O Christmas Tree

Is Christmas coming?  With Kansas temperatures this week hanging in the 70's . . . in December . . . it is hard for me to feel "Christmasy".  My tree has stood in it's corner with lights for two weeks now and finally tonight ornaments were added.  Decorating the Christmas tree takes me back through all 56 years of my life in the span of about 30 minutes.  I remember the Christmas trees that we grew up with at home and the ones at my grandma's house and I even remember one "real" tree out at the farm at Grandpa Ab's.    Then I move forward to the 3 trees that I have had in my married life . . . plus a couple of real trees thrown in between.  Bringing out the tree in those days was cumbersome and hard work.  I would climb to the top of the highest point in our Glen Elder home, move decorations around, and drag down the huge boxed tree.  Then once decorated the box had to go back up to that high spot until after Christmas . . . It was quite the project . . . but those were special days with kids at home to help.  One of the first things I always did with the kids was to make a red and green paper chain and it decorated our home on more than one years. . . . Now I have my most favorite artificial tree - it is smalll but still 6 foot tall. It fits just right in the corner of our basement family room.  It was part of our Glen Elder home as well as here in Beloit for the last four years.  But this time . . . the tree has a handy closet right here in the basement where it can reside all the year through with its lights intact.  Gone are the days of climbing to the top of a closet - it's just a simple 8 foot carry from the closet!

Many changes through the years - - - but one constant - - - for at least the last 35 years - - - and that is my box of ornaments . . . you see I don't have a "themed" tree unless "my life" is a theme??  The red apple ornaments from Mrs. Goth's and Mrs. Clausen's 1st and 2nd grade class crafts.  The construction paper ornaments with child's picture in the center.  Several flocked deer because they reminded me of my trees as a kid and a couple of flocked angels too.  Throw in some angels that were big craft projects in the 80's and 90's and of course a white felt dove that came from my mother in law's tree as a keepsake.  A few newer ornaments from time to time . . . and that's done.

It's funny . . . I remember the years of kids wanting to help . . . and I in my OCD tendencies days had a hard time with that . . . but they helped.  Great memories.  Then they grew up and didn't want to help but they were there watching me . . . great memories.  Then they were gone . . . that first year was hard to decorate the tree by myself . . . I believe, if I remember right . . . I called them to let them know I was decorating alone . . . Now I enjoy standing in the hubs's view of the TV decorating it by myself and showing him each ornament and adding a "do you remember this one?" and "Remember when Todd made us this?" or "This one was taken when Casey had a perm".    

No matter which tree it was, or what stage in life I was in to decorate it . . . there was something nice about getting it done and sitting in the room in the dark enjoying the lights!

Chistmas begins . . . Do you have a tradition for getting your tree up and decorated?

Celebrating the Red, White and Blue! Times two!

My favorite holiday (yes including Christmas) has become the 4th of July!  Not because I put my country before my Lord - because I don't.  #1 reason - I love summer.  #2 reason - I love a barbeque.  #3 reason - I love the decorations.  #4 reason - I love the sounds of firecrackers around the town.

But - as I mentioned in the title of this post - - - I also have come to love Labor Day as well!  For all of the same reasons as above . . . minus fireworks . . . but also because these are two patriotic days to celebrate our country and our freedom as well as the hardworking people that have made our country so prosperous.    Labor Day signals the end of summer to me.   Which can make me "blue" . . .

It has become a tradition in the last five years or so for family to be here at home for both of these grand weekends.  So I'm excited for that!

Better start planning the menu and some fun activities . . . how will you spend Labor Day 2015?

Christmas 2014 Virtual Home Tour

51 degrees and it's nearly Christmas??  For a snow loving, cozy curl up and watch Hallmark Christmas Movies type of person, 51 degrees is NOT Christmasy . . . but there is still hope for a white Christmas which is still two weeks away!

My prepping for Christmas began with two paint jobs  - one for me - one for the hubs.   Since the front door is the first "welcome" guests and family see as they come home for the holidays . . . this faded green door needed a touch-up.  (Hubs painted a closet for me :))

A couple coats of paint both green and white - recycling the Christmas wreath from the previous two years and the tour begins . . . 

I have had a Santa collection for many years now and last holiday I spread them around the house.  This year I went back to my old faithful choice - atop the piano - - - adding some greenery.

As something new and discovered on Pinterest I threw some left over garland into my hubs's family crock!

When I finished the living room - I decided that this was not enough to dress up the room - so I turned to my side business Avon for a couple of touches of lights and music - - - 

Santa's workshop plays various Christmas favorites and the little train goes round and round.  The snowman globe will be added to this little corner of the kitchen.   It can be set to blow snow and with our Texas family coming from south Texas and hopin' and wishin' for SNOW - - - I decided to add in snow and snowmen as much as I could!!

The tops of the kitchen cabinets became a fun project!  A small collection of snowmen that I have had at work became the highlight of my decorating!  

Then we move to the basement family room and guest bedrooms.   Whiile the upstairs is Santa and Snowmen . . . the basement is where the tree is - a simple little tree - and a more rustic theme. 

Not a tree that would be featured in any kind of magazine :) but it is filled with our history as a family.  The kids's first ornaments, the school project ornaments, my mom in law's homemade dove, many angels and some "vintage" flocked plastic reindeer . . . rememember those?    In our other home in Glen Elder the tree always was placed in front of a window . . . thought that was how you did it . . . so others could see your lights!  But here in Beloit, we had to decide one tree or two - upstairs or down.  Opted to put our little tree in the family room in basement corner.  With the lights on . . . WE get to enjoy it ourselves . . . and isn't that what is most important?

Since my kids are both coming home for Christmas with their families I thought it would be fun to give everyone a tree in their room . . . I got creative.  For 1.50 I found this half-tree and for 50 cents bought red ornamental balls to put on . . . It has lights and yes they even work!!

I found a baby doll quilt in a tote with the doll clothes and thought it would be perfect for a tree skirt in the "red room" as we call the room where the granddaughters will stay.  They are 12, 16, and 20 and an air mattress has to be thrown on the floor but they love camping out together for four nights . . . laughing, playing games, or just chillin'.

My son and his wife will be staying downstairs as well and they have their own tree of course:

  

Tree, Santa, Lantern.  These are a few of my favorite things . . . 

And lastly, as I wanted all of our guests to have a Christmas Tree in their rooms . . . 

I added this little snow covered branch tree with lights to our room . . . which shhhhh this is a secret . . . is where our daughter and her hubs will stay.  It seems that our guests now all want the basement guest bedrooms  - not sure if its the beds? the big screen TV in family room? or privacy? that draws them to the guest rooms down there . . . claims have been made and gramps and I have to decide who stays where.  We are offering our room as a "consolation" prize!!   Dad and I will sleep in the upstairs guest room - it's a little small and has no room for suitcases - - - no bed side tables - - - but we will be very comfortable there.  So  . . . I am looking for a little touch of Christmas to put under the tree.  Any suggestions??  

A few more touches and that will finish my tour!

Sisters gave us a flower arrangement in a red lantern last 4th of July.  We had just lost our family dog Dodger.    I knew the red lantern would be used as a permanent house fixture . . . and mixed it in with a lantern given to me from my sister Tami as well as my "moose" on a shelf.

The rustic theme does not fit me . . . but ever since a trip with Clay to the mountains of Estes Park I have changed my mind.   We vacationed with the elk in town, and we came home with a wooden elk as a reminder of the beauty of the Colorado Rockies.  Last winter thanks to Clay's work we were sent to the Dominican Republic and spent a few days in Punta Cana.  The wooden bull is a reminder of that trip.  

If you look closely you will see the elk in the middle of the shelf.  

    

Both the sled and the horse picture are new touches.  Interestingly, the above picture belongs to my father in law, Rex Henningsen.  Being a rancher and raising his kids around horses, it's a very fitting reminder of our dad.  Rex was in a terrible car accident one month ago.  He is recovering,  but slowly.

My husband smiled when I brought it in from the shed and said could we hang this?  

The new puppy at our home got into the Christmas decorating . . . or UNDECORATING . . . she snuck our son's first Christmas ornament off the tree and chewed it to bits . . .  so it's no wonder a week spent decorating equals a tired momma and a tired puppy.

Hope you enjoyed my little tour ... You will google home tours and find many more extravagant homes with many more elaborate decorating ideas . . . but as I like to say - - - oh actually I think Martha Stewart says . . . "make it beautiful".  So whether you have a big home or small home . . . fancy or modest . . . decorate it with your beautiful things . . . they are really "your beautiful memories".

From my house to yours . . . Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Jump over to my sister Tami's blog - - - Just One More Thing and tour her beautiful home full of family treasures and memories!

October 31 . . .

I enjoy Halloween now slightly more than I did as a child and as a parent . . .in fact, Halloween is on my list of regrets and wish I could do overs . . . that I have made with regards to my children ... I would have more fun!  Of course I need to remember - the fun can only exist for about 10 years because then the "fun" turns into "mischief" and "please mom can I go trick or treating with my friends . . ." .   But I have enjoyed it with my granddaughter.  Decorating pumpkins, trips to the pumpkin patch, riding on a hay rack, riding a small train, pony rides, kettle corn, caramel apples and much more at our favorite little orchard in South Dakota.    Finding Christian variations to Halloween such as The Pumpkin Patch Parable - Fall Harvest in the Park - and a great time at a huge corn maze are some of my best memories.

I also enjoy Halloween now because I have deemed it "Official kick-off to the Holiday Season"!!  Maybe my sister Tami has the official honors of coming up with this declaration, but I agree!

This year Halloween falls on a Friday - and Hallmark - ohhhhh Hallmark  - is kicking off the holiday season with the first Christmas movies for 2014!  My friend Rebecca and I plan to have a cup of Christmas Tea and enjoy the show!

This year, for me, it also marks a new and unending challenge to take better care of me.  For my health and to enjoy the blessings I have been given I will once and for all - make changes that allow me to lose nearly 50 pounds.  I will exercise on a regular basis.  I will eat healthy food.   And most importantly I will put my focus on prayer and Bible study and growing my relationship with God.

Hope you have a spooktacular Halloween . . . and are ready to enjoy the next two months as we head into the holidays!!!

Check back soon to see what special activities I have planned for these two months . . . as I also reflect on the past year and begin to get my focus for 2015!

Holiday Ho Ho Ho Readathon - Holiday Fun!

Jennifer @ Bawdy Book Blog and Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer adore holiday themed books.   So grab your pile of holiday themed books and sign-up to join us November 6th to 11th for a holiday themed read-a-thon, filled with challenges, good cheer and maybe some Figgy pudding! The challenges will be festive and give you a chance to win some holiday cheer for yourself!  Join for one day, just the weekend or the entire event. Read as many holiday related books from your YA, NA and Adult collections as you can.  Participating in challenges, spreading the news, following hosts and reading will all earn you entries for the grand prize- a twenty dollar gift-card from B&N or Amazon to fill your stocking with!

It happens to me every six months - I am left with the doldrums after Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon

and I begin to search the web for the next readathon of any kind.  I ran across this Ho Ho Ho

Holiday Readathon that begins November 6-11.  Five days to read Christmas themed books!

So - I jumped right on this - I'm looking at my calendar for that week and will keep the RAT in mind. I'm also planning a trip to the library in a few weeks to select my Christmas reads, but 

I can give you some inside information:  I will be reading a favorite of mine - The Best Christmas

Pageant Ever! and I'm setting out some of my kids's favorites and plan to reread some of them. 

Maybe I'll get creative and find some little ones to read to!!

 

Won't you find your holiday spirit and join us in the Holiday Ho Ho Ho Readathon?

My Grown-Up Christmas List

Caught this song on the radio recently and it quickly became a possible post idea . . .

When I was a child I would take the Montgomery Ward Christmas Catalog and the JCPenney Christmas Catalog and pour over them day and night.     My sisters would take their turn and fold back the pages to mark our favorite things.  We had a "Christmas List"  Somehow I never remember a Christmas that I didn't get just what I always wanted!

The words to this song . . .

   No more lives torn a part

   And wars would never start

   Time would heal all hearts

   Everyone would have a friend

   And right would always win

   And love would never end 

  This is my grown up Christmas list

They made me melancholy and reflective as I listened.  I actually even said this year just recently, "There is NOTHING, that I need for Christmas!"  I guess I have reached that age where I have what I need and I'm not focused on things!   A grown up Christmas list . . . what a thought . . . and if we could write a letter to Santa and ask for those things on our "list"  - mine might look like this . . . 

     

        Dear Santa,

          These are the things I'd like on my grown up Christmas list . . .

               Peace on Earth . . . well I'll settle for Peace in my family's heart.

               Healthy babies in the family when the time is right.

               All technology in my life to work.  Always.  

               Parents to stay healthy and happy.  

               Children to grow in love in their marriages and closer to God.

               No child or woman to be hit.  Ever.

               A simple cure for cancer and Alzheimer's.  Or a not so simple one would do also.

               Weight to drop off as I talk about losing it.

               The worst thing to happen to a child at school - a broken finger - like me.

               No car accidents.

               And lastly, I'd like time to read the books that I bring home from the library.  

               Oh and, I'd like library late fees to be reduced.  

I joke about some - I take to heart some - I'm thankful and blessed that I do have what I need and that what is most important to me is not things.  

Enjoy the song!

               




               
       

     

      

          

Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet . . .

Coming to you from the Kansas City Royals Stadium . . .

Our daughter and son-in-law invited us to a special celebration of the 4th of July!  What could be more American than a day spent at the baseball field!!  We will certainly have some baseball and hotdogs - not sure about the apple pie - and at this present time in our lives - it's Ford all the way!

What's not to like about a crowded baseball stadium?

     Weather - 80 degrees in July??  Who even KNEW this could happen in Kansas!

     People -  Other than a couple of Cleveland Indian Fans seated nearby - it was a great group!

     Noises -  Pipe organs playing "Let's Go Royals!" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" where

     everyone sang along.  Cheers from the crowd to honor an Iraq Veteran present in the crowd.
     Lots of cheering - especially for the grand slam and home run back to back!  

     Food/Drinks - Interestingly, we purchased "All you can eat seats" - and so with our wrist bands
     we  could order four items at a time - pop - pretzels - nachos - hotdogs - or peanuts.  Why is ball
     park food so tasty!!

     Music - One of the highlights for me was the surprise that Kansas City native David Cook, 

     winner of  American Idol sang The National Anthem!!!   We were big David Cook fans at our  
     house!

                         
It was a great day at the ball park and we noticed many changes and nice additions since we had been there before.  The tiny replica of the ballfield for kids to play on and compete - our kids would have loved that!  Beautiful stadium!  Great atmosphere!  Friendly workers! I can mark this item off of my Summer Bucket List - and add it to my "let's do that again" list!  

       

                                      Casey and her dad!   

                                       Tracy and Casey

The fun is in the planning . . .

Recently I quoted someone's words about "best laid plans" and reported that I have not been good at following through with all of my plans - but for me planning IS half the fun in many cases!

Recently the 4th of July has become nearly my favorite holiday!  I love summer and I love flowers and I love red white and blue anything!  I love fireworks now that my kids are grown!  I used to be one of those "worrisome" moms.  The ones who didn't want to leave their kids alone with firecrackers, To blow up coffee cans and cool whip containers and 5 gallon buckets while they sat on them.....:)

In the past 5 years it has become a tradition for the kids to come to our house for the 4th of July.  Or at least for our daughter and her family.  Our son Todd living in South Texas does not make it home for every 4th - it doesn't always fall into the schedule that we have of getting back and forth to see each other.  And might I say - no matter what - - - although I know he is happy and has loving family there too - - - we miss them all and there is always a little something missing when they aren't with us!  Sidebar:  we are making plans to meet them in San Antonio, Texas for a weekend very soon!  To continue on . . . We have rented a pontoon before - - - they fish - - - I don't - - - they golf - - - I'm learning - - - and we have the traditional BBQ with steak and vegies.  Lately we have learned from Todd how to grill baby back ribs - so that is a new fav!  

I'm going all out this year - it has been a while since the kids have been able to come here and stay due to busy schedules and so it's parrtyyyyy time!!!

I'm asking for ideas - - - I'd love to hear your traditions for the 4th of July - decorating ideas - favorite foods - activities/games - At this point we have an agenda that looks like this:

Something new!   4th of July at a baseball game - pretty great American Tradition right??  Kids heard about 40$ all you can eat seats - which includes tickets to the game - good seats - and all the food and drink - well there are some limits - but at least we can have a good lunch at the game!  I'm excited about this! 

I want to do this in my back yard with our granddaughters red wagon.  I would use the one that we had for OUR kids but it was yellow and ended in a million pieces when said children and their cousin pulled the wheels off of it when racing it behind the golf cart.  Both wagon and golf cart succumbed to these children - :)  I think I can make this a thrifty decoration - - - I am guessing that by the first of July the greenhouse here will be down to the last remains and will be marking things down!   A couple of inexpensive small flags and I'll  be happy.  

Love to hear your ideas for decorations!!!  I am sneaking and sharing my sister Tami's front porch - - - I love it!!!

And lastly - I think this year we will add crafts and backyard games to the Henningsen 4th of July celebration.  These are a couple of borrowed ideas from Pinterest and I'm leaving game ideas up to my faithful readers to suggest!!!  

Happy preparing for your 4th of July!!

    Check this out here!

Thanksgiving with the Konda's

One of my favorite things for 2012 (theme for another blog coming soon) was spending several weekends at our daughter and son-in-laws' home in Topeka. Actually this has been on my favorite things list since 2008 when they were married.  They have a beautiful home, and they make us feel very comfortable when we visit.

This Thanksgiving we arrived on Friday evening to a wonderful meal on the table. A new recipe for pork chops - fantastic - check it out here.  Great pre-Thanksgiving Meal! Kristi our granddaughter joined us.  We spent the evening relaxing and catching up. 

Saturday morning began early for our daughter Casey, as she headed to basketball practice with her high school girls team.  Kristi and I did one of OUR favorite things - headed for a pedicure and a manicure.  We have a quiet little shop not far from the house and very soon we had glamorous holiday red glittering nails!  We hurried home to help Casey finish up the Thanksgiving meal - which was packed full of tradition - turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, crock pot corn, green bean casserole, relishes, rolls, and two pies!  Pumpkin and Coconut Cream! The family was all round the table - Ben, our grandson and his fiance, Angie joining us.   The afternoon was spent at the mall. Who can resist buy 3 get 3 free at Bath and Body Works?  That evening we laughed and laughed at ourselves and each other over a new game for me - Cranium.  It's a must have on the Christmas list for our big family when we have Christmas this year.  Add the other half of the family from Texas - and you will hear the Henningsen's for blocks!

    Beautiful Thanksgiving Table

From Coach Konda to gracious hostess all in a morning's work . . .

Sunday was a special day - Tracy and Casey had surprised us earlier in the year with tickets to the Chiefs vs. Broncos game!  Perfect weather for the game!  We had a quick breakfast and were off to cheer on the Bronc . . . I mean CHIEFS!!  And Peyton Manning!   It was a good game

 and a lot of fun! 

Chiefs vs. Broncos!!

 Casey, Mom and Dad

The weekend sadly came to an end as we left the game and grabbed supper at a little restaurant called Twisters.  On to Topeka and then back home again.

Couldn't write about the family without mentioning the pets!  Molly is a 5 year old Beagle/Pug mix sweetheart and of course our Dodger.  Not sure what the two of them do when we leave them home alone - - not sure they even like each other - - but Molly is gracious and puts up with Dodger for the most part. 

Our family is such a great blessing to us!  Our son Todd and our daughter Casey and all the new family that they have added to us - we love them every one!

George Burns has a famous quote - It goes like this . . .

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” 

Obviously, he meant it to be funny, and poke fun - in a George Burns kind of way . . . but George ... I am more than thankful for my loving, caring, close-knit family in several other cities!!

Blessings found in family and holidays together.

Gratitude

"But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,'

Charlie Brown."

 



Although in my mind, Halloween officially kicks off the Holiday Season... Thanksgiving certainly is the beginning of that special time of year!  I have learned this Autumn to appreciate it.  IT being Autumn.  Summer is by far my favorite time of year.  Guess it's because it is generally dirt-free - And in a like manner - Spring is my least favorite because it means showers and mud - Winter - well you just have to love it with the holidays, and movies, and hot tea, and good friends, and Christmas music, and cozy blankets.  So Fall just normally went unnoticed by me - just a quick break from Dog Days of Summer to hey let's go Christmas shopping. 

Being in a different home and a different town this Autumn season is probably why I took the time to notice the change in the new trees, in the new neighborhood, the city parks, etc.  I have been walking the country roads and also watching the change of seasons.  Learned it is much nicer to walk the dog with it being 70-80 degrees than when it was still 99 degrees at 10 p.m. 

I don't decorate my home for fall - don't own any decorations.  This year I purchased a wreath for the door and a rug for the floor. 

Outside flower pots (one of my favorite things in life) are disposed of, moved to the shed, and ready for winter.  Patio furniture tucked away in a nearby shed.  Autumn has arrived and winter now closely behind.

And now I get reflective - - - it should really be called the Season of Reflection for me - from now until the New Year.  What was good this year?  What was bad this year?  Did I get things done I set out to do?  Is it a year I would like to forget?  Or one of my best? 

As I write this blog I can hear our granddaughter in the basement with a friend "playing restaurant".  I was down there just a bit ago for coffee and an ice cream sandwich, make believe of course.  We have had her with us for what will be 5 days and celebrated her birthday in a big way!   Husband is in the basement watching K State Basketball.  Dogs are resting comfortably in their new homes.  I am planning a menu for Thanksgiving Day.  My father-in-law and his friend and my dad are coming for lunch that day.  A small, quiet group. We are traveling to our daughters for Thanksgiving celebration on the weekend and Chief's football game!    Family is planning to come for Christmas.  Health abounds for the most part for all of my family. 

So you see, I am appreciating the season I tend to forget, knowing that I am blessed many times over.  If you are reading this, I pray for you to have a great Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Find some time for yourself to "reflect" and count your many blessings . . . go ahead . . . name them one by one . . . (right here on my blog if you'd like!)

AND if you would like to join me in carrying on with a thankful heart in 2013 read about one of the projects I am looking forward to in the New Year!!

Project for 2013

The Gratitude Journal came from Pinterest and had a different look but that's the fun of Pinterest, it's all about ideas and creating and re-creating from those ideas!  The original journal was entitled 365 Things I Am Grateful For in 2013.  My sister and her daughter, and I will be keeping similar journals for 2013.  My aim is to record at least a journal entry each day of something I'm thankful for or blessed by each day and then use pictures and words to decorate journal pages with whatever is on my mind for the week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy New Year!

It's the hap, happiest time - - - of the year!  New Year's Eve is my favorite night of the year!  Those of you who know me - well that would just be my sister/bff who reads my blog - know that I am a creature who is always wanting to "start over" and "get it right".  This year my sister/bff Tami asked me, "So Teri just what is it that you want to start over? what do you want to get right?"   Wow I had never been asked that question!  I just know that I always plan to lose weight - exercise - sleep - and read more - be calmer - pray more - seek wisdom - - - and each new month - I start over . . . and fail by the 2nd or 3rd of each month!!

We have never celebrated New Year's Eve in a traditional way - don't have a certain place we go, certain people we spend it with, or certain food we eat - although the last 2-3 years we have been home - kids were busy with other obligations - and so we have had a "fancy smancy" dinner party with our parents!  My mom and dad and Clay's dad and his girl friend live near by and so they join us for the eve! 

My tree is down - and yet still I have my favorite Christmas decorations still out - candles and my nativity scene - afterall - the Wisemen didn't actually make it to see the baby Jesus for two years - so can't stash the nativity scene away before they have time to arrive!!  But it's the table that I focus on for this New Year's Eve extravaganza . . . and I use the color gold - BECAUSE - as our daughter graduated from Emporia State University in 2007 - and colors were black and gold - I have lots of gold!  Leftover "chargers" that I did not realize were even chargers???  thought they were platters - - - but they are sparkling gold and look perfect under my white/gold china.  This year I threw in white and gold candle holders and candles.  So fun to try and recreate some of the Home and Garden ideas - or Martha Stewart moments - or Good Housekeeping Dec. issue beautiful table scapes!

Be back later . . . guests are arriving :)

Once again it's 10:30 p.m. and guests have gone home - don't usually see the New Year in with the parents - but it was still a fun evening - and now Clay and I are left alone to watch the latest football game or a couple of crazy guys jump a 300 foot river on snowmobile and motorcycles - simultaneously!  Can't wait to see!

So back to what it is that I really want to start over with? or do differently in 2012??  I have decided to set more realistic goals - yes lose a few pounds - and yes go to the gym each week - take care of myself - but this year - I'm going to focus on "focusing less"  - - - relax and enjoy life - stop thinking that I have failed - - - and starting over - - - just to fail again - - - and start over . . . I am going to read more books - I am going to ride my bicycle more (love it) just for fun - Going to listen more and talk less - And always - going to count my blessings! 

Happy New Year!