Well now that I am done with my blogging vacation, I think I ought to list some of my hopes, dreams, resolutions and other things that I would like 2007 to bring.

The last week or so of 2006 was very busy. I worked at the security place a lot, worked at the shoe store, and attempted to work at the day job. I like the dispatch job, and I’d like to try and keep that in some way. I also like the shoe store, mainly because of the people. And the day job? Well, I said I’d be there now but I slept until 9. I haven’t gotten a phone call yet. I still have serious reservations about the stability of that job, and it’s really put a damper in my spirit as far as wanting to go in. However, while we’re on the subject of jobs, one of the new dispatchers at work and I were talking the other night. One of the first things he said to me was, “You seem like a reasonably intelligent person. What are you doing working here?” or something to that effect. He’s there part time, just for some extra cash. His full time job is at an excellent company that pays very well, and he’s looking to add people to his team. I gave him my resume and I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I’ll let you know how that turns out. If it does, I would be able to live off of just one job. One single job! And I’d still make more than I was making with 2 jobs. So keep yer fingers crossed for that one.

Of course I would also like to lose weight this year. Besides being so busy that I’ve had no time to work out (as if I even like working out), I think one of the main culprits is the Paxil. My doctor doesn’t think so, but my research and personal experiences from friends say otherwise. I’m not even going to give you a number, but let’s just say that I’m at my heaviest right now. Since there are physical effects of trying to go off Paxil, I’ve got a taper-down plan that I hope will work. Getting off that and a bit of healthier eating should help me shed the 30lbs I’ve gained in the last year.

There are lots of other things I’d like to get done this year, but they’re more of a to-do thing rather than a resolution thing. I’d like to clean my apartment. Reorganize my bookmarks. Get stuff done. You know, all the things I want to do but never get around to doing.

Most of all, I hope that all the job insecurity that fell upon me during the last quarter of 2006 will stabilize and that 2007 will be the Year of the Paycheck. Then I can visit home without worrying about the financial ramifications of taking a vacations. Perhaps I can even renew my passport and actually use it this year! That’s getting ahead of myself though. For now I just want to go visit my family and get to Florida to visit my sister and niece.

But first, I’m going to eat breakfast and play around online a bit more.

This might not be a great post as great posts go, but it’s my version of those wonderful brag letters you all love to get in your holiday cards to find out where family and friends have been over the past year. So, here goes.

2006 started innocently enough for me. I was working my wonderful job at Management Recruiters of Las Vegas and just piddling along in life. Then, I decided that it was time to ditch the roommate situation and move to a new apartment. Living on my own is much more fun than having to deal with a roommate, and I’ve been loving every minute of it.

Summer saw me back in New Hampshire to visit family and friends, and to celebrate Bubba’s 13th and Messy J’s 7th Birthdays. I got some updated pictures of the kids, and got to meet my new little brother, Boo. My mom and stepdad are now foster parents, and even though I’m far away I love having a little brother. During that trip I also got to reconnect with one of my best friends from high school, Courtney and meet her new little man. It was a great trip overall and really left me feeling homesick and wanting to move back home.

But, that was not to be. Great changes were ahead for me in the last quarter of the year. I decided that I could not further my career anymore at Management Recruiters, and left in search of bigger and better things. The man upstairs had other plans for me, though. I was involved in a car accident that left my little Kia a total loss and the 5th metacarpal in my left hand broken. As a result, I needed a new car and since I got hosed big time when I bought the Kia, I was not keen on the idea of car shopping out here. Luckily for me, I have a great Dad who just happens to own a garage and dealership, and he came to the rescue. He got me a great deal on a repo, and even rolled my deductible and travel expenses into the loan. Only one little hitch – the car was in New Hampshire and I am in Las Vegas. So, home it was to get my new car and drive it back to Vegas.

Now, on the way back home, I was eating lunch in Washington, DC with a friend when I got a call from my mom that my sister, who was 7 months pregnant, had gone in for an emergency c-section. Since I was in a position to be flexible with my schedule and location, I headed down to Cape Coral, Florida to be with her. Mia Rose was a bit early but is doing well, and is home now to celebrate her first Christmas with her Mommy, Daddy, brothers and sisters. I’m really glad now that I was in that accident and was able to be with my sister when she needed someone around, and to meet my youngest niece. Life’s funny like that.

Upon returning home, I continued on my quest for greatness, but it was not to be. The job I started after my drive was not to be, as it did not make the best use of my skills. At the last minute I got a call out of the blue from a friend I had not heard from in a few months, offering me my dream job – a chance to move up and learn more skills as an administrative assistant while working in a fun and creative environment. But, again, someone had other plans. Due to a situation there, I did not start that job and ended up taking a security dispatch job!!!! on the graveyard shift just to get through. The job shake-up continues as the dream job is apparently back on to start next week, but since I’m not to confident in the security of that situation, I’ll work that part time in addition the security and shoe store job. So, if you don’t hear from me for awhile, just know that I am at work or sleeping. I’ll try to update when I’m coherent enough to do so.

So, that’s the news for now. My busy social life continues, so I must say adios for now. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2007!

As I was on my way to work this morning, not really looking forward to working this weekend in a retail setting, I got a call from my boss/friend asking what my plans were for the day. I told her I was working until 4:30, to which she replied, “Perfect!” See, she was going to do Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving, then it got moved to Sunday the 26th, but I thought she meant the 19th, so I took the 19th off from the store and ended up with a day off to myself, which was also the case on Thanksgiving. Due to the travel plans of a friend who came to town (which is half the reason she changed the plans around in the first place) she moved the turkey dinner to Saturday – today. So, after all that I finally got a real Thanksgiving dinner with my family away from home. I love spending time at her house. There’s always interesting people there to talk to and the kids give the place such a great energy that really makes it feel like a holiday. I’m thankful that this year I can spend my holidays with such a great family.

Now the turkey is finally getting to me, so I’m going to bed.