HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The new year is finally here, and I can hardly believe it's actually the year 2006! It seems like only yesterday that I was suffering through freshman biology under the wonderful instruction of Mrs. Davis, a.k.a. crazy lady with a horrible vendetta against our class because we didn't do a science project. Oh, did I say that? Anyway, in spite of feeling incredibly old, I love the arrival of a new year. It always feels like I am getting a fresh start; it's the perfect time to reflect on my life, consider what things I'd like to change, and then set goals for myself. Notice I didn't say "resolutions." I never make resolutions. Instead, I make one goal for the new year, then I set out to achieve it. Last year my goal was to train for and run a marathon. I trained for 5 months, ran a half-marathon in Colorado Springs, then signed up for a full marathon in October. Three weeks out, I broke a toe and was unable to run the race. Was it a failure? Not at all! I got in the best shape of my life, lost 15 pounds, and could actually tell people I had run 18 miles at once (although most people just responded with, "Why would you do that?"). So what's my goal for this year? Wouldn't you like to know!

We got 4 inches of snow last week, so the kids and I went sledding almost every day. Jill and I built a snowman in her back yard. He was the ugliest snowman I've ever seen, but we had a good laugh, especially considering we used a dill pickle for his nose. (see above picture) Please, no comments. On Saturday we hopped a train to Heidelberg. It is such a beautiful town! We've decided that taking the train is so cheap, there is really no excuse for us to sit at home on the weekends! We have a lot of Europe to see, and a short amount of time to see it!

New Year's weekend was full of excitement, too. Let's just say that our neigbors really know how to throw a party! I had decided that I would just go to bed early and ring in the new year the following morning, but they had other plans for me! Since fireworks are legal here, every family in our village was setting off their own fireworks display. I was a little worried at first, especially with the amount of champagne being passed around! I mean, these were huge fireworks. I'm not talking about the cheesy junk you get from a roadside stand in Alabama! These fireworks were incredible. I was sure that one rogue firework would land on my house and burn it down before you could say "Happy..."! Fortunately, that didn't happen. We ended up partying outside in the freezing cold with our neighbors until almost 2 a.m. I know, I'm such a wild thing.

I enrolled Grace in a part-time preschool today. It was either that or sell her to the gypsy down the street. I think I made the right choice.

We'll keep you updated on future happenings with the Smith family European vacation! Until then, GLUCKLICHES NEUES JAHR! (Happy New Year)