Awaiting 2014

The new year is soon to arrive in a few hours.   While 2013 hasn't been a bad year, it hasn't been a stellar year.  I'm not complaining, just stating a fact.  It's part of life.  

I don't believe in resolutions, therefore I don't make them.   Why?

 Two reasons:
1) Resolutions last for about a month or for however long it takes for people to perceive those resolutions as having failed and therefore give up hope of change.
2) Every day is a new day and a chance to get it right.   A New Year arriving doesn't make things magically better.   It takes daily work and commitment to change something.

 Example: You don't run a marathon without training your body...changing your body...conditioning....in order to run 26.2 miles.   If you do, you will fail.  It takes commitment and a desire.

Same things happen with resolutions.  It takes daily commitment and desire or will  to make changes.  They don't magically happen with the arrival of a new year. 

I digress. 

Are there things I'd like to change?  Sure.  And just like last year, I'm not going to list them here.  I know what they are and will be working on them each and every day.   Those close to me, and paying attention, will notice (hopefully), but if not, that is alright too.

I think everyone  can do with a little self-improvement.  Be better wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins,  friends, employees, yoga teachers, trainers, etc.  

We can start by loving more, thinking more positively ,communicate more,  assume less, judge less, encourage more,  find less blame, take more responsibility, understand more, be more patient, be more fun to be around, live each day to the fullest, whine less, act more, be strong  and ...in general...find our mojo and be better people.  

What a concept.  :)

By the way, here is the definition of mojo

1. A magic charm or spell.

2. An amulet, often a small flannel bag containing one or more magic items, worn by adherents of hoodoo or voodoo.

3. Personal magnetism; charm.

So while I'm not in a hurry to close the book on 2013, I am going to welcome in the new year the same as I do each day....with wonder  and gratitude.

 Wonder at what new possibilities await me and gratitude that I get another day to get it right.

Happy New Year Friends and Family.

I Love You All!
'

I hate being sick!

I am not a fan of being sick (who is, really) but I have been just that...sick..for the last three days.   I started to not feel well on Thursday afternoon when at work.  I developed a nose bleed out of the blue which was quite hard to get under control.  It took me  20 minutes.   Unpleasant to say the least.   Then my lungs started hurting...in actuality, it felt like I was having a heart attack, that's how heavy my chest felt. 

I sat at my desk and did something that I rarely do - I think I've done it once before in five years - I cancelled my training session with Nick at the gym.  I know!!  I was THAT sick!!

I went home, got in my jammies and headed to bed.  Friday was a new day and I would feel all better.  Right?   Wrong!

 I had taken Friday off as a gift to myself so that I could maybe take my nieces Karen and Wendi out for lunch, coffee or a movie. I hadn't made plans...I was going to ask them Thursday, but I GOT SICK!

I literally have been sick all weekend.  My movement has been from recliner to bed to kitchen to bathroom only to be repeated at various times and intervals. 

I sound like a bullfrog croaking in the height of night.  My eyes look like I've gone three rounds with a prize fighter in the ring and my nose is as raw as a piece of red meat (same prize fight match I guess!).  I ache all over and my temperature hasn't gone below  102 for three days now.  (Gives a whole new meaning to hot flash let me tell ya!)

And don't even get me started out those over the counter medicines.  You know the ones you take for the "snuffy nose, headache, cough so you can sleep" medicines.   Ya.  I was still awake at 3 am this morning.  Bored. Out. Of. My Gourd!!!  A 101 channels to watch on Dish Network and nothing to watch but religion programming and shopping network.  Oh wait!  There was this one show about how total knee replacement parts are made.  That was REAL comforting and interesting to know.  Not!

So ya...I'm cranky, I'm sick, and I'm not liking that I've been stuck prisoner in my home due to this ailment that has me in "time out" (as one of my Facebook friends called it). 

I'm a little disappointed in my body right now...I thought I was stronger than this.   When this cold gets done kicking my ass, I'm gonna do some whoopin on my body!! 

Another One in The Memory Banks

It's Christmas evening and I'm sitting here in my recliner with my sweatpants, sweatshirt and fuzzy socks on.   I'm tired but very, very content.  My heart is full of all things good tonight and I have a warm fuzzy feeling. 

My Christmas started last night with my yearly trek to my sister Peggy's home.  I've been going there on Christmas Eve for 42 years.  It's tradition.

My brother Terry, Marna, Wendi and Blaine joined me, Tom, Peggy and Karen for a lovely night.  We had awesome food, drink (yes, I got in to the wine), laughter, memories, a few tears and a toast to Family. 

It was a late evening but T and I managed to stay awake long enough to exchange gifts.  He spoiled me with a beautiful bracelet to match the set of earrings and necklace he gave me last year.   I attempted to spoil him but Amazon didn't arrive  on time - so he'll get his gifts tomorrow - hopefully.

Today was Christmas with my brother-in-law Bill, Jackie, their daughter Amy, Tina and Dani (friends and house sitters while Bill and Jackie travel to AZ), and Pastor Larry.   The dinner was scrumptious with roast duck with orange sauce, ham, mashed sweet potatoes and wild rice with green beans.  Oh yeah....and cheese cake.  Yum!!

So I'm sitting here in my sweatpants (thank goodness for elastic waistbands) reliving the events of the last few days. 

I smile as I remember how Karen took over her father's roll of host.  No one's glass was empty, which might explain the slight headache I had this morning. 

Then there was listening to my niece Wendi's infectious laughter.  She has this little giggle that just makes you want to smile and laugh right along with her.   She lives in Washington state, so we don't get to see her often enough.  I gave her as big a hug as I could- hoping that she would know  my love for her.  I miss her and wish she would move closer...but I also understand the need  to spread the wings and fly. 

Blaine snuggled up to me on the couch and was my companion.  I was happy to see his eyes  light up when  he opened Garth Brooks "Friends in Low Places" 8-cd box set.  I'm pretty sure that we'll have to put Meatloaf on the back burner and play us a little Garth the next time we do some house cleaning!

Today I actually slept in till 8 am!  Which was much needed considering I didn't get to bed until 1 am.   Pajamas and coffee.  I sent "Christmas texts" to my far away friends and the beginning round of phone calls from (and to) my siblings.  We don't get together as a family anymore during the holidays,  it's just too hard to get everyone in one spot. (We celebrate with Oktoberfest).   BUT...we make sure that we call and speak to everyone on Christmas.  It's almost a game now to see who is the first to call.  I've talked to everyone today.  The family bond is Strong....just wish mom and dad were here...but know they're with us in our hearts and minds. 

I put a post on my Face Book page this morning "It's not about the presents under the tree, the food on table or the wine in the glass, it's about the feeling of love in the heart and the people that we get to share that love with".   

I'm very grateful for the people in my life with whom I get to share my love; my husband, family and my friends.  

Merry Christmas from my heart to yours!

Hello Again

Seems like the only time I get to write on my blogs is on Sundays when life is a little bit slower for me. It is what it is; I'm not going to stress out about it...life is too short to stress.

It's 3 days until Christmas.  Amazing how fast time is going.  I have everything ready  or as ready as it will be.  T's gifts were ordered late (had trouble finding them on the net), so they'll be arriving after Christmas.  Again, nothing to stress over .  He knows one of them, the other will be a surprise.

We normally order Oysters to be shipped in from the west coast, but that too got late; we'll have oysters for New Years.   Hmmm, a bit of procrastination on my part this year.  It was hard to get in to the Christmas spirit this year. 

What else is going on? 

• I'm on a two week hiatus from teaching yoga.  Attendance has been low with the holidays so I figured I'd take my usual two weeks off and let my body regroup and everyone else do their holiday preparations.
• The NDSU Bison are heading to Texas for a *hopefully* 3peat.  I watched the game on Friday night and was quite proud of them.  Bison Nation!
• I opened my mouth and insert foot - again.  This time at the expense of my sister Peggy. I was working out with my trainer on Thursday night.  As we were discussing next week's schedule, I learned that he is going to be alone on Christmas Eve.  He has a client on Christmas Eve and another one on Christmas Day (shame on whomever they are!), so he's staying in town and will be alone.   I was like, "oh no!  You should come to my sisters house and be with us".   (Hmmmm, sorry Peggy!).  I did speak with Peggy yesterday and she is fine with it so now waiting to hear if he'll join us.   This could be both good and bad.  He'll be watching what I'm eating and drinking.  Yikes!!  :)
• My good friend Georgia has asked me to watch after her cats Smoky and Zoey while she is home for Christmas.  This will be much a much welcomed task for me as I miss interaction with animals, specifically cats, as I miss my Boris terribly.   So today I'm going in to town with the sole purpose of playing with them.  Well, ok...and to go to the grocery store,....again. 
• Tonight's dinner menu is scalloped potatoes and ham.  
• Has 3 loads of laundry to do when I get back
• Has to work Monday and Tuesday (until noon), and Thursday.  (Love short holiday weeks)

That's it in a nut shell for now.  Gotta run to town so will maybe write more later. 

Preparations

I'm at work today and almost had an anxiety attack when I realized the date.  Holy Cow!  It's December 9th already!!

I don't do a lot to celebrate Christmas since it's just the two of us and we have no children.   I used to decorate and send out cards but I don't anymore.  The cards are too expensive with postage and I don't have a lot of spare time to address them.  I'd rather call those close to me and talk with them.  And I'd rather spend spare time visiting with the residents of the Heritage Center and helping them keep in contact with their loved ones.  I'll put up a few things around the house and maybe make it look like something other than a Charlie Brown Christmas.  

In so far as gifts, I have very few that I buy for; Tom, Blaine and my secret Santa person at work...but I have the essential wine for my sister!  Lol

I guess its not all the trappings that make Christmas. ..its what you feel in your heart.  And I feel Christmas in my heart almost every day!

Namaste

Call Me The Bag Lady

We were lucky to hold off with the snow until the 1st of December.  Mother Nature is making up for lost time though and gifting us with a winter storm. 

I have lived in ND most of my life (except for brief stints in Minnesota), but I'll never get used to this first initial slap in the face.

It takes me a while to learn how to drive on snow and ice, and to allow extra time to get from point A to point B.  It takes longer to dress (or undress) the layers of clothing I now find myself forced to wear just to go outside for even a brief minute.

Because I teach yoga, I need to be available for those classes.   So every morning, I wake up and flip the channel to find the weather forecasts, which ultimately determine how many bags I'm going to pack for the day.

Today it wasn't looking so good soooooo....this is what I packed:
1 suitcase with clothing for 2 days
1 yoga bag with clothing for 3 nights of classes (ok, one night is actually an "optional" outfit in case I wasn't 'feelin' something!)
1 gym bag with clothing for Friday night (in case I couldn't get home on Thursday night - I have gym/trainer on Friday night)
1 food bag - since it's crappy out and I only get 1/2 hr for lunch, I hate to go anywhere in the winter, so I packed a bag of food (soup, crackers, yogurt, oranges, pickles) to have on hand at the office.
1 purse.
 
Soooo by the time I packed up this morning, I felt like a bonafide bag lady!

Yoga Video

Today is December 1st and I am in a food coma.  Although I've tried to curtail the holiday eating, my body feels blechy.  I've been limiting the amount of carbohydrates I consume but the Thanksgiving mashed potatoes and stuffing were a must have for the holiday.  It was a choice I made and now I get to repair the damage. 

So this morning, I started with my protein shake and my yoga routine.  I found a December challenge for my body - which is doing push ups every day - and I did my 5 push ups already (no girlies ones either!). 

Today is unique for me as I'm doing a "first" for me.  I'm going to make a yoga video!  Yep, you heard right!    The back story is:  I teach one class a week at Anytime Fitness on Tuesday nights.  One of my class attendees is a Physical Therapist working as an intern at the Anne Carlson Center while she is completing her doctorate.  She asked me if I would be willing to do a yoga video for some of her "outpatient" kids that she works with at the ACC.  I jumped at the chance.  YES!!  I have experience working with the aging population but working with children is something that I haven't had a lot of exposure to.   So, today I meet with her at 1:00pm and we'll record me teaching yoga to a few of the children associated with the ACC.   In truth, I'm a bit nervous.  But I'm going to embrace the opportunity and breathe through my anxiety and do the best that I can.