2011 - Ready or Not, Here It Comes

2011 - A new year. It is coming tonight, whether or not we are ready for it. Posts on Facebook and recent conversations with friends reveal varied responses to the coming new year. Some can't wait for the fresh start and are filled with hope that 2011 will be better than 2010. One friend is actually saying good-bye to 2010 with no regrets. An impressively bold statement. It caught me by surprise. I looked at my 2010 and I wondered if I could make a similar statement. Uhm, NO! This year was not an awful year by any means. I've certainly lived rougher years. But, I do have a couple of regrets and things I wished I'd done completely different :o)

Looking forward, do I have high hopes for 2011? Not in particular. Don't be depressed. I just don't have huge specific achievements that I'm striving for this year. New Years is the season for resolutions and promises. We know the drills - lose weight, work less, etc. How many of us actually keep those resolutions? And when we don't, end up feeling like complete and utter failures?

I thought this year why not set some goals and objectives which are attainable, but a little less measurable. Forget the "I'm going to lose 25 lbs by March on the Lemon cleanse diet" goals, which set us up for failure. Instead, focus on personal change and improvements. Am I confusing you? Here is what I mean.

2011 Goals and Objectives
I will . . .
- watch less television
- read more books
- take more walks
- remember my vitamins more days than I forget (Note: I discovered the adult version of a chewable daily vitamin. I actually look forward to taking the darn thing now.)
- spend time with friends
- eat breakfast more days than I don't (Note: After all, Breakfast is THE most important meal of the day)
- drink more water and eat more fruits and vegetables
- decide on whether or not to pursue a Masters Degree
- continue to reduce my debt
- practice my active listening skills (Note: I think this may be a permanent life goal for me. I'm amazed at how easily I tune people out (via multi-tasking) or assume I know what they are going to say next and jump in to the conversation before they are finished talking.)

I expect the list will shift around in terms of priority. Some things may even be crossed off and new ones added. I suppose I see this as a living contract between me, myself, and I. The goal is no guilt, just lessons learned and improvement achieved.

Happy New Year to All.

Family Portrait

For Christmas this year, my brothers gave our Mama the gift of a family portrait. Today was the official day where we gathered together to capture a moment in time. Nine of us - 3 brothers, 2 sisters, 1 brother-in-law, 1 nephew, 1 Mama, and 1 Papa. According to the photographer, the size of our family was going to max out his studio room. So, if we add to our numbers between now and the next family portrait, we will need to move to the great outdoors. Considering our last picture was over 5 years ago and we didn't add anyone to the numbers, we might still fit :o)

Lunch ended the family outing. We went to Denny's. Someone voted down La Caseta. For those of you from Fallbrook, will know this was a terrible thing to do. La Caseta is still one of my favorite Mexican Restaurants. But, Denny's was acceptable. I got to eat breakfast for lunch. Reversing meals like that always makes me a little happy - feels like I'm breaking an unspoken rule and getting away with it :o)

So, with a little Photoshop and high quality printing, the family is captured in time. I look forward to the final version. Wonder where I will hang the portrait?

Christmas Past

Today is December 26. The day after Christmas. (A moment of silence to reflect on another Christmas gone by . . .) Wow. The build up to Christmas borders on pandemonium - the mad rush of purchasing, creativity of wrapping, hand cramps from card writing, and cheek aches from smiling at parties. And then, in one day, it is all over.

I didn't get through my "to do" list. It's a Wonderful Life and White Christmas were not watched this year. Oh well. And Christmas Cards didn't get out to everyone on my list. There are, however, accomplishments to celebrate - Chocolate Pecan Pie set (first attempt in August was soupy), Acorn Squash Dish a success (new recipe), Breakfast Casserole tasty (another new recipe), traditional movie with the family watched (True Grit - Excellent film), and presents selected for family and friends were enjoyed (yeah! no returns).

And in case any of you wondered . . .
364 days to go . . . Christmas 2011

Ugh

This is one of those days where I have a general sense of "Ugh." Perhaps it is the unseasonably warm weather (high 80s today). Or the fact that I felt lousy about my teaching performance this morning (major strike out). Then there is the awareness of being single during the holidays. A memory stirred up deep emotions last night - crap.

On top of all of this "ugh" I feel at a loss of what to do. A phrase continues to ring in my head, "Now What?" Since August I've been focused on the application and interview process for the job I wanted. It felt so sure that I had plans of when to move and where to live. It was a huge disappointment when I didn't get the job. I believe God has a plan, but man, I'm having a hard time refocusing on this particular version of my life.

UGH!!!!!

Christmas Joys

As I write this post, I sit curled up in my living room chair. Munching on pretzels. Watching a movie. The date is Saturday, December 11. Christmas is officially two weeks from today. That's right readers, only 13 shopping days left. I am pleased to announce (brag??) that I finished 99% of my shopping. Woohoo.

Christmas is honestly my favorite time of year. So many memories are associated with Christmas. Here are some favorites:
- 2010: My brother, Micah, is home from Afghanistan. Can't wait to see him. (I know it's not really a memory, but I know it will eventually make my top 10 list!)
- 198x?: We all got bikes. I loved my brown 3 speed bike. It took me on many an adventure. Including the dramatic fall in Yosemite, which scarred my perfect legs :o)
- 1986: My brother, Matthew, was born. My bookend. December 19th. I was 11.
- 2008: A Christmas Day walk in the rain with a special someone. (God had other plans, but I still smile when I think of that Christmas. And the earrings make it impossible to forget.)
- 199x?: Papa finally agreed to buy my brothers a Nintendo. Resounding cheers filled the house when they figured out the message from the clues they unwrapped.

People speak of traditions during this time of year. Mine seem to vary. However, there are some things which don't changed.
- Purchase and decorate a real tree. (Finished)
- Decorate the house (Finished - Bells, wreaths, bears, and candles are all out.)
- Watch Christmas Story (Laughed my way through it last night!)
- Watch It's a Wonderful Life (Pending)
- Watch White Christmas (Pending - Note: I have to fast forward through many of the dance scenes. They just go on FOREVER.)
- Watch Christmas in Connecticut (Pending)
- Eat Papa's Christmas Breakfast (Christmas Day)
- Eat Mama's Sticky Buns (Christmas Day)
- Traditional Schnarr Christmas Dinner - Carne Asada (Christmas Day)
- Shop the After Christmas Sales (This is when I buy my ornaments and next year's wrapping paper and Christmas Cards.)

These things are my Christmas Joys. Memories, Family, and good times.

Merry Christmas to all!

I forgot was a blogger

Well, I forgot I was a blogger. I was checking my Facebook profile and saw the link to my blog. Oops, I'm supposed to be writing here :o) I really should just resign myself to the fact that I'm a lousy blogger. I forget to write. Run out of things to say. Muse randomly in such a way that no one but myself understands.

Work is insane between now and the end of the year. I don't expect to write much. Please be patient with me. I'm sure I'll remember again before too long that I am a blogger!