Winter Gathering Update

                                                Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                everyday is a journey

Learn to admire rightly: 
the great pleasure of life is that.
 Note what great men admired;
 they admired great things; 
narrow spirits admire basely
 and worship meanly.
—W. M. Thackeray

It has always been my favorite time of the year for gathering and preparing for the upcoming New Year. I re-stock my shelves only during this Season. It could be my medicine cabinet or my kitchen pantry. Either way, this time marks my entire year. I normally spend the Winter months stocking up and the Summer months redecorating.

I've always liked getting ready for Winter. This has always been a time of hibernation for me where I sit back and get a lot of the projects finished. I take my time, not really running around socially or errand wise. I like to be surrounded by the comforts of my home.

One of my simplest pleasures involves watching the snow fall as it lands on the tree branches and spruce. Everything looks so serene and calm and silent.

One of the things I miss the most is a picturesque view that I had in our last apartment. There was so much to look at and I found it to be inspirational to my writing. Maybe that's what is missing in my life? Is that why I am having a hard time writing? I don't have a view?

Our Winter this year, has been pretty mild almost Fall like with rainy days and overcast skies. There have been only a couple of snowfalls covering just a few inches. Mind you, I don't miss the icy roads and blizzards, but an occasional Winter scene would be appreciated. Today we had a little bit more of snow, but barely a dusting. It doesn't matter, because I don't have a room with a great view anyway. 

January marks the mid Winter month. A sort of marker that we are halfway done. I am a little undecided if I am ready for Spring or not. There has been some indecision mostly because of the blues settling in. We do need the Sun. Halfway there, we're halfway there in more ways than we care to admit.

Have a blessed day everyone.

A Hodge Podge Of Things

                                                        Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                       everyday is a journey





I often wonder why it is that we are not
 all kinder than we are.
 How much the world needs it! 
How easily it is done!
Anon

            

Our thoughts can really rule over us if we allow them the rite of passage. All week, I have been fighting negativity on all counts. It's like I'm spoiling for a fight. Here I made a vow to lower my stress levels and instead, I'm helping this creature come to life. It never fails when we declare something, that's when the real work truly begins.

Speaking of work, it's a very slow week indeed. Being back after such a long vacation (3 weeks) has really been difficult to get back into the swing of things. Maybe it was a bit too long? I guess the fact that it's not exactly busting with production doesn't help any.

January is that mid Winter month where the blues can easily set in and we don't want to do much at all. Staying in bed, being lethargic, inactive and lack of sunshine all equals depression. I don't think we have been made to work as hard as we do in the Winter. Think back to our ancestors that worked the land for three Seasons, but when Winter came, they basically hibernated. I always want to burrow during these cold Winter days.

It hasn't been much of a Winter with very little snow. It's been more like Spring with temperatures of mid forties and lots of rain. The forecast declared otherwise, but we haven't seen much of the harsh weather they all predicted. Emily keeps saying that it's not over. It can happen anytime.

The hours are passing quickly and yet one feels we have nothing to show for it. That is the time we are in nowadays. I have heard someone call it January Blues. Yup, perfect name for it. I think we all have it.

Have a blessed day everyone.

I Am A Dreamer

                                                                Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                                everyday is a journey.




Flower in the crannied wall,
I pluck you out of the crannies—
Hold you here, root and all, in my hand
Little flower—but if I could understand
What you are, root and all, and all in all,
I should know what God and man is.

—Alfred Tennyson.

"Well mom, according to this survey, you are a dreamer."

Really? I never thought of myself as a dreamer, but actually, I think they might be right. I'm always planning the "new" place we will live in. Or the place where we will spend our vacation. I dream of the craft room I will have one day. I dream of my retirement. I dream. I think she might be right. 

Why do we dream? Does it have to do with hope? I believe that is true. It is what keeps us going every single day. I get up and go to work, sometimes working extra hours, just so one day I can live that dream of mine. I feel as if that one step I do every day brings me closer to that goal. Dreaming provides us with the ability to look forward to the things we love.

Now, it can go bad. Dreaming can also place us in a position where we are constantly in a state of passiveness. The phrase Get your head out of the clouds I believe comes from someone always dreaming, but never actually doing. Dream all you want, but you also need to act. 

So I guess I am a dreamer. How about you?

Have a blessed day everyone. 

My 2020 Goals

                                                    Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                    everyday is a journey.



I, and the bird,
And the wind together,
Sang a supplication
In the winter weather.
The bird sang for sunshine,
And the trees for winter fruit,
And for love in the spring time
When the thickets shoot.
And I sang for patience
When the teardrops start;
Clean hands and clear eyes,
And a faithful heart.
—Arthur C. Benson

I originally had no plans on doing any kind of resolutions or goals for this year. After spending such a vigorous schedule in the past few years of trying to pay off debt and de-cluttering my life in every sense of the word, I wanted to relax. In fact, that is my word of the year: Relaxation.

I did, however, think it might be best for me to set a goal for all my extracurricular activities. The whole point being to improve in any way possible in each area. We have to embrace change as much as we can or we will not grow.

The Chronic Illness Group:

I thought we should try a Health Goal where we choose one specific health issue and try our best to improve in that area. I chose lowering my blood pressure back to what it was a few years back. Now, I do not have a problem with my blood pressure, but it is significantly higher than before. It worries me tremendously.

The Crocheting Ministry:

Honestly, I had a hard time finding a goal to work on. The Ministry has been flourishing all on it's own. If anything, I would like to better organize my supplies or at least find a space to work in. It is just difficult to be so clustered into a corner.

YouTube Channel:

This one needs so much work that I don't even know where to begin. I need to learn how to edit, do proper lighting, angles etc. The list is endless on growth potential for myself in this area. Honestly, I need to improve in everything pertaining to my channel.

Blog:

Ouch! This one will be the hardest and it pains me to say that about something that used to come so easily to me before. Is it because I have been writing for so long? Am I out of juice? My goal is to get my mojo back.

Many people say we shouldn't be setting expectations for ourselves that we cannot achieve. It may be too out of our reach, but I believe otherwise. We need to set goals in order for us to better ourselves. If we have nothing to look forward to, then we have no hope and without hope, we cannot exist.  At least, I cannot.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Simply Travelling

                                                     Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Thou canst calm the troubled mind,
    Thou its dread canst still;
  Teach me to be all resigned
    To my Father's will.
HEINRICH PUCHTA.

When it comes to travelling, I really haven't ventured out into the unknown as many people do. I have done my share, but nothing to rave about. Some people travel annually to their favorite spots whether it may be just a weekend getaway or a week's vacation. My travel experience has been limited to a few destinations, mostly weekend getaways. I like those the best.

Leaving the Country holds no appeal to me, but that doesn't mean that if an opportunity presented itself to go to Holland or England that I wouldn't take it. I would. The appeal for me has always been the United States. I believe we have a beautiful country with glorious National Parks, Mountains, beaches and on and on we can go. 

I have a secret desire to get a van and travel the fifty states. I know, I know. It sounds crazy, right? I am a huge fan of the van dwelling community. Get me a simple white cargo van, place a bed inside, a couple of shelving units or storage cabinets and let's go. I might still do it. 

Otherwise, I don't really travel very far. When I do, I make sure I have all my medications or vitamins with me. Always bring all of your documentation, insurance cards and my port I.D. card. I actually look online to the hotel we will be staying so I can have a general idea if there are any restaurants near by and the type of food they offer. 

Another secret travel desire is to rent a cabin for like a week and lock myself away writing. I would bring my crocheting, some books and any extracurricular activities like journaling. I could soak in the peace and quiet that nature provides. What are some of the places you want to travel to? 

Have a blessed day everyone. 

A Decade In Review

                                                    Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.



Thy sinless mind in us reveal,
    Thy spirit's plenitude impart!
  Till all my spotless life shall tell
    The abundance of a loving heart.
C. WESLEY.

We are at an end, not just for the year, but for the decade. Looking back, I realized just how important this decade truly has been for me. So much has happened, things that had turned into quite life changing moments. 

Right in the beginning of the decade in 2011, it all began with the return of my cancer. That bout with cancer changed and set the course for how I am now in regards to it. I took charge of my life with a chronic illness and never looked back. 

Then came the Crocheting Ministry in 2013 and I am still amazed how strong it has continued on becoming better each year. That year I also had my third bout with cancer and another in 2016. Then 2018 came and along with it the Chronic Illness group and YouTube channel. 

There were also some personal experiences, some good and some not. We reunited with our dad after 35 years. The following year, my younger brother went through a quadruple bypass. Many friends passed on from cancer, my good friend Linda included. 

Even my work has undergone a huge change. We went from being Avon Products Inc. to New Avon LLC and now we are Fareva. We have been bought out twice in just a short period of time. 

So here we are folks. It has been a very eventful decade. There are many philosophers out there who say that our lives change drastically every ten years. I believe that to be true. Just look at me as an example, every aspect of my life has changed. I think differently spiritually, my views have changed politically and morally. I am in a wholly different place now and my wants have been altered because of it. 

Where am I going? I have no idea. This is something that I have been praying on. Where shall I go? Where should I be living? Or doing? What is next in my life? It has been a perpetual list of questions about my direction in the next decade. Whatever may happen, I am ready for it.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Word Of The Year

                                                                 Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                                 everyday is a journey


Though hearts brood o'er the past, our eyes
With smiling features glisten;
For lo! our day bursts up the skies,
Lean out your souls and listen!
The world is following freedom's way,
And ripening with her sorrow;Take heart!
 Who bears the cross to-day
Shall wear the crown to-morrow.

—Gerald Massey.

Resolutions are long gone to a thing of the past. Nowadays, that word has been replaced by other novel ones like goals and word of the year. For some reason, we don't want to place the word resolution into the mix. I think because it has such a bad reputation. We have broken many of our resolutions within days of making them. 

This past year, I actually chose a word for the year aggressive. I wanted to tackle that year's financial goals in a very aggressive way so I could be free of debt. Little did I know that the word would become a motto for me in all areas of my life, not just in the world of finances. 

This year, I am very cautious in choosing my word of the year, just in case the same thing happens. I chose the word relaxation. Now do not get me wrong here. I don't mean to be laying around doing nothing all year. On the contrary, my work schedule will remain the same.

 I want to de-stress as much as possible. I have noticed that my blood pressure rises over the top whenever a little bit of stress comes into focus. I need to change that before it becomes a health issue. Besides, I really don't know how to relax. I multitask all day long. I cannot just sit there and do nothing like converse with others. I want to crochet and converse, you know what I mean? 

This should be pretty interesting, because I will be trying different methods to see of it will help. Also, you never know what the Lord will have in store for me in regards to that word of the year.

Have a blessed day everyone.