New Year!

Hope your Christmas holiday was a merry one. We had a good time. Traveled up to Oklahoma and then back through Dallas to see the family.

Here is my dog Kipper (on left) and my parents dog Bandit ripping apart poor Santa Claus. Now if that isn't Christmas cheer than I don't know what is!

I am not one for resolutions but I am making one this year. No, it isn't to lose weight. That is so passe' and one that I break immediately.

My resolution is to be more courageous. I find that fear has held me back my entire life. Fear of what? Not even sure. Fear of failing. Fear of stepping out of the box. Fear of disappointing others. I am at a point in my life that I realize my brain skills and self-discipline to not meet my own expectations of myself. Yes, its a little disappointing but its my own fault.

I want to go hiking. I usually talk myself out of going on trips destined for hiking areas because I know that the kids will whine and complain (and I have a fear of going against what the majority wants). I am making a solemn oath to push through that now. Why? Because its a give and take thing. I have done plenty of things (usually involving an animated movie, laser tag or video arcade) that my kids wanted to do and I didn't, so they can go hiking with me every now and then.

I would also like to start biking. I will need to purchase a nice road bike which will involve spending some money ( I have a fear of spending extravagantly on myself). So, I may try and find a used one or a cheaper version to begin with. There is a bike ride called the MS150 that goes from Houston to Austin and I have had a dream of riding in that some day. I will not say that it will be this year but maybe next (I have a fear of committment).

Side Note: I just got off the phone with Sharla and she is amazing!!! Go visit her blog and leave her a note of encouragement as she drives cross country to put her oldest son in a specialized school and begin a new life. Since she was driving through Texas (not close enough to actually meet) she emailed me her phone number so I called. It was like we had known each other and met long ago. I wish her the best. And for her sake, maybe Anderson Cooper isn't gay and will fall in love with her (inside joke). Good luck with your stalking of him Sharla!

ADDED: I am having trouble getting my link to work to Sharla's blog. Here is the address. Just click on it! http://sharladjones.blogdrive.com/