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?!