Ahhh, when life was simple. What does that mean exactly? I mean what was so simple, that you can not achieve now? Do you have to milk a cow and make bread everyday, just to eat? Do you have to draw water from a well that you dug by hand, get a new dress only after you have made it and ordered fabric? Life can be easier, choose it. We complicate our own lives. We have so many conveniences now, how much easier do you need? Life saving medication, appliances, any food you want at the store, a store in every block. Uncomplicate your life.

The good old days, not always. You don’t need brand names, not in your food, your clothes, your shoes. You don’t have to keep up with anyone. Is that truly what makes you happy? Do you think you will be accepted or liked more by what you have? If it is, get new people. Look for people that care about you. People stripped of their things that have a big heart. People will talk about what others have like a trophy, who cares? Is that what you will be remembered for? Your things?

Make a list, (already the lists!) so maybe check off in your head who reached out this past year? Who offered you some comfort in hard times? Who talks to your soul with their eyes? Gravitate to those people. Those are the people you need in your life, they make effort. All the money in the world can not buy that. Those are the riches that matter, better yet, be that person. So many are so superficial. Go forth! Love and kindness 2024!

Today I await full circle to complete, like loading the evasive internet page. Days like this make you look at how far you have come. My oldest and youngest foster daughters are really the only ones that keep in touch or at least darken my doorstep. I love seeing my kids. My youngest also my Goddaughter is coming for a visit with her little dolls for a visit, I haven’t seen them since spring. Not for lack of trying, that seemed to be the motto this year.

Something about the new generation, brings back every memory of the previous one. I was even able to find first days video for us to watch, so surreal. Promises of more in the coming year. Covid, mom life , jobs seemed to rob us of some of our time and trying to get back to that personal visit have been slow going. Outside of my norm of making resolutions, I will pledge more visits to everyone. Have a great night everyone and be safe. Look forward to 2024!!

It doesn’t matter what age a child arrives in your life, they are imprinted in your life forever. The day I took my Goddaughter out of the incubator and brought her home, she was less than 24 hrs old. Her nickname was puddy, short for pudding but also because her cry resembled a little kitten. Her support worker called her pepto bismo, because I always had her in pink. She is an amazing mom to her little boy and girl. Her daughter is her carbon copy.

Three books complete and I remembered names in a movie without google. That’s a good day. I just realized tomorrow is New Year’s Eve day, holiday’s should not be at the beginning of the week. 2023, 2024, I like celebrations but I don’t put all my eggs in one basket for one day that is to be maintained the whole year. Goals should evolve with you, not based on a date. This past year has gone by fast and kind of blends in with the past, to which I say good bye. I hope every new day exceeds the expectations of all the days so far.

If anything find your voice this year. Put your mental health first and pray for the best. Think about the compliments you have received this year and keep up those good works. Any criticisms you’ve received, note them and move on. Find solid footholds and steadfast friends, forget anything that does not make you happy. Don’t do anything in haste, sleep on it, regret is never fun.

Looking forward, I want sunshine, lot’s of it! Seemed to be a lot of rain, save that for nighttime this year. I don’t want to critique this passing year. I have a lot to be thankful for. We all do, minuscule or otherwise. Summon that, let it grow. We adapt and your job is to have boundaries and put your best foot forward to meet each obstacle. The pessimist yells, “Off with your head!” The realists say, “ Bartender! Another round!”The optimist says nothing, because it is the truth.

Hustle and bustle has slowed, now is time to enjoy. Less work, more play, less stress more fun. Two and a half books later and I am relishing the season. Another round of holidays is around the corner and I am finally warming up to the stillness vibe. It is exactly what I need, less! Make that plan for yourself as well.

I was just telling a friend that we have everything at our fingertips now. Things we waited for as kids is readily available for anyone that wants it. Things we had to pay money to experience, you can own. We waited for holidays and birthdays to get new things and now you can buy anything at anytime. I caution you to resist, you don’t need it. The waste we create is crazy, the dumps overflow with our cast offs. We need to repurpose more or hand off. People often ignore the used in favour of new. Giveaway sites are filled with stuff nobody wants.

Heading forward, try for less. What you don’t want, give. Work on filling your heart, and empty your worries. Do I need this? What you need is love, comfort, belonging, and peace. Strive for that. Things are only things. Getting stuff does not fill voids in the long run. You will still have the same amount of time on the earth, enjoy it, spend that time wisely.

Christmas up, Christmas down, I want it all put away now. I have been emptying cupboards and cabinets and now the Christmas stuff needs to be packed up. I read a book yesterday cover to cover in 8 hours. It was lovely! I have another already started, it is my carrot. Before my feet hit the floor in the morning, I assign myself three things to accomplish. Between each task, I read, so far so good, the book and the tasks.

Actually it is organized chaos, but having the mess around me, inspires me to get back to it. Piles of… what am I doing with this? The unhomed things are what slows me down. They have their own pile and will create a task of their own. I have to complete the three things first, so for now they are a distraction. This new book is good already, also a distraction!

This is how I like my days. It is beautiful outside but a storm is suppose to be coming. I hate being trapped by weather. Anything leaving the house is gotta go today. I suppose winter has to start sometime. I hope that it is brief and our lovely summer season returns to us quickly. I will not sit this winter, way too much sitting last year. I don’t know who I am trying to convince, I guess we shall see. Christmas treats are everywhere, I can’t stay out of them. However, I have four bins to pack up with Christmas decorations and a book calling my name!

Happy season! Already I want to rearrange rooms and paint and throw crap out. I’ll dream about it for a couple days and move on as always. I napped, so I have been getting up early. I am going to immerse myself in a book finally! That of course means I will do nothing until it is done. My cat stayed out of the tree, she preferred the presents. She has a love hate relationship with the dog. The dog is no longer terrified of her.

Hubby teased that the gifts for him were for old people and told the kids I was looking for a home to put him in. My daughter told him she would take him. Not me, my son quipped that he would keep me. He did mention that if I got dementia, he would never find me and that we should start playing Marco Polo now so it would be in my memory.

Of course I forgot team Canada is the focus this time of year. I’ll have to plan the next round of visits around this precious tradition. Insert eye roll, don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the games. Right now, pick up the clementines off the floor is the game the cat is playing! Must be a full moon as the pets are nuts this am! All of this gives me lots to do and get nothing done. Where is that book?

Big huggers around here! Fam needs to brace themselves for a smackaroo too. When you’re leaving, a big squeeze, kiss your cheek and I love you. If I’m up hubby gets the goodbye hug and kiss. If it’s the weekend and one is going, hug and kiss. Some think that’s weird. Kisses and hugs good night, goodbye, good morning, hello. Dogs and cats too! We love around here! If a family member gets away without one, we chase you.

I have friends that don’t kiss, that’s perfectly fine, for you. We love in a text, a call, in person, kiss face emoji is very well used. I haven’t hung the mistletoe, I changed ceiling fans and it messes everything up. Me and hubby have a three kiss rule for lights out. My kids get the forehead or cheek. I kiss the grands as much as I can, usually in rapid succession before they complain.

Pucker up, lemme lay my lips on ya!! It’s automatic, just the way it has always been. I kissed mom and dad, momma dropped by today and there was hugs and kisses. Sure was, she brought me Christmas baking! we always kissed the kids, always tucked them in. Well at least until they let us. They are grown now, so they tolerate our affection without complaint. What was it Momma that Grammie use to say? “ A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck.” My grandparents used to hug and kiss me a lot too! I miss them, and that is what happens..

Shortest day, longest night. Daylight will now start to get longer. I wrapped five presents, got delay of game from the friendly neighbourhood flu bug. My car is all nestled in the garage waiting for me to hit the ground running. I didn’t want it to go this route, it is what it is. I’ve done it before, seven kids, university classes, storms galore, crossing the finish line at Christmas Eve. I remember my oldest girls doing all the Christmas baking without being asked. Our family is a team in the crunches of life.

I got 15 hours sleep in the last 24 hours. I would say it is a waste, but the body knows. I knew that power outage was going to get my immunities out of whack. However, I will do this! Body says sit, brain says go. I need a clone. I need time. I need a nap.

My star keeps falling off the top of the tree. I used to have an Angel but she was always bungee jumping off the top. I can’t reach up there properly! Who needs a tree topper anyways? I am pretty lucky the kitty has left the tree alone, if anything the dog wants the tree skirt for a bed. It does look comfy. Christmas is a comfortable season. When you get to take a minute and look at it. Something very comforting in the silence and in the decorated spaces. We create the stress really. Be sure to take a minute, put everything aside and just look at it. I think I will grab a pillow and lay under the tree with the dog.

Exhausted from a power outage. Nothing like complete silence to mess up your sleep. It’s the calm before the storm inside the house, big days are coming and haven’t got time for set backs. Trying to make it to 10 pm is a chore now. Then being obligated to sleep by the absence of electricity, was a tad annoying. Pets are antsy too, so much pacing lately. Late night zoomies are not appreciated. I am gonna need a hard reset for a sleep schedule.

Trying to stay focused on what I did do, instead of what isn’t done. Someone asked what was the first thing I was gonna do this holiday season, that is too much thinking. I do believe that will be the first thing I will do, not think! A whole bunch of nothing with a little nada on the side. Tonight, I wrap, I have said for the third time this week! Currently, stuffing my face with more Christmas candies!

Hope everyone has the best of intentions lined up. I hope you are okay with the bumps and dips that happen. I lost a present one year, didn’t find it until the new year. I also had a platter explode just before setting the feast on it, 30 minutes delay of dinner sweeping tiny shards of glass from everywhere! Timing dinner is always fun. I’ve had to wait for kids to wake up, and also had them wait for me wake up. Their dad always tells them the presents have to be back by five. Old times, new times, good times! ….Almost time!

Ho Ho man as I used to refer to our holiday dude, is my favourite. I just realized the other day that I had not called him that in a few years. I went to the mall, I think last year and saw him in his big chair with all the little children. I was with my daughter and grand daughter, I am a child at Christmas, so I hollered, “Hi Santa!” My daughter is used to me, my grand daughter was a little alarmed. I went on to talk about him for an additional 15 minutes, confirming that he saw me and how great he is. What can I say, I love Christmas.

Two days ago I was driving with my son and I interrupted our conversation to blurt out “Ho Ho man!” That is when I realized I hadn’t said it in a while. My poor son was totally confused, and I had to explain that Santa in full garb had just driven by us. I went into a detailed visual since he can not see. He was patient with me, he is grown and does remember what Santa looks like. What’s left if you don’t believe? Santa wraps with Santa paper, Santa does all the tags with Santa writing. His gifts only arrive Christmas morning. He drinks the milk, eats the cookies and Rudolf nibbles the carrot every year! It will never change in my lifetime. It will be my social responsibility to carry on traditions that have begun before I was born.

Well it doesn’t matter, my kids are grown. It matters to me. It makes me soupy happy, warm and fuzzy, cozy. I feel young, I feel like I know something others don’t. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause, is one of my favourite Christmas shows. It inspired me to write as a child. The meaning has changed over the years, but the editorial response is my epilogue. It makes me cry. It is so hard to find now with all of the shows being created. Hallmark has cornered some of Christmas with love at Christmas. Love is all year, I’ll take an order of Ho Ho man please!