HAPPY NEW YEAR

LAST DRIVE OF 2024

 I took a drive with my co-pilot and Macklemore today. It rained and was super windy. There weren’t a lot of other people driving in the woods, I was grateful. But I made a point to find the roads less traveled. Once I entered the woods, the tunes were turned off and our conversation truly started. I try to be present and aware as we chat. As I was driving 20 miles an hour down a very narrow road, I happed to come across two deer. They were just hanging out, so I rolled my window down and thanked them for making it a perfect day. We just sat there for about four minutes. Lovely! Sometimes, I have to pull over because the conversation gets deep and I need to put pen to paper. It also helps me put perspective to the conversation. I parked in a great spot, so after making some notes in my journal, I got out and took a bit of a walk. I love how the wind sounds in the trees, even when there aren’t many leaves left. The rain drops were small, but cold! My walk was short; I was chilly and wet but it was great! After our conversation was pretty much complete, I thanked my co-pilot for his time and wisdom. I put a new rout in my GPS and headed home. 

Here’s my last drive of 2024! 

SILENT SENTINELS

There is something about the woods in winter. The foliage is gone, yet the trees still stand guard. 

Each bare branch looks so vulnerable, yet with quiet strength each tree stands resolute. 

Throughout the long gray winter, they stand as silent sentinels.

GRANDDOGS

Just two of my favorite GrandDogs!

Oh I love them!

Both these ladies love their Grammy, but that little one knows just how to steal your heart!

SUNSET

Arizona Today

RETIREMENT

I have a friend who is retiring in just a few days. I’m so very happy for him. 

I know he has projects to keep him busy… 

8 vehicles, 5 horse drawn vehicles, 4 antique engines and several weapons to play with from civil war era that he wants to modernize. 

I know he is no couch potato and he assures me that he will continue to do volunteer work. 

I hope retirement surrounds him with a new group of great people. 

I hope all his time is filled with things that make him happy. 

I hope retirement is a blessing to my friend. 

He has always been a blessing to me.

Happy Retirement Bill!!!

THE PHOENIX

I read this the other day on another blog and it resonated with me.

I was 12 when I first came across the mythical bird called Phoenix while reading Harry Potter.

This magical creature would burst into flames at the end of its life, and then reemerge from its ashes, brand new and ready to live another life.

I immediately fell in love with the phoenix and the powerful concept of reinvention that it represented.

Imagine a life where you can rewrite your story, a life where you are the author of your destiny, where every day is an opportunity to redefine who you are and what you can achieve.

Sounds good, right?

Now, let me tell you something you probably already know:

Just like the Phoenix, you too have the power to rise from the ashes of your past self, shed the limitations that hold you back, and emerge as someone entirely new.

It’s a gift you have since you were born, and in this post, I am going to lay out a roadmap that you can use to embrace your power of re-invention and rise like the mighty phoenix.

https://plumhealthyfine.com/how-to-reinvent-yourself/

NEXT

Again I see it in myself… never content, never satisfied, always wanting whatever is coming next.

As I sit here in my cozy chair with the Christmas tree lights still lit…

 I just put in an order for a dozen or so seed catalogs!

So excited!!!!

BECOME REFILLABLE

"People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full are missing the point. The glass is refillable." 

MY CHRISTMAS TREASURE

ALL OVER THE WORLD

CHRISTMAS EVE

THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR

Happy Anniversary to The Keppner’s ♥️

SOLID ADULTING

I ordered new flatware. Not an earth shattering event. But it was big for me. The utensils that have lived in my kitchen drawer were the same utensils I have had for just shy of thirty nine years. They were a gift. And a good set, still in great shape. I think all the pieces are still accounted for. One fork is a bit wonky, it took a trip through the garbage disposal once, and I’m not too sure just what happened to the sugar spoon… but it always was my favorite anyway. 

But today that well loved set got boxed up, and will go into storage until someone needs a set of flat wear. 

Tonight in my kitchen drawer is a freshly washed set of Henckel cutlery. I like them, and as my son said “it was a ‘solid adulting’ thing to do”.

LIVE TO LEARN

“I think that the reason to live is to learn.”

​

– ISABEL ALLENDE

WELCOME TO YOUR LIFE

Over forth years and they still make me smile, truly some of my all time favorite tunes are from these guys!

https://youtu.be/11o0db3MR9Q?si=Gk7W6SGxQvo3eTwX

HOLIDAY FEELING

I spent Saturday shopping with my daughter. Then playing with my granddaughter. Sunday I made floral arrangements for my front porch. (Now I understand why the premade ones are so expensive.) Then I wrapped all the gifts. All the gifts. 

It was a good weekend. But I still have lots to do before the family Christmas party next Sunday. So this morning I made Cranberry Sauce. And oh it smells so lovely!

 

HOLIDAY DATE NIGHT

FUN

Fun is taking time to celebrate being alive.

Melody Beattie

I Concur!!!

NINETY NINE

Happy Birthday Mr. Van Dyke

ARTSY

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Transitions are almost always signs of growth, but they can bring 

feelings of loss. 

To get somewhere new, 

we may have to leave somewhere else behind.”

Fred Rogers