I just have to get through the rest of today, then I'm done with work! We leave very early Sunday morning and will be staying through Friday!

I cannot wait! With everything that's been going on with our moms, I'm really looking forward to just getting away from reality for a week. And that is what WDW does best. Once you enter their property you're in this perfectly sanitized little bubble. I really, really need that for a few days.

The weather is supposed to be cool (but warmer than Chicago!) and we may get some rain, but I'm hoping crowds are low and we can just have a relaxed, leisurely time of it.

...you're the pride and joy of Illinois!
Chicago Bears, bear down!

Da Bears!!!

What a fun game! I can't believe we made it to the Superbowl! DH thinks I'm crazy, but I don't even much care if we win, I'm just thrilled to be there. I'd like to win, of course, but it's just nice to be in the game!

We watched the game today with some friends who are also passionate, rowdy Bears fans. My friend decided very early in the game that she would pour a round of shots for each touchdown. Needless to say she was quite worse for the wear by the time the game was over!

DH and I had bi-weekly cleaning service for about 4 years, but cancelled it early last year in an effort to save money. It's not that we were in a crisis, it just seemed that we could do better with the money.

10 months later, and we've come to the decision that adding it back is really the best option for us. DH and I just hate to clean. I don't mind routine stuff like dishes, laundry, and picking up, but I just hate to do the heavy stuff.

And so we just don't do it. And it gets dirty. And I work full time, but from home, so I'm here all day and the dirtiness drags me down. And DH is working 80 hours a week, so if it's going to get cleaned it's falling on me. We're starting to have those "you don't do anything around the house" fights.

I figure the cost of cleaning is cheaper than marriage counseling or a divorce lawyer! I guess it means we aren't perfect, but I sure think we'll be happier.

We just got our Jan bill from Comcast and it jumped over $35!!!

We were on a 12 month promotion, and unfortunately the promotion is up. I called Comcast and the first person I spoke to wasn't willing to extend the promotion or adjust our rate back down.

Soo, I guess we're shopping for new TV service. We have access to both Dish and DirectTV out here, so I think there will be enough competition to keep us at an acceptable level. All I really want is first-tier type cable and some kind of DVR.

DH's big TV will do HD, but I'm not crazy about what they're charging for it. Comcast says we'd be eligible for a new promotion in 6 months, so if the cost is feasable, maybe I can get him back on to it before football season starts next year.

Ugh...

What a game! I'm so happy the Bears were able to squeak it out!

I was a little worried because Gould doesn't have much experience as a long kicker and still has room to grow in that area, but his kick was beautiful and they all looked so happy afterwards!

Seattle was a very worthy adversary and played a heck of a game. Much respect to them.

But I'm just so happy for the home team!!! Can't wait to take on the Saints next week!

It's funny--I spent so long on the fence about kids but these days it's like someone flipped a switch and I'm ready NOW.

I've got another 11 weeks to go. I'm trying to use that time to clean up my habits so I'm ready to model good behaviors for my children.

My biggest goals are to begin regular exercise again and to lose 10% of my body weight before we start trying.

I used to walk around my neighborhood for most of my exercise but I have exercise-induced athsma and the cold weather really aggravated it. Now instead of going to my doctor and getting a new inhaler or using our ellipical trainer I just kind of stopped exercising. Good plan!

Watching my mom's condition has really made me realize how valuable a strong and well-conditioned body is.

My mom came home on Dec 29th and there has definitely been a period of adjustment but she's developing a system for most things. The house renovations are dragging on and it's been more complicated than we thought to get her a power chair but we're slowly making progress.

To complicate matters DH's mom has also taken seriously ill. She may not be with us for much longer--it's really hard to say. So now we're trying to make trips out to see them in Ohio when we can.

It's never dull around here. We're going to Walt Disney World at the end of the month and I just can't wait! I'm ready for a break.