2012 - A Look Ahead

You know when I was younger New Year's was the most depressing time of the year. I dreaded the new year. I'm not sure why. But I got over that in my 30s. Now, New Year's is not my favorite time of the year. But it is a change that I look forward to as the old year winds down. (Actually, I think New Year's is a silly holiday. The new year should start when the new school year starts, it would make life so much easier.) As 2012 is upon us, I'm excited to look into the new year to see what it will may can bring.

For my Quiet Time, I plan to read the One Year Chronological Bible again. I've said it time and time again. If you want to read the Bible in context, get a Chronological version. It's like reading a story. It somehow makes all the stories in the Bible fall into place. They make more sense historically. My favorite part of the chronological Bible is seeing when the Psalms were written. The first Psalm to show up is Psalm 91. It's in the middle of Deuteronomy on March 24. You know how easy it is to get bogged down in the Old Testament? Those Psalms are like a little oasis to me when they show up in the middle of a particularly difficult OT book. The last Psalm is Psalm 147. It's on September 23. Then I only have to make it to September 28 and I'm in the New Testament (whew!)

I'm not sure that I'll continue the $5 Savings Plan. I kind of fell off the wagon last year. We want to buy a house in 2012, so basically every spare dollar that we have is going to that project. I am planning to fill a Christmas Jar in 2012. I will also buy Angel Tree gifts again next Christmas. I love doing that. I will participate in at least two charitable projects in 2012. One of them will take place in February. Katie works for a company that manages 20 group homes for CPS. At Christmas this year she mentioned that the teenage boys homes never get donations or gifts from people voluntarily. So I baked cookies and made candy for those two houses. In February, I'm going to make candy and bake Valentine sugar cookies for those boys.

I have an ambitious goal for x-stitching this year. I'm going to participate in a 2012 Crazy January Challenge, but I'm making my own rules. I will work on a project each day for the first 15 days in January, but some of them will be new starts, and most of them will be WIPs (works in progress). If you're interested, you can check out my projects on the 2012 Crazy January Challenge tab at the top of the blog.

I want to be more disciplined about my health this year. My cholesterol is a little high. Of course, as is typical in this day and age the Dr. wants me to take a pill for it. I'm not big on pills. So I'm trying to get it back down in the next three months. I also STILL want to lose 30 pounds. And I need to stay on top of controlling my blood sugar with diet and exercise.

I failed to meet my goal of reading 100 books in 2011. I'll try again in 2012. I will also keep plugging away at my 101 in 1001 list. I have completed 16 of the 101 items. I have 27 items in progress. My end date is 8/29/13, so I need to get going on this list! If you're interested in my progress you can click on the tab at the top of the blog to see how I'm doing (or not doing!).

And last, but not least there's my blogs. I love blogging. I have stalled out on my political blog and the recipe blog. I hope to do much better in 2012. I'm sure it will be easy to get back to the political blog since it's an election year. Any one that knows me knows that I'm passionate about politics. I want to be passionate about cooking. I think maybe it requires a measure of patience that I don't have. I'm more than half-way through my 365 photo blog. When it's complete I want to print it as a book. Actually, I want to print all of them as books. I just haven't checked into the details of that yet. Maybe this year. I have "met" so many great people as a result of blogging. I enjoy reading other blogs and get a lot of great ideas and information from them. I hope my blog(s) encourage and interest my readers as theirs do me.

So friends, there you have it. A new year is upon us. I'm ready for it. I'm excited for it. We have a lot of exciting family events coming up in 2012. And of course, there will be lots of unexpected joys and challenges in the year. All I can say is... bring it on!

2011 - The Year in Review

2011 has been a year that has out-distanced our expectations. We have been so blessed this year and we are thankful. I like to look back each year and think about what worked and what didn't. To pause and give thanks for all we have to be thankful for. To examine myself and see if I've made any improvements in my character.

As you know, this year I participated in the Siestas Scripture Memory Team hosted by Beth Moore's blog. The goal was to memorize a Bible verse every two weeks throughout the year. To help in the process, we wrote the verses out in a notebook so we could work on them whenever we had a few minutes. I did great! OK, what I really mean is that I did great the first four months or so. Then I began to fall behind. Memorization is not as easy at 55 years old as it was at 10 years old. This is not an excuse. This is just the truth that it was harder than I thought it would be. But I stuck it out and I have six new verses firmly planted in my mind and heart and six verses that I can kind of quote, but don't always know the address of. I really enjoyed participating in this.

We added two new grandbabies to our family this year. I don't have the words to describe how wonderful marvelous terrific joyous and fun it is to have three grandchildren. When we all get together it is loud, crazy, chaotic, fun; more than I could ever have hoped for.

The appraisal business took off this year. At least in comparison to the past three years. As I write this we have received 254 orders this year. And there are still two business days to go! After the financial disaster we've been through we'll never take our income for granted. But we are feeling cautiously optimistic for 2012. And we feel blessed beyond measure for 2011. Because of the increase in the appraisals, Dan has been able to cut down to two shifts a week at Sam's Club. Yippee!

I'm pretty satisfied with the progress I made on the 101 in 1001 list. (see the tab at the top of the blog)  I have some disappointments too. I'm really bummed out about my weight. I want to lose 30 pounds. But wanting doesn't make it so. I didn't meet my goal of books read in 2011. I'll try again in 2012. I started the year with anticipation for the x-stitch projects I would complete. I ended the year bogged down in too may Christmas stockings to make. I read the Chronological Bible again this year. I'll start it anew on 1/1/2012. I did a better job on keeping a budget spreadsheet in 2011, but I have a long way to go to make it more accurate. (I really suck at math, anything to do with numbers so this is a huge challenge for me). I completely ignored my "green thumb" in 2011 and I missed that activity.

All in all, 2011 has been a good year. It is a year I will look back on with gratefulness for so many blessings. Yet, I'm ready for it to end. I'm anticipating 2012. Can't wait to see what the new year will bring!

A to Z About Me

I read this on someone's blog this fall and figured I'd save it for this week. Here's more than you'd ever hope to know about me!

Age: 55

Bed Size: California King

Chore that you hate: cleaning the bathrooms

Dogs: Two – Rascal & Duke

Essential start to your day: Reading my Bible

Favorite color: Purple

Gold or Silver: Gold

Height: 5’2”

Instruments you play: Piano

Job title: Grammy

Kids: Four – two boys & two girls

Live: Phoenix AZ

Make of car: Hyundai Tucson

Nicknames: Vic

Overnight Hospital stays: Five

Pet peeves: People who lie

Quote from a movie: Meet Me in St Louis “Well, another Halloween and we’re all a year older”

Right or left handed: Right

Siblings: One brother

Time you wake up: 6:30 am

Underwear: Yes, I wear it

Veggies you hate: Peas

What makes you run late: grandchildren

Xrays you had: teeth, injured foot

Yummy food that you make: Lasagna, Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Clusters

Zoo animal: Lion

One Word: Freedom

In 2011 I chose one word for the year. It was confident. I think I have more confidence in some areas of my life. But it's definitely still something I need to work on. For 2012 I am choosing the word "freedom".

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12

I'm not looking for the freedom to run out and do whatever I want with no regard to consequences. I'm looking for freedom from the bondage of always worrying about what someone will think. Freedom from the struggle between pleasing man and pleasing God. Freedom from being a worrier. Freedom to revel in my faith. Freedom to trust God for every aspect of my life. Freedom. I feel more free just saying it...

My Favorite Week of the Year

The week between Christmas and New Year's is my favorite week of the year. I take time during these seven days to look back at the year ending. I think about the various areas of my life. I decide what to keep in my life. And what to get rid of. I take stock of my accomplishments. I acknowledge my failures. I compile lists. I make plans. I fill out all my new calendars. I anticipate the challenges and opportunities of the coming year.

I started this special time today. By changing the template of my blog. I'm also dismantling Christmas today. Putting away the decor that has brightened our home for the past several weeks. It's kind of like transferring from a beautiful fanciful world to a realistic world. It sobers me up in a way. And that's not always a bad thing...

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2

 ¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
 ²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
 ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
 ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
 ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
 ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
 ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
 ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
 ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
 ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
 ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
 ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
 ¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
 ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
 ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
 ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
 ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
 ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Christmas Eve

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

So Far This Week...

It's only Wednesday, but we've already had loads of fun at Grammy's house. Since our family Christmas on Saturday, Sunny is very wound up and knows that there are more presents for her to open on Christmas Day. She totally grasped the concept of opening gifts this year! She and Thunder were here on Monday and Tuesday. Here are some photos of the fun we've been having...

She loves this little train set from IKEA

Such a happy boy!

This is what happens when you stand at the door and swing the blinds...

Me: Did you learn a lesson?

Sunny: Yes.

Me: What did you learn?

Sunny: I don't know...

Summer getting her turn in the Toy Story tent

Sunny, Gramps, Thunder

Dan, Sunny, Katie, Thunder waiting to see Santa Claus

Don't know why I'm so wild-eyed while singing "Jingle Bells"

Santa!

This is my surrogate grandson, Kyler.

He's turning 13 this year!

We got to see him last night to give him his Birthday and Christmas gifts.

Isn't he a handsome young man?!

Taking a Chance

I love Christmas cards. I enjoy sending them. I enjoy receiving them. I love picking out which ones I'm going to send every year. I marvel at the gorgeous designs I receive each year. I enjoy sending them so much that I will keep you on my list long after you stop sending them out. This year I took a chance and mailed Christmas cards to some blog friends. These are women I've never met. I have their addresses because I've won giveaways on their blogs. In one case, a blog friend sent me her address when I wrote about cards on my Christmas blog.

I hope they don't think I'm odd...

(If you like Christmas cards like I do, send me your address and I'll send you a card!)

2011 Family Christmas

What a night! Christmas with three grandkids was everything I imagined and more. Lots of noise. Lots of laughter. Lots of oohs and aahs. Lots of wrapping paper. Lots of memories!

Skye and Sunny - all dressed up

Gramps, Skye, Thunder, Sunny, Papa

Grammy with the grands

Papa and Zach

Buster came along to be introduced to everyone

Ashley, Zach, Skye

JoAnne and Carl (Gigi and Papa)

me and Dan

Katie and Gabe

Adam and Jessica

"I saw Gigi kissing Thunder..."

Skye and Papa

SSMT #24 - the Final Verse

Wow. I can't tell you what a humbling, yet exhilarating experience this has been. Picking a Bible verse every two weeks during 2011 to memorize has been challenging. Encouraging. Easy. (OK, that was the week I picked John 3:16 which I already know!) Thought-provoking. Convicting.

Some of the verses I memorized in a snap. Some of them I still need work on. I am so glad I chose to participate. I hope this experience has made me more determined to hide the word of the Lord in my heart.

For this year's final verse I've picked:

I desire to do your will, my God;
   your law is within my heart.
Psalm 40:8 NIV

Thanks for the encouragement you've provided this year, blog friends!

Duke and Rascal, Sunny and Thunder

Duke and Rascal have adjusted to Sunny as she's grown older. When she was a baby, they would hover around her when she came over. Never leaving her side. When she went down for a nap, they would lay outside the door until she woke up.

They became fierce protectors when she started walking. Rascal especially would patiently stand or lay still as Sunny used him as leverage to stand up.

As she began talking, they would faithfully come when she called "doggie". She learned to say "Duke" early on, but Rascal remained "doggie" for months.

When she left our house, they would lay down and nap for hours. Making up for all the hours they were standing watch while she was here.

Gradually they came to realize that she was a person, although a small one. They stopped hovering. They learned to take short naps while she was here. They began to trust her not to pull their ears. To not pull their tails. To not pry their mouths open to look at their teeth.

Then along came Thunder. Once more they are on full alert. When he's here they pace nervously around him. The constantly walk up to him to give him kisses. They lay outside his door as he's napping.

Their job is more difficult now because they still have Sunny to play with. Sometimes they split the duty. One of them guards Thunder while the other plays with Sunny.

They are good dogs.

Rascal supervising at feeding time.

Duke catching a quick nap... or maybe he's saving Thunder's place!

Sister and Brother

I have Thunder and Sunny today. Here's some of what they're up to:

playing together

watching Caillou

holding his own bottle

multi-tasking: feeding brother while they both watch Nemo

Duke is supervising

Brrrr. It's Cold!

We are having winter here for a few days. Our temps have dropped to the high 50s for the high and the low 40s - upper 30s for the low. It is dang cold. We had to run an errand today around lunch time and both Dan and I were whining about the cold weather. Then I looked at him and at myself. We are so spoiled. He's in a long-sleeve shirt and I'm in a sweater and we're freezing! We don't even need coats, but it's too cold for us.

All of you people in the midwest and east have my permission to shake your heads over how spoiled we are. It's supposed to be cold all week, warming back into the 70s by next weekend. We turned the heater on two days ago in preparation for the cold weather and it hasn't kicked on yet. Not even at night. It's set at 68 degrees and every morning when I get up I look at the thermostat (because I'm shivering) and it's been 70 or 71 both mornings.

It's great weather for putting the Christmas lights on the house which Dan is doing right now. Then I guess we'll have something hot to drink and try to warm up...

SSMT #23

When I read this verse I knew I wanted to commit it to memory. For me it represents serenity, calm, joy, and obedience. That's the great thing about the Bible. Because it is the living, breathing Word of God each verse can touch each life in a different way. Actually, a verse can mean one thing to you in a season of your life and then something different in another season of your life. The same verse. God is so awesome.

I thought it might be fun to see this verse in different translations, so I've included a few below. What's amazing to me is that in each translation the freedom of salvation shines through. I encourage you to find a verse or a few verses that speak to you and memorize them. It can be difficult (ok, it IS difficult as I get older) but well worth the reward!

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
   and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12 NIV

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
      and make me willing to obey you. NLT

Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
      and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
   Unbutton my lips, dear God;
      I'll let loose with your praise. The Message

Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation,
      and make me willing to obey you. Good News Translation

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. King James Version

101 in 1001

Today is day 365 of my 101 in 1001 effort. I read about this project on a blog last fall. It immediately appealed to me (being addicted to lists of any kind) and on December 1, 2010 I began my attempt at completing 101 items in 1001 days.

As of today I have completed 15 items. I have 27 items in progress. Yippee!

Along the way I have had to revise a few of my goals. I also get discouraged with thinking I'm not progressing fast enough. Then I stop and remember that I have 1001 days to complete all of this. Not just one year.

So, today I look ahead at the 636 days I have left. I'm excited to see what will get completed in the weeks and months ahead. And I'm celebrating what I managed to accomplish in the past 365 days. I am thoroughly enjoying this project. Sometimes I find myself thinking about what will could might be on my next attempt at 101 in 1001...

(You can track my progress by clicking on the "101 in 1001" tab at the top of my blog)

A Look Back... Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving at Katie's was wonderful! We met some members of Gabe's family we haven't met before and enjoyed catching up with his folks. Sunny was surprisingly calm for the day. She did a great job of paying attention to each and every person and didn't cling to anyone. I was impressed with her social skills! Other than missing JD and Janel dreadfully, it was a terrific day.

look who's standing!

 

Skye likes to pull Sunny's hair

so now Sunny doesn't like to be by her

they're giving each other the "evil eye"

Zach, Skye, Sunny, me, Thunder

Roberta and Katie

Gigi and Skye

Ashley, Zach, Gigi, Skye

Gramps and Grammy with the Grands

Jessica, Skye, Papa Carl

Uncle Danny and Robert watching the game

Cody, Gabe, Papa John

Happy Thanksgiving

We are so blessed!

Let's make an effort today to concentrate on those we love (instead of what we're gonna buy when we go shopping at midnight).

Let's pause today to thank God for the blessings He bestows on us daily.

Let's focus on all we have to be thankful for.

Let's have fun and relax!

Happy Thanksgiving

How To Shoot A Photo - Take One

Me: Say "Merry Christmas"

Sunny: Merry Christmas! (turns to look at Christmas tree)

Me: Say "Merry Christmas"

Sunny: Merry Christmas! (turns other way to look at Christmas tree)

Me: Say "Merry Christmas", but don't turn around!

Sunny: Merry Chri... CHEESE!

Me: Say "cheese"

Sunny: Cheese!

Katie had to run an errand, so she took Sunny with her and left Thunder with us for an hour. He is the

most handsome boy!

My Sweet Skye

Saturday we went down to Mesa to visit Zach, Ashley, and Skye. I hadn't seen their new apartment yet. It's so huge! They have so much more space than they did in their one bedroom unit. We went shopping at Tempe Market Place, ate lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, and then did a little more shopping.

After leaving them, Dan and I ran over to Attic Needlework shop. I bought some patterns, and some thread. Santa bought me a pair of scissors and a needle keep for my stocking. We had a fun time!

Skye is getting so grown up. She can crawl now! She also can pull herself up into a standing position. I guess it won't be long until she can walk. She is so sweet. I'm amazed that she's so friendly with us since she doesn't see us very often. I always like it when we can work things out to see her more than once in a relatively short amount of time. We'll see her on Thursday so that will be good.

our official eight month photo

me with my baby and his baby

"ok, that's enough pictures, Grammy"

"no really, I mean it! I'm done."