This is February already! What am I doing writing about New Year's resolutions? I've been so busy, I haven't even made any resolutions yet. This year, I've decided to start a new system: Since most of us break our resolutions within the first three weeks of January, I decided to wait until February to begin work on the new year! What are New Year resolutions anyway? When I was younger, they were a thoughtful look at the past year to choose new and better goals for the next. As the years rolled by, I found I chose many of the same goals for the next year, building on what I already accomplished. The problem is life gets in the way. Often personal goals are relegated to the back burner as other needs fill the pots in the front. Maybe instead of annually looking at goals, or resolutions, we should break them into smaller segments and look at them monthly. That would help keep us focused and moving forward. But the first thing I need to do is spend more time on personal goals and let some of the other needs go. What are you doing this year? Are you still on track for your resolutions? If you are, I applaud you! … [Read more...]

I know this sounds a little trite, but I am truly blessed... Not because I am working more than full time, but because I have the work. Not because I have two jobs, but because I love both jobs. Plants and words have been a huge part of my sanity my entire life. Not because my body argues with me on a regular basis, but because I have a functional body to argue with. Not because I have nine grandchildren, but because I am building relationships with them and feel loved by them. Not because I have been married to my husband for 31 years, but because we like each other after all this time. Not because I own a house, but because I have a home. Even though I feel overwhelmed at times, and it seems like there is never enough time (or money) to do what I want, my life has so many blessings. As I write this, I am sitting at my desk looking over my laptop out a northwest window at a gorgeous maple clinging to its few remaining yellow leaves, attempting to prolong the summer. A dry crinkled leaf drifts past my window, and then another, and another. Farther out is a tall pinwheel weather vane calmly spinning its red-tipped white blades in the cool fall breeze. All of … [Read more...]