happy new year . . .

I love new beginnings . . . big or small.

I love starting a new school year at work . . . using a new journal . . . moving into a new house.  (I haven't done this in years, but the first few years of our marriage - Richard was in the Navy - so we moved often).  I always liked unpacking and making a new place our home.  He accuses me of recreating this feeling on a regular basis by rearranging or redecorating . . . or reorganizing closets just because I get in a mood. He's probably right.  So a NEW YEAR . . . I have to love it - right? . . . I do, but to be honest this New Year hasn't really felt like a new beginning to me.  Maybe because I had my mom visiting me for a couple of months and I had to say good bye to her . . . and right after that I got sick.
 . . . or maybe some years are just like that.  

So I find myself 17 days into this year without the usual feeling of a new beginning. 

A few years back I started choosing a “Word for the Year”.

Now that I am feeling better, maybe that is a good place to start my new year . . . choosing a new word. 

Last year I chose the word FAITH.  I was feeling like I needed to worry less . . . and let my faith get me through things.  It may have been a case of “be careful what you wish for” 
. . . because I definitely had to draw on my faith.

I watched my son deal with some things in his personal life which hurt him and tested him.  I am happy to say he got through it and because of his own faith he keeps moving forward.  It is hard for me to watch my children hurt – even if they are adults and I know that life can be hard and I know they will get through it and life will eventually get better for them again.  Sometimes all I can do is love them, let them know that I am there if they need me, and pray!  I prayed a lot last year!

Then there was Richard.  A few years ago he was diagnosed with throat cancer.  Unfortunately he had a recurrence this past year . . . and according to his doctor, “It came back with a vengeance.”  
Did I mention I prayed a lot last year!

Two rounds of chemo and 45 radiation treatments later . . . beardless, weighing 30 pounds less, and not being able to taste anything . . . he made it through that.  His scans continue to come back clean and we are thankful each and every time they do.  His strength and determination through his treatments was amazing.  He has gotten a little wacko since his treatments ended . . . we are dealing with that.  I am finding that the hardest thing about dealing with him having cancer has come after the treatments.  This seems to be true for both of us.  Life can be hard and I know we will get through it and life will eventually be better again . . . WAIT!!  Life is better again!

Let’s see . . . after that Richard tore his rotator cuff and had to have surgery.  In light of the cancer – this seemed like a small thing, but it is has been a little trying not having him able to do the things he normally does.  It was during this recovery that he made the comment that he hopes this next year is better than this past year.  I have to agree, but . . . This past year ended with Richard being cancer free, we have a beautiful new granddaughter, his beard grew back, I have amazing children and grandchildren who I see regularly, and in spite of whatever life throws at me I have a faith that gets me through.  Now more than ever I realize we have to celebrate the good days and love each other through the bad ones. 

So my word for next year . . .

CHANGE

I have some very personal reasons for choosing that word . . . and if I get in the right mood I may just tell you all about them. 

some days are made for wandering . . .

Life is Good!

One of the things I wanted to do this summer while I was off work - was to ride my bike whenever I had to go somewhere.  I believe my summer bucket list read - "ride my bike everywhere".   Across town to the doctor when it is over 100 degrees does not work, but a couple of miles to lunch, or to the store to pick up a couple of things . . . that does work.  There is something about this mode of transportation that just appeals to me . . . although it is a little less convenient to stop and take pictures when something catches my eye.  

10 reasons today that . . . "Life is good!"

* Going to lunch with friends (on my bike)

* Seeing Charlotte

* Riding my bike

* Talking to Lily on the phone . . . she is always a little silly (and I love that!)

* Stopping by The Book Barn (I love used book stores)

* Having Richard wake me up this morning to kiss me goodbye!

* Reading . . . and reading some more

* My 365 day mail project (I have mailed 19 letters . . . only 346 more to go)

* Eating a bowl of "Sweet & Salty Caramel Pecan" ice cream . . . (even if I have to walk an extra 5 miles because I chose to eat it)

* Feeling relaxed!

Rainbows & Zombies

We had a full rainbow in front of our house yesterday evening.  There is something about a rainbow . . . it doesn't matter how many times you have seen one and it doesn't matter if you are 5 years old or 85 years old . . . they are always beautiful and amazing . . . especially when they cover the whole sky like this one. 

 . . . and this is what I looked up and saw while I was in the shower.  Richard knows this window on the back side of the house bothers me for some reason . . . (Maybe I've watched too many episodes of The Walking Dead.)  Yes, he startled me . . . yes, I screamed . . . no - I would probably not survive a zombie apocalypse . . . I grabbed my phone to take a picture rather than something to defend myself.   

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." 

 ~ Charlie Chaplin

rainy day picture walk . . .

 

 

 

 

I spent my lunch hour taking a walk today.  I was hoping it would be raining - so I could just listen to the rain and enjoy, but the rain had let up.  As always when I go for a walk . . . I see what I can see.  Something usually catches my eye.  I had to smile when right before I got back to work I saw the chalk on the block wall . . . what could be better than

Peace ~ Love ~ Happiness.

blue cranes . . . & happiness

 



Happiness depends less on what happens to us, and more on how we view the past, enjoy the moment, and create the future.

January doodles . . .

 January doodles in progress . . .

PEACE ~ LOVE ~ HAPPINESS

be happy!

As simple and as difficult as that . . .

Having a great day!

we bought socks . . . .

We were out finishing up our Christmas shopping today . . . and for some reason I had to have these socks.  It doesn't take much for me to get Richard to do things like this . . . but I did ask him why he goes along with me and lets me take pictures on top of it.  He answer . . . "because I 'sockin' love you."  I think he is just as weird as I am.  I am so wearing these to play tennis.  :)

"Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."

                      ~ Bob Marley

twisted and sweet . . .

 First day back at work . . . thanks to my boss for keeping coffee brewing all day.  It definitely helped . . .

. . . and thanks to my husband for surprising me with these new shoes. 

Coffee and new tennis shoes . . . than works for today.  :)

 

"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things."  
~ Henry Ward Beecher

happy . . .

I am obsessed with Fall leaves . . . on the trees, on the ground - it doesn't matter . . . they simply catch my eye whenever I am outside and they are beautiful.  I can't help but stop and pick up a few . . . and snap a photo. 

It's the little things in life that make me happy!

Flashback Friday

 

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I have been looking at old photos.

This picture just makes me smile . . . and laugh  (the hair).  It was taken in Santa Cruz - I don't want to think how many years ago at one of those tourist type photo places.  Now I want to find the black and white photo that we purchased.  I think Richard was dressed as a sheriff?   The top photo was taken when Luke was two years old.  Damn - I was young.  :)  I love looking at old photos . . . I may have to do "Flashback Friday" again. 

Have a great weekend!

When you laugh or smile, it triggers a part in your brain that actually makes you HAPPY!

Sept 1, 2012 . . . day trip

 

We decided to get out of the heat and do something fun yesterday.  We have lived just a short drive away from the Giant Sequoias for more than 20 years and I have never seen them.  That is terrible - right?  So - that is where we took set off for yesterday. 

What a beautiful day!  And the trees are of course amazing.  You can spend the whole day walking and driving around this forest and continue to be in awe of them.  On our drive up - a good size bear walked out of the trees and crossed the road in front of us.  We were so excited - that by the time I got my camera out to take a picture - he was too far into the shadows for me to snap a picture of him.  (from now on . . . always have camera in my hands - even while driving) 

General Sherman

When I snapped this picture it reminded me of Darth Vadar . . . now that I look it maybe Darth Vadar's head on the Michelin Man.  LOL

I don't know - big trees, big shadow.  Whatever . . . it made me laugh.

We wanted to climb Moro Rock.  Rather than take a shuttle we took a trail through the forest.  It was only about 1.5 miles and so beautiful . . . but every so often I found myself thinking about the bear that we say earlier . . .

 

This is Moro Rock . . . I really wanted to climb this.  I am somewhat afraid of heights - and am trying to do things that I normally would not do.  I did not make it to the very end.  I got up to where you can see the railing on the right.  When I looked ahead (you can see one man up there in the picture) - I decided I had probably gone far enough for me.  The steps were really crowded with people hanging onto small kids and I couldn't actually see what was up and around the turn.  I didn't want to get up there and not be able to turn back if I wanted.  I know - big chicken.  : )  But for being afraid of heights . . . I did pretty good.  I just had the feeling once I got up around the turn I would be looking straight over the railing at nothing but air and a long way down.

 

 

Coming back home . . . had to stop at Minkler Cash Store.