I never ever make New Year's Resolutions. I did once when I was a teenager and it didn't last so I never did it again. I'm not sure this is so much a new years resolution as it is...just a few things that I/we want to change and now seemed as good a time as any!!!

We have decided as a couple we are going to make a very conscious effort to save a certain amount of money out of each paycheck. Most of the money goes towards bills each week (as it does for everyone!!!!) so it's hard to save but we are going to do that this year. We really need a new mattress (this one is killing our backs) and we'd like a new couch....so we decided that we are going to save a little money out of each paycheck so we can buy these things. So that will be a fun challenge I think!!!

I have decided to really concentrate on my weight this year. With this firefighting I am seeing just how out of shape I really am. I bought one of those "Leslie Sansone" workout videos and have been doing that and love it so far. So hopefully I can keep up with working on that, too.

And I just want to be nicer overall to people. I definitely have a mean streak. My tongue has been my biggest downfall for a loooong time and I really want to work on controlling that and my attitude and just finding the good in stuff instead of always looking at the bad. It's so easy to find the negative in stuff and let's just face it....who wants to hang around someone who's always negative...I sure don't! I jokingly say that if I don't have anything to be stressed about...I find something and I want to change that. I just want to find the positive in everything instead of focusing on the negative.

There is definitely more but I will start with this stuff!

Looking forward to just relaxing and hanging out with my awesome family tonight.

Alright. I am officially off for the next 18 days (except one day my boss needs me to come in)and I am thrilled because I will be able to devote almost all of my time to studying for these finals. I'm starting to get very emotional about it because I'm feeling overwhelmed. This is something I have wanted to do for so long and if I fail I am going to be devastated. I mean...the worst that can happen if I fail is I just take the class all over again...honestly not a bad thing. But I would really like to pass so I can possibly get a job with an ambulance service and actually be getting paid to do something I love! That's the goal. Even if I do fail...it was definitely not time wasted cause I have learned SO much in this class. I'm just really bad at tests cause I freeze up. So....we'll see. Either way....by the end of January I will be finished with this class. I don't want it to end cause I have enjoyed every second of it. I have a wonderful set of instructors and great classmates. Other than driving 45 minutes, one way, twice a week....I will miss this class!!
I guess that's all I have to write about tonight. I'm about to go to class and I have 2 quizzes waiting for me there so I'm feeling apprehensive and find that writing on my blog is very theraputic! So....thanks for listening....(if anyone is actually reading this!! haha!)
Going to my brother's house for New Year's Eve. That will be a very welcome distraction. I need to just relax and do something fun for a bit. So I'm looking forward to that and to seeing my parents and my siblings and their spouses and kids. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week.

Well first of all....today was my last day of work for 1 week!! Then I go back for one day....and I'm off for 2 weeks!! I'm so excited! That will give me PLENTY of time to study study study! I have 3 final exams in January. One each week for the first 3 weeks. Needless to say...I will be relieved when they are over....but on the other hand...I do not want this class to end. I have absolutely LOVED it!!
I have been looking for a good hair salon for a while now. I was going to Mastercuts in the mall for a couple years and they were fine. They were cheap....and they did a good job for the most part. But the last few times they have just done a horrible job. A few weeks ago one of my friends posted on facebook about her salon so I tried it out.....and LOVED IT!!! I will definitely continue to go back there. It was 2x what I pay at Mastercuts but worth every penny. She treated me like a queen from the moment I walked in the door. And it was so nice because she asked me what I wanted done with my hair and actually sat there and listened while I told her!! And she did exactly what I asked for! While I was waiting for my turn (which was only about 2 minutes...literally) I was gonna grab a cup of coffee but the coffee pot was so fancy I didn't know how to use it!! (leave it to me...I tell ya!!!) I thought....not a big deal...I'll just stop at Tim Hortons on the way home. Well as she was cutting my hair I told her that this was just a wonderful place. She asked me if I got any coffee and I kind of giggled and very embarassed told her I couldn't figure out how to use it. So she went over and got me some and brought it over for me to drink! I just thought that was so sweet!!! Anyway...it was just a great experience from start to finish. I feel very uncomfortable being pampered but I just sat back and enjoyed it and let me tell you....it was WONDERFUL!!!! Since I don't exactly weigh what I should I'm not going to post a picture but she did a great job!!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your time with your family and friends. That is the best part about the holidays. Tomorrow night we are getting together with Sam's side of the family. We always have a great time so we are looking forward to that. And on Christmas morning I always make a huge breakfast for us. We have done that ever since our first Christmas together. Just a small tradition that we enjoy. Then in the afternoon, everyone who can (which I don't think will be many) are going over to my parents to eat and just relax and spend time together. So that will be nice too.

My new niece is here!! Hooray!!

Ahhhh!! I can't keep it in any longer!! I have wanted to post on facebook all day that my brother and his wifey are having their baby today but I did not want to ruin it for my sis-in-law...I wanted her to be able to make the announcement (it IS her news!! lol) so I was good and kept my mouth shut on there!!! I am hoping I'm safe to post it on here because not many people actually read this and I'm just too excited not to write it somewhere!!! lol!!!

They had a little girl tonight. This is their 3rd child. Her name is Addison Marie (we will call her Addie) I don't have much other info!!! But the important part is....she is here!!!

I've been thinking today....nothing like a week of extreme high and extreme low!! My aunt died suddenly this past Saturday at 46 years old and a brand new baby in the family not even a week later! We really really really needed this precious little blessing right now. Little did we know 9 months ago that she would come at a perfect time just when we all needed to smile! God is good!

Off to start my 3 day weekend!! That's right.....3 DAY WEEKEND!!! WOOHOO!!!

Well it's snowing again. Not complaining because we have been very lucky so far this winter. But boy....every year I hate the cold and snow more and more. My whole body just hurts in this weather. I know that makes me sound like a granny but it's true!! Already looking forward to spring!!!
My mom's little sister, Aunt Nancy, died Saturday morning. She was only 46 and had a heart attack. It was so sudden that it just kind of shocked us all. My mom had just talked to her on the phone not even 12 hours before she died and she was happy and fine. This was definitely a reminder that we are not promised tomorrow. It really makes you think twice about where your priorites are and what is really important in life.
I can't believe Christmas is next week already. It does not seem like it at all. I am just not into all the hype this year which is so not like me. Normally I love it. But just not this year. I am excited that Sam and I are both off for Christmas so we will be able to spend the day together.
About 5 more weeks left in my EMT class. I can't believe how fast that went! It has been an extremely difficult class. I love it. But it has been very time consuming and very hard. Thankfully my boss gave me a couple weeks off at the beginning of January so I can really really really completely concentrate on studying for my final exams. I'm really nervous about them cause I just freeze up when it comes to tests, unfortunately. So...we'll see. But I'm really enjoying it and I'm giving my best.
Well I'd better sign off. Sam should be home soon.
Hope everyone has a good rest of the week. Give your loved ones and extra tight hug tonight and let those that you love....know that you love them.

I love Thursday evenings cause "The Office" is on which is my all time favorite show so I look forward to that every week. Plus Thursday means that Friday is just around the corner!!! I love the weekends because that is 2 whole days that I get to spend with my honey. We don't really get to see each other that much during the week it seems because as soon as he gets home from work on Mondays and Wednesdays I have to leave for class so it's literally a kiss hi and a kiss goodbye and I don't get home from class till almost midnight so by then he's usually asleep. And other nights he has either work or meetings at the fire hall, etc. So all that to say...we thoroughly enjoy the weekends for that reason.
I can't believe we are already into December. Next weekend is our company Christmas party. I'm looking forward to that. We had a great time last year. Our boss takes us all to a very fancy restaurant and lets us order whatever we want (plus dessert!! Although by the time dessert comes around no one is hungry so he encourages us to order it to take home for later!! yum) Then they give us presents and a Christmas bonus and all that good stuff. So it's a really fun time. I am looking forward to it cause I could really use a "de-stresser" right about now.
I've been realizing more and more just how blessed I am to have Sam in my life. I have been going through somewhat of a rough patch. Most people know the situation but it amazes me how people can be so thoughtless and heartless. It hurts me and makes me angry all at the same time but I try to remind myself that I have hurt many people in my 32 years of life so I can't expect any different coming back to me. (whether it's on purpose or not) I have never felt so alone as I have these past few months but Sam has been here for me through all the different moods and emotions that I have been feeling. He has just been there for me and loved me through it all. This is something that I just need to come to terms with and I will. Eventually. But he has been a wonderful source of support for me and I am really greatful for that. I don't know what I would do without him. I really don't. I love him and am so thankful to have him in my life.
Well off to bed. Back to work in the morning.