Starting Over

That's what I do all the time! Start over...


Today I began, again, my dieting. That involves writing down everything I eat. It involves planning ahead, which is not something I do well! As with the last post...I am determined. Again.

Part of it is this time of year I guess. The other part is knowing that I need to do this to feel better and be healthier. I'm past the "looking good" part! (I think :=)



I loved what a friend of my daughter's had to say about her own blogging. She said that it kept her thoughts and her life's activities in a place; in a history of her living and that of her family. I'd love to have that for my grandchilden if they might ever be interested some day.



Last night I went through a stack of recipe cards that belonged to my mother. It's so neat to read her handwriting and also the recipes of her friends. It's stepping back in time; something I like to do. People actually cooked in the 1950's! We went "out to eat" not more than two or three times a year. Yes. Really. It was a treat for the whole family and can you imagine what a nice thing it was for my mother!!

2008 has been quite a year. I retired from teaching first grade. We lost Tim Russert, my all time favorite newsperson and fine human being. Our 401K bit the dust along with everyone else's 401K. My vote went for the person who will lead us in 2009, Barack Obama. Wonderful! The financial world has shown us an up-close-and-personal picture of "Who Do You Trust?" I had my 60th birthday with a wonderful birthday surprise from my daughter and family and friends. It's been a really interesting year. One to reflect, for sure.

Oh yes. I want a dog and a new fishing rod & reel. Many things are very simple.
I miss the Ozarks this time of year. Oklahoma isn't the same.

Determined

There's a word I don't hear too often anymore. I can recall hearing my mother or others in my family (1950's) say "I'm determined to....(fill in the blank)." I don't hear that so much anymore; even from myself! We set goals, we make lists, we keep journals...

My determinations get sidetracked.

I know the things I need to do. I just get sidetracked!

I've enjoyed reading some new blogs lately. One such blog from a young pastor in a rural Tennessee church...Ed Eubanks, Jr. Reminds me of others I've known years ago in my life, but I think this guy is more determined to think things through for himself. Interesting take on politics.

I'm determined to get this blog thing down to a science and maybe an artform, too.

Mother nature is determined to spread summer upon Oklahoma like a damp rug, complete with July humidity.

I'm determined to keep our electric bill below $150.

Our little town is determined to grow in square-yards of concrete and shopping facilities.

I'm determined to scale back, simplify, and enjoy what I have.

My old eating habits are determined to keep my blood sugar in a swinging hammock.

I'm determined to follow my health plan.

Returning

After more than 6 months, I'm finally back to this! Retired!
Because I love to write, I'm hoping this will become an outlet for me once I have more mastery of this blogging stuff. Still unfamiliar territory.

Back to Routines

Doesn't that sound drab, ho-hum, and boring? It does, I know! Because I am a First Grade teacher, my days should never be any of the aforementioned! Not for me nor for the children I teach. So let's "x-out" routine and substitute the words "somewhat scheduled". I would put the word "scheduled," but as anyone who knows me knows, I am anything but scheduled!! Not in its natural state, that is! I REALLY have to work at it. Actually, I'm fairly confident that I have some issues with attention deficit disorder. No kidding...the First Grade teacher with lack of attention! Honest to goodness-cross-my-heart! So now we are back in class, we do move from one activity to another, we do go through our days in the usual way...so that puts ME into some structure. I think I need some of that, but after checking my Social Security "logs" (that little list of "years worked")...(some of you are WAAAAAAAAAAY too young to know what one of those babies look like!)....well, my "years worked" began in 1965. So you see, I think I'm just about ready to have that UN-structured time to play in the garden, sew the scrap fabric, spend 3 hours at the library, and make pie dough tarts with my grandchildren. Gosh, that all sounds like SUCH fun! Add to that some strange part-time jobs and that would all be right up my alley!
Remember how new I am to this blogging thing? I'm almost as new to the digital camera and the "uploading and downloading" of it all. I have some pictures I want to share on here and hope to get them ready and entered.
I still need some help from my digital daughter (thank you, Ashley!)...but I will get it done! I've been "sneaky-peeking" on some of your blogs out there and I would love to put them on my blogsite, too. Is it courtesy to ask permission, or how is that done?! I'll need to find out!
I think I'm ready to share the news of this blog thing (the one I'm doing!) with some of my friends. They already know I'm a little quirky, so it will come as no surprise!

Taking a Break!

How hard do you need to work before you "take a break?" Blogging=break! I've been going through stacks and stacks of papers in my extra bedroom; separating junk from save; might-want-it-a-year-from-now and I've-had-it-this-long-and-never-used-it! Sometimes I think of throwing ALL of it away and see what life would be like on a clean slate! My back bedroom/guest room has become the catch all of my life's trappings. Does anyone else have such a monster in their life? How long does a person need to save things?!
I'm headed toward retirement this next May and I think I'll have more time to sew, learn to knit, keep up with some scrapbook things, and read. Will that ever happen?!! Maybe I will actually use some of the things I've collected over the years. I think I have enough stamps and scrapbook paper things to start a small workshop on my own! We shall see!

Thank You to my daughter!

Thank you so much for the neat graphic work, Ash! I love it...and you KNOW it would never happen if left up to me!!! I love the neat heading for my bloggedy-blog!

After the Hoop-la

Do many people (well-over-55-grandmothery-new-to-the-blogworld) feel as I do about posting? That is...nothing of this will sound too creative, or catchy, or interesting to others; more of what is sometimes said as "rambling"??? Well, I guess that's the offering tonight. Rambling.

The week of Christmas always seems to be one of hopping and jumping. Why is that? Even when it is not in the physical arena of going from one thing (place) to the next, it is ever so much in my mind. What I'd like to do differently NEXT year...what I'll never do AGAIN...what I'd always LIKE to do as a tradition...and on and on and on... I'm so skilled at second guessing, I can hardly leave THAT alone! No wonder my mind is tired and weary.

We've had a great week of time spent with children, grandchildren, and friends. I'm adding some pictures (I think!) of some fun moments. I never second guess time I spend with my family and friends.

To the One who created snowflakes, babies, children, hugs, and laughter ....thank you.

Cleaning Up the Mess!

What do most people do on the day before Christmas? Wrap gifts, make fudge, bake cookies? Yep, yep, yep! They do NOT clean up ice storm debris from the yard! Oh, but we do. It is actually looking better; making some small steps with progress.
Our area had severe ice storms two weeks ago and our backyard looks like a bomb went off! Well, it DID before today!
It's now off to the baking part of Christmas Eve....cinnamon rolls! Yeah!

Fishing Would Be Easier!

My daughter tells me I can do this! Are you sure???
Oh, Mom, you can do it! Just do what the page tells you (blog edits, blog templates, backgrounds, post options, blah..blah...blah...blah.)! I grew up with the mindset that "making a mistake" was NOT something you did. And Lord help us all if you DID make a mistake and then published it for the whole world to see!!! So the best way to make no mistakes is to take no chances. Right? Right! A turtle inside her shell, a snail stuck to the rock...what a group with which to associate oneself! Think I'd rather become a clown fish!

Driving Me Crazy!

Aren't there days that just drive you crazy?! Those days that you have many things you need to do and "check off your list" and yet, nothing seems to get done the way you want? What a day! Cold, blustery, wet Oklahoma weather! Brrrr!