2017

2017...Bring it on!

Kids are growing up...only one brother this year.

STOP!

Take some time to think, figure out what's important to you…

Here’s to 2016! It’s another chance for us to do things right.

Happy New Year!!

The last couple of years, instead of a list of resolutions I would never keep, I chose a word for the year. Although it may sound easy, it’s not! The first year I struggled and finally decided upon the word “Embrace”. I wanted, when faced with a challenge, to look at it as a chance to grow instead of a chore. I can honestly say I grew a lot that year.

Last year my word was “Create”. If you know me, you know I am forever with yarn. I thought this word would be easy. It wasn’t. It turns out I never even posted the word. What I intended, besides my usual outlets, was to explore new possibilities, create opportunities, try new things and make time to fully enjoy whatever it was that came about. It wasn’t a complete fail but I could have done so much better.

Forever with yarn!

So this year I thought and thought about what my word should be. I looked at word lists online, googled inspiring words, perused word of the year sites but nothing spoke to me. One night, during some dream I no longer remember, my word came to me. I can’t say it’s found on a positive word list. But I think it’s perfect for me.

My word this year is Stop.

Stop can be a noun or a verb. Stop means come to an end; cease to happen, or a cessation of movement or operation. But it also means so much more. It can mean catching up with loved ones; stop in, stop by, stop off. Capturing a moment in time and perhaps even altering it with a camera stop. It can mean pretty; face to stop a clock or ugly, homely enough to stop a clock. It can mean slow down and enjoy; stop and smell the flowers, stop on a dime, stop, look and listen. I want to stop the negative thoughts, stop the procrastination, stop and enjoy, stop and think, stop and listen.

I want to stop putting off things and get them done and stop and make time for my family. I want to stop worrying about the things that aren’t important and enjoy the things that are. Of course ultimately, stop holds me accountable because we all know the buck STOPS here!

Hope 2016 is off in the right direction for you! Do you have a word? Share it here!

You've got to make a serious decision…

Fingerless mitts seem to be the obsession of the month! I’ve really had a lot of fun and even learned how to be proficient at the magic loop method.

I thought I already was but I think I had made up a convoluted technique. So when I stopped to view the YouTube instructions I realized it was pretty simple after all!

Knit and crochet.

Plain and with buttons!

Stop! Take some time to think, figure out what's important to you.

Happy New Year

May we all have a vision now and then 
Of a world where every neighbor is a friend.

Happy New Year!

May we all have our hopes, our will to try...
You and I...

 

Happy New Year!

A Long December

...and there's reason to believe 

Maybe this year will be better than the last. 

I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leaving. 

Oh the days go by so fast… 

Goodbye 2011! 

Hello 2012! 

The New Year seems to me to be much like a book, waiting to be opened and read. We don’t know the ending (and in this case can’t cheat and look ahead!) Each chapter and often each page is a new beginning. Some chapters flow smoothly while some jump from point to point. Some pass quickly, too quickly, while others drag on eternally. Some answer all questions while others leave voids that may never be filled.

There are many characters, old friends, new friends, enemies and nemesis, those who wish you success and those who would do anything to help you fail. We embrace the characters in our year and grow with them, either closer or apart. Some characters are written out while new characters are introduced. We care, either growing to love or despise each individual. Regardless, all help form the book that is our year, our life.

As we go through we anxiously await the ending of each chapter. We sometimes forget that we should savor each day as a page in our lives because unlike a book, we can’t go back to re-read and reinterpret. Most times we hurry through to reach the end then remorse that the time passed so quickly.

When things go smoothly we want to continue in the series and see what the next volume brings. When things aren’t flowing as anticipated we contemplate another author, someone with a guaranteed happy ending, only to find there is no such thing. So we continue in our sequence, be it the one we chose or not.

When a chapter leaves an impression we remember for days, weeks and even years. There is no discrimination in memory and we internalize all, the good, the bad and yes, even the ugly. And although we can’t change the way it’s written we relive those chapters until it reads the way we wish it had been.

The end of the year, as the end of a book, can leave you with a sense of satisfaction or regret. What we read has left an imprint. It has changed our world, either dramatically or subtly. The New Year, as in a new book, can hook you right away or turn you off completely. It’s your choice because you’re the author. While you decide, keep in mind that every day is a brand new day, an opportunity for a new start.

As a teacher advising a student, I know you can read the book you want to read. Be open to recommendations from peers, parents and friends to get you started and on the right track. But remember, in the end YOU are the one reading the book. Don’t think you have to read or like a chapter just because everyone else does. If you like the pages of the book you’re reading, it can serve as a guide to others in their book choice. Make it good and enjoy it to the fullest!

And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe 

Maybe this year will be better than the last.

I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself 

To hold on to these moments as they pass...

Happy New Year!