So Long, Farewell 2016....

I hope you and your loved ones had a very Merry Christmas!!  As the year winds down in the final few days of 2016 some are saying "good riddance!" and others are reflecting on fond memories made that will last a lifetime.  Most things are all in one's perspective as to whether it was "good or bad".  So, what are your reflections of 2016 leaving you with...fond memories or "you're just ready to get it over with already!" kind of feeling?

As most of us have reflected in the past few days with the death of more iconic entertainment figures, it's hard not to think of all the incredible talent we lost this year.  But yes, I'm most fond of Carrie Fisher because like many of you I grew up on watching her in the most iconic sci-fi movies, Star Wars.  Those movies pushed our boundaries of outer space, imagination, good vs. evil, and most definitely a strong and sassy female kicking butt in outer space!  How could you not love that?!  Plus, her hair styles were legendary and iconic...those buns, those braids.  Yes, we all wanted to be her.  And then, to get to know the real person behind the character...her flaws, her honesty, her humor and wit, and her way with words (on paper and off) were just ingenious.  She will definitely be missed, as will all the other legendary figures we lost this year.

2016 hasn't been the greatest of years for me, either, but I made it through...through with the grace of God, through prayer...lots and lots of prayer, and through hope!  Sometimes that's all you have, but yes, the sun does come out tomorrow and we push on.  Unknown strength, patience, sadness, frustrations, desperation, and doubt have all clouded my year, but a new year always brings promises of a fresh start, a new beginning, unlimited possibilities and endless joy!  So, I hope however you close out 2016 you are grateful for the time and experiences that will lead to greater things in 2017!

May blessings and thanksgiving for 2016 fill you up with gratitude as you embrace a new year of growth, learning, failures, lessons, love, and joy!!!

Home Stretch....

We're in the home stretch to Christmas Day!!  Are you ready?  Presents bought?  Cookies made?  Carols sung?  Holly hung?  Well, obviously I got a little behind since I missed my post this past Sunday (and I didn't even remember until Monday afternoon).  Too much going on, too much planning and things to figure out, too much stressing and too little time!  Anyone else feel the same way?  Well, it IS the home stretch so that sounds about right!

At least we haven't had any seriously bad weather here in Texas.  We got some pretty cold weather (below freezing highs) over the weekend (which must have made my brain freeze over, too).  But, we're definitely not dealing with any blizzards, snow or icy conditions so that's good!  For all of those that are, please be careful and safe out there!

Off to the grocery stores for the final haul and then maybe some last minute gifts, and yes I definitely feel a little scattered this year.  Too much on my mind I suppose.  But, there's only one more full week of 2016 (which is crazy) so I hope you don't feel as crazy and stressed as I do coming down the home stretch!  I hope you're all set and ready to go on the big day and they you just enjoy all the big and little surprises of the day!

May Jesus' birth remind us all of the Good News and the Light that he shines in all of our lives!  May God bless you this Christmas weekend!! 

You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch

Although I didn't experience the "mean" Mr. Grinch today, I felt the bah humbug of his personality this morning.  I was frustrated, fed up, tired, disappointed, beat down and I just wanted to give up!  No, I didn't try to ruin any holiday cheer or steal any Christmas goodness, that's not really my style.  So instead, I prayed.  

But, I did see a cute little adorable Grinch!  Is that possible?!  Indeed.  I went to my oldest niece's tumbling class to watch her and cheer her on...when what do my wondering eyes appear?  One of her classmates wearing a Grinch shirt and she was caring a Build-a-Bear with a Grinch shirt on it.  She even came over and showed my sister and I her shirt and her bear's shirt saying she loved both while hugging her bear.  Too cute.  So yes, it was an adorable Grinch moment.

And, by then I was completely over my bad Grinch mood.  Seriously, how can you be in a bad mood when your niece gives you a big hug and you get a box full of homemade Christmas cookies from your mom.  Yummo!  So, even though the day started off a little rough in the outlook it ended up pretty sweet.

So, I'm hoping you have few or no Grinch-filled days this Christmas season and even if you do maybe he's not so mean after all!  Wishing you an adorable Grinch-like moment this holiday season!!

Winding Down...

Another year is winding down...do you feel the closure of another year coming or are you all enveloped in holiday cheer/stress?  Either way, the end of the year is coming and we start anew.  A new year!  A new start!  A new beginning!  A new chance (to try and get it right)!  A new perspective!  A new opportunity!

Typically, after Christmas Day there are those few days of reprieve...to return gifts, go shopping for yourself, and to rest...before New Year's Eve.  In those few days it always seems to the right time to reflect on the past year.  What has happened...good/bad, big/small...what have I learned...where have I grown...how did my setbacks set me up for success or where I am today?  All things to take time to think about and to really let settle in as a new year is upon us.  In some ways I always feel stagnant, but if I really look hard and think a little deeper about things I always find the growth, the silver lining, the positive aspect of the past year.  I hope you do too!

Life is fleeting.  It truly is.  We don't know what tomorrow will bring and we're never guaranteed tomorrow.  I am truly grateful for my life and all my blessings.  Even on the darkest days, the bleakest outlooks, or the saddest of feelings there's always a twinkle of light blinking with hope, possibility and strength deep down in the back of my mind.  The perseverance of will, faith in goodness to come and a burning spirit will always lead me to trust in the Lord and be at peace.

I wish you peace, joy and happiness as this year winds down and you gear up to tackle another year with motivation, passion and compassion!  May God's blessings fill you up with love and thanksgiving this holiday season!!

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving should be a distant memory by now and you should be in the midst of merry madness with all things Christmas!  Are you in it?  Are you fully in it?  Do you have all of your holiday shopping done?  Are all of your decorations up and lit?  Are you baking up a storm of holiday goodies?  Are all of your Christmas cards done and mailed?  OR are you just picking up steam and finally getting into the Christmas spirit?

Wherever you are in the whole holiday season of decorating, shopping, parties, baking, etc. remember to take a moment each day and be grateful for the season.  Whether you've had a good day or a bad day, there's always something to be grateful for.  Sometimes we get all consumed into the holiday madness and forget to enjoy and appreciate the time of year until after it's passed.  But, don't wait until the new year hits to enjoy the big and small moments of the season.  These are the special times in our lives...family, festivities, food, fun!  So, don't take them for granted!

I'm wishing you all a warm, safe, happy, healthy and memorable holiday season!  May the wonder of the season find you amazed, inspired, and motivated to do better...be better...and make the world a better place!

Blessings to you in all the holiday madness this season!!

Binge-worthy

I just finished my first binge watching experience.  I'm not really one to sit down and watch a TV series/show that way, but there's one show that was worth it for me....Gilmore Girls!  Yep, I know.  But, it was a fun, quirky, endearing show back when it first came on the air.  And, the excitement leading up to it was enough to get me to sign-up for Netflix.  Seriously, how else was I going to view it?!

So, I signed up for Netflix yesterday and basically binge watched all 4 episodes today.  I watched 1 episode last night and the rest today.  The first one, Winter, was exciting just to see all the characters back again.  The second one, Spring, got you back into caring about the characters again and what was going to happen to them.  The third one, Summer, was probably my least favorite but still good.  But, Fall, was the best one!  And yes, it left you craving more!  That's good and bad depending on if they decide to make more mini-movies like this or to restart the series which would be even better!  

But, I don't think I could binge watch a show on a weekly basis or even a monthly basis.  It has to be something I'm really, really into or I have to be flying internationally where I'd be stuck on a plane for hours.  I guess I just don't like sitting for that long...to just watch episode after episode of something.  Yes, occasionally I'll have a show like Gilmore Girls on while I'm cleaning the house or cooking and they do show episode after episode, but I'm not sitting down watching them all.  I'm busy doing other things and really just listening to it.

But, all-in-all I'm glad I finally got to watch all of the new episodes...because they were just binge-worthy enough for me to sit hour after hour and remain interested in these delightful characters.  So, whatever show or shows are binge-worthy enough for you...enjoy and remember to get up and stretch every now and again!

Blessings for a safe and happy first full week of December!!