Love And New Years Eve

I am sitting here on New Years Eve with Laney and my husband.  What more could I ask for. The alien intestinal virus is slowly leaving me and has not taken up host with my husband.  I will continue to pray that he is spared, as it is an unpleasant quick weight loss program.  My friends will be celebrating without us this evening, but I am celebrating here at home.  Laney of course is happy that I have not left her at home alone.   And, best of all I have my husband here to say goodbye to a challenging year and welcome a new year full of love and life.  Together for the last 36 years (32 years married) we have survived cancer, two children, a spoiled dog named Laney, and in-laws.  I think all said and done we will toast to our enduring strength and love.

I decided to dedicate this last blog writing of 2012 to my husband.  He is the man, the number one man in my life. The man that reads all my blog postings and points out all my mistakes.  He is the man who took the time to print some of blog writings and frame them.  He is the man who kisses me every morning. He is the man that admits that I am the boss.  He is the man that stands up to cancer and is still walking with me and holding my hand.  So, together we are going to say goodbye to the past and welcome our future.  And, I am lucky and in love with the man.  Life is good!!!

Fortitude

It was with great fortitude that today I went to the university track to continue training for the half marathon.  Unfortunately, I only walked about two miles as I felt like a truck had hit me the last couple laps.  I was feeling fatigued this morning like someone had sucked the wind from my sails. My determination to walk in hopes of feeling better proved differently. I have succumbed to some kind of  intestinal virus. It has left me achy and feeling weak. I am praying my husband does not get ill.  We were in hopes of walking and jogging today quite a distance, as we are running out of training time. I tried to get my husband to continue training, but he did not want to continue without me. I was glad to get home as I was extremely fatigued and feeling like I was a hundred years old.

I hope that this set back is short lived. The weather here is not helping as it has been snowing again and it is very cold.  We are two days from the end of the year and I was hoping to bid farewell to a challenging year with some dear friends. I am going to stay optimistic as it seems to be the best medicine and of course Laney is by my side to give me much comfort. And, now I rest.  Life is good when the body is healed.

Playing In The Snow

Laney and I decided to venture out in our snow covered yard today.  This is the first time since Monday that I have been outside.  A snowstorm dumped six inches of snow and the wind made drifts in the yard.  Laney likes running in the snow and burying her face. She is so small that a couple times I thought I lost her in the drifts.  We are suppose to get more snow over the weekend.  I'm already growing restless for spring to come.

My husband and I finally made it to the university track this evening.  The roads were clear enough to travel thank goodness.  We needed to walk as we are now exactly a month out from our half marathon. We ended up jogging a lot this evening as we had some energy to burn.  I have been trying to jog a little each time now and hope to keep getting stronger. We are looking forward to some warmer weather in San Antonio.  Any temperature greater than 30 degrees will seem warm. We will be praying for a nice day for the half marathon. The excitement is building and I pray we can stay healthy. Life is good!

Christmas Day

 Merry Christmas from Laney and I, 2012.  We were enjoying a few moments together before my children arrived.  Blessings to all our family, friends, and followers of the blog.

Laney loves being a ham for the camera.  She loves people.  She is wearing her pink sweater as it was very cold Christmas morning.  Life is great with Laney!

Silence Is Golden

Laney, my  husband and I are sitting here on Christmas Eve in silence.  This is the first time in years that we are enjoying a quiet Christmas Eve together.  The silence is truly golden as the saying goes.  No stress, no pressure to entertain or be somewhere.  A blessing to be relaxing and enjoying warm cookies from the oven that in past years were left for Santa.  There is something good to be said of not a worry in the world.  There is not even a creature stirring as Laney is resting quietly beside me. What a great gift to myself as I sit here and feel so relaxed and reminisce of Christmas evenings of the past.  The patter of little feet and the memories of traditions from the past are still with me.  I think I'll read, "Twas The Night Before Christmas," to myself, because my husband and Laney are already passed out and awaiting Santa. Another Christmas Eve comes to an end and I shall retire before midnight for the first time in probably twenty plus years.  I'll say a goodnight prayer for all the grieving families of Newtown and those who are still struggling from Sandy.  And, blessings to all who have touched my heart in 2012.  May all your dreams come true.  Hope you all made Santa's nice list. Life Is beautiful!!!

Old Man Winter

Winter is officially here and has come in like a roaring lion.  The wind blew all night with gust as high as 56 mph.  My husband, Laney and I were up most of the night as winds sounded as if they would blow out the windows on the second floor.  The house was cracking and popping all night.  There is now a blanket of ice and snow on the ground. We are fortunate that we still have electricity as 12,000 people lost power last eve. I'll bundle up later to assess the house outside for damage. Just four weeks ago we had repairs done for storms that had come through in late summer.  We are thankful we still have a house and grateful this storm was not like the wrath of Sandy. Prayers for all those still without a home from Sandy.

Laney and I are going to observe a moment of silence at 9:30 am for the deceased children and teachers in Connecticut. My heart is still sad for those families

Well the countdown is getting shorter as there is only four days til Christmas! Hope all your Christmas dreams come true. My dream has been fulfilled to simply live.  Life is beautiful!

Blizzards

Laney and I are hibernating today as the weather has turned yucky.  The blizzard that is moving across the Midwest is creeping towards us. We awoke this morning to howling winds and sheets of rain. We are still holding steady with temps in the 50's , but we will be saying goodbye to our unusually warm weather.  The temp is suppose to drop 30 degrees  by evening and the winds will pick up gusting 50 miles or more per hour.  I think it is safe to say goodbye to walking outside.

Laney dislikes the cold weather as much as I do.  I had to physically push her out the door this morning to potty.  She is afraid of the wind and does not like to get wet.  She is a pampered dog.  I am surprised that she hasn't requested me to stand outside with an umbrella over her. That will only be in her dreams.   I guess she better hire a nanny or get a rain coat.  I plan on staying dry.

My husband and I continue to train for our half marathon.  We have not let the holiday season distract us or the weather.  We did manage to walk outside Sunday as the temperature was in the low 60's.  We managed to walk nine miles in a little under three hours. We then walked three miles Tuesday at the university track.  I tried jogging on and off.  I think I will stick to walking as my knees and back have been creaking since.  Maybe I'll take a break and stay in this eve and be content that a winter storm has saved what is left of my joints. Tis the season to hibernate.  Life is beautiful!

One Week And Counting

Laney and I are busy getting ready for Christmas as the count down begins.  The stockings are hung and there appears to be a few gifts under the tree.  Laney has not bothered the Christmas tree skirt yet nor the gifts.  She must be getting old or the fascination has worn off.  I miss the days when she use to jump around and be inquisitive. She seems to like laying around more these days.  She better spring into action today, because she is off to the groomer for her holiday hairdo.

There is only one week left til Christmas and I have been reminiscing about grateful things in my life.  As this year has passed by quickly I am glad to continue moving forward in life.  I am blessed to have my husband still in remission and rest of my family healthy.  I am blessed also to have spent the weekend sharing holiday cheer with some close friends who have always been supportive of us.  They remind us that friendship is beneficial for our well being and there is always a new adventure ahead of us.

I also am grateful to be a part of the student's lives that I read to each week.  Their laughter and curiosity to learn is always uplifting and brings a smile to my face. It is good sometimes to let ourselves return to that innocent mind of a child and laugh.  I wish that I had kept a journal of all the funny things that students had said and done  over the years.  Today I will end with a quote from a student who told me that they did not have there homework paper because their dog pee peed on it.  As I tried to keep a straight face, I said something a teacher would not normally say, " I'm glad you left it at home."

Tears For The Children

Laney and I are heartbroken as we heard the news about the elementary school children who have lost their lives in Connecticut. Our prayers go to the parents of these children.  I also feel heartache for the teachers who lost their lives.  As a former school teacher this is very sad news.

I always felt it was my responsibility to protect my students while they were in the classroom. The children and parents always think of school as being a safe place. Sometimes no matter what we do tragedy happens, but we need to do something about the gun control in this country.  No child or teacher should have to die at the hands of a gunman.  As a teacher and a nurse I beg the  government to take  a long hard look at the gun laws and help protect the innocence of our children.

Monday morning it will be somber as I enter the school building where I spend my time reading to children.  I pray and hope that we all remain safe and in god's hands.  Please take time to say a prayer for all the victims and hug your own children. Life is precious!

Speachless

I have found myself speachless the last couple of days.  As, some things way heavy on the heart. It has been a week to reflect back on a difficult year.  I have been trying to change some old routines and purge my life of old ways. I am trying to move forward and let new people and new things into my life. I have had a lot of time to think of how sometimes it is hard to let go of the old and enjoy yourself.  I have come to realize that I am the only one who can decide on my own happiness.  Life does not wait for us to be happy.  We decide to be happy each day.

I started my week off with the notion that it was going to be a good week, so far that notion has paid off.  I have actually been outside walking with Laney as once again we are having beautiful weather for December.  I also have had lunch with a dear friend and talked about good times in the future. I spent time to bless all people in my life that have been supportive of me and my family the last couple of years. Some of them are close by and some of them are many miles away. And of course, I am thankful that my husband and Laney are always a part of my happiness.

This week of December is a week to remember my mother and mother-in-law as they both were born in December. How ironic it is to think that they both passed away in the month of May. It has been eight years since my mother passed and six since my mother-in law passed. I sometimes wonder what they would have thought of Laney. I believe she would have brought great joy to their lives.  Life is beautiful with my  four legged friend!!

Unbelievable Weather

Today is December 3rd and the temperature was 64 degrees at 7pm this evening.  My husband and I are amazed at how warm it is this time of year.  We spent the eve walking outside and polished off four miles.  It was fun once again looking at all the houses decorated with Christmas lights.  It almost seems like a dream for us to have this nice of weather in December.  We are truly enjoying it. 

Laney awaits for me to put up the Christmas tree, so she can chew on the tree skirt.  I think I'll have to put a new one out since the last one was tossed in the garbage, because Laney shredded it. I should be thankful she doesn't eat ornaments. That would be a little hard on the digestive system.

Well, I hope I have not made as many typo errors in this posting as yesterday.  My brain was definitely tired as I made four corrections.  I guess it is possible that the last fifteen years of stress has left my brain a little dull. Perhaps I have care giver's brain. Maybe, there is research to support that conclusion. Huh! Life goes on.

Happy December

Today is December 1st, 2012 and a very unusual start to December.  We had spring weather today as the temp hit 60 degrees. The sun was out for most of the morning before it became overcast.  My husband, Laney,  and I were able to get a long walk in.  This is a very mild start to winter and I hope it continues. I don't recall a fall that has been this warm ever.  We even had the warmest Thanksgiving day ever which was 63 degrees.  Maybe global warming is for real.

It is hard to believe that Christmas will be here in just about three weeks. I am trying to get in the mood, but the weather has tricked my brain into dreaming of blooming flowers and green grass.  I have always dreamed of living in a warm climate for winter and maybe my dreams are coming true.  Maybe this is a present from Santa or just a tease before a blizzard strikes.  What ever it is we will surely enjoy it. Walking outside is more pleasurable than walking on an indoor tract.  And, life is beautiful with my two best friends by my side.  Tis the season to be jolly.