New Year Resolutions 

Many people start out the New Year with a list of things they want to change about them, or to better themselves. I too in years past have made “the” List. I have succeeded in some, failed miserably at others.

This year I decided to not make a List. I have done a self evaluation and determined that  I am imperfect, flawed and if after 52 years I  have not achieved perfection, I shall be content  to  forever  be a work in progress.

In looking back over this past year I realized it was the simple things, the little things in my life that meant the most to me: Spending time with my family.  I am so grateful for the relationships I have within my family, and that we have such great times together. These people love me unconditionally and let me know I matter to them. They mean the world to me.

This past Sunday for example was a great day. Jeff & I went to breakfast with friends , drank lots of coffee and  solved all the world's problems.  Afterwards he set off on a  bike ride with one of his friends.  I went over to my Brother Rob’s house, where he and my Brother Michael were installing a new door. Nothing too notable right? Just the simple act of us  being together, laughing, joking, watching my brother’s work together: heart smile. Spending time with my niece and nephew learning to ride their bikes, then snuggling up with Rex & Luci on the couch to watch a kids show on TV, chatting with my “Cyster” Cyndi on recipes, Pinterest finds and birthday party planning :  “girl stuff” . These are a few of the Simple things that made my day. And I learned that there is more to installing a door than I thought!!

In retrospect:  My best moments of 2012 were centered around my family.  A few highlights but certainly not a complete inventory:

•   Helping Rob & Cyndi in the Martin version of “ This Old House” 
•   My first trip to Ft Lauderdale, Soprano Style.. shh inside joke.
• The revival of the “Rob & Cyndi  New Years Bonfire Bonanza” step away from the Lemoncello
•   Beachside time with Michael & Chrissy, crab catching lowboil &  a very Dexter howling  good time at Halloween
•   Vinnie & Phyl moving to Florida so glad they are closer : Orange you :)
• My  precious quality time with Dallas, as he somehow grew up so quickly and makes his way into his future 
• My niece and nephews: watching them grow and learn and become awesome in each of their own passions &  the way my heart sings when they shout “Mimi’s Here !”
•  A girls weekend with my Mom in  Bradenton.  Gullett's eating Mullett :)
•  Political discussions with Papa Rick and watching him play our new game C-R-L. 
•  Seeing my brother Russell and  his wonderful family for the first time in too many years.
•  Rose and Joe who have opened their hearts & home to include us.
• Chuck & Gail who make me smile and usually laugh me into tears.
• Spending time with my German Family , my home away from home.
•  Time with my husband ,Jeffrey,  the love of my life, keeper of my heart for over 22 years,  whether  it’s sitting on the couch watching Netflix or across the sea in Germany, what truly matters: as long as he is by my side I am complete.

For 2013 I do not need a list. I only have one thing to remember:

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."-- Antonio Smith

PIN UP

I was reminded today that is has been a while since my last post.. Theoretically this would be a great time to write on procrastination, but I will save that for a later day :)

My blogging has been interrupted by my new Internet crack, PINTEREST !  Pinterest has given me so many ideas and home projects to do....oh the possibilities!

We have lived in our home for 17 years. I have been inspired to put fresh eyes on where I "store" things and how. When you move to a new home it affords you the opportunity to thru things, revisit treasures or ask yourself why did I buy that? Because we have nested in the same spot for so long ..

We all know I tend to be a bit , well let's face it OCD and very much a creature of habit. So there are areas in my home that I have not reorganized in YEARS..well it's time to move things around, paint and rework.

This weekend I spent my time redoing and re purposing 2 closets and 3 dressers/storage. It took that long because of all the treasures I found. I heard myself saying "Oh, that's where I put that" Or aww Dallas' baby teeth( why do we save baby teeth?) or  find myself crying over the all the little notes & drawings Dallas gave me when he was little. The love letters & cards from my husband which certainly deserve a more dignified place than the back of a drawer! The pictures long stored away in the photo storage boxes because I never got around to scrap booking were a joy to revisit. But they won't be in boxes for long.. I now have ideas galore from my beloved Pinterest!

This weeks project , tackling my side of our bedroom closet. I routinely do a bit of organization in there but this time I hauled everything out.Everything.  If I haven't worn it in over a year: bye bye to me & hello to someone else.I had my own little fashion show trying everything on. That was a sure fire way to eliminate ! Those buttons aren't going to sew themselves on so I have made myself a pile to work on at night while I watch TV. The hardest things for me to part with: jeans & shoes,  had to remind myself I only have 2 legs and 2 feet and 365 days in a year so how may do I really need?   I was firm and stuck to the same 1 year rule.  My closet space is being prettied up and made a bit more functional. Jeff made sure I was only doing my side & not throwing out any of his ol' stuff. (not yet anyway)

 Thanks to Pinterest with all the crafty DIY info, the colors and ideas are at my fingertips, available without having to buy an entire pricey redecorating idea magazine filled with the beautiful but impossible ideas.

That's all for now..must go PIN !

Change Anyone?

I used to believe I was good at adapting to change. HA! Lately I have noticed in myself a resistance to change and change in the world around me. Is is age? Does this happen to everyone?

At 51,  CHANGE is menopause. Geesh. While it is great not to have to worry if you have run out of those "feminine hygiene" products, cramps  or wearing white pants (yes, all us ladies have that fear) I do not appreciate the mood swings, hair growing in places it shouldn't or turning grey and having to wear a patch and take a pill everyday. Thankfully the patch and pill have eliminated my sour disposition, bigger thanks to the DR for rescuing me from Mood Town!

I also don't care for the whole "Spring Forward" /"Fall Back" time change.By the time my internal clock is catches up we'll be changing the clocks again.  I say lets pick a time standard and stick to it.

 But that  really wasn't the change I was thinking of.. It's the everyday in life things you run into, friends/family moving, loved ones dying, children growing up , parents getting older. The more I thought about this I realized I LIKED change when it benefited me, or was fun. I was resistant to change when it hurt me or made me sad.

But wait : If I truly believe GOD is in control, then what am I resistant for? Many, many times I have tried to manipulate the situation, actually get in the way when I don't like the way it is going. But when I LIKE the way it is going I just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Shame on me. I should be looking for the blessing in all of these changes. I guess the old saying is true, "You can't see the forest for the trees " Not that ALL change is for the better, but things do happen for a reason and  GOD is in control and when I am resistant to change and try to take on HIS role, well I am miserable.

My nephew is moving to Oregon, this is a BIG change in our family. I have been caught up in the moment and not taking the time to look at the big picture. GOD's picture. I am smiling now because HE is in Control.
I will miss him terribly but I know God has big plans for him , he will be safe and with people who love him.

I am now saving my CHANGE in a jar, for my future trip to Oregon :)

The Jurist

I have been in awe of those of you who are brave enough to have a blog. It is a huge leap to put your thoughts and musing out there for the world to see. You have made me laugh, you have made me cry, and you have given me the opportunity to see another side of you.  Even though I am known never to be at a loss for words, I was not brave enough to join the world of blogging. Until now.

Today is full of a lot of firsts for me. First time blogging and first time called for JURY DUTY.

Yes, today I had the honor of being called to serve. No, I did not try to get out of it. I am just that amount of dorky to be excited to serve.  Apparently I am in the minority.

·         I figured out early on this morning that some people believe that the wackier the dress they will be excused. Wow. From sparkle spandex pants and 5 inch high heels to tie dyed t- shirt and shorts, obviously the description of “business attire” escaped some. Or did it?

·         Paying attention and not talking while you are receiving instructions. Gee, most children learn this in pre-school, and know better by kindergarten. Not these grown adults.

·         Being Late: Maybe it’s just me, but if the summons says 8am, I am there BEFORE 8 am. The word SUMMONS has meaning! When one person entered after 9:00 am the excuse was “I don’t do mornings well, 9 ish is what you get from me”

·         Cell phones.  Not once, twice, or even three times did a cell phone go off, but constantly.

If the Judges looks could shoot darts, then a lot of people there would have been riddled with holes.

·         Now we move into what I will now refer to as the PENTALTY phase of jury selection.

In reality it is the EXCUSES people will offer to the court on why they fail to meet any of the accepted reasons to be excused.  I decided they should have a “penalty box” for lame excuses. My favorite of the morning when this man said “ I have a job”, the Judge then asked all of us who had jobs to raise our hands, surprisingly in this economy, it was 2/3 of the room. Yep, he got to sit right back down.  My second favorite was when the judge asked if anyone there did not speak English, three people stood up and said “Yes, I don’t”,  they got to sit right back down too!

·         Free coffee: I appreciate a good cup of coffee, and I am very grateful that the Clerk of Court in Seminole County provides coffee. There were actually people sitting near me who were complaining “at least they could do for being inconvenienced is have a Starbucks or something better...”

Inconvenience?  And I quote, “Jury service is one of the most important civic duties you can perform. The protection of rights and liberties in federal courts largely is achieved through the teamwork of judge and jury.  “US Courts.gov.     AMEN!

·         The highlight of my morning was sitting next to two wonderful women.  To my right was a young lady that was the ripe ol’ age of 20. She was Just as excited (dorky) as I was about the whole experience. She told me all about herself and being homeschooled, her job and family. She was a slice of American Pie, and just as sweet as could be. On my left was a “mature” woman of 69. She had been called many times to serve on a jury, but was equally as dorky about the experience as I was.  And she was prepared. She had snacks. I did not know you could bring in “outside” food! She was armed with Sudoku puzzle books and gum. She asked me how old I was and when I told her she did not believe me (always nice to hear) I told her my Mom was 73 and she insisted on seeing a photo of my Mom. I obliged and she told me I was lucky, my looks should hold out!

·         I brought a book to read but never cracked the first page. I was wide eyed in wonder, watching all the people in the room, listening to all the conversations, absorbing every word the Judge and Jury Clerk spoke waiting for my number to be called.

It was getting close to lunch time when my number did get called, only it was to be excused. They had found all the jurors they needed.

·         I am proud to be an American, I am thankful everyday for our rights and freedoms, for those who gave their lives defending those rights and freedoms, I am grateful the opportunity to serve in some small way.  And while not perfect this is the BEST country to live in.  

Until next Monday..