2006 and onto 2007...

It's been a pretty good year overall for our family.

Sharon continues to make herself indispensible at her job. She took the 50 book challenge and as usual exceeded her goal, in this case by 32 books. She's also the glue that holds our family together. And she's still the best partner I could ever have asked for.

Rachel started kindergarten and is loving it. She's almost turned the corner on reading. We're going to work on that this year. Sammi transitioned from being at home with me to a daycare and is thriving. The only negative there is that our relationship suffered. That was the start of the total mommy-first behavior; I remember how Sammi was obviously mad at me for the first month of daycare. I think this year I will try to work on that relationship a lot. Especially with our new arrival coming in June, Sammi is going to need that extra attention.

I had a good year professionally as I ventured back into the workforce in late 2005 with a position at a community college. I was just recently promoted to Financial Aid Advisor after a little less than a year on the job. I enjoy my work a lot and my new hours will get me home to the family earlier in the evening. I had my most successful Appalachian Trail hike, covering nearly 50 miles and reaching the highest point of the entire trail. It was gratifying to have such a good year since I know I won't be able to hike in 2007. I also joined a playwriting group called the Black Dogs. Every two weeks we give each other feedback on our writing. It was one of my most enjoyable experiences of 2006.

2006 was a difficult year for Dreamwell as we lost our space in the mall and didn't do a show in Iowa City from February until December. However, we did pull off Waiting for Godot, Dreamwell Reflections (a evening of scenes from past Dreamwell shows), an Iowa Fringe Festival show, and Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. Really not too bad for a theater that was going through its most difficult year.

Here are some entirely doable New Year's Resolutions:

1) Run a mile or more three times a week over my lunch hour at the Rec Center at work. It looks like my metabolism is finally slowing down as I've put on weight and even have a stomach for the first time in my life. I need to work on that.

2) Be the best Financial Aid Advisor I can be.

3) Complete a new play.

4) Forge a tighter bond with Sammi.

5) Take the 50 book challenge.

Happy New Year, everyone!