Holy! I am telling you, the spindles in my brain are firing overtime! The information floating around about variants and such are too much! I just want summer!

Time to just walk away from all the things that drag you down. I remember the start of 2021, it seemed the year held so much promise. It made me wary, like the year had too much pressure before it even began. I didn’t have much faith personally. Not sure why, but everyone was all about the coming year. Now, 2022, I am all in! I am one day at a time. If I wake up and all is well, that’s a win. Seems like every convo starter is how is everyone feeling. If I am feeling, that is a bonus! So onward and upward!

I have no more patience for all the stuff! I am not waiting for updates, my bubble are the ones from the beginning. Somehow I have added an extra year to all of this. I was discussing the Covid and added a year, but damn it seems like forever. Like I have said before, flu season had us quarantining before it was cool. We don’t mingle if we are sick, sick person is man down, we don’t leave our space. It’s a good motto!

Let us plow into 2022, chin up! Everything is unpredictable, that is not new! Do what you can! Do your best! That is all, that is it!

My daughter had a bear and her two cubs at the back of her property. We watched them from the back deck when they were around. The Mama was just eating and lumbering through the field. When the babies would saunter off she would do a quick check in and continue on. That’s what we do, eat and check in!

My mom, loves to take care of people. She doesn’t know how to be mean, angry or aggressive. She is passive and does all the mom things right.

I’ve known my mom the longest and I can tell you, she can be a Mama bear. When my mom gets mad, her eyes get bigger, her shoulders come back and she gets taller. Of course this is hindsight from a younger point of view, I haven’t seen her stormy in years.

The first time I can remember, I was maybe seven, we lived in a three story apartment building. There was a green space outside all of the kids played in. A new family had moved in and they had a sixteen year old visitor for the weekend. She didn’t seem to have much patience for us kids. She cornered me on the stairs alone. She grabbed me and held me against the wall threatening to throw me down the stairs. I got away and took off into our apartment. I got the information out in one sobby breath to my mild mannered mom. Just like Superman a transformation took place, she was out the door and on the stairs before the girl had barely gotten another step from our little episode.

Mom wasn’t much bigger than the girl, but her emotions were! The girl had an attitude, but mom made time stand still with a tirade of possible consequences for this steely teen. The teen got angry and my mother knew she had no more right to touch her, than the girl had to touch me. Mom didn’t flinch or back down, she barked orders at the girl and the fight left the girls face as mom then marched with her to the hosts of this young lady.

That is how Mama Bears are created. They reside in us and appear when needed. Just make sure that your Mama Bear is just. She should be used for only imminent danger! That is all she should surface for, the rest of the time just forage and eat!

Something about the lights at Christmas that bring a calmness. My tree lights have been on now for three days straight, day and night. I just have to enter the room and sit and stare at the tree and feel peace. I have opted for fake the last couple of years, so it is up much longer.

I don’t really know where my mind goes. I guess I just recall all the past. I remember being a little girl and coming out in the morning, the mystery of Christmas. I can recall my own kid’s voices, excited. I picture my dad and mom arriving early to watch the kids open their gifts. It’s all happy! Before we used to go and see friends trees. It was an event, plugging in your tree for others to see, a true transformation. Maybe it is the magical transformation that happens to most in the season. I am forever quoting the animated Grinch this time of year.

It is unexpected, even those you wouldn’t suspect. Magic is everywhere. Grown men whisper about not letting the cat see her present or it would ruin Christmas! I love it, this feeling that takes over, even if just for a day!

Wish we could bottle it, happiness, love, peace. Seeing the reflection of those twinkling lights in your loved ones eyes. Some of those eyes are older now, some are no longer with us. I like going back for a minute.

I am so happy I was able to be with my family this year, hubby, all three of my kid, my grands, my Momma! Hoping that I am able to see my extra’s this year too! Maybe they will plug in their tree! Merry Christmas and always love!

Don’t rush anything. Projects are good, goals are good, there doesn’t always have to be a deadline. Certain things demand one, if not, don’t. We are building a closet. Made the design, dimensions, materials and go. The frame is roughed, and the vision was started. Life of course happens and it is functional but incomplete. Now that time has passed, we can see the issues with some practical things. Bam! we can move forward with new and improved and when it’s done, it will be perfect!

Life is very much the same, having a big issue with change, apply this strategy as well. Take little bites, try it on for size, tweak it and move forward. For stubborn people like myself, it works. My husband will present ideas to me all the time, me being rigid, my go to is no. For one, I can’t see what he is saying, I need time to process. I tried a personal experiment where I automatically said yes first. It was really hard! It was life changing. It was uncomfortable. I was overbooked with things, but I did have a lot of fun.

I don’t recommend going from one extreme to the other, but finding balance is key. The world will not stop spinning because you can not predict the outcome. You can not control everything, that is one I have to drill into my head! The predictable life is not the name of the show! Life happens anyway. It ends the same for everyone.

Choose wisely, and don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work out. There is no rule saying that you can’t change the plan. You are the driver of your own life. You hold the reigns, lean left, lean right, pull to stop. Maybe drop the reigns, put the pedal to the metal, hell pull the emergency break and swing er around!

Yup, that’s right, a cat. That is my blanket, I bet I never get that relaxed. Half stretched out, leg hanging off the edge, totally oblivious. What a life!

My dog has a great life, but always keyed into our energy. The cat don’t give a flying fig about anything. The phone rings, nothing, someone at the door, doesn’t move. She does whatever she wants, naps whenever she is tired. When she is vocal, people listen. If you don’t listen, she makes her presence known.

If something comes into the house she doesn’t care for, she puffs up her tail and goes to the highest point in the house and waits for it to leave.

She owns us, she runs the show. She gives affection as she sees fit. She hates the cold. Loves sunbeams! I could get behind that! There are no expectations. Food and water are always at your disposal and if not, you just bat someone in the head.

She always surprises us with her high energy even at her age! Always the best happiness noises. Our cat loves kids and dogs. She is patient, kind, likes to snuggle… yup a cat!

What can you do? Try as we might, things tend to be circular. When things do come full circle in a plot of a story it is almost predictable. It’s the plot twist that gets us. Didn’t see that coming, and you reveal in the mystery and surprise that smacks you in the face! In real life, annoying! Pisses me off actually. I tend to be orderly and a plan kinda girl. Previously my reaction is stick my head in the sand. More often lately is anger. I am done with plot twists.

The self guided life, the rebel, the girl that grew up to be fiercely independent is so done. It took a long to become me. I don’t like change. I don’t like regret, criticism, having my way controlled. Not sure how to put the fire out.

Live by example… hmmm. There is controversy at every turn. I turn off the news. I stop getting the paper, I block and delete. I stick to those I know. My circle is small, but the world keeps putting it’s nose in my life. Trying to block my happy!

I keep putting my best foot forward and someone keeps stepping on my damn feet! I will not turn off the switch anymore, I am back! I control me. I am responsible for me. Tired of standing back and watching people crumble. Tired of fear. Tired of all of it.

Need me, tell me. Reach out, don’t be alone. Don’t let this, whatever your “this” is take from you and yours! We have got this! We are stronger, taller, more resilient, this is our beginning!

Christmas crunch is on, separates the men from the boys! The feelings you hate to love. The massive hunt for the evasive popular present, that is always off the shelf! Or that one person you don’t know what on God’s green earth you should buy! Once upon a time, I got it done early, not so much now. Less to purchase with the kids grown. Not the same stress.

Less events, used to head off on shopping trips, cookie swaps, real trees, maniac cleaning, chaos and panic! I decorated early with little helpers. Now when I head out, I try to look for something specific, although I have come home four times now without toothpaste, only to finally get it and realize I had two in the cupboard. The OCD is down, so I am not hyper-focused. It has been nice.

I haven’t done any, like absolutely zero Christmas baking. Only half of the wrapping is done. No clue what the Christmas dinner plan is. No cards sent out this year. My panic moment will come, there is only one weekend left before Christmas. Add in two doctor appointments, possible bad weather and the stocking stuffers, that will give me grief.

For now I will enjoy this false sense of security. Let go of the compulsive need to do it all. The monkeys are older in this circus. Peaceful, easy feelings, one day at a time.

Christmas aside, it has been a trying season. I have two family members in poor health and our nuclear family has suffered with some shitty cards lately. The pursuit of happiness continues and the happy face stays! My facebook memories are flooded with my favourite Grinch quotes, which seem to be pretty popular this year! Just like the Red truck and tree I implemented last Christmas. Obviously I am a trend setter! Just smile and nod!

This means we dig deeper! We boost others more! There is no quitting the game of life. Someone else controls that noise. Best foot forward, always! I never know which foot that is so I may fall, but damn it, we need to get back up.

Hearts need to be full of love, we need both hands to lift others. Sure it’s a balancing act, but that is what life is! It is never gonna be easy and my wish is that it was for so many that I know!

Remember the journey, look for others facing challenges! Help when you can and always love!

In this house we do hugs, big!! I didn’t grow up with touch beyond my mom and dad. It was a big city. Surrounded by people totally alone. People walk the sidewalks five people deep, you don’t talk, you don’t look each other in the eye and you do not touch.

Fast forward to my own kids, a tiny town and a hugger husband and a best friend that is always hands on. Her hand rests on you while talking, swats at you when she is laughing. Whacks you in the forehead because of the V8 commercial. Best desensitizing therapy around.

So pre Covid, hauling people in for a hug became second nature. Leaning in for conversations. Resting your head on someone’s shoulder, grabbing hands of co workers for a happy dance, no issues, even as a germaphobe! Covid took that, for quite sometime. This was a town of talking to strangers. Elderly people would talk to young ones, people held doors for each other, now nobody wants to even touch the door!

For Christmas we will have to practice smiling with our eyes, speaking up so we don’t have to lean in close. Big waves instead of handshakes, I am back to the wink, air hearts, peace sign and thumbs up. Keep spreading happiness!

Tis the season, love, caring take the front seat! Something about Christmas time still evokes magic in us. Always remember that not everyone feels this magic. It can be sad for some, not everything is merry and bright during Christmas. If instead of allowing those feelings to darken your days or someone elses, we should choose happy. Look around you, where would be the best place to start? Do you know someone that is struggling? Maybe not financially, but just doesn’t seem to have the Christmas feels. You can not force someone to feel warm and fuzzy. The Grinch said it best, ” Perhaps Christmas is a little bit more.” Share love people. Do something extra behind closed doors, no recognition. Drop something in the food box at the grocery store. Put a plate of cookies on a co workers desk. Stick some cozy, funny socks in the mail. Write letters to Military personnel. Remember the forgotten, hand out a coat or coffee to the homeless man you see on the corner. Be the happy in someones life. It is only the beginning of December, have you purchased gifts yet? Do you really need all of them? Could your kids go through their toys, clothes, can you share puzzles with a seniors home? Maybe the best gift this year is time, maybe even for yourself, make an effort for numero uno!

Have you ever done a drop and dash gift? Christmas shouldn’t be so commercialized. We can all do our part to make the world a better place. Everything starts with one, do one thing….if everyone did one thing, that is a lot of change.