01/05/2012 The Jersey Girl, Audrey Beem

Is everybody as shocked as I am that 2011 is over and gone? I know they said the older I get the faster the years would go by, but this is ridiculous. So now I’m wondering what this year will bring as we delve into 2012.
First, and foremost, I hope all our military men and women get to come home from Iraq and Afghanistan and all those horrible places.
I would like to see politicians stop hating each other and work toward a common goal, Kim Kardashian will find out that the world does not revolve around her and Casey Anthony will get a cell right next to O.J. However slim chance of any of those happening.
I hope they finally find out what happened to JonBenet Ramsey, and while they’re at it let’s find out if Lizzie Borden really did kill her parents or not.
I wish the economy could get back to normal … but I’m afraid this is the new normal and we better get used to it somehow.
How about a Super Bowl game for the Broncos? If so, there’s big party at my house. But even if they don’t make it I still think 2012 will be Tim Tebow’s year to shine and the world to find out just what he’s made of.
I want this to be the year that Simon Cowell falls madly in love and becomes a nicer person. Donald Trump loses all his money and has to work 9 to 5 like the rest of us. Madonna gets her first wrinkle, Cameron Diaz gets fat and Neil Patrick Harris takes over for Regis.
The “Dancing with the Stars” cast for 2012 should be: Michael Phelps, Jon Cryer, James Gandolfini, Lauren Graham, Martha Plimpton, Lea Michelle, Jeff Probst, Alex Rodriguez, Kyra Sedgewick, Blair Underwood, Toni Braxton, Whoopie Goldberg and Ryan Seacrest dancing with his partner Julianne Hough. Now that’s a cast.
I want more of Dr. Oz and Dr. Drew. More of “Cake Boss” and “American Pickers.” More, more, more of Johnny Depp, Whitney, Robert Downey Jr., Zooey Deschanel, Emma Stone and James Franco.
Less, less, less of Lindsay Lohan, Newt Gingrinch, Gordon Ramsey, Chris Brown, Starr Jones and Ashton Kutcher until he shaves and cuts his hair. What has happened to that boy anyway? He seems to have lost his wife, his mind and his shampoo.
As for technology, I hate to say it but I really don’t care what innovative new phone they come out with. Even if they invented one that made my lunch every day, I’d still have my plain, basic phone that makes calls and sends texts. That’s all I’ll ever use a phone for, or so I say right now. It tickles me though that my 9-year-old goddaughter just got her first cell phone.
In 2012, I will try to eat better, exercise more, have more patience with people, and excel in everything I do. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah…
On the family side, I hope my granddaughter continues to be the star pitcher that she has been and I hope my grandson stays as happy and as funny as he is right now. I wish for love and fulfillment for both my brothers. I want my daughters to continue to grow and continue to be loved the way they deserve. I want my mom and dad to enjoy another year of healthy life and new adventures.
And as for me, Rupert Murdock is going to read one of my stories and offer to pay me millions of dollars to write articles for him about five times a year.
In the meantime, my husband is finally going to hit the lottery and we will be moving to the Rainbow River.
Yes, crazy but true, even if we hit the lotto we are staying right here in Dunnellon.
And then when I wake up from this nice dream I will start another day full of family, love and lots of laughter.
Because that’s what life is truly all about and what I wish for in the coming year.
Happy 2012 and Happy Leap Year!