Judicious January

[dill]

Right now I am trying to be in a place of calm, a place where I can chill out and then handle the chaos of life better. You don't just get it overnight; you have to work at it. It's a daily struggle.

Jackee Harry

Happy New Year!

It's wonderful to start the new year with a clear head and a feeling of hope. It's not that I don't expect there to be challenges. There always will be. But for the moment I am enjoying a feeling of anticipation, almost like Christmas morning before all the gifts are opened. I am looking forward to a new year and to seeing what it holds.

I did not keep awake to midnight last night, But we had a great evening laughing and playing games with the grandchildren. Hope you all enjoyed yours too.

Today we'll have pork roast and sauerkraut for dinner.

[Lavande]

Good morning & Happy New Year friends

25 chilly degrees here but very sunny, yay!
Good start to 2015!

Glad you enjoyed your guests Dill! Preserving my hard fought for sense of calm is top on my priority list
My grandsons will be back this afternoon & evening because both of their parents are working today. Oh boy, here we go!
I usually start the new year off with pork & sauerkraut but this year I'm doing a big pot of meatballs & sausage & some gluten free pasta. I know the boys will actually eat & enjoy this.

Greetings to Star, Cyn & Papmom. Everyone have a wonderful AF Jan 1!!!

Lav

[SnoopyC]

Happy New Year!!!!!

2015 will be a good year with lots of new events to look forward to. Had fun last night, stayed up late, slept in today. Hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve.

Have a great day.

[papmom3]

Happy New Year!!!
It's a windy 28 degrees but sunny. The dogs are curled up around my legs-we haven't really gotten out of bed yet except for breakfast and potty time. Mickey is being calm and quiet in his crate. I've been working on my 2015 budget and if I've estimated the fuel costs come February, I am definitely going to see enough savings to start a new savings account that will go towards a vacation in Maine next October. I'm going to request that the funds are direct deposited once I start my new job so that I am not surprised or try to stop the transfer. Out of sight, out of mind.
Another sort of resolution, besides keeping to my budget, is to start a gratitude jar. I'm going to look around for an appropriate vessel, go to the dollar store and buy some pretty small sized note paper and each day I will write down 1 thing I was grateful for that day.
I really feel that 2015 holds a lot of promise for all of us and here are my wishes for you:

Lav-I wish that you will continue to enjoy good health so that you can enjoy your grandchildren as much as you want. I also wish that YB has some sort of breakthrough and gives you the gift of communication. But for now, the gift of safe hens is awesome!!

Star-My wish for you is that you and hubby will find a great home in a location that has all you are seeking and is still close to your job and family. I also wish for you improving health that includes good food and lots of exercise and new friends.

Dill-I wish for you that your son continues to embrace his new life, your grandchildren bask in their grandparent's love and that the natural beauty that surrounds you continues to give you great joy.

Cyn-I wish that you continue to grow in your "new" house and town, your business prospers and your family stays healthy and happy. I also wish that girl dog beats the beast that is inhabiting her mouth right now.

There is something really special about the number 2015. I can't put my finger on it. It feels soft and right. 2014 felt harsh.

Dill-I am no longer driving home in the dark!! I've actually seen a couple of very pretty sunsets too! I may not be able to take advantage of nature right now but I am grateful that there is no snow. I can handle the cold!!

Have a great day all! Love the first day of a new year!!

[treegirl]

Happy New Year all!

It was 17 degrees here this morning, with quite a wind. But SUNNY! which is great in my book.

SD was here until just now - last night we had dinner with my neighbor, and it was a sweet soft time. It took a long time for me to clean up the kitchen, so it was around 11 when I got into bed...I kept waking up and checking the clock, and you know what? I actually held my phone in my hand and celebrated the first full minute of the New Year. Then 2 minutes later I was sound asleep when HB texted me!

Pap - thanks for all of your good wishes for all of us. I wish you that vacation in Maine, lots of pretty sunsets and sunrises, a safe commute each day, and healthy dogs. Love the idea of the Gratitude jar: I'm stealing that one!

Happy day all - (Lav, that's a heck of a way to start the New Year, but so nice that you have such a strong relationship with those boys -- and thank heavens for the chicken coop top!)

I'm off to take the dogs out for a walk (still a chilly 20-something out). But it will do us good.

Blessings on all for 2015!

[papmom3]

I want to bundle up and take DD for a walk but we are all so comfy cozy here lying in bed watching PBS and teching it. Everyone is calm and sleeping. Don't want to disturb until I have to LOL!! Rare quiet for me!!

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Pap, sounds like a lovely day, resting with your doggies and taking your time to enjoy the day however you decided. My wish for you is to love your new job, use all your talents and abilities, work with people you like and respect and get the same back from them. How great to be able to save money next year and to plan something fun to look forward to. Good for you.

We are supposed to look at more houses today, since we are both off. Looking forward to it now that 2015 has started.

Lav, I love the lack of snow so far this winter. Makes it easier to do everything.

Dill, hope your New Year's Day was peaceful.

Cyn, sounds like you had a lovely evening.

Peace and strength to all.

[dill]

Pap, I wish for you continued good health in 2015, and dittos to the wishes of Cyn, Lav and Star for you. I thank you sincerely for your wishes for all of us. That was so thoughtful and a true snapshot of where we all are in our current lives. You filled in for Chill in your own special way. I'm glad you are getting to enjoy some sunsets now on your drive home. It confirms that I wasn't just imagining the days lengthening! LOL There is something about the light at this time of year. Perhaps it because there is less humidity in the air, I don't know, but the colors and the clarity are spectacular, don't you think?

Star, I am sure you and Mr. Star will find your perfect home very soon. You sound so much more relaxed in your approach which can only help. I found I didn't have the fortitude to get thru the Patton book. It was too much for me. I have the utmost respect and awe for soldiers, but reading about battles is just too much like being there. I could never be a soldier.

Lav, Mr. L shows his love in his own way, eh? I'm glad your hens will be safe now. Meatballs and pasta for the boys sounds like an excellent choice. My pork roast turned out perfectly! Moist and tender. I served it with roasted potatoes, sauerkraut, apple sauce and green bean casserole. Good kick off to the new year. I was immensely tired by the day's end. I wish I had more stamina because I'd love to be able to give my son more time to himself. I just don't have it though. Partly because grand daughter, as delightful as she is, is a huge handful. She is headstrong and is constantly seeking direct attention. I cannot trust her to do the right thing when she is out of sight and I know she knows the difference. So she is one that takes a lot of energy. My grandson is easier and also spends a lot of his time with Pop Pop. But there is effort when he is here too, because he is a picky eater. He also tends to be moody, understandably. It takes effort to brighten his spirits at times.

Cyn, Congrats on being awake at midnight when 2014 blended into 2015. I think it's hilarious that you were asleep 2 minutes into the new year! LOL

I'm glad all the holiday hoopla is in the past now. Just sweet memories. I like the idea of a gratitude jar, Papmom. I don't know if I'll actually do it, but I will make the effort to review my day each night as I tumble into bed and look for the things for which I am grateful. It's yet another way of looking for the light.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends & Happy Friday!

Happy house hunting Star, the weather is perfect for that activity today

Greetings Papmom, thanks for the 2015 good wishes forecast!!!
My wish is to keep my health & sanity going regardless of YB. Sounds kind of pathetic but it is what it is with him. I dropped my expectations where he is concerned/ You saw what I had to go through just to get him to help me with the chicken yard project ~ ridiculous.
I hope your new year unfolds just right for you & your furry family

Cyn, hope you are staying warm & cozy. The lack of snow so far this winter has been a blessing, last winter was such a disaster. Wishing you a great year too!

Dill, still have the grandkids or have they gone on home?
My DIL & grandsons were here until after 9:30 last evening. At that point I was telling them to please go home, Ha Ha!!!

I'm heading out to Curves then back here to do some cleaning up. Wishing everyone a great AF Friday!

Lav

[Lavande]

Cross post Dill

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Yes, I agree that there is something about the light now. Yesterday when I walked the pups we ended up at a local lake (which is right in town). The wind was blowing like crazy, and the lake was remarkable free from ice...I walked to the end of a short pier, and looked down and saw the sand and shells at the bottom of the lake - clear and beautiful, and undisturbed by all the weather going on above ground. What a nice image to keep for this year!

Dill - you are so conscious of the state of the children - how lucky your son and the kids are that they have such wonderful grandparents. I'm glad that you know where your energy 'boundaries' are at this point - goodness knows that you have always been there for your son. I'm sure the children are very very nurtured in their relationship with you.

Pap - your snuggle time with the pups sounded great - glad that you had some real time off.

Lav - sounds like you were ready to walk around in your jammies, rustling the breakfast cereal box! We used to think about trying that trick when guests stayed too long! Wishing you peace and contentment at home - and rock-steady boundaries!

Star - happy house hunting. I just know the right one is out there - you will find it eventually.

I guess the lack of snow is easier - and my roof appreciates not having to bear the burden. But personally I miss the snow. It seems to me to brighten everything up, and I'm still longing to get out there and x-country ski...

However, there's plenty of stuff to do here inside, so I'd better get to it. Wishing all a wonderful AF Friday --

x=post, Lav!

[dill]

Cyn, thank you for the image of the sand, shells and water. I added to it a pair of feet on the edge of an old weathered dock! Were you wearing hiking boots? In my image you were, LOL!

Lav, the grandkids went home on the 1st in the late afternoon. By the late afternoon on the 2nd, I was ready to have them back. It took a good 24 hours to rejuvenate! Grandson has a bad cough that worried me. My son said last night it was still bad and he is going to urgent care today. I don't know if he'll ask for my help with gdaughter but I have offered.

Papmom, how are you doing?'

Star, how did the house hunt go? I see the little green dot next to your avatar so I know we are both on right now and will certainly cross-post. I found a series of books you might want to keep in mind for when your gson is older. It is called Hear It, Read It. It's by Sourcebooks. They make easier, abridged versions of classics. I just got Treasure Island for my gson. He is a poor reader, unfortunately, so I am hoping to at least expose him to some of the great literature as best he can read it. These books are affordable, hardbound and come with a CD containing a dramatic reading. Isn't that a great thing?!

Lav, maybe your gkids would like those too? I saw lots of titles, including my childhood favorite, Black Beauty. Did you read that?

I have been following up on the gratitude jar idea and find it quite helpful. I am jotting things down the next morning so will have something to review if I keep it up. I find that I process my days events on a "delay". I review the events and the feelings associated with them. I don't put it all together and understand the why's and wherefores until I take that time to reflect at the end of the day. It is immensely helpful.

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Thanks Dill for all your thoughts this morning! Hmmm, was I wearing hiking boots? No, I don't think so...I hadn't meant to take the dogs for 'messy' walk, I just set out with them and ended up at the lake. There is a skating pond that has a clear path by it, and we walked on that. But this reminds me that I was wearing my Mother's fleece-lined boots. For some reason since moving from the desert, I didn't invest in any boots, and last March as we were cleaning her apartment, I saw her boots in the closet, and brought them home. I can see her in my mind's eye, pulling them on and lacing them up. So now, I have her to thank for keeping my feet very warm and toasty. I looked at them yesterday, sitting by the door, with the laces undone and the tops open, ready for a foot to go in. How empty they looked, but then I thought - they are just telling me that it's my job to try to 'fill' her place in our family - connecting and checking, celebrating the least little thing that happens, being joyful about everything. Those are big shoes to fill, but I'll try!

Hope all have a beautiful day today - cold here, with snow later (yay) then rain after that, oh well!

Today I'm grateful for the telephone. As I spoke w/HB this morning, I realized what a revolutionary device it is - I'm going to read about A G Bell, and learn how he even conceived of such a thing --

Cheers all - stay warm, and wishing you plenty of AF happy!

[Lavande]

Good morning friends!
Gray skies, awaiting rain although it is just 32 degrees so I guess anything could fall.

Yesterday I gave my hens a treat (as a peace offering of sorts). I've been feeling pretty bad about the recent murders committed by the red tail hawk. I found a recipe for a baked seed treat for them. I baked it in a tube pan so it looked like a wreath of sorts & hung it on their fence. They LOVED it & nearly devoured the whole thing There was only the very top portion left when it got dark out & they went inside. Made me feel better!

Dill, sorry your grandson is feeling under the weather. Seems like everyone has had something the past few weeks. Hope he feels better soon.
I did get books for all of the kids for Christmas. I got book sets for the younger two that came with CDs. My granddaughter has been very happy listening to the CDs while paging thru the book. My grandson probably hasn't even opened his yet, ha ha! EB is turning into a pretty good reader & he's only half way thru kindergarten. I loved Black Beauty when I was a kid, real classic

Cyn, I hope you don't have too much weather to deal with today. Enjoy those warm boots & memories!
I think we will be getting a mixed mess here today.

Greetings to Star & Papmom!

I've basically been up since 4:15 when my older dog decided it was time to get up. I'm pretty sure her 'confusion' is age related, LOL
Wishing everyone a great AF Saturday!

Lav

[papmom3]

Good Morning Abbers!! Day 3 o f the new year. The shininess is starting to wear off but not the hope!!
Star-hope you had a good time window shopping the homes and that it didn't cause angst or stress. You have time!
Cyn-loved your story about your mom's boots! My mom has been gone almost 20 years but I still have some of her jewelry-beautiful sterling/turquois bracelets she got in AZ in the 50s/60s and some pins. All her xmas decorations are up in the attic I think and next year I will make a concerted effort to get a real tree in here and decorate-even if I'm the only one who sees it. I don't have any of her clothes or shoes tho-might have when she first passed but long gone I'm sure.
Dill-you're pacing yourself well with the little ones. I hope the GS is OK-I've heard through FB all of the yucky stuff going around.
Lav-loved that pic of the seed wreath-I think you did well to make it up to the hens for the traumatic events of the past week!

My washer was delivered at 8 am today! I can't believe I got such a incredible quick delivery-I bought it after 3 yesterday!! I have to put extension drain hoses on it (not part of the standard delivery due to liability) but the manager showed me what to do and I have all the parts. Will go down in a few and get it installed and test it for leaks. Excited to try this baby out!!
Yesterday I walked all over the plaza the Lowe's was in and remembered to put my Fitbit on. I went to Dicks and bought a pair of snow pants with the GC my part time employer sent to all of us. I bought these same pants a few years ago but in a Men's Large. They were slightly tight then, unbuttonable a year later and this year fell off me!! I got them in a Ladies M yesterday and they are just right. They will be perfect for walking to work during extreme cold or snow. Might have to get snow shoes next LOL!! I still can't afford a new parka-mine is way too big but with layering it isn't hanging to much. All my winter coats are way too big but nothing I can do. I do look at Savers every once in a while.
I decided not to go to the gym when I was done shopping. Mickey needed his meds and they all needed to go out. My fitbit said I'd done 12K+ steps and 5+ miles at the end!! Wow!!
Today will be dedicated to laundry-such an exciting life I lead!!
Have a great one! don't forget your gratitude lists!!