Another year almost at it's end. As usual, it's been up and down but for the most part a good year. I can't think of anyone that died - which I think is a good thing - except it's bad if someone did and I can't remember it, so that has potential to start an upward swing. Although, my husband's grandmother, who is 93, just told our 10 year old when she was there to visit at Christmas time that she wants to die. And my grandmother, who is 82, had a small stroke a few months back and is now paranoid about doing anything for fear it may happen again. So, here's to hoping 2011 is funeral free but I have a feeling we'll have at least one.

I am SOOOOOOOO glad the holidays are over. It seems that every year I dread it more and more. Not the actual holiday, but all the crap that goes on before hand. All the shopping and running around and crabby crazy people. And this year I determined that, more then ever, my daughter is spoiled rotten! She got nearly everything on her list between her birthday (she's 10 now!!!) on the 20th and Christmas. But, that's all a part of her being an only child.

I'm heading into my 3rd year on the job and at times it seems as if I've always been here. I still miss being closer to home at times but I know that I can't do what I'm doing in the town where I live, that option just isn't there anymore. And, I'm less than 25 miles away from home so it isn't too bad as far as the amount of time I spend in the car each morning and night. Realistically, it's 25 minutes, and that goes pretty fast. Especially since we're not in a highly populated area. I mean, this isn't downtown Chicago traffic I have to deal with, even on the busiest traffic days. I do have to admit that the amount of road construction on the stretch of interstate I travel has made me a little postal at times though.

Personally, life is going pretty well. My family has mellowed out for the most part (there are still a couple of total bitches that think they need to stick their noses where they don't belong) and we're co-existing pretty well. We don't have the big family gatherings we used to have and I don't have as much contact with some of my cousins but the ones I want to keep in constant contact with I do. And that's what matters.

My parents just headed back to Arizona yesterday after being here for the holidays. I told Dad to take as much snow with him as he wanted but by the looks of things he didn't want any. It is supposed to be warmer today, in the high 30's or low 40's, and things are melting away a little. But we're still a long way from spring - and I hate that. Hopefully the airfare will stay reasonable and me and the Peanut will make our February trip to AZ this year. So far it's looking promising, I just need to clear the dates with work.

Well, I've managed to stay sane (or at least it appears that way) for yet another year. Let's see what 2011 brings.