The Company You Keep

Growing up we were always the house that everyone stopped in and visited.  And I heard many, many times that it doesn’t matter what time of the day or night you stop by, my mother would always have fresh coffee and delicious food available.  Everyone felt comfortable and at home at our house.  And the house was always full.  There was much laughter, fun, lots of food and an extra plate at meal time.

I told my boyfriend to expect lots of company once we moved to a more convenient and central location. Cat allergies aside, there would be lots of visitors.  And this weekend it started.  We have been in the new house maybe 5 weeks.  There are still boxes to unpack and pictures to hang.  The floor needs a sweep and probably the upstairs carpet a vacuum.  But that’s OK.  My friends know that my house will never be perfect.

Saturday my Boyfriends mother came over for a visit and laundry (while they wait for their new washer and dryer to be delivered).  I love that fact that we live so close to them that they can pop over for something like that.  When I was younger and in college I lived that close to my parents, but never as an “adult.” Mom would call and tell me about the delicious goodness she was cooking for dinner and if I wasn’t busy, would I join them.  I was usually over in 5 minutes or less.  And I felt like such an adult the first time she came over for coffee.

Sunday was more company as a cousin of one of my best friends came by for a visit and dinner.  It was great.  A house is not a home without love, laughter, good food and good friends.  It’s the company that you keep that turns a house into your home.

New Year, Birthdays and Taking Risks

Sometimes, one of the hardest things about writing is figuring out the opening sentence or line that might catch someone’s attention get them reading further and deeper. Just sitting down to write this post, I have come up with quite a few opening lines:

• It’s that time of year again…my birthday month!!!
• Just when you thought you were safe from another “New Year” blog
• As I sit here, in my PJ’s…

And sometimes, planning out the next year can be just as challenging.  I for one, am beyond happy to see the end of 2014, and am ecstatic about 2015. There is a sense of optimism and happiness. But how does one go about changing their life for the better exactly?  Not sure on that one, though many thousands of books have been written, and many thousands more no doubt.  Maybe it’s really not an exact science. Maybe it’s all by trial and error. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a compass to tell us where to go for that good life we want, or when we may be veering off track? A magic 8 Ball that really did have all the answers?

First I want to take care of myself.  Like many women, I stopped taking care of myself and took care of others instead. And when all was said and done, I was sitting on empty.  That is changing. I now look around at at empty house (except for the cats) and realize that I am bound by nothing…The world is mine to find adventure, with new things to trip over, places to fall into and new drinks to spill. I am picking up where I left off so to speak and it feels good. And scary. And exciting. And overwhelming.

I stopped working out and exercising. I stopped hiking, Stopped going to live music shows, or the botanical gardens. I quit fixing my hair, trying make up things and just having a bit of fun and enjoyment in general.  And adventure doesn’t have to be far from home, as long as you stay curious and keep quality people around you. For example, I had the best New Years I have had in a very long time. The best thing in the world, is when you are having such a wonderful time that you loose track and don’t even realize it’s midnight…

“Well behaved women seldom make history “- Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

And I want to take a vacation this year. On a beach. I miss the beach,  miss the water. It’s calling my name. FINALLY publishing my book is on the list. I had to put it down to tend to other things and now, just like the rest of my life, it’s time to start it back up again. So if any of you know any publishers….

Exercise. The Dreadmill, the bane of my existence. But exercise I will. Not just to loose a few pounds, but because I felt better when I was exercising.  And I have set up a wonderful workout/zen area in my bedroom that will be perfect for rain day workouts and Pilates. Also, the garage is organized with space for the heavy bag. Yes, it’s time to start boxing again! And maybe even jog around the neighborhood if it ever quits raining. If not, boating around the neighborhood, that could be good exercise too.

I am not going to take on so much crap from others. I can help and be kind without putting myself out or sacrificing myself for them. This may seem counter intuitive to having Grace, which I am also seeking. But I think they can go hand in had. In order to have Grace, you do not have to be a doormat. You have to set realistic and healthy boundaries for yourself and life. I have not done the best of either in the past.

“Do one thing that scares you every day.” – Elenore Roosevelt

But the main thing for this next year, is to take more risks and chances. When we play it too safe, we forget how to really live. And sometimes the best thing you can do is step out of the comfort zone and grow. I want to do this with life and especially love. Someone sent me a picture they have of the word “Love” written in the sand on thebeach. That is what I want my life to be, full of love, life and sand this year. And it’s of to a wonderful start.

But I am also reminded of something I read not long ago, and that in order to be flexible, we must have stability. So, before any adventuring into the sunset happens, I must first find that stable foundation from which to build and spring my life.  Maybe that is why I am taking much care in getting the house unpacked and situated. And after being displaced by the mold, it is great to finally be able to relax and have a home in which to settle.

And there it is, my new year, for the age of 42.  And each heartbeat carries all the hopes, dreams and fears that go along with them too. And so it is, that I start this celebration of my birthday month. A celebration of life, of anticipation, of passion, of chances and of love. And they bring an enthusiasm that boils up from that deep place inside, past the mind, into the soul and back again.

 

 

A Year in Pictures

I was going through the pictures of my phone and cleaning them out. It is intersted to go back to see what the past year has held…So here is a year in pictures from my phone:

BoJack exploring the dryer…

More shoes…

Trying to get a little bit of sun in May.

Spring toes in the grass.

It’s all about the shoes…

Amicalola Falls, where I took several wonderful hikes and will return again soon…

JJ, the luckiest cat int he world afer he was rescued and taken to live with my parents. He’s a happy kitten.

My bath that keeps me sane – nothing like soaking after a long hard day…

The light that FINALLY was fixed after 18 months…and now I must change the lightbulb…Again…

Picking apples in the Fall

Picking apples in the Fall

My first Apple Crsip…representing all the wonderful new things I will be baking. 🙂

Warm Feet in January 🙂

There are many more…just having trouble loading them off the ohone (Have I mentioned being technilogically challenged as well as clumsy?) Several pictures of the house projects that need to be done still…like the thing that fell on my car from the garage door opener, my dart board that needs to be hung, the surround sound system that need to be conencted, the Dreadmill treadmill that needs to be moved from in front of the fireplace to back out in the garage…lots of shoes, a Grandpa store and several other funny photos. Eventually, I will get them off the phone and an the blog…but one thing at a time.

It is ineresting to look at these photos of the past year. A year that I am happy to say goodbye too. Lots of home projects, lots of shoes, lots of rescued kittens, hot boots, high tempuratures and more.

I wonder what pictures will be taken in the next year…what adventure the future holds.

I am pressing reset on a few of the things in my life, and I am looking forward to seeing the result. Looking forward to moving forward, to having the life I want, the dreams I know, and friends with which to share. And I guess that is the one thing I am looking forward to in general – sharing.