
between the wedding and the October birthday’s, which by the way, my
father will also celebrate a year ending with an 0. Yes, my dad is
turning 70..once again.
December: I resolve to collapse in a heap,
hibernate for the winter, and not do any Christmas shopping, since I
will more than likely be entirely broke.
Happy New Year! I hope that
you have an exciting year. But not as exciting as mine.
