New Year's Resolution

As of this moment, I don't have any definite ideas for what I'd call a New Year's Resolution. There are a few things which I started in 2007 that I'd like to continue, but nothing "new" has come to mind. I've been exercising and dieting for 6 months now. I will continue to do that. Perhaps I'll try to save more than I spend on myself. Doing that always brought good results in the past, because after saving for awhile I was able to take a "nice" vacation. Some day I'd like to visit Italy. I'll need to start saving for that soon. Having a little nest egg is also good if you suddenly have the desire to redecorate or to make home improvements. Hopefully, in a few years I'll be able to purchase a new car. Saving toward that is also a good thing to do. I know that I have no control over it, but I'd like to say that this year, 2008, I will win the lottery, BIG TIME! I will pay bills, help out family members and give to my favorite charities. After doing those things, I'd have to give careful thought to what I'd do with the rest of my winnings. It's nice to dream, isn't it? May all of my dreams come true this year.

Two Christmas Mysteries

This week I have completed two books. They were both Christmas mysteries. I enjoyed both but prefered one over the other. I don't remember reading anything else by this author, but will seek out her books during my next visit to the library. The mystery genre is a favorite of mine when reading fiction. Most of the time the books are an "easy" read and are done with quickly so you can move on to the next. I have another mystery, by another female author, waiting for me to pick it up and breeze through it's pages. I wonder if I'll be a good sleuth and find out the answers to the mystery before the book ends? That's part of the fun of reading that type of book. Here's to mysteries, may they all be solved, whether they be part of fiction or part of our daily lives.

Merry Christmas!

Our family had a Merry Christmas. The turkey dinner turned out well and the gifts were delightful. The day went quickly. Today after the dishes have been done and put away, I see that the kitchen floor needs to be done again. Someone spilled something. It's necessary to dust and vacuum. We clean before company comes and again after they leave. It's a labor of love. We do all of this before the next holiday comes in a week, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. I bought a Real Simple Cleaning book to assist me in cleaning problems as they arise. In that book I have found a great way to wash up the coffee drops which were left on the laminate floor. There are other great ideas in that book as well. In three weeks I will have someone come again to help me clean. Until then it's all up to me. Sometimes I feel like Cinderella.

A Kitten For Christmas?

Someone very gently asked me if I'd like a black kitten for Christmas. In a weak moment I considered it. I wasn't against the idea exactly. I even agreed that Sandy and I could welcome a little kitten into our home at Christmas. Don't know what the outcome of all the discussion will be, but I may be adopting a new cat. If he/she comes for Christmas I'll name it NOEL. It may be good company for Sandy who follows me around most of the day when he's not sleeping. It'll also give him a little competition. He won't be "top cat" anymore. Maybe Sandy will refrain from waking me up in the middle of the night if he has a companion. Of course, there's always the reverse of that. The two cats could take turns waking me up at night. In any case, it's yet to be determined if I'll receive a new kitten or not. Que Sera, Sera.

Angels In The Snow

Do you remember making "angels" in the newly fallen snow? Doing that was a lot easier than making a snowman. You couldn't make a perfect angel by yourself because you always needed someone to help you up after the angel was made. Otherwise, it wouldn't be perfect. If it's not perfect is it really an angel? They were so pretty when made correctly. I dated someone for awhile who privately called me "Angel". I must say that that was a nickname I enjoyed being called. We all have "angels" in our lives. Of course there are the supernatural kind which watch over us in our daily lives. We call them guardian angels. Some people we have in our lives are angels also. They look out for us and help in our welfare by the little things they do unselfishly. I have several friends who I'd call "Angels". They are always there when I need them to be. I can always count on them and fall back on them like I fell upon the soft snow making my snow angels. I don't know what I'd do without them. I pray that they continue to have healthy, happy, full lives and that they know how much I value having them in my life. Here's to the angels we know, and the strangers we may come upon who turn out to be angels also. God Bless Them All!!

Busy Shopping Day

Arriving at the grocery store one hour after it opened, I found the parking lot crowded and the store very busy as well. I was a bit slow in getting "a move on" or I would have arrived when the doors opened at 7am. It took me longer than usual to shop because I had more than I usually have to buy. I decided to make next weekend's shopping trip shorter by buying all the non-perishables I'll need for Christmas today. I also went and bought the wine we'll need for dinner, and brandy for the pecan pie which I plan to make. Making that stop today avoided the rush on the liquor store at the last minute. After unpacking the car and putting everything away, I decided to go out to pick up three prints which I had had framed. That store, in a strip mall with a bookstore, and two department stores, was also very crowded. The parking lot was full but luck was with me and I found someone pulling out of their space. I put on my blinker and I pulled into the space. It wasn't very far from the store either. All of Santa's Elves and associates are out there looking for Christmas treasures. I stopped into the bookstore to look for a new Christmas book which came out this year. There was a whole pile of them, so I decided that I could put off purchasing it until another day. You see, the line to check out your books was slightly longer than ? A mile, maybe? Not really, but it was sure a long line which wrapped around a couple of times. What I need to do next week is get to the bookstore at the opening hour of 9am before the crowds arrive. I now know where the book is in the store, just need to pick it up and walk to the register and pay for it. That will be painless. The book is also 30% off which helps the pocketbook at this time of year. I don't like shopping in "crowds". I guess I feel that I have better things to do with my time than wait in long lines. But to all those die hard last minute shoppers, may you find what you're looking for, and may all the lines you have to wait in be short.

Messy Weather Today

We had sleet/rain/snow today. The parking lot is a sheet of ice. Tomorrow promises to be better. It was a good day for baking, but I refrained from doing that only because I didn't want to eat all that I would have made. My diet is working and I have to continue with the struggle for a couple more months.
My down wrap/throw arrived today. Now when I get cold I'll have something very cozy to curl up in. It's got a zipper half way up the front and finishes off with snaps. You can actually make 2 sleeves in it for your arms. I tried it on and it is perfect for the job for which it was created.
Tonight is a perfect night for watching a Christmas movie. It's beginning to look alot like Christmas outside and inside. The mood is set. Which movie will it be?

You're All I Want For Christmas!

Do you remember the Christmas song, "You're All I Want For Christmas"? It goes on to say, "all I want my whole life through..."
I have a match on a dating website which brings this song to mind. Don't know if the match will ever result in a meeting, but would sure like it to be the opening for something which moves in that direction. Been doing this dating website thing for awhile. Nothing has clicked yet. I have hope that this match will be different. That's all I want for Christmas!

Waiting For The Winter Solstice

We've had such dreary weather for the past couple of weeks. It's been mostly overcast with rain or snow in some form almost every day. It starts to get dark really early when the sun doesn't shine during the day. Each day is shorter than the one before. I'm looking forward to the Winter Solstice because then the days will start to get longer. By the end of January we'll start to see more daylight then we have in December. It will probably be dark after five instead of after four. That gives hope that Spring and Daylight Savings time is on it's way. I'm not sure when the "dead of winter" takes place but it sure feels like it this December. Officially, it's still Fall. Winter comes with the winter solstice. We may have more snow and ice during the winter months, but we'll also have more sun.

Who Do You Sound Like?

Do you ever catch yourself singing? I do. Who do you sound like when you sing? I spoke to my mother today. She said that while she napped this afternoon she thought she heard me singing. When she opened her eyes she saw Margaret Whiting singing a Christmas Carol on the Traditional Christmas Music Choice Channel which she had left on the tv. I said, "I sound like Margaret Whiting?" "Yes", was Mom's reply. It's amazing the things you continue to learn from your mother. Margaret Whiting has a pleasant voice. It's not one I'd describe as beautiful. However, I guess it's safe to still "sing" when I have the urge to do so, even if it is out of the shower.

A Christmas Movie

Today is such an overcast day. It looks like it will snow, but so far nothing has fallen from the sky onto the lawn outside my window. Earlier this afternoon I decided to play a Christmas movie which I watch every year, "The Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant, David Niven, and Loretta Young. It's a movie which was made in the 40's, but is still enjoyable today. I have about 4 or 5 old movies which I watch every year at Christmas. That's one of my traditions. I'm a "Romantic" at heart. There is the usual bit of romance in each of the movies. They are black and white pictures. Christmas remains my favorite holiday season. It still holds the magic for me that it did when I was a child. As I get older I think of those relatives who have left us and gone on to a better place. I miss them around Christmas. Christmas memories of them bring me comfort. I wish that our entire family could be together at some time this season, but that's not always possible. It would be great fun to see the "little ones", my great nephews and great niece. They live 7 hours away and that is not always possible. Thanks to Alexander Graham Bell and the computer we can "almost" be together.
I wonder which Christmas movie I'll watch next? Maybe "Christmas In Connecticut" with Dennis Morgan and Barbara Stanwyck.

Life Is Beautiful

My life has been good. Today I feel that life is beautiful! What a difference a day makes! I awoke at 2:00am wide awake. Besides the usual Saturday errands, my plans for the day include taking time for giving thanks. It's easy to find a reason for giving thanks every day if we stop to think about it. Today's reason is a "no brainer". I hope that the weather cooperates today because I'd like to go to church tonight.
On the more "selfish" side, I'm treating myself to a pedicure today. A little pampering will feel good.
Happy Saturday to all my friends and family. May "good news" find you today.

Good News

The doctor who did my biopsies called this morning to tell me that all 4 were benign. I feel like I received a miracle today. The prayers of my dear friends and family were answered. Thank you, Dear God. I feel that a huge worry has been lifted from me. I didn't realize how much stress it was causing me. I now pray that the people I know who have loved ones waiting for the same good news will also receive it. What a terrible disease. I wish they'd find a cure for CANCER of all kinds. Why haven't they yet?

The Power of Prayer

My family and friends are praying for me tonight. Tomorrow I have to have a medical procedure which includes a biopsy. My nephew told me to keep my spirits up and to keep in a positive frame of mind. I won't have the results of the biopsy immediately, but I'll be glad when it's over and done with. God willing, I will be all right. If not, I'll fight the good fight again. I believe that there is power in prayer. My mother told me that a lot of people are praying for me tonight. I will be joining them. Hopefully, the answer to our prayers will be to our satisfaction.

The First Snowfall

We have a soft snow falling here today. It's covered the cars and is beginning to cover the grass. It makes a good back drop for listening to Christmas music while the Christmas lights are lit on the wreaths and the tree. The temperature is very cold, 21 degrees is what the weather forecaster said it was today. The first snowfall of the year is always the prettiest. What's great about today is that it's not a work day for me, so I don't have to drive. I have a church around the corner which I can walk to for mass. It would be a perfect day for baking Christmas cookies. A December snowfall helps set the holiday mood. As long as there is no where you need to be, it's very welcome.