Happy New Year, Everybody!

Happy New Year! I love saying that. Happy New Year! The air is cooling off and I feel more energetic. The heavy, sticky heat of summer is oozing away. Even though I don't have children at home any more, I remember distinctly the peace and quiet that finally settled over my existence after several weeks of finding exactly the right school supplies and exactly the right clothes, on top of all their usual activities, which had escalated as they grew older. I could think my own thoughts again. I planned and started new projects. I thought about giving the house a good cleaning. Maybe not. September has always been the start of a new year for me. First it was my own school career, then my girls'. A new grade, new activities, new challenges ... as far as I'm concerned, all things new start in September. When you think about it, what changes from December to January? The number for the year changes. Usually one whole digit. Whoopee! Get out the party hats! ¬ Anything else? It's still cold. It's still dark. It's still bleak. Bleech! Some folks seem to appreciate the calm after all the holiday excitement, but all it means to me is that I have to put the Christmas decorations away. By myself. Bleech again. Give me crisp apples, plaid jumpers with knee socks, and the ability to walk to the mailbox without soaking my shirt in sweat. Yeah, September! Happy New Year, everybody!