All wet and drying off

This morning a Facebook post from a friend captured my attention and changed my attitude about a situation I thought was causing a problem in my life. I have learned from experience that the universe has been known to send messages in strange forms. This one was one of a kind and caused me to realize that I have been all wet for a long time. Because someone else commented on the image that being single is a gift I realized the person is right! Although friends are a good thing to have I do not need anyone to be singly attached to. I raised my family and was connected by marriage for 40 years. I paid my dues. Now I do not need to depend on another soul. There is nothing anyone can give me that I cannot get for myself. Women especially grow up believing that they have to have a mate or their life is not complete. I was one of them. Thank you universe for the creative message and the gift/reward. All I need now is a nice big fluffy towel!

Snow- a great teacher

As I watched the news last night I noticed that much of the country is dealing with tons of snow. It reminded me of the winter of 2011 when our little town was buried in the white stuff. We had the honor of being the coldest city in New Mexico for weeks. The snow would thaw some during the day and freeze up at night making travel a very dangerous experience. I live alone about three miles from the nearest grocery store. I put off going to the store for as long as I could. The necessary trip I finally made was the scariest driving experience of my entire life. The road was a sheet of ice. Yesterday morning I looked out my office window and saw that it was snowing huge flakes that were sticking. It looked to me as if it had no intention of stopping. It was right after school had started and I was thinking that perhaps students would be dismissed early. If that happened I would not be going to work, as there would be no children to watch over at the family center. An hour or so later the snow suddenly stopped, the sun came out and melted everything. Yay for me! The previous snow experience that I lived through in 2011 taught me to be prepared. If I even hear a hint of snow I make sure to stock up on all the important things that I would need if I were snowbound for several days. Snow is a great teacher!

Ready for 2014

December began with my birthday and is only 12 days old. Everything I needed to do to finish off the year 2013 is done; rabies/booster shots for Ejay, eye exam, appointment to renew my BP prescription, MVD to renew driver's licence, Christmas cards mailed, gifts taken care of, caramel corn, peanut butter/chocolate bar cookies & fudge made to distribute to friends, house alive with snowmen, current bills paid. With the exception of 7 more days of work I am ready to move into 2014. I am expecting it to bring new people and new experiences into my life to mingle with those from my past. In the words of that famous overstuffed being in red- MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

A new twist

This morning I realized a new twist on an old problem. I am sure this will make more than one of my followers very happy. Since August 30, 2010 my only daughter, now 34, has refused to communicate with me. She won't answer her phone or respond to an email and she even found it necessary to block me on Facebook, although she denied doing it. Today I have come to the conclusion- so what!! I did my job as her mother to the best of my ability and took care of her needs way past the time that I should have stopped doing that. I have an excellent relationship with my grandson, my son-in-law and even my ex husband of 27 years. Although my daughter's immature behavior has in the past caused me to feel unloved and unappreciated, especially during times of family holidays, that will happen no more! I have decided that I am not missing out on a thing. I live debt free in a warm comfy home with my two cats and my rescue dog, Ejay. I have a part time job which allows me to communicate with people of all ages and gives me a little financial wiggle room. My daughter is the one who is missing out and someday she will feel my new twist on her young life.

I don't need that

I am getting tired of the deluge of Christmas ads bombarding me online and in my mail box for items others think I cannot live without. Um... I do not need that to be happy! In my opinion if people would stop purchasing all the crap offered out there and focus on what they really need their lives would be a lot less stressful. Sometimes I look at the adults and children around me and wonder why they spend so much money on all those popular items. I actually know people who rent storage units to hold the overflow that will not fit in their houses. I don't believe that I go without anything important. Having been divorced and on my own for 14 years I am most proud of the fact that I do not have bill collectors hounding me. I have had some enormous challenges along the way, but I have worked my tail off to deal with them- one by one. It always makes me very happy to reach December and know I will not be starting the new year with a pile of bills. My motto continues to be I DON'T NEED THAT!

A crafty space

This weekend is the annual Christmas Craft Show for our community. It has been going on for over thirty years attracting both talented craftsman with their wares and curious customers looking for bargains and special gifts. I participated for many years until it just wasn't fun anymore. I offered all types of crafts including: crochet items, doll clothes, gifts, photos, books and whatever caught my eye that might tempt buyers. Actually the most fun part and still is for me is the opportunity to communicate with people. Friday night was always "teachers night" when all the local teachers stopped by after school to see what they could see. They would congregate in little groups. I still enjoy walking around talking to crafters and customers, some of whom I have known for years. Saturday was always a busy day for sellers hoping to bring in enough to pay for their space. Some years we did and some we didn't. Sunday was usually pretty slow and brought back the customers who were expecting the prices to have dropped because the crafters were getting desperate to not have to take their wares back home. It was all an interesting learning experience that reminded me that at least some of my creative gifts were inherited talents. It was fun, but life moves on to make room for younger people with newer ideas. This weekend you will find me attending the Christmas Craft Show to see what I can see. If you happen to be in Grants, New Mexico between December 6-8 join me at Future Foundations Family Center for the big event.

Happy Birthday

Today marks the end of 75 years since I came forth on this planet this time around. Wow that's a long time, but I'm not through yet! I'm planning to live to a healthy 100. That should make a couple of souls that I gave birth to very uncomfortable. Sorry about that my children, but if you had paid attention to my writings you would not be surprised at my determination. I have decided the secret to life, as my former daughter-in-law told me this morning, is to roll with the punches. Don't get stressed when stuff happens, just do the best you can and everything will turn out just like it is supposed to. Perhaps not the way I had planned, but better. So today on the celebration of my birth I am looking forward to the next 25 years. It's going to be a fantastic journey. You may come along if you like- or not.