5 Things I Meant to Do in 2009

5 Things that were on your list of things to do...but somehow, the year is over and you didn't get to it, didn't go there, or forgot you wanted to do that.

Sheryl's List of 5 Things I Meant to Do in 2009

1- The biggest one...I meant to go to Hawaii.....really...we did mean to go...for our 35th anniversary. We went for our 30th and said we would go back for our 35th but....somehow, we did not have the money or time we needed for our Hawaii vacation. That is a place of beauty and peace, the Land of God.

Instead, in July for our 35th anniversary we went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and spent one night in a wonderful tree house in the woods. Loved that.

And then in October we took my mom and Triece to Florida for a week. That was an amazing trip.

So, as I write this I realize I am lucky that we did not go to Hawaii because I would not have wanted to miss either of these experiences.

2- I meant to get rid of more of my things..stuff...junk. This year we spent cleaning out Mom and Dad's house, after Dad passed. That does inspire me to get rid of more of the stuff I save. Why do we have so much STUFF !! I don't need it. I won't use it. It just sits and collects more dust. Actually, I think it sits and reproduces! I swear, I did clean out my junk "craft" room and the garage. But within a week...bam...shaboom.. or is is bibbity...bobbity..BOO...it is filled again !!! How did that happen?

Which probably brings me to point #3

3- I meant not to spend money wastefully. But as I look back over my checkbook and the Visa bill I realize I could have probably had enough money to go to Hawaii if I had not bought so many little useless things...stuff....junk. I could have saved $20 instead of buying the necklace with a 4 leaf clover on it. Because I actually wear the necklace that my mom and dad gave me almost all the time. (But clovers are my sign) I could have saved money cooking at home instead of eating out as much. (But it is just the 2 of us) I could have saved $10 instead of buying a photo album. Because I think I like my photos in photo boxes anyway.

That is just it....I hardly ever buy big items....it is the little amounts that add up.

4- I meant to play more with Kayla. She is 11 and a half now. We should have gone to the beach, we should have gone walking in the woods, we should have played games, we should have gone to the park, we should have gone sledding. But now this year is gone. Somehow, I feel we missed doing fun things. The first half of the year was busy taking care of the Sowers house. The second half of the year I let everything go. I was tired of responsibility...I was just... tired.

5- (Wow, I thought it would be harder to make out this list...but one thing leads to the other.)

I meant to take better care of myself. Last year I lost 25 pounds and I had only 5 more pounds to lose to be where I wanted. (Dad was so proud and Mom too) And then....I let go of ALL responsibility...I thought I do not care, I am tired, I will eat whatever I want and gain 5 pounds. Well, it is 6 months and 20 pounds later. I meant to go back to Weight Watchers. I meant to walk more. I meant to cook healthy food again.

So I guess....now know what my goals for 2010 are.

1-Enjoy any trip

2-Get rid of stuff

3-Don't spend money on more stuff...a little adds up to a lot
4-Take time to play with Kayla and my family
5-Take care of myself (why does that sound like the hardest thing?)

Wishing Everyone a Happy and Healthy 2010

Spirit of January

This is picture describes me pretty well.
The month of January is a time of hibernation for me. Especially right now. I can't seem to stay awake. I am slow and sleepy. So I am done now...going to bed.

What I Love About Christmas

Family... Wrapping a present so pretty no one wants to open it....Giving a pretty wrapped present to a person who appreciates it....Knowing Jesus is Love...Thin Sugar Cookies.." Let It Snow, Let It Snow"... Giving... My Santa Hat (only hat I look good in)... The song "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire"... Knowing Jesus is Hope...Playing games...Little kids believing in Santa... Christmas Lights... The calendars I make with Kayla's photos... Christmas cards... Knowing Jesus is Joy...Friends...Happy Christmas movies.... Skippy Lou with her Christmas collar... Kayla's angel picture. ..Making my ornaments...Sharing my Christmas ornaments ...Knowing Jesus is Peace... Making the calendar with Kathy...Christmas scavenger hunt for KK...Remembering making snow angels in Marvin and Mona's yard...The sweater that Stan always gets me for Christmas...A fire, even if it is only my video fire...Hugh snowflakes falling against the dark night sky.....Fresh fallen snow in the shining morning light...Believing

Perfect Snowy Night

In 1989 on a snowy winter night when most people were cuddled inside their homes, 3 teenagers and I were going sledding. Jeremy, Cindy and Angie were talking as I got out sleds, extra gloves and a pair of Stan's large blue coveralls for Jeremy.
We looked silly all bundled up tromping through the snow to find the bumpiest hill.
We'd slide alone....

We'd slide together...

We'd slide spinning...

and we'd fly through the air over the bump.

When we got tired of climbing back up the hill we would

lie in the snow and make angels,

stamp our names in the snow,

or just sit back and watch the snow float from the dark sky and talk

It was a perfect night. The falling snow muffled all the noise and we felt we were all alone in the a world of peace.

I went to the car to give the 3 teenagers time alone and I watched as they sat on the round red sleds at the top of the hill and talked.

Finally, when their butts were cold we would head to Hardees for hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies.

Warmed up and happy, we returned home from our perfect snowy night

Let the Sun Shine In

I like this song...

So let the sun shine in
Face it with a grin
Smilers never lose
Frowners never win
So let the sun shine in
Face it with a grin
Open up your heart
And let the sun shine in.

The Magic Word

Kayla, 5 years old, walked up to an automatic door at the store. As she stepped up she tried to remember a magic word to open the doors. Finally she said, "Miracle!" and the doors opened. I think that is a wonderful magic word.

Where is my ambition?

Where is my ambition?

I don't think I have any.

Is it that I am afraid? Is it that I am lazy?

Is is because I don't know what I am worth?

Is it because I do not like to make decisions?

Is it because I don't want to take the lead?

Is it because I don't want responsibilty?

What is it that makes me nervous?

Why do I want to hide?

How does this make me feel?

Silly

little

girl

......

53

year old

little

girl.

Silly

Silly

Silly

Where is all of this coming from again?

Cindy has once again got me an opportunity to

paint at the dentist office.

Now I need to come up with ideas

(got that)

and worse still...pricing.

I've spent the day on the internet

gathering facts

getting ideas

seeing what others can do

and seeing that I can paint better than some.

I am sure that I can paint.

I can create.

I can give my talent to others.

I just have a hard time selling myself.

My friends encourage me.

My family tells me I am good.

My customers...(when they find me)

love my work.

Then why do I want to hide?

Silly

Silly girl

This is the painting I did for someone this week. It is his wife's cat and he had it painted for her as a Christmas present. It is an 8x10 and I got $50