Snowflakes

All morning I've been watching the snow fall. Flurries, and dense patches of frosty stars falling, or floating, depending on how you look at it. Swirling, and dancing. Silent, intricate universes as individual as we are. It's hypnotic--watching snowflakes fall. It feels like I'm inside a snow globe except the snow is on the outside, and I'm on the inside looking out. I'm pondering the snowflakes, and my navel, with a new year on the horizon.

In watching the snow fall, I realized, all that really matters is this moment, and finding the joy in life no matter how much or how little "snow" falls on my world. So for the rest of the day, or at least for a moment, ( I cannot even begin to tackle the "hugeness" of the entire next year) I'd like to live as free as a snowflake inside my heart. Yesterday is something I cannot change, and tomorrow (should I be blessed enough to have one) is not yet here. I have this one shot at making my life as joyful as a dancing snowflake or as turbulent as a blizzard.

This snow globe perspective isn't a once a year kind of thinking for me. I probably over think most things on most days, and waste way too much time in the "what-ifs" or "I shoulda's". But there's something about hanging up a new calendar that shifts my core, and allows me to begin thinking about new beginnings.

Is it any wonder mankind sees snow a sign of purity? Or a new year as turning over a new leaf? Or white as a symbol of cleanliness? Is it a fluke that a new year falls in winter just as a snowflake does? If snowflakes could sing, would my life song be singing in harmony with them? If my life were a snow globe would others look in on my world and want to be a part of it?

Maybe I should keep my snow globe out all year long to shake up a fresh, snowfall of JOY whenever I need a fresh perspective, or a clean slate to start over if I get muddied-up. Or if I just need a reminder of the JOY that all children see inside a snowflake. Yes... I rather like that New Year's resolution.

2010
I welcome you with joy.

9.9.9 Time to Shine

Reflecting and Moving On

I will reflect on what was.

I will unwind, and be at peace here, right NOW.

I will have fun making this new place shine as mine.

As you know from previous posts, I have a thing for numbers, and sequences. Today's numbers 09-09-09 remind me to reflect, unwind and shine. Summer is coming to an end. And, I can sense stability is well on her way to my world with a basket full of tranquility.

I believe we have things resolved here at the new house with the previous pet odors. Opie is now back with me, and that alone made my world feel better. He seems to be settling in, and enjoying exploring every inch of his new turf. It's a combo of the new and the familiar that helped him feel at home. I realized watching him investigate every corner, window, and room that I'm adapting, too. It's comforting, and strange at the same time, to be sitting on my couch, drinking out of my cobalt blue coffee mug, looking out a new window, to a new world. A new perspective. Change is both scary, and exhilarating.

Fall is my favorite season. It's a time to harvest, and wrap up the season of growth. My summer was spent on inner growth. While it's not exactly what I had on my list of summer plans to do, it is what it is. I had a few weeds pulled that were choking my growth, experienced some heavy pruning to insure I'll have sturdier branches for the next phase of my life, and a healthy uprooting to promote harmony, peace and tranquility. I cannot yet see what I will produce but I'm quite sure there will not be containers large enough to contain all the fabulous fruits produced by inner labor.

*****Contest to name my new place coming up next*****
~~There's a special prize for the winner~~

Big Splash On This Time Tomorrow

I took a plunge.... This end up... Remember that movie with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, "Overboard"???

"Ohhhhhh.... youuuuu did NOT???"

"Ohhhhh.... yes I did!"

Let's just say I didn't exactly have a graceful entry into my kayak today.... Oh, yeah. I ate it big time....

Good news...

• Water was only waist deep.
  
• My kayak didn't sink although it was a really close call.
  
• No one laughed at me. If I'd have been watching me I would have laughed.... I looked like an edition of America's Funniest Home Videos...
  
• I didn't get hurt.
  
• And two guys fishing came to my rescue. Or rather they sped around to the other side of my island in their boat to get help from one of my neighbors after I asked them to. It was really nice of them to ask me if I needed help (with straight faces...) and they looked like they would have jumped in the water to assist had I merely whimpered. I was close to whimpering...

I chose a spot I rarely use to launch my kayak from. It's the place where the biggest, baddest spiders live. Gulp. I placed one foot on the floor (bed) of the kayak, and nervously looked where I was placing my hand when I should have been looking where I placed my other foot... And kerrrrr splassssshhhhh. Once the train pulled out of the station there was no stopping it. I do remember a colorful word coming out of my mouth. Maybe two....

It was all I could do to keep my kayak from sinking because it filled up with water so fast. My feet sank in sludge...gross sludge. The kind of sludge you don't want stuck between your toes or inside your swimming suit bottoms... But it was that kind of sludge.... Ewwwww!!! Double Ewwwwww!!

I lost a flip flop in the muck at the bottom of the lake. Actually it was a "fit-flop". This may have been when I whimpered. Fit-Flops are expensive sandals that are supposed to whip your butt into shape while you walk. I'll tell you what can whip your butt into shape.... pulling yourself, and a water-logged kayak that weighs about the same as a baby whale out of the water after you've cap-sized.

I am in mourning about the loss of my shoe. I'll bury the other shoe tomorrow. Besides, I can't go around with a half ass firm butt. That's just wrong.

But I got back on the pony... Back in the saddle....

Soggy, wet britches, tee shirt, and all.

Minus one fit-flop.

Plus one kayak full of "Ohhhh, YES I can!!!!

Lille Diane's first YouTube video posted on this time tomorrow

Here's the first of many videos I'll be posting on This Time Tomorrow. I have blogged about kayaking, the peace it brings, and the lake I live on. Come join me for a short ride around the lake.....

This time tomorrow is celebrating six months smoke freeness....

Six months ago I quit smoking....

I have much to celebrate. Much to be thankful for. More to look forward to.

The next 10 on the list... It's already this time tomorrow

51-60 on my Marvelous 101 Wonderful Things To Do List with my wonderful life...

• Paint a self portrait (Thanks My Dog Ate Art )
  
• Play "Beat the Clock" once in the morning and once in the afternoon. A 15 minute game to knock the not-so-much-fun-crap off the day-to-day to doo doo list... Notice I'm trying to make every area of my life fun... I used to play this with my son. Now I'll have to play it with me.
• Focus on ONE thing at a time
  
• Give myself pats on the back regularly
  
• Make Ashley's album of Jake's beh-beh pics
• Get a comfy chair for the studio
• Get an easel that fits me standing... or sitting OR get a massage everyday.... hmmm light bulb flashes above my head, "Now that's a great idea!!"
  
• Write three pages a day on my book
  
• Encourage another person each day
• Type list of my 101 list to put on my dream board. Use colorful pics where needed. Duh, that would be everywhere.....

My BFF, Dylan, had a great suggestion. I haven't seen little Mister (or Miss) Muskrat since I saw it that day last week I got the great pics. I should add seeing it regularly to my list not just to get a picture of it. Now that I checked it off my 101 list I need to re-add it so it will swim by the Tree House again.

Question... how many of you make lists? And if you do, what kind do you make? Leave your answers in the comment slot below.