Farewell, 2011

And I can't say I'm sorry to see it go. What is it that always makes you think next year will be better? Ah, yes, Hope, and a belief in following the plan God set out for you. There are a lot of lessons in the events of the last year, including:

1. Love your family and be grateful for every second you have with them.
2. Remember that everyone has chosen a path, and if you can't agree with or support that path, let them go on. You cannot change them, you can only pray that the way they're going will lead them where they need to be.
3. Accept the fact that the house will never be completely clean, the work will never be done, and that the world doesn't really care if it is.
4. Make sure you spend at least some time every day doing something that you love.
5 Stop trying to make yourself the perfect person and appreciate the person that you already are.
6. There really aren't very many "things" that you need in your life. Be careful about which ones you let in.

My first goal for 2012 is to purge. I'm not sure how to measure this; all I know is that I'm surrounded by "stuff" that really means nothing to me, and in many ways it makes life harder. More stuff to clean around, more stuff to walk around. I'll check back on this one in a month. How are you starting the new year?

I hope everyone has a great 2012. Love you all.

Mission Accomplished!!

Phew, it's over! I ultimately met my reading goal - hurray!! But I have to admit it was close, and I just managed to squeak by by reading a couple of old mysteries that I've read and reread before. Couldn't help myself - I just couldn't bear to miss it. I'm not upping my goal for next year, but I am going to try not to leave it so late.

Christmas in Ireland?

The latest addition to my book list (Christmas in Wales) was loaned to me by my neighbor because it's a short read. But it left me with ideas - do you think we could do this some year? It would be nice to dream about.

It's Christmas

Somehow I haven't felt ready for Christmas this year. Too many appointments to keep, too many issues to deal with, too much homework, too much cleaning. But panic has set in - I only have a week!! And it's going to be just fine. See our tree? See the big red "blob" on the right? It's an angel, hand made by Mackenzie. Many of the ornaments are hung too close together, but the kids did it, they love it, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Today we made pepperminst schnapps. I sent Gil his kringla. I'm baking cookies tomorrow, and we're going to have a fine Christmas. I wish we could all be together, but you're all here in our hearts.

In Cod We Trust

Mike and Scott, you've got to try this one. Maybe we should go back to our "other" roots!