Out with the old. In with the new.

On this the last day of 2014, I am not making any resolutions.  Resolutions always fall by the wayside in two weeks or less. I am just going to focus on becoming healthier, which for me means losing weight, eating better foods, and drinking more water.

If anyone out there followed my posts through the month of October, you will remember I was focus on health then.  I still am.  So much so that I actually lost two pounds over Christmas.  I still ate the cookies and delicious foods that my wonderful family had made.  I ate cinnamon rolls for breakfast as part of our Christmas morning tradition.  I also exercised by getting outside and walking at a brisk pace 5 out of 7 days the week of Christmas.  Yes, I am very thankful for the unseasonably warm temperatures that made this easier to do.

Another step down this path is beverages.  Last week I had my last soda/pop/cola for a year.  I have given up those sugar filled drinks for the year of 2015.  This will be especially hard for me while traveling.  When ever I am in the car, I have a drink with me.  The easiest thing to grab from the cooler section of the quick stop (and what calls my name the loudest) is the cherry flavored sodas.  In a day of running erands, a giant cup from Chick-Fil-A will tide me over.  A trip of more than 2 hours requires at least two 20 ounce bottles of the bubbly beverages.  That had come to an end.

I will still have my drink at the ready, but the bottle or large cup in the holder at my hand will be filled with water, tea or flavored water.  So if you see me out and about and I am carrying a bottle that looks like soda, double check. I may have refilled it with tea or water.

Happy New Year everyone. Be Safe and Make healthy choices.

Christmas

Cards, picking the perfect gift for each person on your list, making sure all the right people are on your list (we don't want to forget anyone), cookies, decorating, scheduling time with family on both sides, wrapping, traveling, packing for traveling; oh the stress of Christmas.

The fun of receiving actual mail from far-off friends, driving around enjoying the decorated houses and all of the lights, giggles as gaily wrapped packages are stacked beneath the tree, shrieks of joy when a desired gift is opened, the amazed silence when an unexpected perfect gift is unveiled, the aroma of fresh baked cookies, the sighs of satisfaction at the first bite of a delicious dish,
the belly laughs that bring tears over cups of coffee late at night in the kitchen with the "women-folk", thumps of grandkids' footsteps as they play around the house, shredded wrapping paper strewn all over the floor, sharing games and laughter with cousins, numerous nativities in each room of the house with the Babe laying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes; oh the joy of Christmas!

The Joy of Christmas will always outweigh the stress.  On one level we are glad it is over and things can get back to normal, but on another, we miss the celebration of Christmas with all the pagentry, carols, and fuss.  We are disappointed we must wait for an entire year before we can do it again.

The Babe in the manger does not go away because the year has ended.  He grew into a Man who sacrificed Himself for me.  He is always with us no matter what time of year it is.

Happy Thanksgiving

Two growing boys

A wonderful man

Plenty of food

to share with the fam.

A warm cozy house

with a big yard for fun.

So many blessings

and Thankful for each one.

Happy Thanksgiving from us to you.