2012 Blessings

This past year has come and gone in the blink of an eye.   There are so many amazing days that filled our lives and am grateful beyond words for good health, love and joy that has been sprinkled into each day of this year we will call 2012.   I took about 4094 pictures of every event it seems and will cherish them all.  I've been browsing through them and thought I'd share a few, but as I began adding them to the folder on my desktop, the file got bigger and bigger.  So, I leave you with five simple photos of the spirit that is inside me and hope that your 2012 will be cherished and remembered fondly as I will remember my year.

May the coming year fill you to the brim with beauty, joy and love and may all you do be done with loving intentions and gratitude for all that is.

Blessings to each of you. 

Holiday

the stockings

the food

the laughter

the snow

the lights

the candles 

the love

the smiles

the surprises

the family

Hoping you had a wonderful holiday.

Right Now

right now the holiday spirit is beginning to show itself

right now the air is filled with cinnamon and cloves

right now my heart is at peace

right now the glow of a candle is making shadows on the wall

right now the sun is thinking of sleep

right now the cats are napping

right now the schedule is feeling lighter

right now love is sent to all my loved ones near and far

right now i just am and all is calm

A Little Wind Anyone?

If you know me, you know that I despise the wind.  I cannot stand to be out in it (and not just because my hair whips into my lip gloss) and will do everything possible to shield myself from it.  It raises my blood pressure and makes me feel as if I must run a marathon in a few minutes.  It makes me cold to the bone and I don't like to be cold almost as much as I don't care for the wind. 

Today is a snow day.  The schools are closed, not for the snow, because there is only a dusting, but for the wind and the windchill it is generating.  It was a wonderful surprise to wake up to. I really didn't think they'd close the schools, because for us, it was the last day of finals at the high schools.  But, they did. 

Our oldest now has three weeks to study for his math final. Lucky him!

As the wind howls outside our home today I am going to slowly but surely get a few things done around the house today (note I said "few"), put on some music in the house, cater to my two boys, keep calling my husband to make sure he's safe on the road, make some lunch (which may be a frozen pizza), match the socks in the mismatch basket, and enjoy the fireplace and the cats resting at my feet.

I hope you will enjoy your time today and find a few minutes to do something you love.  I plan on staying out of the wind as one of those things!

Thinking Aloud on a Thursday

It’s the 13th and I haven’t addressed any holiday cards yet.  Usually do this over Thanksgiving break.   It’s ok though.   Just going with the flow.

I colored my hair a few weeks ago and am not sold on it yet.  I thought I’d warm up to it, but no such luck. It’s a bit bold for me and makes me feel a little sketchy.  May need some reversing done and opt for a little more sunshine.   Feeling a little goth!

Our youngest son has an obsession with gadgets. He’s taken apart hard drives, usb drives, and continues to ask,  “Hey, mom?  Do we have any steel wool?   Or what about some wire and a few Christmas light bulbs?”   Every time he asks for something, I get a little nervous and always have to confirm that matches are not involved.  He reassures me that he’d never do that, so we continue to encourage the baking soda and vinegar concoctions. 

Yesterday my husband received some good news at work.  So proud of him!

I am a member of Barnes and Noble’s book rewards program so get inundated with coupons and lists of books to read and buy and the ever wonderful coupon now and again.  Just received a 30% off coupon (plus my membership 25% off) in my inbox this morning, so may just have to make a second trip to the book store today.  Santa will understand I’m sure.   (I have connections.) 

Right now I’m reading several books.  

            Night by Elie Wiesel -- Holocaust survivor story and Nobel Peace Prize winner. It’s a very fast read and is an account of his survival through this time.  So moving and think it should be read at least once by every high school student.

          The Power of Flow by Charlene Belitz & Meg Lundstrom -- Practical ways to transform your life   with meaningful coincidence.  It’s filled with great lessons on opening our eyes to the ever present world around us and finding meaning in it for ourselves.  (I like to call them God Winks.)

Tomorrow is Friday!   Just thought you might need a reminder.  I’m so looking forward to the weekend and some time to enjoy the cooler air and the fireplace warming the house.  Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet.