A Thought for The New Year and Freeform Friday

via Bates Mercantile Co.

New Beginnings

At this time of year, many--- make that most--- of us are thinking about things we want to accomplish in the coming year.  We make our lists, put our resolutions (or manifestos as it may be), goals, wishes, wants and dreams to paper.  I am no different. I've been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to accomplish this year.  I think it's important though, to dream big yet keep things in perspective so to speak.

So you want to lose a few pounds, learn a new language, travel more than last year.  That's all well and good, but many of us want 'instant' gratification and I think for most things it is just not possible. It also tends to make one forget that most often, it's the journeys that make life grand, not the destinations.

In that vain, this is my latest illustration. It's a good reminder to not get ahead of ourselves.

This getting ahead of myself stuff and not being mindful stuff is exactly how I know that I need to get into the habit of practicing yoga again. I did get one practice in this week, but I must say it's not terribly easy with a very runny nose. Makes the 'breathing' bit just a little challenging.

How about you....are you able to live in the moment, see where you are at and start there to move towards your goals? Or do you constantly need to remind yourself that things take time?

Freeform Friday

Tonight we have our Christmas Eve Eve celebation with our good friends the Harringtons. We call it Christmas Eve Eve because that's when we 'used' to get together. Then we decided it's kind of nice to have one more thing to look forward to after the holidays are done. Call me a kid, but having more presents to open makes me happy. 

So does this song.......Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes (Mr. Levine isn't too bad on this track either).  Click here if you're reading by e-mail......but first turn up your speakers (that doesn't necessarily refer to you Mom ;).  Get up and dance if you want because I'm sure going to rock it!

Have a great Friday and make it a GREAT weekend while you're at it.

It's All Over So Soon

Another Christmas Gone

Hi all.  Sorry I've been scarce, I've had a rotten bug since before Christmas and it just won't give up the ghost. 

Despite feeling lousy, I had a great holiday. I hope you did as well.

Thursday night, the neighborhoodlums stopped by.

Joanie brought Lucan a chewable Christmas card. Sandee and Gerry baked their yearly 'Coogans'........cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. Joanie and Tom gave us a new pine bench (see it on the left?) Tom made with native wood he milled himself. It's awesome.

Missed getting a picture of Gerry, but he was here.

Gar was nice enough to help me with our Christmas baking so it was ready to give out when they stopped by (more on that in another post).

Christmas Eve we were off to sister Gloria's, as was the whole famn-damily.

Great nephew Cayd had tupperware on his list to Santa. We were happy to oblige with a big bin full of the stuff.

While he was busy getting the Santa hat he wanted out of one of the tupperware containers, great niece Sophia danced up a storm with Glo's lifesize singing and dancing Santa with help from Auntie Cait.  She didn't stop all night. She just kept dancing, and dancing and dancing.

Once Cayd got his new Santa hat out of the tupperware, he gave out some Christmas lovin'.

Our family friend Donna and niece Nicole chatted in the kitchen. 

Niece Maddie got a great travel bag from Grammy and Grampy. I had my eye on it.

However, I had my own presents to open. Please excuse the same sweater and shirt I've had on in every picture since November. I really do have other clothes.  Feeling as lousy as I did, it was all about comfort Christmas Eve. 

Some of the girls were styling and smiling.

Nephew Pat was happy to get a Kittery Trading Post shirt from Grammy and Grampy. Now he's officially one of the big boys. Right Pat?

Niece Maddie made Grammy mittens she upcycled from a sweater! Awesome!

Cayd was still busy with his Bin O'Tupperware.

He was enthralled by the sandwich bags that were in the bin and were also on his list. He was pretty psyched about the spatula too. Funny stuff.

He took a break to help Great Grammy and Great Grampy open their big gift from the gang......a brick. I know, it doesn't sound exciting, but it was.

It was a replica of the brick with their name on it, that is now part of Fenway Park! Even the Yankees fans present (me and Gar and brother Mike) liked this one.

Though I may have been even happier with my new Stanley Cup Champions Bruins Winter Hat. I know, I'm ever the Fashion Plate.

Got a picture of Mom before she got me. Take that!



Nephew Pat horned in on his niece Sophia's 'dancin' with Santa' territory.

As we left Briar Road, it started to flurry. Perfect timing just in time for Christmas.

It continued on and off the next morning.

We enjoyed our annual Christmas Mimosas as we opened our presents and stockings.  Again, please keep in mind I was not a well girl and it shows.

I spent the rest of the day pretty much under the afghan on the couch, cozy by the fire.  Not a bad place to be.

All in all, another wonderful Christmas gone by. I hope yours was as nice.

Are you ready for the New Year?