December 31st - Reflections

 As dawn breaks on the last day of 2013, I also close another year.  Yesterday was my birthday.  The number isn't really important.  My mother once said, "age is not a number, but a life long accumulation of dreams, expectations and experiences".   I was young and didn't understand.   Now, as I move closer to another decade, I am coming closer to the appreciation of her words.

 As 2013 prepares his departure I am compelled to admit it will not be listed in my top 100.   He left scars, and seems determined to not exit quietly.  I am not sad to see his departure, yet...

we survive.
We hold on to those we love, and those who love us.  My dad, when diagnosed with cancer several years ago, told me "you put one foot in front of the other and you walk the path put in front of you".  I think, I had very wise parents.





A birthday,
a passing year,
is a good time to look back,
evaluate, and assess the lessons
 learned from living life.

Always look for the unexpected.
There are delightful surprises waiting just outside your window.

Surround yourself with those who encourage you to take flight,

but if left alone, fear not,
you are stronger than you can imagine...
just soar!

Find a place that soothes, refreshes, heals.

Take care of those who find themselves in the cold.

When something works, take notes.

Eat dessert...
yes, eat dessert!

Have a dream.

Find something that ignites passion,
and fight to keep it alive.

Surround yourself with things you love.

Once in a while slow down and look at yourself through someone else's eyes.

Don't be afraid to change directions when necessary.

When lost...
be still...
silent...
believe in something greater than yourself.

Be gentle with yourself.

At the end of the day, when the path ends, remember...
just beyond the horizon is a brand new day....
a brand new year.

Possibilities are beyond imagination.



 Thank you for your visits, your encouragement,
and your kind comments.

May the New Year be good to you and those you hold dear.
Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

I love waking up Christmas morning!
 I am always the first one down.
Packages multiplied under the tree all through the night.

Santa's helper finishes filling stockings just before the first

footsteps are heard coming down the stairs.

And now it is time for me to wish all of you gentle people

a beautiful Christmas.  May all of your days be as magical

as the first light of Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas!

Books for Christmas

Have you completed your holiday preparations?

If you are happily sitting with a cup a tea, feeling comfort with

the knowledge you have finished shopping, creating and wrapping,

I humbly bow to you,  and congratulate you on your accomplishment.

I will also add, I am green with envy.

Today I will make my final push to finish my Christmas shopping.
I have my journey mapped out, sort of.
Here are my two admissions...
...I am a last minute Christmas shopper, and
...I am always a little stressed this time of year.

I almost always end my holiday hunt in the bookstore.  It reduces my stress level being among friends.  And, it brings me such joy to match a person's interests with a title or favorite author.  I take this quest quite seriously.  I often do this alone as most lack the stamina.  Alas, it has been hinted, this year, my beloved books are not really wanted.
Oh, how that arrow plunged deep and hurt!

Last evening, I couldn't resist some browsing, and found so many interesting treasures.
  If I were giving books this year, I might select one of the following.
Are you looking for that last minute gift?
Might I suggest...

                                                  For....

the Fictionista...

(I have all of these on my "to-read" list)

 the Historian...

(we read so we don't forget)

 the Gardner...

(something for everyone who loves the garden)

the Chef...

(I may be gifting myself one of these)

and the children.

(these are some of my all-time favorite picture books)

Perhaps one of the above titles would be perfect for you or someone you know.

If you're not comfortable selecting a title for someone else

a gift card to your favorite bookstore might be perfect for the reader

on your list.  Don't forget to include a handsome bookmark.

Are books on your wish list this Christmas?

Oh, I do hope so!

book images from 

Barnes and Noble website

Impossible?

Look closely...

do you see something out of the ordinary?

Look again...

You might think it is impossible.

I'm sure it will make you smile.

Do you see it now?

Let's zoom in a little closer.

Your might wonder how?

I'm not for sure how,

but I know who left it there.

Impossible?

Nothing is impossible!

Christmas Back on Schedule

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, 
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” 

I said I couldn't do it.
I said I wouldn't do it.
But,  I did!

There were stipulations.
I would not place a single ornament until I had an
absolute guarantee the Christmas tree would not
fall again.

First there was a bit of surgery.

and a bit of tethering.

Once the tree was standing.
and the lights checked.

I began, totally against my will, the redressing.
It didn't take much for me to become totally obsessed.
It is who I am.

With the simple act of picking up each surviving piece and finding
 the perfect bough to place my memories,  I felt Christmas returning.

R. ask if I was planning to put out the Santa collection.

I had thought I would leave them packed away this year,  but there he stood holding the container filled with a collection assembled over the length of our 33 years together.
  I couldn't resist the anticipation in his eyes.

The music of Christmas is playing here at Living Life.
And my heart is feeling lighter.



“And what happened then? 
Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart 
grew three sizes that day” 

Christmas Rescheduled

The picture says it all!

This is what I woke to yesterday morning.  The tree fell silently

in the night.   St. Nicholas (the tree topper)  landed on the opposite side of the room.

All of the ornaments from back fell through the tree breaking many of those

 left hanging on the tree.

I took a moment to cry...

another to scream...

Then I had to get on with my day.

I must confess I did use the above picture yesterday when 

involved in a minor conflict.  I pulled up the photo, showed it, and with a smile,

said very calmly,  "Today is really not the day to play with me".

I think out of pure fear...

it worked.

Okay my moment is over.  

The tree is standing once again, although naked.

The damage has been assessed.

I've put it all in perspective.

It is only glass...baubles.  

Some more precious than others, but

trinkets none the less.

I'll let you know if I redress the tree or toss it to the curb.

There are fewer ornaments to worry over.

Stay tuned!

Thanksgiving Prep

Here we are just hours away from Thanksgiving Day.
I don't know about you, but I am happiest when in the kitchen preparing a meal
for family and friends.

Favorite recipes located and reviewed.

Lists  made.

Supplies gathered.

Favorite music loaded.

Have I not shared I am a huge fan of Willie Nelson?

Who did you think was sweet Willie's namesake?

It was those eleven years spent in Austin.

Oh, a story for another day.

I've chopped, stirred and baked most of the day.

It has been the best day!

Family is just an hour away, the guest room has been fluffed and a pot of comforting
chicken soup is simmering on the stove just waiting to served.

I hope you have had the day you hoped for today.
If you are traveling, be safe.   If your home may you be surrounded with peace and love.
And, may you wake tomorrow with thanksgiving in your heart.

Happy Thanksgiving dear readers.