Sabotage!

Today I found myself doing something that has become a habit over the past few months - a thing that nine out of ten times ends in my frustration. Suddenly the thought rambled through my mind - "stop sabotaging yourself". Hmmmm...so I began to think of all the areas of my life where I might actually be sabotaging myself...and, to my surprise, there were several. What I mean by that, is areas where I do things that do not help me in the long run. For example, like when you're on a diet and you buy tons of cookies and candies at the grocery store. Then those items are in your house and readily available for your consumption in a weak moment - bazinga! You've sabotaged yourself in the area of dieting. So, I'm trying to become more aware of those times and areas where I'm actually "spitting into the wind", "cutting off my nose to spite my face", and "shooting myself in the foot". Some things become such a habit I don't realize what I'm doing, so this is going to take some effort to tune in and become aware of what's actually happening around me. What areas of your life could you be subconsciously sabotaging your success? Might be worth taking a look!

Heart Break

My heart is breaking tonight for a friend who has suffered an indescribable emotional loss at the hands of life today. Nothing to be done. Nothing can change what's happened. No words to make it hurt less. All we can do is be thankful for what's been shared over the past months, hold close the memories, and believe that God who knows all and sees all will protect and hold close those that we love. We never know what twists, turns, and curves life may send our way; my advice, then is to tell everyone you love that you do, indeed, love them; enjoy every single day you are given; see all the fabulous, wonderful things in our world; work when you have to, but let your job be your job - not your life. Hold those you love very close.

An experiment for you!

One of my friends posted this challenge to us all: write yourself a letter, dated 12/31/12 - yep, not 12/31/11, but 12/31/12. Write this letter in the past tense, going over all the things that "happened" this year. For example, "this past summer, I purchased a new car - I love it! It's just what I needed with plenty of room to transport my massage chair, and my massage table if I need to. It drives really comfortably, and gets great gas mileage". That's an example of something my letter might say. The point of this exercise is to set your intention and make a plan, so to speak. To put into words the things that "might" happen for you this year, write them as if they have already happened, then see what actually does happen. It's an interesting exercise in not allowing life to just "happen" to you, but to see that you really do have some input into what occurs. I'm planning to try to get this accomplished sometime this week. I'd be interested to hear what you think about this and what things your letter might say! Do share!

Happy New Year!

Well we did it. We made it through 2011. It doesn't actually seem like that long ago that it was the end of 2010 - but I guess that kinda shows my age - mom always said the older you get, the faster time goes. Go figure. Anyway yesterday was a splendid day. I putzed around my kitchen - one of my fave things to do - made some cookies, made a casserole for Tan, did some dishes, put some oil in my car (yes, it is still running, thank you for asking!), did a little personal end of the year candle ceremony, and packed up and headed over to Bloomington where I met up with 3 of my good friends for an afternoon/evening of fun. We went to see the movie, "We Bought a Zoo" - it was really good (the popcorn wasn't bad either!). Then we drove by that house in Bloomington where they have all those lights synchronized to Christmas music - it was fascinating! Back to our friend's house we went where we ate dinner, had snacks, popped some Christmas crackers (thus the crowns on our heads in the pictures!), and played a game. It was great fun and so nice to spend the last day of the year with friends. I stopped briefly by the store because I forgot to buy navy beans for the traditional Moldenhauer New Year's Day dinner of ham and beans, then home to watch the ball drop, and catch some zzz's. A wonderful day full of fun and activity.

Christmas 2011

Well, since we last conversed there's been presents, ham, pies, potatoes, egg rolls (in various forms), caramels, corn flake candy, sausage bread, more presents, Christmas crackers, game playing, on and on and on! What a wonderful Christmas weekend we have had! The most important thing of all, of course, is the people you share this all with. When my children were young, they had no choice but to be with me - lol! Now that they are grown and still choose to spend time with me over the holidays means more than any presents (although I received WONDERFUL presents). You'll be especially happy to know, as my blog readers, that I was given a new camera; so hopefully, the quality of pictures you are forced to view here will improve (as I learn how to use it, of course!). I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas as well. Here's a few pictures (in no timely order - sorry!) to kinda let you in on some of the activities - more info and pics to come, as I have to tell you about the egg roll experiment and some other nuggets of info!

New stockings - rather random!

Terrance!

Emma!

Apollo, Maria, Barry, Britt!

Britt, Vicky, Ashley!

Jill, Britt, Vicky!

Mom, Mal, Barry!

Apollo and Terrance building Legos!

Mom and one of her presents!

Tanner and Patrick on Christmas morning!

Barry and Britt!

Patrick and his new hat!

Mal and her mug!

Mal and her mittens!

Patrick and his mandolin!

Mal's new boots!

Tanner and his titanium necklace!

Britt and her Ipod thingy!

Playing our new game!

Playing our new game!

Playing our new game!

Patrick and hew new haircut!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Just a quick note - things are soon going to be bustling. Today my extended family; i.e., my brothers and their families, my mom, my kids, will all be coming over for dinner and presents. We'll be a little crowded, but that's ok. Here's a quick look back to what December has held - my camera's not too good anymore, but it gives you the idea of what's been happening. Merry Christmas everyone - cherish what time you have with your family. It slips past faster than we realize!

There was food!

There was family and friends!

There was beautiful people!

There was tree picking out!

There was cookie baking!

There was an owie!

There was serious recipe reading!

There were smiles!

There were hugs!

There was fun and laughter!

There was shopping and eating!

There was tie dying!

There was more blue stuff!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas Eve of the Eve of Christmas Eve

Whew! It seems like just yesterday it was Thanksgiving - now it's only a few days til Christmas. I can't even begin to tell you where this time has gone. My days, like everyone else's, have been filled with decorating, buying, wrapping, baking, planning, shopping, on and on - oh yeah, and I have been working amidst all that, too. It's so fun - my favorite time of the year, as I try to find the absolutely exact item that would make my friends and loved ones' faces light up as they pull some little trinket out of a pretty bag (usually with penguins on it somewhere). I also experienced a very special group of shopping trips this season, as I took my youngest nieces and nephews (aged 9, 6, 4, and 4) each on a separate shopping and eating trip exclusively for them individually. They got to pick out their own present from me and pick where we grabbed something to eat - let's just say those kids all LOVE Steak n Shake - lol! Oh yeah - and 1 McDonald's! We had so much fun looking at everything, then finding the exact item they wanted. I really enjoyed spending individual time with each one of them and seeing their excitement at finding the perfect gift. Now we're down to the last few days and the activity level has to increase, as there's much to finish doing and little time. But that's part of the fun of it - the flurry and excitement as the time approaches and everyone's hustling and bustling about. In the midst of it all, there's that quiet peacefulness of knowing that the reason we are even commemorating a special day of giving gifts to one another is because of the gift from God to all of us, of His son, Jesus - and for that we are eternally grateful. Merry Christmas everyone!