Happy New Year!

Happy New Year

I have a few question for all of you.

Will you refer to this new year as:

2010--two thousand ten,

or

2010--twenty ten???

I think I will try out twenty ten. It will be interesting to see who says it the two different ways. I have heard both so far.

New Year's Resolutions--are you making one or more for yourself? If you regularly make resolutions this time each year, do you keep them or do they last only a brief time?

I resolve to practice healthier living habits--this will include: eating right, exercising regularly, and taking time to meditate each day. My hope is that this will be a life style change more so than a short lived resolution.

I hope each of you that choose to make resolutions will be able to install them into your life.

HAPPY 2010 [no matter how you phrase it].

Take care,

MissT

Post Christmas Activities

Now is the time we have to decide--when do I take down the Tree--Crib--Lights--Etc...?

I like to observe the religious side and not just the secular side of the holiday so, I will not take the Crib down until after the Christian observance of the Epiphany. I really like the new tree we put up this year, so that will stay up as well. I may put some of the axillary decorations away early. The outdoor decorations will have to wait until the 24 inches of snow we have from two relatively close storms that came through our area goes away.

With 2010 so near, I need to get rid of or freeze the cookies and candy that are on my counter and still tempting me so my "New Year's Resolution" of eating healthy and exercising regularly has a fighting chance of coming to fruition. Although, the weather has provided opportunities to exercise, snow shoveling can be an aerobic activity--who knew?

Take care,

MissT

SNOW

We have been digging out from a BIG snow storm. I am very fortunate, all three of my adult children were home for Christmas and they gladly contributed man (and woman) power to clear the 10 plus inches we received. The snow (what I helped with) was not very heavy, I guess it was not very wet.

My hope is that a snow like this will get people out of their houses to help each other. It is so much more fun to clear a driveway with 5 people rather than all by ones self. I hate to hear and read about people dropping dead while shoveling snow--many hands make for light work.

So, find someone to help out today. Even if it is only an extra kind word or two, or a simple gesture of holding the door for someone. Every little thing helps and adds up in this world we live in. Send out some good will and it will be returned to you.

Have a wonderful (snowy) day.

Take care,
MissT

Almost Christmas

Greetings

Only one more day until the big celebration starts. I love Christmas Eve. I sing in my church choir--I get to start celebrating the holiday a few hours early that way.

This year I may need to take a nap so I can enjoy the late hour.

Song is such a great way to celebrate. Think of what it would be like to have a birthday without that special song.

Someone said, to sing is to pray twice. I believe that because we have been practicing for Midnight Mass and so many of the songs come straight out of the bible--it gives me a better understanding of the meaning behind the verse.

My advice to you--Go Caroling--even if it is in your own living room.

Happy Christmas to you all.

Take care,
MissT

5 days to go

There are only 5 days until Christmas. So far this has been a very enjoyable Advent for me. I got started early with Christmas shopping and baking so I have not had to stress over those things.

I hope that Christmas finds you enjoying this wonderful season. I hope you are able to spend time with friends and family. I hope you will take time to appreciate all the good you have in your life and not dwell on the negative. I hope you have a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Take Care,
MissT

Christmas Wishes

Good Morning

We have been in a deep freeze here in Nebraska. With snow on the ground and temperatures staying very low it has been a challenge just to get around and do everyday tasks. I guess this is why I like the mid-west. Weather like this makes us so appreciative of the weather we get most of the time. Harsh temperatures and strong winds make us grateful for a calm day with the thermometer reading in the 20 degree range. I feel lucky to have the changing seasons so I can always be looking forward to change.

We are closing in on Christmas--only 9 days to go. It looks like we will be having a very White Christmas this year, I will have my children all together for Christmas Eve and morning. That is a great present in itself. I want to send all of you my wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New year--2010.

Take care,
MissT

The Holidays are Here

Good Morning

This is turning out to be an eventful winter were weather is concerned here in Nebraska. This morning it is only 1 degree and we had icy rain that turned into a snow mix over night. Driving to work should be interesting today.

I hope everyone reading this is well and looking forward to the next 2 weeks. I am ready and anxiously awaiting Christmas this year. My house is decorated, we have lights inside and outside, the presents are bought, wrapped, and under the tree. I feel fortunate to be prepared this year. It is much more enjoyable to look forward to Christmas that to STRESS about the holiday.

We had a BIG event happen over the weekend. My daughter graduated from college on Saturday. It was a great weekend. Her brothers and some freinds got to share in the festivities with us. We traveled to Colorado for the ceremony and we were grateful that the weather cooperated. We returned on Saturday pulling a U-Haul trailer full of her belongings. This is an ending and new beginning for her and we are very proud of our middle child. She has a bright future!

Try to enjoy the next 2 or 3 weeks. Relax and try to decide what is really important--do those things and let the rest go.

Take care,
MissT

Low Stress Holidays

Hello everyone.

I have not written a post for nearly a month. I will say that I have been busy and a lot has happened in that time period--but, I am glad to be back writing and I sincerely hope you are glad that I am back.

Today I want to say something about having a holiday season that is not overly stressful. What can we do to make that happen. I believe we can do a lot. We can make a concerted effort to DO the important things and NOT DO the things that are really not important. This sounds easy, but it takes so me soul searching and some self discipline to put into action.

First you must identify the things that cause you stress this time of year. It could be sending out cards, shopping, baking, cleaning, having house guests, etc... Now, once you have identified your particular stresses, you must prioritize them. What is most stressful? What could you do without? What brings you the most enjoyment? What will you decide to do with and what will you decide to do without? If you are honest with yourself I am sure there are things that you do because you think "you need to" that really could go "undone" and no one would really care.

After you decide to redo your holiday list of activities I really hope you will find that you and everyone around you will have a happier time and find more time to be together and share memories and a few laughs. My with for you and your loved ones is that this holiday season is full of the things that make you happy, and absent of the things that "make you crazy".

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

Take care,
MissT