Happy New Year!

I've learned some very important lessons in 2010. While all teachings have the ability to be life changing, a few of the lessons I had to learn this year will have life long lasting effects. Read on for my schooling at "Life University" this past year.

My first lesson came in February on our return trip from visiting Karin and family in NY. NEVER attempt to save money on flights by opting for a 3-plane trip with a not-quite-2 yr. old toddler. She will never make it to your destination in a good mood. And more than likely, the meltdown will occur somewhere in the middle...

Another lesson learned involved my desire to switch careers. I, like so many others, have been misled that there is ALWAYS a need for quality teachers. Well, after studying for weeks and successfully passing the Elementary Certification Exam, I woke up to a St. Pete Times headline that revealed that it was "The worst year for hiring teachers since the Great Depression." Needless to say, I'm still not employed as a teacher, but I am signed up for substitute training and keep trying!

The lessons continued throughout the summer, such as: you can't pay bills with fake money; unemployment doesn't stretch as far as one would like it too and yes, FL summers are brutally hot as ever. But nothing could have prepared me for the lesson that even IUD's are not foolproof. Yes... I have heard of people getting pregnant on birth control before, but with an IUD? Really? I called Mirena's customer service line to discuss my displeasure of their product. They reminded me that "no birth control is 100% effective, but they were sorry to hear that I wasn't satisfied with their product." Thank you very much. I will try to contain my joy at raising another child for 18 years.

While I was still reeling from my life long lesson discovered in August, one of Hillsborough county's finest educated me on the costly decision to accelerate beyond the posted speed limit over the Courtney Campbell Causeway (I really did NOT see the speed limit change!). About 2 weeks later, I learned that even the second car going through a green light is at risk of being hit by a red-light runner! Our truck was totaled in the accident that thankfully, spared everyone from injury.

Probably the most disappointing lesson I had to learn this year, was the one that even those you love, can hurt you beyond belief; and even your spouse can lie, cheat and steal. I'm a trusting person by nature and generally believe what someone tells me. Even when you've made mistakes before, I'll give you another chance just for the asking. I hope by learning this lesson I can learn to temper my judgement, but still keep my trusting nature.

I'm ready for 2011 to be a not so "educational" year for me. The lessons I learned last year will carry me through most, if not all of this one. Besides, I'll be learning a lot about being a single mom to a rambunctious soon to be 3 year old and a newborn. Lots of moms have done it before, and while I didn't want to raise my daughters like this, I'm determined to be successful too!