Let never day nor night unhallowed pass but still remember what the Lord hath done. ~King Henry the Sixth, Part II (King Henry at II, i)

Okay—so Tryptophan Coma Day has come and gone, and Shop til You Drop Day is past….   Now it’s time to really assess what I should be thankful for:

Well, I’m probably heavier than I was this time last year, but I’m not at the danger zone.     And I might actually be able to swing the monthly cost of a membership at Planet Fitness.

I still limp a bit on certain days, but I can take a walk around the parking lot during my lunch break now.     Baby steps….

I have a job—and the company is thriving to boot.      It’s not my dream gig, but I spend 40 hours a week with some really awesome people.

‘Taint fancy or brand spankin’ new.     But I have a car manufactured in this decade that will change gears (and automatically too, so my poor knee is very thankful).

I’m in a lovely apartment with lots of room—and a dishwasher!     Laundry facilities are only a half a flight down and I can see the outside world from my windows.

I’m getting to see a lot of great theatre for free as a reviewer for an area theatrical website.

I can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but all of my friends still like me anyway.

My kids and grandson are all happy and healthy.    Matt was very enthusiastic about school this year—he’s liking the apartment he’s living in and the classes he’s taking.

My mom is in amazing shape for almost 88 years old.     We’ve had a couple of health scares, but she seems to be doing great these days.  

And we are getting along quite well too.     It’s an adjustment for each of us, since we’ve both lived alone for so many years, but we’re doing it with humor.

So, all in all, 2010 has been a year of big changes.     But it’s all been for the better and I;m in a pretty good place right now.

Of course, being Irish, I’m waiting for the shit to hit the fan…..

Though this be madness, yet there is method in't. ~ Hamlet

--or is there??

Okay, can anyone tell me why a 6 or 7 month old needs to be able to read? It’s not like they have to be able to tell road signs as they drive to work or something…..

And yet, there is a program that promises your toddler—even at the tender age of 6 months—will learn to read. Seriously?! I think this is ridiculous. I mean, c’mon….. Let kids be kids as long as possible for God’s sake.

I will admit, I took my kids for “swim lessons” at six months, but that was because we spent a great deal of time near a bay. I taught them not to touch hot things or sharp objects so they could avoid injury. I taught them how to go down the stairs backwards on their hands and knees so they wouldn’t fall and break tender little bones. It was my job as their mother to protect them.

It was also my job to let them be kids. I think we’ve lost sight of that. Everyone treats kids like trophies or something: “Look what So & So can do!” Kids are pressured to master things at younger and younger ages—in most cases so Mom and Dad can have bragging rights. It’s insane. I never see kids outside just playing anymore. They’re more overbooked than adults these days: play group, music lessons, sports practice, karate, art lessons….. When do they get time to just chill?