Hellooooo Potato Lover's Month

Let's play a little word-association game. When I say "January", what comes to your mind? 'Cause for me, it's this:

Longest. Month. Evvvvvvvver.

January has always seemed extra long to me. Even when I was a kid I remember January seeming to drag. I think back then it was because I'd start the month while still on Winter Break. Christmas and all my new toys were fresh in mind. By the time the month was over though, I'd been back in school for weeks and weeks, my new toys had lost their sparkly appeal, and Christmas was a distant memory. At that point for me it was all about the long haul to summer.

This year, (for reasons you already know about if you're a regular reader), January has been especially... rough? Hard? Emotionally exhausting? None of those is exactly the right word, but the three of them together gives you a good sense of how I feel about the past 4 weeks. Without harping on things (because lately I've felt like the Grim Reaper of mommy blogs), I do want to say thank you to those of you reading who've been a great ear and a wonderful support. Ann, I used your advice about breathing yesterday on my way to Michelle's Life Celebration. I had to go on my own since Mr. C took 9 over early and I was feeling a tad apprehensive. To be honest, I almost hyperventilated in my car. No matter how polite and respectful Michelle and I were to each other, it's never fun to be the ex-husband's new(ish) wife walking into a home full of the family and friends of the first wife. So anyway, I remembered your advice about breathing and was fine. I had nothing to worry about anyway. Everyone was very gracious and nice, and as Mr. C reminded me, "It's not about you, Tacy." Bluntly put, yes, but I needed the reminder.

I should tell you that our household has gotten bigger in the last 24 hours. There are now 2 adults, 1 teenager, 3 small children, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 fish, and 1 gecko, all living under this roof. The cat and the gecko are 9's pets from over at his mom's house. They've come to live with us now. I'm not thrilled about George the gecko, but 9 has assured me that he stays in his aquarium and I will not be required to touch him. Squiggy is a 14 year old cat that 9 has had his whole life. Have I mentioned that I'm allergic to cats? It's here on a trial basis. I've had cats my whole life, and it's usually just the first two weeks that they're around that I feel sick. Then my body gets over it. So we're giving it a try since it became really clear in the past couple of days that having Squiggy around was important to 9. Princess G and J are in 7th heaven. It's possible that the cat may die of over-stimulation before I even have a chance to work up immunity.

Anyway, just for fun here's some things to look forward to in February:

International Boost Self-Esteem Month (so let's all look into the mirror and tell ourselves how great we are)
National Bird Feeding Month
National Caffeine Addiction Awareness Month (I, personally, am very aware of how addicted I am to my coffee. I just don't care to do anything about it.)
National Children's Dental Health Month (in FEBRUARY? The month of chocolate? Who decides these things?)
National Hot Breakfast Month (Whaaaaaaaa?)
National Single and Searching Month (As if February didn't suck for the singles enough)
Potato Lover's Month (KETTLE CHIPS!!! Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP?)
Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month (and March is National Homeless Awareness Month. Not really. But wouldn't that be ironic?)

So that's it for tonight. So long, January! In the words of the Von Trapp Children, "adieu, adieu, to you, and you, and you."
Good night!