My Approach to the New Year

It's Saturday morning, the first Saturday of the new year. Of course I've already explained my feelings about this time of the week, brilliantly entitled - Saturday Mornings! I've finished my first cup of coffee, read some and reflected a bit. Although I've wanted to write these past few weeks, time and circumstances didn't allow me to sit down and actually accomplish this desire. So, we have some catching up to do!

I hope your holiday season was a good one. Unfortunately, I realize this is not always true for everyone. I'm sorry if that was the case for you. Family dynamics, financial instability, expectations and past echos can wreak havoc on our emotions, particularly during the holidays. Let alone tragedies can happen at any time of year. I'm becoming aware of how I can subtly project my circumstances, reactions and emotions on to others or even groups of people. A small example would be that since I live in Florida now, I can find it difficult to remember that much of the world is experiencing winter. I look out my window... it's sunny and should reach around 80 degrees today.

At any rate, my holidays were probably typical fare. That's not to say I didn't enjoy them! Getting together with family is not only important but fun. (The traveling I could have done without but that's beside the point.) There were a couple of bumps along the road - overwhelmed at times, not feeling well, and miscommunications, but these are part of life. What I loved was spending time with people I see so infrequently.

The new year stretches before us, filled with promise and hopeful expectations. Needless to say, I don't really know what's going to happen, nor am I in control of it! I've not made any grand resolutions. Any goals I have are pretty simple. Two things I would like to see happen (resolutions ?) are: 1) I become more of a reader again. Somehow I've let computers take too much of my time and I want to take some of it back for reading. 2) I'm giving myself a year to get fully settled in the new house. I hate to admit it but we left California (having lived there 3.5 years) without having unpacked a few boxes - ever! So, I'd like to unpack, buy what's needed, paint and decorate. This last goal doesn't seem ambitious to some, perhaps most, but it has been problematic for me in the past.

I don't want a huge agenda hanging over my head. Too many things take place without any plan, whether it be a surprise, spontaneity or just plain out of my control, so I want to be flexible. (For example, it's now Sunday afternoon and I'm finally finishing this post which started yesterday!) I am finding, the simple and very often small choices and activities can bring the greatest joy, impact and/or peace.

Of course, I'm not a type A person, more like a type A-. :-) Therefore many people will not be able to relate with me! That's OK - go for the gusto, A types! We need all kinds of people for this world to function. I'm looking forward to 2013. I hope you are too.

Past the Time to be Thankful...or not!

Happy Day after Thanksgiving! I know other people call it Black Friday but to me that name sounds so depressing. How did a big retail sale day get labeled this? (I know it's because these sales put them "in the black" for the year but still...) Brian's comment when I wished him "Happy Day after Thanksgiving!" was "Happy Friday." He is a man who lives in the present! And he is NOT a man to get up early and spend hours in a line or online just to get great deals. So, today is just Friday!

Me, I rather enjoy stretching out holidays. Is it just a good excuse for not getting much accomplished? Perhaps. Today my coffee tastes particularly good, in fact, I'm on my third cup and it's not even three in the afternoon. Although I love coffee, I'm a two cup a day girl, usually around 9am and 4pm. But I have to say that three cups is still not very motivating for productivity, just enjoying the lanai and doing a bit of writing!

I'm a little late (strictly speaking) for any sort of dissertation on the attitude of gratitude. Well, dissertations remind me of school anyway, which is long past. However, it's never too late to be thankful. Thankfully (!) I don't have to think very hard to find a myriad of things for which I'm thankful. Brian tops the list, of course. From the spectacular to the mundane, there are wonderful things and people all around me. Although we are new to the area, we had two invitations for Thanksgiving dinner. We chose to drive 90 miles to be with Brandon, our youngest, and the family he is staying with at the moment. There were 25 people for dinner!! Yikes! And we only really knew Brandon. Yet, dinner was delightful, engaging conversation and delicious food!

I have friends and family in several countries (also giving me a reason to travel and open up my home)! I don't lack for anything I need and actually have many "wants." Brian is an awesome man, let alone a wonderful husband. I am content and very grateful. I hope you all can also find many reasons to smile in your heart!

Carnaval de Merida and Around Town

We are here in Merida for Carnaval or as it is called in New Orleans - Mardi Gras! We didn't come particularly for this celebration but our winter getaway to revive Brian happens to coincide. I can't say that we've gone to all of the parades, since there are six in all! Nor did I take any pictures - just wanted to enjoy the time. However, one of my fellow bloggers did take pictures so I refer you to him. The Children's Parade you can find here. I understand it is often thought of as the best. Kids are always cute and they are certainly done up. One of the other evening parades can be found here. We don't even consider going to any of the daytime parades as it is WAY too hot!! I don't know how the people in the parade do it - survive even.

Brian and I did do some wondering of the town with cameras in hand. We ended up in one of the neighborhood parks called Santiago. Naturally ice cream was in order! Here are some images from the park and along the way.

An Improving Economy Can be Correlated to...What!?

Normally I don't watch the news. However, my mother is an avid watcher of such. Over the holidays I was up visiting family and staying with my mother. So naturally one evening the news was on, and I was half listening while surfing the internet. The New Year is approaching and the local news was reporting about a poll that had been taken to assess the general outlook of people regarding 2012. I was not listening well enough to catch if it was a national or local poll; I did manage to hear that 62 percent of those asked were hopeful that 2012 would be an improvement over 2011. I wouldn't say the optimism was overwhelming but at least on the positive side. Time will tell, of course.

Although I have to say, the following “news worthy” story really gave scientific clout to the optimism, at least of the male population. What, you ask, announced to America that the men are thinking happy thoughts about the future? Why, of course, it's the increase of sales for men's underpants - boxers or briefs! “They” say that there exists a subconscious correlation between when men buy underwear and their optimism in connection with the economy! Who knew, but there you have it. If you needed hope for the future, here is a substantial foundation to build your dreams upon and feel confident about the upcoming economic stability. Just thought you should know, in case you missed that meaty story on your news program. :-) Interestingly enough, while getting ready for bed tonight my husband talked about needing to buy some underwear, not a topic that comes up often! Plus, he had neither heard the news story nor read my post. Hmmm!

By the way, count me in the 62 percent. I think 2012 has to be better than 2011. If not, I may return to my ostrich ways! Actually, I'm quite excited for the coming year – changes are on the forefront and new adventures. Wishing you all a Happy New Year.

My Christmas Card!

I don't do Christmas cards. I love the idea of them. I love getting them, although I never feel entitled to them! That's not the reason they are sent, I know. :-) But getting my act together in time to get the cards out just doesn't happen.

Merry Christmas to all!

So this year I'm letting this post be my greetings to everyone. As I've mentioned the holidays this year have caught me rather out of sorts. But I don't want to miss out on expressing my thanks and joy for just being! Let alone I have the gift of friends and family throughout the year. You all are a treasure!

I wish you all God's best in the coming year, a wonderful, laughter-filled holiday time and hope. Hope is the message of Christmas and it's sent with love.

Simple Pleasures

Christmas is coming in less than a week! It doesn't really seem possible but, then again, I'd be foolish to deny it!! I've moved slowly this year into embracing the idea of it all.

Last night we went went out with a couple of other friends for wine and appetizers. Honestly, we decided on going out because to pull something together at one of our houses was more effort than any of us had the energy for. The important point was getting together, and it was delightful. I won't bother you with a detailed description of all the yummies we had! Although taste treats are always enjoyable, it's the company that matters.

Last night was the whole package of a "holiday simple pleasure." I appreciated the Christmas lights inside and just outside our window, reminding me of the season. Our order of food (all shared :-) ) was a wonderful mix of flavors. The atmosphere was warm, the wine warmed my insides, I relaxed and engaged in the conversation that ranged from travel to Christmas visitors, family to future plans.

For me, this shows the best of the holidays. It is simple, more intimate, relaxed and relational.