January 2, 2005

With today being the first “real” day of the New Year, I’ve been getting ready to implement my New Years Resolutions. I kicked off the fun this morning by riding the exercise bike longer than I have in a long time. I also made a point of keeping my heart rate up above 140, something that I can’t usually do without an assist. I felt great afterwards. Tonight I’m going to do some weight training goodness and see if I can find my abs after three months or so.

I then decided to shave off my beard and just keep the mustache. Subconsciously I think I equate “beard” with “heavy” and eat accordingly. I think the lack of beard helped when I jumped on the scale. That and the removal of belly button lint.

It was then off to the grocery store to buy some salad stuff and other assorted veggies and fruits. On the way, I tuned in the calming Jazz Café on Sirius radio. Instead of the banging beats of dance music, it was soothing to drive to the sweet sound of Jazz. I didn’t even flip anyone off or anything! Who knew?

At the grocery store I did something I haven’t done in seven years. I returned cans and bottles. Instead of just dumping them in the recycling bin, I actually returned them for the deposit. It took over $6.00 off the grocery bill! I shudder to think how much money I’ve recycled over the years, but why look back when you’re on a roll?

And now I’m watching figure skating with Katarina Witt on NBC while I’m typing my blog entry. There’s a certain beauty to figure skating that can not be duplicated elsewhere. I prefer the skaters that wear more normal clothes (jeans, flashy top, etc) instead of some of the bedazzled outfits they sometimes show up with, but nonetheless figure skaters are so very talented. Wow.

A new era kicks off tomorrow on many fronts. Earl starts his new responsibilities as General Manager of two plants. He’s now in charge of the whole shebang both here and at the plant in Scotia, outside of Albany. While he’ll be traveling a little more, it won’t be as far, as his last trip to Ohio is next week.

With tomorrow I start my first week of “on call” for work. I guess that makes me officially part of the team. It’ll be intense, but its a challenge that I look forward to. Besides, it means overtime pay, which is always an added bonus.

Earl and I kicked off the New Year with family today, joining my Mom’s side of the family for a little get together. My cousin and her daughter were up from Florida, so we all had the chance to visit and laugh and just basically have a good time.

On the way home, Earl and I decided that we need to see if 2005 is going to be a lucky year for us. We stopped off at the local casino to test Lady Luck.

2005 is going to be a good year.

We came home ahead of the game, with both of us winning about the same amount of money. I didn’t play foolishly this time, but I did take the time to spread myself all over the casino, playing roulette, a little bit of slots, some of the money wheel and then more roulette. I like to think that I played smart. I sang along with the piped in 80s music. I commented to the man next to me that he had a very nice goatee (he did). I think he appreciated the remark. I tipped the roulette dealer whenever I won. I thanked the universe for smiling on me tonight. It was all good.

I’m so looking forward to 2005!

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