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02
Jan, 2013
DONE!
Happy New Year From Us!
At the end of each year, my BFF, Jennie Wong (co-founder of CartCentric.com, syndicated columnist of Ask The Mompreneur, friend extraordinaire & more) compiles a “done” list. New Years is a time when we tend to focus a lot of energy on all of the things we think we “should” do in the new year. I’m going to go to the gym every day, I’m going to stop eating carbs, I’m going to balance the national budget. I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions. Why shlep ancient negativity onto a fresh new slate? I love Jennie’s idea of reminding yourself of what you DID accomplish. In this busy day and age, it is too easy to forget what we’ve done as we are so quickly on to the next conquest. I can’t recall why I even entered a room about 4 out of 5 times, although I mostly blame that on the brain cell sucking powers of motherhood.
Whether you published a book, ran a marathon or finally organized your sock drawer, why not take a few minutes to remind yourself that the year was a fruitful one of growth and hard work? Or even if it’s a reassurance that the year wasn’t ALL bad, that’s ok too. Go ahead, inspire yourself to move into the new year with hope, drive and purpose. Excelsior!
Amy Anderson’s DONE List 2012
– Booked and shot two new tv stand-up shows (Stand Up In Stilettos & Nick Mom Night Out)
– Booked a national commercial
– Banner year of most stand up work booked ever in my 15+ yr career, as a result…
– Highest income year ever in my life
– Got back in shape, lost approx 10 lbs & began training for a half marathon (Jan 20, 2013)
– Got the ball rolling on financial and estate planning
– Re-established a healthy family relationship with my brother & obtained reliable, flexible, trustworthy, much needed child-care help in one-fell-swoop
– Paid off a substantial chunk of debt & starting to see the light at the end of a loooong, shit-filled tunnel
– Obtained health & dental insurance for both Aubrey and me
– Turned 40 and was given a VERY CLEAN bill of health after first ever annual exam including full blood work
– Rid myself of a toxic relationship and stayed happily single all year
– Most importantly, I am proud of the kind of mom I have been to Aubrey and I am the happiest I have ever been. Even though the year was incredibly busy (head spinning, to put it lightly) it was wonderful. And by focusing in on myself and my daughter, I experienced the deepest feelings of peace and joy I’ve ever had. I can honestly tell you, it doesn’t suck.
Tags: 2013 • Amy Anderson • Christmas • goal setting • happy new year • holidays • list making • new year's resolutions • resolutions
25
Dec, 2011
Merry Christmas From Us!!
It’s officially CHRISTMAS 2011! Woohoo!
In case you missed it, here is the holiday Smilebox card I made for friends, family and fans. Aubrey and I really did have an amazing year. It was not without its ups and downs – like some HUGE ups and downs – but as I look back, I am proud of how much both of us grew and learned in 2011.
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| Personalize your own free picture slideshow |
As you probably know, I am a single mom and tonight was a Christmas Eve of solitude for me. Aubrey’s dad and I have shared custody and she is at her other home for Christmas this year. She headed over there this afternoon after a fun morning together of The Muppet Movie matinee and lunch at one of her favorite restaurants.
As a single mom, not having my child on a major holiday always brings mixed emotions. Most people would assume that it’s totally sad, not having my little turkey girl here for Christmas, but it’s not all sad. This is a time for me to relax, catch up on some work, stay up late and sleep in (!!!!), go to some grown-up holiday parties, watch American Horror Story on the DVR in the middle of the day and talk on the phone uninterrupted. I need this time to re-charge my mom-battery. I hate the phrase “me time” but that’s what it is.
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| Aubrey and Bob Barker |
Of course, the other part of me is sad that I won’t have the traditional Christmas morning with her. These magical holiday years go fast and this is the first year she is excited about Santa Claus. The first year she actually gets the concept and is anticipating his visit.
Tonight, I was thinking that I hate not getting to see her reaction in the morning when she wakes up to discover the cookies and milk gone, her stocking full of treats and toys under the tree. But honestly, she’s four and I bet she’ll believe me if I tell her that Santa is coming one more night because he knows that she has two houses. Then we can have Christmas all over again next week when everyone else is standing in merchandise return lines and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of the kids’ vacation days. We will be opening presents, having our own Christmas.
Motherhood has not been typical for me, in ANY way. Not since the day she was born. And while it’s not a storybook ideal, it’s still pretty amazing and I do believe we have a really splendid life together. We often have to make up our own rules and traditions as we go, but this is what makes our little family of two, special.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday time this year, no matter what that means to you. YOU define your happiness and joy!
…and if you are spending time with family this holiday season and would rather be at home alone like me, check this out:
Tags: Amy Anderson • Aubrey Anderson-Emmons • Christmas • holiday traditions • holidays • motherhood • single parenting
16
Dec, 2009
The Tree is UP! Whoopee!
Happy season’s greetings to all! This is the first year I decided to put up a tree and it’s pretty cute. It does cheer the house up. I’d leave it up all year, just for fun, if it wasn’t another thing to dust.
I’m a bit of a scrooge during this time of the year because, well, for many reasons:
1) I’m not religious at all, so Christmas or Hanukkah aren’t super meaningful to me. In fact, since I’m not religious, Christmas and Hanukkah just seem more and more to me about commercialism and the having of STUFF. I don’t like stuff.
2) This is the slowest time of the year for my work which means I’m usually pretty lean in the pockets and frustrated because I’m not working as much as I want to be
3) I am the single mom of a child who spends part of her time at her dad’s. Last year and this year, she is going to her other house for Christmas, which means I will be completely ALONE! (Boyfriend is going out East to visit family and I have opted not to spend $900 on a plane ticket to visit people I’ve never met before)
4) I’m just not a sentimental person. I try sometimes, but it’s not really me.
I do enjoy the spirit of the holidays and the ideas of giving and togetherness, but this year, as last year, I will be going to a bunch of movies with a couple of friends. Aubrey and I will open gifts from grandparents either before she leaves for her dad’s around the 23rd, or after she gets back after Christmas.
I do wonder if my daughter will be bummed out that we don’t have hard core Christmas traditions? I’d rather have other traditions I guess – like something for her birthday.
But back to the tree. I did buy a tree and we have enjoyed having it here. There are a few ornaments in particular, that Aubrey loves to play with and is determined to break. She already broke the oldest one I have and honestly, it was ok with me. It’s just a thing.
On Christmas day, the Wal Mart tree will be sitting in my living room, all by itself, in the dark, with the lights off. Lame, huh? Let me know when January is here!
Tags: Amy Anderson • Christmas • Christmas tree • holidays • religion • traditions
