Christmas is over.  The new year is coming.  As I contemplate my future I look back to see what I could and should have done differently over the past year. Watch less television, probably, but no. Be friendlier to my children while still being their mother and not their friend, yes.    Exercise more, drink more water-definitely yes.  During this week between the two holidays I invariably start to write down my New Year's Resolutions so I might have a 'complete' list by the big day.  Seemingly, I've already produced three to go on the list.  More to come...   

State of Mind

The trees look lonely, completely devoid of leaves and the sky is overcast with clouds laden with rain.  Winter (and snow!) is on the way- so says The Weather Channel. When I was younger I was not a big fan of winter.  I thought of it as the interlude between Halloween and Easter.  The only redeeming quality of those hibernating months is that I celebrate my birthday during this timeframe-almost one month to the day after Christmas.  Everybody feels sorry for you if your birthday coincides with or lands near Christmas.  At least there are presents to open.  Nobody ever thinks about the 'after' season when bills come in and the reality of what you did and probably shouldn't have spent on Christmas presents sets in.  As a child, I didn't quite understand.  As an adult I'm grateful my birthday is in January.  Another 'holiday' to help pass the time.  And it is a holiday- at least in my house!

The Weather

This morning as I wait for the sun to come out (which it looks like it won't) and the time to arrive to wake the girls I worked on my personal "family" blog- the page mainly- on how I want it to look.  I have yet posted to this page with the goal of pasting my Christmas letter to it once it is complete.  I fully intend to send out Christmas cards but instead of a letter, a URL will be inserted somewhere.  I also went back in this blog and read a post from last year at this time when a cousin had died and I created my personal motto.  At one point, the words of the motto faded into the background having been forgotten that I had even done so.  The reality of the motto, seemingly, has come to fruition.  I'm assuming my burst of energy is seasonal.  The temperatures have been higher than normal, even at this writing four days before Thanksgiving, it is 61degrees, with an expected high of 68.  The leaves have all been raked and removed from the yard (a first as they are usually dealt with in the spring), the flower beds have been weeded and mulched, and the yard has been trimmed and fertilized.  With these actions so out of the norm, my neighbors have even commented.  My first response is  "wait-it won't last"- but so far- it has.  I blame it on the temperatures and fully expect to start hibernating within the next few days.  More to come.

Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

Veteran's Day here in the U.S.  I decided today was a good day to reactivate my blog.  Since the last post, I have signed on and become a faithful Facebook follower.  I mention this as I received many messages today thanking me for my military service.  I felt conflicted as I am very thankful for my career choice.  Do we thank others for the job they do everyday?  Some we acknowledge as in Administrative Assistant's Day.  To all those who are employed- I thank you for doing your part.  To all veterans- past and present- I thank you for your sacrifice while doing your part.