It’s time to say goodbye to 2010 and Welcome 2011

As the hours are beginning to wind down and a new year is about to begin, I cannot help but sit down with a cup of coffee and think about everything that has taken place over the course of the past twelve months.

This year has been filled with good times and bad. Far too many changes have chiseled their way through the precious timeline and made some of those days unbearable. But at the same time there is so much happiness that has come from this year that cannot go unaccounted for.

Moments where you feel you have lost everything, your family, your friends, your loved ones and have no idea how to pull yourself through the mess. And then there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you realize that there is a new day ahead where you can make a change, reinforce some positive action and implement an initiative in reclaiming what was once lost.

Miles have separated us but communication keeps us bound and if it weren’t for tender moments I honestly do not know where I would be this morning.

In a move to clear my mind, it turned out that it was truly a soul that needed nourishment. It needed time to heal itself and find strength. To build the inner empowerment that can only make us a better daughter, sister, lover, etc. A better human being.

I am thankful for this year and all of the opportunities (and lack thereof) for it was not only a learning experience but a time for personal growth.

Over the months within the year, there have been times of doubt and feeling unsure about who the woman I was and where that woman was heading into.

This morning, though it’s not earth shattering it is getting clearer on who I am becoming as an individual.

As a woman.

As someone who is equally as worthy of anything out there that brings joy and happiness.

Looking at life through a glass is never what we expect.

Things we may have wished for and fought for may seem distorted once we grab hold of them. The toughest acceptance is that we can get everything we ask for in the time we ask for it with a little twist.

The year that is coming into view is the start of a new day. A new time. It’s time to let go of everything that took place over the course of 2010 and see what exciting things are in store for the next year to come.

Anyways, out with the old. In with the New.

It’s NYE, everyone enjoy yourselves for a safe and fun night filled with festivities and celebrations!

Happy New Year!!!!

Peaceful state of mind

Riverwalk 12/23/2010

If I had rhythm I'd sing this in lyric like Alicia Jay-Z.

I was walking along the river today after duking it out at the grocery stores, making sure all of the supplies for the festive dinner on Christmas was done. I was just starting to cross over one of the bridges when, for a few minutes I stood overlooking the water and couldn't help but just stop.

It was strange, almost like a deja vu moment where you know you've been there before but you honestly can't place it. That's what it felt like.

There's a little hub that sort of hugs the walkway and while I stood there, looking out at the frozen patches of ice floating down the stream, it got heavy emotions flaring about being thankful and appreciating life for how simple it can be.

It's a strange analogy. I know. Standing there looking like a bumbling idiot, breathing in the freezing temperatures, feeling like one of those silly kleenex commercials, but that's just what happened.

I don't know how long I stood there thinking about the little things that get your days up and going. What motivate you to keep pushing through those hurdles or obstacles that seem so detrimental one minute and laughable the next. Because at the end of the day, everything fades away and you made it so it doesn't really matter.

I guess for my few minutes of becoming a riverfront mime, it made me appreciate that life is precious and can be anything and everything that you make it. From the small things say like paying off a bill or the larger things like actually being able to hold someone close to you that you love.

Maybe I am uber sensitive with the holidays coming up, maybe not. Either way, that moment hit me like a trainwreck and I'll take it.

Batavia, IL?? I was lost!

Getting Beautified 101

Back in October I started taking part of a local volunteering project that makes and delivers meals to seniors. Part of the reasons that I chose living in the town that I am in is because of all of the amazing ways to give back to the community and those in need. There is a real “Lend a Helping Hand” feel to the area that is all encompassing and I was more than willing to get on the acts of kindness boat.

I ended up picking two people to cook meals for that month and had the best time. Entertaining is wonderful, but at the same time being able to cook and spread some joy into someone else’s life through a warm and home cooked meal is equally as rewarding.

Last night, I received a phone call from one of the people I had cooked for. We had talked a little bit after I delivered the meal and I checked in on her for Thanksgiving to see how she was doing. Yesterday, she was feeling down.

For the holidays she had wanted to get her hair treated with a permanent perm. She called me and asked if there was any way I would be able to find a place for her and drive her to get “beautified.” Tis the season to be there for those in need. And whatever that need may be, you can count on me!

We chatted for several minutes and I immediately started thinking about where I could take her. Lucking out on a stylist is not going to fly for this lady. She’s an elderly woman, has particular wants and desires for her hair. All that matters is that she gets her hair permed out with a cost that is relatively affordable.

Challenges are the best! The need to find a salon close by that does affordable perms by the end of the weekend is on. This penny saver is going to get the job done, bring back a smile and mark off another good deed for the day.

Here's the real question, what are your favorite ways of helping people out? Or in what ways do you like to be helped out in? Physically, emotionally, spiritually....how do you like it?

Click here to find volunteering opportunities through out the United States

Click here to find volunteering opportunities through out Canada

The wrath of the ugly sweater

Last week I got invited to take part of the cotton clad festivities that is an Ugly Sweater Party and was more than willing to get on that tacky boat. Because I don’t have a job yet, meeting people is a little difficult without that familiar foundation, had it not been for certain social networks I really would be a hermit in my home, but thankfully I’m not and have been lucky to get these invites. In all honesty though, I am missing my close friends at times like this. Social networking is great but core friendships are rare and these cross country phone calls are killing the phone plan. I need to get on the friend train…asap.

Now, I am nowhere near feeling like I need to cry myself into a dark corner and listen to sad songs for moving so far away from those I am close to. It was a decision and I stand by it, now is the time to support that decision. But for heaven sake, when you have to find an ugly sweater and are sifting through the racks at Goodwill looking blindly. You need a friend.

So I called my sister, who is the closest of everyone and walked through the store extremely grateful for the power of cell phone technology and good service. Desperate in trying to find the perfect sweater, rack for rack I was explaining what I was seeing and could hear her husband in the background saying NO to everything. Until I was directed to the Men’s section.

Goldmine…crisis averted. I found one that would make my grandmother proud. It is tack with a capital T, red (perfect for the holidays) with embroidered flowers, a built in polo neck and an oil stain. After getting the determining factor, Houston…we are good to go! As per our phone call, after laughing as much as we did, she and her husband have unanimously decided to create the ultimate holiday cards for next year. “Ugly Christmas with the____’s!” You’re welcome.

Jump to tonight, I set off for the party. I really did, and then the skies decided to close up with a snow cloud and dump down inches of snow. Normally I am comfortable with driving in such conditions, when I know my surroundings, have chains on the wheels or the roads have been cleared. This was not the case, and at the third time my tires spun I turned around and headed back. This turned out to be a smart decision as there was a couple of inches awaiting the arrival. Unfortunately the ugly sweater goes unused for this evening.

Home now and nestled in comfy clothes with the heat turned up too high and a dark fireplace remaining unburned which is a story in itself and another day. It’s game night and in between these sentences I get to watch a certain defenseman get to work after a serious hiatus due to injury. Good luck #7, crush the Kings but mind the shoulder. GO FLAMES GO!