Ahhhhhhhh New Year's Eve 2010.
In just a few hours it will be a new year. A chance at a fresh start. Well...that part isn't really true, now is it? Every day is a chance at a fresh start.
Every day we have the opportunity to make things better. Say, "I love you" or "I'm sorry". Forgive someone. Ask to be forgiven. Make better choices. Be healthier. Anything really.
In reading everyone's comments on Facebook earlier, I saw a lot of "I'm so ready for 2010 to end...". A friend of mine today told me she received eight change of address notices from Christmas cards this year due to divorce alone. It's been a rough year for a lot of people.
And while I'm looking forward to a new year, I can't help wishing I could change the past. From years ago to just yesterday. Take back things I've said. I've done. Do things I didn't.
But I can't.
I've made my share of mistakes. Acted a fool. You name it. No one is perfect and this year has definitely brought out a 'me' I've been embarrassed to be when weak, proud to be when strong, mad to be when I got weak again or needy, and now...I remember it's a roller coaster ride and to not be so hard on myself. My real friends know the REAL me. I'm strong. Nurturing. Loyal. Honest. And sometimes...a little too vulnerable. It's taken me a long time to name my positive attributes. I'm glad I can do it now and know it's not being conceited. It's being proud of certain aspects and knowing I have a ton more to work on.
I CAN make a choice every day to do this though. And while I don't believe in New Year's resolutions (again...because we have the resolve to change every day), I am looking forward to tomorrow being the start of a better year.
People may not understand my choices this past year and frankly they don't have to. I've been told I'm too nice and have alternatively been falsely accused of ridiculous things. I've been fronted out by friends who saw me straying away from being the strong person I've become and lately have been the recipient of anonymous emails from someone "warning" me about someone in my life. I mean really?! If you really want to 'warn' a person...be upfront. Otherwise, it loses its credibility. Plus...I have no idea who they are talking about! Doesn't help much.
From now on, these people who don't have me and my kids best interest at heart are simply not going to be able to be a part of our world. "Life's to damn short for lightweights..." said Guru Don! He also said, "Turn the page, push on the gas pedal and whoever hangs on is worth keeping." Love it.
For the record, my amazing friends and family who have been there for us in 2010...thank you from the very depths of my heart. I love you so much. I'm both eternally grateful for your compassion and sorry for the weak moments in my life. You never left me or let me wander too far. You allowed my down times with grace and understood completely. You celebrated my accomplishments with sincere joy. You are my lifeline and please know I will always be there for you.
I look forward to 2011! Blessings of hope, health and happiness to all. xoxoxo, Terri
Always remember and never forget:
Friday, December 31, 2010
FEET NOW FIRMLY PLACED...THANK YOU
Oh baby, was I due tonight's phone conversation.
Only with a great friend can you tell the entire truth to (because only then can you get true advice) and hang up the phone thinking, "Yesss! I got it now!". Straight-shooting, don't judge me (this is the tough requirement to meet) or beat-around-the-bush advice is what I wanted. And thankfully, amen, hallelujah ... exactly what I got.
And to also be able to laugh my butt off at the outrageous comments that come along with it. Well...that's just darn priceless:
You know how I hate mandatory merriment and gift giving in general. And it was forced on me!
Those fancy shoes you put on may look pretty, but they definitely aren't comfortable. Think about it...
Girl! What are you thinking? You KNOW better than what you are saying. This isn't you. Where did you go? Are you even listening to what you are saying right now?
I'm sorry, but the pretty just doesn't counter the manic.
I really am getting a pole next year. For Festivus...not stripping.
We're gonna Oovoo tomorrow night, play cards, whatever...it'll be great!
It was exactly what I needed and all I needed to hear. This friend's advice is always solid. I've been sick for two days making myself even more *miserable* than I normally would be right now. I got stupid. And that's the bottom line. And I got called on it.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Only with a great friend can you tell the entire truth to (because only then can you get true advice) and hang up the phone thinking, "Yesss! I got it now!". Straight-shooting, don't judge me (this is the tough requirement to meet) or beat-around-the-bush advice is what I wanted. And thankfully, amen, hallelujah ... exactly what I got.
And to also be able to laugh my butt off at the outrageous comments that come along with it. Well...that's just darn priceless:
You know how I hate mandatory merriment and gift giving in general. And it was forced on me!
Those fancy shoes you put on may look pretty, but they definitely aren't comfortable. Think about it...
Girl! What are you thinking? You KNOW better than what you are saying. This isn't you. Where did you go? Are you even listening to what you are saying right now?
I'm sorry, but the pretty just doesn't counter the manic.
I really am getting a pole next year. For Festivus...not stripping.
We're gonna Oovoo tomorrow night, play cards, whatever...it'll be great!
It was exactly what I needed and all I needed to hear. This friend's advice is always solid. I've been sick for two days making myself even more *miserable* than I normally would be right now. I got stupid. And that's the bottom line. And I got called on it.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
IT'S NOT IF YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN...IT'S IF YOU GET BACK UP
It's a deadly combination, I've discovered.
No sun. Cold weather. Rain. Stomach bug. Too many holidays, too close together. Bad news. Friendly fire.
I was in bed all day today with a stomach bug, that is still haunting me tonight a little. And it's taken a lot of wind out of my sails. Along with everything else listed above, I've felt like...as Ang would say...poop on a stick. :-)
I know better than to get too down. I don't like how it feels. I know I have more good in my life than I'm focusing on right now. And ultimately, I am in charge of what and who gets to me. For the most part. Sometimes we trust when we shouldn't and hey...lesson learned. Other times it's situations that are totally out of our control. Constantly reminding myself to worry only about those things I can control and/or change and to let go of everything else. And that's proven to be a lot.
This weather is one thing I have no control over. Other people...no control. Stomach bug...no control. Holidays...ughhhh. Again. No control.
ME? Yeah. I need to regain control.
Several people have recommended a book to me called Captivating and I'm anxious to read it. I've read Wild at Heart by the same author, mainly about men. Captivating is about women.
Here's a summary of Captivating:
Every little girl has dreams of being swept up into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Sadly, when women grow up, they are often swept up into a life filled merely with duty and demands. Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, or a capable home manager.
What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating is doing for women. Setting their hearts free. This groundbreaking book shows readers the glorious design of women before the fall, describes how the feminine heart can be restored, and casts a vision for the power, freedom, and beauty of a woman released to be all she was meant to be. By revealing the core desires every woman shares-to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a grand adventure, and to unveil beauty-John and Stasi Eldredge invite women to recover their feminine hearts, created in the image of an intimate and passionate God. Further, they encourage men to discover the secret of a woman's soul and to delight in the beauty and strength women were created to offer.
I'll let you know...
No sun. Cold weather. Rain. Stomach bug. Too many holidays, too close together. Bad news. Friendly fire.
I was in bed all day today with a stomach bug, that is still haunting me tonight a little. And it's taken a lot of wind out of my sails. Along with everything else listed above, I've felt like...as Ang would say...poop on a stick. :-)
I know better than to get too down. I don't like how it feels. I know I have more good in my life than I'm focusing on right now. And ultimately, I am in charge of what and who gets to me. For the most part. Sometimes we trust when we shouldn't and hey...lesson learned. Other times it's situations that are totally out of our control. Constantly reminding myself to worry only about those things I can control and/or change and to let go of everything else. And that's proven to be a lot.
This weather is one thing I have no control over. Other people...no control. Stomach bug...no control. Holidays...ughhhh. Again. No control.
ME? Yeah. I need to regain control.
Several people have recommended a book to me called Captivating and I'm anxious to read it. I've read Wild at Heart by the same author, mainly about men. Captivating is about women.
Here's a summary of Captivating:
Every little girl has dreams of being swept up into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Sadly, when women grow up, they are often swept up into a life filled merely with duty and demands. Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, or a capable home manager.
What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating is doing for women. Setting their hearts free. This groundbreaking book shows readers the glorious design of women before the fall, describes how the feminine heart can be restored, and casts a vision for the power, freedom, and beauty of a woman released to be all she was meant to be. By revealing the core desires every woman shares-to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a grand adventure, and to unveil beauty-John and Stasi Eldredge invite women to recover their feminine hearts, created in the image of an intimate and passionate God. Further, they encourage men to discover the secret of a woman's soul and to delight in the beauty and strength women were created to offer.
I'll let you know...
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
THE DOG PARK CHRONICLES #1 & #2!
I'm telling you, there's never a dull moment at the dog park. If mistletoe isn't falling on my head, other things are.
It all started a couple weeks ago. It was dark outside (good time to note they seriously need to install a light out there) and, of course, Scout had to go out.
So we head to the dog park. I open the gate and just as I'm taking off her leash I see it. A baby cottontail. Trap a bunny and a hunting dog (and I use that term very loosely) in a fenced area and you can imagine. I honestly didn't think she'd catch it. She's 10 years old and all she does is lay around the house all day!
Unfortunately, she did. I will never forget the sound of that poor bunny squealing. I ran over and hit Scout with her leash until she let it go and it found the one place in the fence where it could get out and it was gone. Since then, Scout doesn't enter the dog park without heading to the far corner where she trapped it. You know...just to make sure it hasn't returned to "play" with her.
Tonight, same thing. Dark outside. But this time very cold and raining. I take her to the park (she won't go potty on her leash!) and release her from her leash, hoping it's going to be a quick trip. I'm bundled up trying not to freeze and just having situated myself so the rain won't hit me in the face, which means my back is to the creek that runs directly behind us.
All of the sudden, I hear a "whooooosh" sound above and behind me and feel something land on my head, then OUCH...scratch it. I look up and it's a huge hawk! Unbelievable! And did I mention OWWWWWW!?! Scout looks up like, "Hmmmmmm...did you see that?" as it coasted away. Ummmm...yeah! Felt it, too!
I swear there is a hidden camera out there capturing the goings-ons.
Of course, it's all funny to other people. Some "filtered" their laughter. Another called me a "sorry birdhead". But my friend Leigh was kind enough to actually ask if I was okay and did I wash it. Thank you, Leigh!
Of course, she was texting me, so she could have been laughing hysterically and I didn't know.
She was, wasn't she?
Great. Glad I'm hear to provide the entertainment people.
It all started a couple weeks ago. It was dark outside (good time to note they seriously need to install a light out there) and, of course, Scout had to go out.
So we head to the dog park. I open the gate and just as I'm taking off her leash I see it. A baby cottontail. Trap a bunny and a hunting dog (and I use that term very loosely) in a fenced area and you can imagine. I honestly didn't think she'd catch it. She's 10 years old and all she does is lay around the house all day!
Unfortunately, she did. I will never forget the sound of that poor bunny squealing. I ran over and hit Scout with her leash until she let it go and it found the one place in the fence where it could get out and it was gone. Since then, Scout doesn't enter the dog park without heading to the far corner where she trapped it. You know...just to make sure it hasn't returned to "play" with her.
Tonight, same thing. Dark outside. But this time very cold and raining. I take her to the park (she won't go potty on her leash!) and release her from her leash, hoping it's going to be a quick trip. I'm bundled up trying not to freeze and just having situated myself so the rain won't hit me in the face, which means my back is to the creek that runs directly behind us.
All of the sudden, I hear a "whooooosh" sound above and behind me and feel something land on my head, then OUCH...scratch it. I look up and it's a huge hawk! Unbelievable! And did I mention OWWWWWW!?! Scout looks up like, "Hmmmmmm...did you see that?" as it coasted away. Ummmm...yeah! Felt it, too!
I swear there is a hidden camera out there capturing the goings-ons.
Of course, it's all funny to other people. Some "filtered" their laughter. Another called me a "sorry birdhead". But my friend Leigh was kind enough to actually ask if I was okay and did I wash it. Thank you, Leigh!
Of course, she was texting me, so she could have been laughing hysterically and I didn't know.
She was, wasn't she?
Great. Glad I'm hear to provide the entertainment people.
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