Very Superstitious

I am a very superstitious person. Not just a little stitious. I try not to be, I know it isn't rational or logical. I think it's just how I was brought up. We didn't go to church growing up but my grandmother and mom are Catholic. Besides the church part they are very devout and very religious. We grew up praying to both God and the Saints. There was always a lot of do's and don'ts and I was terrified for a few years there. A great many things were sins. Wasting food,talking back, fighting with your sisters. Then there were all the things that resulted in permanent damage. If you crossed your eyes they'd stay that way, pick your nose and your finger will be stuck permanently. My grandmother was in large part responsible for these notions. Sometimes they were positive. If your palm itches you're going to get money. I think I gradually built this into a mild form of OCD. For about 10 years I chewed on each side of my mouth an equal number of times whenever I ate. When I prayed at night I had to mention every person or else I lived in fear for weeks that something bad would happen to them. I tell Pete every night that I love him, even if he's already asleep, or else I think that we will break up. I know that this is ridiculous and I know that I am slightly crazy. For all these reasons mentioned above New Years Eve causes a slight panic for me. I feel that the tone of this evening and tomorrow will set the tone for the whole year. If my house isn't clean tonight, it will be a messy year. If there is fighting and arguing, this year will be an angry one. Last year we were all really sick with food poisoning, then I was diagnosed with cancer. Crazy? Yes. But in my mind, I cannot help but draw these conclusions. I don't bother with resolutions, that is setting myself up for far too much self scrutiny. I do love the idea of the New Year though. New possibilities, a fresh start, planning for the future. It will be another big year, Siobhan will turn 13, Hans will start kindergarten, I will be alone in the house with Olive(yikes!), Oscar will begin his last year in elementary school. There is so much to look forward to and I am so grateful to be here. I don't take that for granted and I am grateful for the lessons that having cancer has taught me. Now, as long as I continue tapping my foot 4 times before getting in bed it will stay away. Just kidding. Sometimes, I wonder if I share a little too much?
Besides the cancer, there have a been a great other many things that have taken place this year. We moved to Washington, my mom sold her home, three nephews and a niece were born, Zak came home from his mission, there was a day last week that Olive wasn't crying or calling me a bucket head. All really good stuff. I am so happy in my life. I have a great husband and amazing children. I have family and friends that I love and adore. I also have this place, thank you for coming here and being so kind. I have had this blog for 16 months and have never had a negative word said. I appreciate that and I also enjoy those of you that share your family. So, now I'd like to share a few photos from the year. Be safe and have fun this evening. Be sure your house is clean, there is no arguing and whatever you do, do not eat any donuts from Pikes Place. I will be back tomorrow for a whole new year of blogging!