Happy New Year

In 18 minutes it will be New Year's Eve Day.  It's amazing how quickly this year has gone by.  Amazing, I tell you!  A year ago we were in Bode, in the brutal cold, buried in snow, and dealing with a whole lotta "stuff".  This year, we're in Keokuk, it's well above freezing, no snow, and, while we still have to deal with "stuff", it's a whole lot easier to handle.  What was is over and done with and, as hard as it is to let it all go without a whole lot of anger, well, it just has to be let go of. 

There is another whole package of change and stuff to deal with heading our way.  In fact, there is that whole package heading to just about everyone!  Nothing stays the same in life.  No matter how badly we'd like it to have the good parts always stay good, life doesn't work that way.  There is always "stuff" to deal with.  That IS life.  It's how you deal that determines how your life goes.

I've not always been good at dealing.  Boy does stress and anxiety do some crazy stuff to me and my brain!  Not good stuff, either.  Fortunately for me, I've got darn good family and friends who've got my back and have had for a long, long time.  I would not be sitting here, watching Iowa play in a bowl game, with Jordan and Jonah, with Taltos snuggled up beside me, with Mom just "across the way", with my kids all happy and healthy and doing well, with all of those people having my back for so long.

This year I've determined that I've got to do a better job of making sure that I've got other people's backs.  That I am "there" more for my friends and family than I've been.  I know so well how important it is for there to always be someone behind you, supporting, helping, encouraging... just being there.  Time for me to do some paying back.  That is what I'm going to try to be all about this year.


And, speaking of "stuff", our house gained another whole trailer load of "stuff" the other night.  Furniture from Amber and Dustin.  I'm lovin' me some of this awesome recliner.  It's now my favoritest place to take a nap!  However, this place is beginning to look like we could qualify for an episode of Hoarders.  And that is so not a good thing!  If this nice weather holds on, perhaps I should have a yard sale!  Right here in January in Iowa!  I gotta do something.  We have a big house, but wow!  I have to say that it is officially now "full".


It will be a quiet New Year's Eve here.  Hanging out a home.  I'm sure I'll be watching football!  I'm not sure if I'll manage to talk anyone else into joining me, but I'll be there!  Sitting in this awesome recliner, snuggling with the critters, playing Words With Friends, and relishing the year that was.  Looking forward to the year that will be.  Thanking God for my family and friends, for my "critters", for my mom "across the way", for the package of "stuff" that is behind us and for the ability to handle the next package of "stuff" that comes our way.  

From the flatlands to the river hills, from last New Year's Eve with friends in Bode, to a high school reunion in Keokuk with friends,  from repaired and renewed relationships, to letting go of the past, from another wedding and more additions to our family, it's been quite a year.  Awesome.  Thank you all for being a part of it all.  Hang on and let's see how we roll in the coming year! 

Blessings to you all.