New Year's Day Traditions and Superstitions

Happy New Year's Eve!

Whether you're planning to ring in the new year with friends at a big party or spend a quiet night at home with your family, there are (apparently) certain traditions that will bring you good fortune in 2009. Here's a list I found of New Year's Traditions and Superstitions.

WHAT TO DO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
Make lots of noise at the stroke of midnight. Evil spirits attempt to come into the brand new year at this time - horns and whistles chase them away.

WHAT TO WEAR ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
Wear red underwear (tonight) on New Year's Eve to bring luck. And you might even get lucky, if you know what I mean. And I think you do. :)

WHAT TO EAT ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
Black-eyed peas and lentils eaten on New Year's Day are said the bring riches and safety to the coming year.

WHAT TO DO ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
The first words you hear in the minutes of the New Year will set the precedence for the entire year.

While you're partying, listen tonight from 8 to midnight for our Morning Drive New Year's Eve Party with myself and John Riley. We're pulling out all the party tunes!

Rockin' Out to Rock Band!

Let me ask you this .... am I the only one who stays up late playing "Rock Band" with other adult friends on a Monday night? That's what went down at my house last night and I was loving it!!! I felt cool and isn't that the point? You're supposed to feel like you're in a rock band when you're banging on those drums, strumming that guitar or belting out your best "Wanted Dead or Alive" over the mic. So if you haven't tried it ... and you don't have it .. find someone who does and express yourself! It's a great way to have some fun with, not only, your kids, but with friends and other family.

Early Wake-up Call

It was HARD to get up this morning. I mean, come on, for the past week I've been spoiled by having the luxury of sleeping in everyday. But now, after a wonderful Christmas with my family, it's back to work .. and that's not such a bad thing. Vacation is great .. with all it's laziness .. but getting back to a schedule makes my life right again. You know what I mean. I can only sit around the house in my pajamas for so long. I start to get that stir-crazy feeling if it's much longer. And now, we all get to look forward to 2009. A time to get reorganized, refocused and re-energized.

Don't Waste Your Time ... Happy Holidays

Over the weekend, we traveled up to the Chicago suburbs to celebrate Christmas #1 with my family. My three children were very excited because they got to open lots of presents early. Nana and Poppy, as usual, spoiled the kids and it was all fun and games. Literally. My son recieved the Spongebob Monopoly game and I think we played it four times. It was lots of fun and I won twice. :)

My husband and I were supposed to drive downtown Saturday for a fancy dinner with his brother and some friends but decided not to go because of the weather (BRRRR). Yeah, we're wimps. As a result, we stayed home and watched two movies. Two absolutely, awful movies!!!! So in the spirit of helping others this holiday season I want to advise you not to waste your time with "Tropic Thunder" or "Burn After Reading." I can't believe I actually sat through both of those movies in the same night. Four hours I'll never get back. Hopefully, I'll see some better movies over Christmas.

I hope you have a safe and happy holiday. I'll be out for a few days but will be back on the air Monday.

A Great Book To Share

There's nothing more entertaining than reading a great book ... and I found one. I was up way past my bedtime (11:30) last night because I couldn't put down Harlan Coben's new book, " Hold Tight." I would describe it as a thriller with lots of twists and turns. A great read. Hey, maybe even a great Christmas gift for someone.

Happy Holidays!

Being Thankful .. For Good Health.

On Thanksgiving, just before my family eats dinner, everyone sits around the table and lists off what they're thankful for. Well, for some reason, this Thanksgiving we didn't do it so I'm doing it now.

I'm thankful for .. my children, my husband, my friends, my job, my health. Uhh .. well my health hasn't been that GREAT this year. I got my tonsils out. (That was hell!!) I've been dealing with reflux forever. (It's driving me crazy!!!) And for the past five days, I haven't been able to move my head because I pulled a muscle in my neck.

Now, obviously there are many people who are far worse off than I am, but please allow my to express my frustration. For the past year, I haven't felt physically well. I compare the situation to my 10 year old van. Things are just starting to wear out. It seems like I've always got a doctors appointment scheduled or a prescription to fill or UGHHH ... this darn reflux.

Anyway, this latest neck injury left me incapacitated and in pain for days. I couldn't take care of my family, my home, or go about my everyday activities and it was incredibly frustrating. It also made me realize how much I take my body and health for granted on a day to day basis.

I sometimes tell the people who come to my fitness class that we should remember it is a privelege for us to move the way we do and without pain. Once I feel better, I'm going to think about that every day.