Happy New Year?

Well well, here it is yet another "new" year.  What exactly does that mean?  Resolutions are in full swing but, how many will fizzle?  I, to, am pondering how to "improve" my life in 2012.  Of course, it's all of the same resolutions that you always hear............eat better, get in shape, be a better friend, wife, teacher blah blah blah.  Ok ok, I'll try to have a better attitude.  No really, I do love my life.  I just find it difficult to realize sometimes.  I have a husband who "cherishes" me.  I live in a great community.  I have a wonderful job being a teacher.  I am, though, too far away from my family.  They live around 1800 miles away.  And by "they," I mean ALL of my family.  My parents, brother and his kids, sister, Aunts and Uncles, Grandma's etc.  I currently have an uncle suffering from ALS.  Anyone else affected by this disease?  It's terrible.  I got to go home for Christmas and was I ever glad to get to see my uncle.  I'm not too sure how much longer he has.  If you aren't familiar with this disease........like I said, it's terrible.  It steals you of all capacities except your wits.  So, even though your body is failing miserable, you are completely aware of what's going on around you.  You get to a point where you can no longer move your body.  You can no longer feed yourself because you can't move your hands never mind the fact that you can't swallow without aspirating.  Which leads you to having a feeding tube.  And then comes the ventilator.  Needless to say, it's TERRIBLE.  I think about my uncle everyday all day and wonder how he is doing.  Anyway, I guess that's enough for today.  I guess I should say that I'm not exactly sure why I started a blog.  I guess it's just a way for me to clear my head and to get some things off of my chest.