Could this be the year?

Could this be the year that success is found with those resolutions? Last year this time I thought I was well on the way with the weight loss goal, then Daddy got sick and all the momentum left and ground was lost as we gave in to the sorrow of April, May and June.

Could this be the year that the weight loss goal is met? Can I get it together and make it stick this time....... Resolve is an action. Twice now I've lost a significant amount of weight, once with a sensible wt loss plan the other with a more drastic measure and both times ground was lost afterward. I don't want to be 50 in five years and be where I am now, both physically, financially and mentally.

What are the things I want to accomplish this year?

1) wt loss

Lose 50# or more

2) debt reduction

Reduce credit card debt by 50%

3) savings increase

Increase savings by 50%

4) knitting skill increase

Complete at least 6 sweaters.

Finish level 1 of Master's Knitting Course

5) start my master's

Find and start an acceptable Master's program in Health Information Technology in the Fall of 2010.

6) increase my value at my job

improve my self esteem with my job.

Could this be the year? Every year that is the question about this time? Could this be the year that the accomplishment mojo finds me. Finds our family, finds our friends who are striving for the same thing. Could this be the year that a positive change has a significant impact personally and on those around me?

Could this be the year?

Quietness

Today I had the opportunity to stay home to wait the notorious 10 - 2 delivery time for a new dryer. Doggie number 2 has also had an intestinal problem that necessitated a complete disinfecting mop of the kitchen and dining room. Work was calling and I was monitoring emails. I had a bit of a cleaning bug which is very unusual for me, so I tried to make the most of it... Number 1 child off to high school, Husbeast off to work, and young master Snow caught the big yellow limo, so by 8:30 I had a rare and most precious encounter with.....quietness.

Windows were open, dogs were in the kennel, no tv, no ipod, no radio, no family around. Do you know how delightfully wonderful that was? I purposed then to have quietness as long as I could on this day. I sat at the computer for a bit to work email.....sounds???? nothing, nada, just the noise of the home sitting still. A few clothes needed folding....it was so quiet you could hear the crackle of the line dried clothes as they were folded.

My favorite thing to do with quietness is to knit. For a short while, I sat in the freshly cleaned and mopped kitchen, back door open, sun beaming into the room on my chair at the cozy table. The knitting needles had a steady peaceful click and the yarn was obediently silent has it formed into loop after loop. I was wonderfully overwhelmed by how much I enjoyed the nothingness, the stillness, the simple noises of the squirrels and birds dancing around the oak trees in the back.. A few car noises zoomed by but even today they were a dainty part of the quietness.

Now, it's 6:45pm, Family has been home since around 3. TV was automatically turned on, in 2 rooms. Teenagers were giggling or antagonizing each other and dogs returned from the kennel. There was clicking, clanking, shouting, and a LOUD hum of activity. The quietness was fully lost when the new dryer announced "EEENNNN!,, I'm done!"

Happy Thanksgiving Daddy

Dear Daddy,

I thought I would get by this day without any tears. It's like you are just out hunting this morning. You just haven't made it in from the woods yet. I'm thankful today for so much that you gave us. You provided so well for each of us and had a unique and special relationship with each of us. Thank you Daddy for being so wise, frugal and funny. I love you.

I'm here in T-town knowing that Christmas will be our family time together. The Snowflakes are having a fun time. We've giggled, squealed and laughed really hard. We've started to make the funny Christmas videos that we will send on to Granny Sibyl and Jane. I'm thinking of the big Christmas eve birthday party we have for all the Moore and Snow boys. Now in the quiet just before we sit down to give thanks, I tear up knowing that while you are not here in the flesh, such sweet rememberances of you are flooding to my heart. Tears of sadness will be instead of sweetness.

Love you the best Daddy,(just don't tell Jane),
Dee Dee