Monday, January 31, 2011

Can You Tell Me How To Get

How to get to Sesame Street!

I can not express how much I am loving that Clover finally got into Sesame Street!  Okay, maybe I can try.  We tried awhile ago but she just wasn't into it.  As one of my many tries to get her interested in potty training, I bought the potty training movie starring non other than Elmo.  She loves it.  Then we made the move over to Sesame Street and it has been added to the "To Do" list on the recorder.  It has been officially added since she has asked to watch it by name! 

I'm excited!  Can you tell?  And before someone starts rolling their eyes...Yes, we watch TV.  We watch a little in the morning while I clear the crusties out of my eyes and we watch a little before bed.  On days where the weather doesn't cooperate we watch a little in between crafts or dance parties.  Our programs are preselected and for the most part age appropriate.  So there you go, judge away. 

So back to Sesame Street.  I love Big Bird, Snuffy and Kermit.  I am a fan of Abby and Elmo of the new school too.  Growing up I watched a lot of PBS.  We didn't have a lot of disposable income so we were not a cable or satellite household.  We had 5 local channels.  Both of my parents worked full time and had three kids.  So yes, we watched TV too.  We watched PBS and FOX.  I think I get my massive love of M*A*S*H from my afternoons of watching FOX while being cooped up due to icky weather.

Even though the format of Sesame Street has changed and they have added more characters, the feeling is still the same.  I got all fluttery when I saw that they still had some of the old school characters on the show.  And actors too.  Hi Gordon!  How awesome is it that my daughter and I can share the same show?  I think it's amazingly awesome! 

Other things that I think are awesome?  The fact that generations of our family have also shared Mickey Mouse!  There is something about the fact that we have all shared the same character.  These characters have gone from black and white, to technicolor, to live action or computer generated animation and still contain the same sense of familiarity that they had in their first adaptation.  It just leaves me in a sense of awe.

Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Alice in Wonderland, Care Bears, and our newly added Sesame Street are all positive memories from my childhood that I have been able to share with my Fuzzy Red Headed Clover.  She loves them!  And that makes me smile.

So...
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street

Come and play
Everything's A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That's where we meet

Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street

It's a magic carpet ride
Every door will open wide
To happy people like you--
Happy people like
What a beautiful

Sunny Day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street...
                  

Ps.  Go on over to http://www.sesamestreet.org/ and have some fun!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Did You Have To Ask?

If stranded on a desert island, and could only bring one music album with you, which would it be? What is it about this music that never gets old for you?

Let me just say that if the situation ever presents itself, I would so totally be the person you would want to be stranded on and island with.  I would totally ROCK IT!  You would absolutely not have to worry about anything.  Shelter...stable, rainproof, sturdy...done, done and done.  Beds?  Complete with mattresses...done.  Blankets?  Give me a day and you will be warm!  I'm a resourceful kinda gal.  I sew, knit, cook and make an awesome fort out of sheets!  We would have nothing to worry about.

Your ears would not have to worry either.  Because they would get the privilege to listen to the lovely Mr. Darren Hayes.  First front man to Savage Garden, then amazing solo artist.  So here is the hitch...I can only pick one?  What?  Seriously?  I don't know if I can do it.  So here is my way to get around it...I make my very own mix cd with all my favorite songs!  HAHA!  Take that!  And before you say "that's not fair" ...yes it is!  I already have one made sitting in Rojo Grande right now.

Hubs and I started listening way back when before he was even the Hubs and was just The Boy.  We saw SG in SD and we saw Darren at the Roxy in Hollywood.  Had it not been Mr. Darren Hayes, I probably would have walked out of the Roxy.  Yes, the place has history but it also has crazy sticky really gross floors.  I was literally stuck in the same place the whole time.  But stuck or not, I still would have stood there.  I was in awe and in a sense of amazement.  Some nine months after that concert I had a baby.  But that is sooooo another story for another time!

Hubs just came in and derailed my thought train so that all my lil thoughts are spread out everywhere.  Then had the nerve to argue with me over what album I would take.  He said that I would pick Savage Garden's self titled album.  When I told him he was wrong he called me names.  He's just mad because I know he would take Van Halen. 

But this isn't about him.  It's about me.  So just one...I think Spin.  I love every song on the album.  I have felt and continue to feel every song.  That may have something to do with being with the hubs...well...forever.  So added on to Spin would be

So Beautiful, I Like The Way, Popular, Dublin Sky (love love love), Void (for those days), Love and Attraction, Sense of Humor, Who Would Have Thought, Casey, Step Into The Light, Sing to Me (love), Listen All You People, The Future Holds A Lions Heart, On The Verge, Neverland, Me Myself and I, Lucky Town and then every song from both Savage Garden Albums. 

So really instead of typing all of that out I should have just put "Check All".  And...AND...there is a new album coming out this year!  So depending on when we get stuck on this island I may have another album to add to the list.  And possibly another baby...but that is another story for another time.     

       

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Always Learning

Do you believe everything happens for a reason? Why or why not?

Negative or positive, it may be easier on you if you believe that whatever is going on has a justifiable meaning.  That somewhere down the line all will be revealed and will make sense.  You will have your very own "ah-ha!" moment and everything you have ever went through will all fit together like cute little puzzle pieces.  I used to be a firm believer of that. Life has taught me otherwise. 

Sometimes things happen.  I have figured out that in my own personal experiences, figuring out the "Why?" can be a waste of energy.  I always thought that if I knew the "Why?" I could deal.  A lot of the time, there is no WHY there is just IS. 

However, they do have their own learning experiences. As long as I am moving, I can deal.  Most of the time forward, but sometimes backwards, always learning.      

I have learned that I can depend on my Husband (don't tell anyone that he is cute and dependable because I don't want any Internet hoochies trying to scam on my man). 

I have learned that in scary situations people either step up or fade away.  The ones that stepped it up I hold so close to my heart that I am probably smothering them by now.  I am learning how to get over the disappointment of those who faded, and trying to forgive.  It's been a process.  I'm not perfect, remember I stated that in the last post. 

I have learned that even when you think no one will understand, sometimes it's good just to have someone listen to you.  There are people out there that have an amazing sense of sympathy.  You would be surprised how many people have had similar experiences and even though it wasn't exactly the same, they can relate to the emotions you are feeling.   

I have learned that it's perfectly acceptable to cry in the shower.  When you have pushed your way through the day and you finally get that down time, things hit you.  Like a freakin Mac truck.  Cry away.  You're wet anyways!

I have learned that when your child finds a show that they like make sure it's one that still has merchandise or you will be on the longest wild goose chase you have ever experienced in your life....


I think the most shocking thing I have ever figured out is that I am truly stronger than I had ever thought was possible.  It is amazing how much the human spirit can be stretched thin.  Yet it is still there and stronger than ever. 

My life has it's own puzzle and I have learned by experience where the pieces fit.  Sometimes they move around but for the most part the picture is still the same.  And I still have a smile on my face so I think that counts for something. 
 

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Perspective

I think at some point in your life you have moments where you have to look up and adjust your perspective.


I have been presented with situations in the last week that have taken me out of my little personal reality bubble.  Situations that may or may not have included me but have helped me adjust my perspective.

Lesson Number One:  I'm not perfect?  Gasp!  I know, I was shocked to hear the news too.  Sometimes I try my hardest to be Super Woman.  I would say Wonder Woman but I just don't think I could pull off that outfit.  Or I could be She-ra and be a princess and have super powers. If I'm a princess does that mean I get out of toilet scrubbing duty?  Cuz that would be awesomesauce!

Most of the time I am okay with not being perfect.  And then there are times when I try with all my super power might but still fall short.  Only to look around and realize that I was the only one holding myself to such high standards.  So I had to reel myself back a bit this week and once again be okay with the girl looking back in the mirror.  We are now again on speaking terms.

Lesson Number Two:  Cherish and Respect My Relationship.  The second situation I was presented with kinda put me in a state of shock.  A couple that we knew split up.  For as long as we had known them they had been a couple.  They had decided that they were better off as friends at this point in their lives.  There was no bitterness or name callings.  No burning of the ex's picture.  I definitely respect them for the way they are handling the situation.  Now I have to adjust to the fact that they are no longer a couple.  This has spurred so many thoughts in my head in the last 24 hours.  What if the person you sleep next to wasn't there anymore?  You just always assume that person will be there.  So this has jarred me a bit and made me appreciate my relationship with the hubs a little more.  Less nittypickness today. 

Lesson Number Three:  Play more.  Friends are great.  They help me stay grounded.  I read a friend's blog this week that reminded me that it's totally okay to stop and play.  Not only is it okay but it's encouraged!  It's beneficial, not only to your children but to your well-being as well.  Sometimes in all the hustle and bustle of life we forget this fact.  Don't forget it.  Play more.

Lesson Number Four:  Everything Is Okay.  During a conversation with a friend today, I had a revelation.  Everything is totally okay.  I was too busy wondering if things were okay that I didn't look around to see that things were indeed okay.  I don't know if it's that whole "holding myself to ridiculous standards" thing or not but I had been in this rut.  Today I was gently pulled out of it by a reassuring friend.

Lesson Number Five:  I bet at this point you are wondering how long this thing can be...last one.  Enjoy.  Enjoy what?  Enjoy everything.  We took a last minute trip to the mountains yesterday and it was one of the best days I have had in a long while.  The snow on the ground was gorgeous and reminded me of simple beauty.  The smell of the pine trees encompassed all of me and left me with a sense of serenity.  There is a reason people pay so much for candles that smell somewhat close to those trees.  Everything that I worried about seemed so small in comparison to my surroundings.  It was so much fun to be out with the hubs and watch Clover explore the snow.  She ate it, a lot of it, and loved it.  I enjoyed myself, and loved it.  No big hullabaloo.  Just a simple drive to see some snow to remind myself to enjoy life.  I took lots of pictures to remind myself that it's okay to stop and enjoy the moment.

I think in a small way I have changed a bit this last couple of days.  These few experiences have made me change my way of thinking.  They have adjusted my point of view of myself.  I believe for the better.  If I'm not able to recognize these moments as lessons to learn from then I feel that I have become stagnant.  Some days I am not sure if I am moving in the right direction.  But as long as I am moving, I feel alright.  I just need to remind myself to look up every now and then check out my perspective.             

Saturday, January 15, 2011

It All Started

What made you decide to start a blog? If you’ve blogged about this before, go back and read it. Is that still the reason? What’s changed?

I've picked another blog meme.  This time I think I found something that I can commit too.  Giving props where props are due, Shannon from Thumbin My Way led me over to Post A Week 2011 via WordPress.  Is it wrong that I using a Wordpress meme on a Blogger blog?  I feel like for some reason I am crossing territories and am going to get beat up or something.  Or maybe there will be a musical style snap-off involving varsity jackets.

So back to the question.  I have a lot a great blog writers on my bookmark bar.  They inspire me.  I found the Reverb 10 idea over at Adventures in Juggling.  I thought it was a great idea.  I wanted a way to move into the new year and leave 2010 peacefully behind.  I headed over there and decided to jump right in.  But that would require a blog.  Now, currently I have a craft/tutorial blog that I had started but due to a Mac Crash have not updated in awhile.  I wanted something this time that would focus more on writing and not crafty awesomeness.  So Something Cute by Juju turned into Something Written By Juju.  I like Iweb for the craft blog because I can add pictures and its all point and click.  However I ran into some issues using Iweb.  For my written blog I wanted something easy that I could use from multiple locations.  Blogger has fit nicely so far.

I think part of me wants to tell my story.  Or at least have a spot to get some of my ideas out of my head.  I wanted to reflect on 2010 and accomplished some self reflection in the process.  It was a good experience.  I decided to keep the momentum going but felt a little self conscious that my oh so glamours life of being a SAHM/wifey wouldn't produce enough material to write about.  So enter the memes.  It's more to help me think outside of the box and spur ideas in hopes that I don't write about the same five things over and over...

My adorable 2 and 3/4 year old
My Hot Hubby
My love of Good Pop Music (sorry no Brittney)
The Coffee in my Cup
Laundry

Posting every day was easy when I added it to my routine.  But enter life and the dreaded laundry monster and posting once a week seems to fit more into my giant game of Jenga.  Posting once a week for the entire year isn't intimidating to me at all so I think it will fit in nicely with all the other pieces in the tower. 

Speaking of the same five things...I need to get Clover some toast, kiss the hubby, add a load of laundry, make another cup of coffee and charge my ipod.  Guess I better get motivated this morning.  Strawberry jam or Orange Marmalade?

Friday, January 14, 2011

2 and 3/4s

When you two and three quarters, life is a lot like a grown ups .  You have worries, concerns and cares.  Just like all those big people too! 

You experience anticipation.  Waiting for Mommy to patiently peel the plastic off of the all natural fruit roll up can seem like FOREVER!  Time just wont go fast enough and no matter how much you scream "A WHOLE ONE"  she just wont go faster! 

Sometimes things don't cooperate.  Like when you want to make that tower as high as the ceiling but you can't get it higher than five cans and it keeps falling over.  I can see your frustration.  I love watching you pick everything up and show your persistence when you start all over again.  It makes Mommy proud.  Not a big fan of the persistence when you are nose to nose with me at six in the morning in a rapid succession like song of "Mom....Get up MOM...Mom...mom...GET UP MOOOOOOOOOOOM".  I wish I had that energy level at six in the morning when the sun isn't even up yet...I'm just sayin. 

You get so overwhelmed with joy at the mention of the word PARK.  To the point that I have to spell it if I am even thinking about going.  When you get older that word will be replaces with other words like Mall or MOVIES.  But for now I will totally enjoy the word PARK because I love going with you. 

You have your favorite shows, just like us grown ups.  Instead of medical dramas or "reality shows" yours include more bright colors than adults are used to and for some reason everything talks.  Animals, trees, flowers all seem to have something to say.  It's really adorable when you try to say "Pygmy Marmoset".  I have to be honest here and say that even though you prefer Steve, I really don't have a preference.  I used to.  But I am okay with both now.  And I'm not really sure about the guy in the neon orange fuzzy hat. I really hate to burst your bubble but some day you will realize that not all fish are "Gooeey Fish". 

So you see...your day is not very different from us grown ups.  We go through the same motions.  We anticipate our day and even enjoy a good show or two.  Trust me when I say that sometimes us grown ups wish we could have full on meltdowns too.  We would probably feel a lot better if we did. 

So from me to you I hope that the rest of your day is full of untorn all natural fruit roll ups...otherwise known as "Whole Ones!" 

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

More of The Same

I bet you thought the self reflecting ended with Reverb huh?  I did too.  Until I looked at myself in the mirror today.  All I saw was the t-shirt and jeans.  I know it's my fall back outfit.  It is what I feel comfortable in.  My security blanket that I can wear. 

And then I felt self conscious.  I was having a friend over with her girls.  This friend has seen me in my t-shirt and jeans probably a hundred times in the past.  So she gets to come over and see me in the same all over again.  All I was missing to complete the "high school me" look was my boyfriend's flannel.  At least I am predictable...right?

So then I had the thought...am I still the same "high school" me?

This leads to ten minutes of serious self reflection.

And my answer....

Nope.

I think that part of me still contains that shy, nervous, quiet, fearful me.  She will always be there.  But she has also helped me become who I am today.  I'm still quiet in large groups but it's not necessarily shyness, it's more that I like to observe other people before I jump into a conversation these days.  I'm almost always nervous about something.  I'm a worrier and those two things go hand and hand.  I have always thought of myself as older than I was.  Now days, I am okay with acting like a kid and wearing fairy wings and tutus to play with my daughter.  I have even been known to wear a tiara as I clean.     

Yes, I am wearing jeans.  When I was in high school I worried about how my hand me down jeans looked.  Now days I worry about how my butt looks.

I've never been a high maintenance chick.  I can't even remember the last time I got my hair cut.  However, I am taking baby steps into the girly-girl world.  I am proud to say that my eyebrows are two separate entities and do not resemble fuzzy caterpillars.  My hair is freshly dyed Espresso and even though to me it looks dark, I am okay with the change.  I even worked on my nails last night.

There were times when growing up seemed slow.  And times when the world made you grow a little faster than you thought you were ready for.  As I am standing in front of the mirror, I am happy with the woman staring back at me.  Even if I have my self conscious moments.  These days I posses enough confidence to know that my butt looks way better in these jeans.  And for nostalgia sake, maybe I will go look for my husband's flannel shirt.           

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Sunday Morning Calm

This next week is jammed packed with craziness.  But for some reason there is a total sense of calm around these parts.  This moment, I will try my hardest to enjoy.  I am one of those people that no matter what's going on I am a little weary about the calm.  There is a reason it's called the "calm before the storm".  We always have a storm waiting after the calm.  It's gotten to the point where I just want to get the calm over with so I can deal with what I know is coming. 

This morning seems different.  Maybe it's because I got some sleep...or maybe it's my Newman's Own Special blend with 2 Splendas and some cream.  I don't know why I am questioning it.  I should just enjoy it!  

On a separate note, can someone put a BOLO (be on the look out) for the sun?  Seriously, I can't remember the last time I saw the sun.  All I have seen is gray.  It's like the sun went on a crime spree and is hiding out.  Come on out with your hands up Sun!  No really come out.  I'm starting to look a lil on the pale side, and I could use some Vitamin D.

So at the end of this long rant I will leave you with something to think about (or maybe I just really like this quote and wanted to share) ...

"My life has no purpose¸ no direction¸ no aim¸ no meaning¸ and yet I'm Happy. I can't figure it out. What am I doing right?" - Snoopy 

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Old School & The Spider

Today I broke out good o pen and paper.  It took me about ten minutes just to find a dang pen since Clover has taken all of them and stashed them in the secret place I have yet to find.  She draws sooo much I am thinking about buying stock in a paper company just to get some of my money back.

So I found pen.  It was green.  Went well with my yellow notebook.

I used them to work on my Personal Manifesto.  I decided to go old school since sometimes staring at the screen too much leaves me with writers block and crossed eyes.


I brainstormed a bit.  It is still a work in progress but I wanted to let you all know that I was still working on it.

And while I worked on my page, Clover worked on hers.


When I asked her what she was working on she replied with

"I think it's a spider!"

Looks pretty close to me!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

A Pictorial

Since I am already all over the place on this little cyber space, I have decided to add a pictorial.

What I have been up to...The pictorial.  Do I need to specify that this is a pic heavy post if I already called it a Pictorial?

Nothing totally exciting.  But it just happens to be absolutely delicious!  For Christmas I finally allowed myself to by a stand mixer.  I had been on the fence for more than a few years about it.  I just couldn't justify the price.  I would go back and forth so many times that I might have given myself whiplash.  I'm not sure what was different this year.  Curiosity finally got the best of me?  Aspirations of grand baked goods while being a full time Mommy/Wifey/Juju?  Perhaps.  I'm not sure of the reason.  I'm just really damn glad I finally bought one!


"Classy" is a little dusty.  I took the picture while actively making wheat bread.  And yes, I name things.  I have relationships with objects in my life.  I was devastated when my mac went down.  I was scared for the longest time to start a new "relationship" with my replacement.  We are getting there slowly.  And I have at times been known to refer to my vehicle as "Big Red" or if I am feeling spicy "Rojo Grande".

That whole paragraph may make me seem a little insane.  I don't care...go ahead throw me the look.  I'm used to em!

So back to the bread.  Since purchasing Classy, I have probably whipped out 10 or so loaves of white bread.  Two loaves of unsuccessfully accepted Wheat.  Wheat is not well received around these parts.  Hubs wont eat it.  Clover will eat anything that has butter on it.  Well actually, she would probably love me even more if I actually did let her eat "butter on my hand?  Mom?".

So yesterday I decided to try my hand at Wheat all over again.

     
Added the lil yeasties to the bowl with the paddle attachment.  With filtered water (from the fridge) around 105* and 115*f and a spoonful of brown sugar.


Add Milk, Brown sugar, Olive oil and a healthy squeeze o honey from the trusty bear shaped bottle.  Mix in mixer til combined.  Add salt.  Mix in one cup of Whole Wheat Flour at a time until it gets too thick for the paddle to handle.  Usually about three cups.  Add hook attachment continue to beat dough up and add about two more cups of flour.  Usually takes about 5.  knead on hook/beat the dough up for 5 minutes.  Take out and shape, place in greased bowl.


I used to cover with plastic wrap but then a bunch of dough sticks to it, so I just put it in a cold oven to proof.  To keep the top from drying out I place a cup of hot water in the oven as well.

Then the dough gets nice and pooooooofy.


  Then you get to take it out and shape it.  One batch usually makes two loaves for me.


Shaping a loaf is easy.  cut the massive ball in half then shape one like a rectangle and roll up and place in loaf pan.


Let it proof again in the oven so they can get nice and pooooofy again.


oh looks like I used a bowl that time.  Take everything out and set oven to recipes directions.  Then when the oven is preheated add the bread.  Remember to take the bowl out.

About a half an hour your nose will be greeted with one of the most warming soul calming smells you will ever smell.  Then your nose will tell your stomach to tell your legs to walk into the kitchen and get you some bread!


Pop these out of the oven and cool.  Not too much because you want the bread to still be warm enough to melt the butter!


Yes, I am still using paper plates.  I had them leftover from hosting Christmas.  Now this bread wont last as long as general grocery store bread since there is no preservatives in it.  But really I have had no problem with storage since NONE of it has lasted longer than three days.

I'm not sure if pictorials are going to be a steady attraction around this cyber space.  I have to constantly remind myself to take pictures.  Maybe next time I will shoot a horrible video!  Something to think about.  Although I have already decided that the next one will be on Marshmallows!

Yum!

 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Quality vs Quantity

It is with much thought that I have decided to withdraw my participation in NaBloPoMo.  The more I have been thinking about it the more I have decided that in my heart I would rather concentrate on quality of my posts.  I'm not saying that they all will be published works of art...but I really don't want to stress myself out thinking that I have to have something written by midnight, for fear of getting kicked out of the club. 

Reverb 10 was great and inspired me to write again.  I loved it.  It helped me jump into the blogesphere.  I look forward to participating again at the end of this year.  But for now I think I will just shoot from the hip and see where I end up.

Like I said before, it is going to be a journey.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Comfotable with You

I am still trying to figure out this NaBloPoMo thing out.  It's a bit different from the Reverb 10 challenge.  Reverb gave you a daily prompt to go with their monthly theme.  NaBloPoMo gives you a monthly theme to do with what you want as long as you write every day and then offers prompts Monday thru Friday to jump start your creativity.  I am having a bit of a problem going from one structure to the other.  Not that one is better than the other, just different. 

The theme for this month is Friends. 

Doesn't seem that hard right?  I love my friends.  But even if I wrote about each individually every day of the challenge, I still wouldn't have thirty days of content.  This led to a small amount of stress.  Then I turned to my smarty party search box and found some inspiration in the form of a quote.  So for today I will start there and work my way out. 

“Friendship with oneself is all important because without it one cannot be friends with anybody else in the world.”

Eleanor Roosevelt 

I like this quote because believe it or not it's true.  So let's start from the beginning.  Every one's beginning.  You have to at least like yourself.  I'm not saying you have to love yourself and take out a billboard with your face on it or anything.  That might be a little extreme and slightly creepy.  I'm saying that you should like yourself.  Now, we all have those days where we don't like how are shirt looks or the fact that no matter how hard you try you hair always wants to part in the same spot. 

But over all in general, be comfortable with you.  Once you are friends with yourself, it makes it so much easier for the rest of us to be friends with you.  And those days where you have convinced yourself that your feet look funny...those are the days where us friends come in handy.  We are pretty good at telling you that you look fine and to stop worrying.    
     

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Day 2 of 2011

The day isn't over yet.  I found a new blogging theme in order to keep the momentum going.  The first page states that it features daily prompts but then when you go to the prompts they are listed Monday thru Friday.  So I am still trying to work out the kinks.  Maybe I missed something.

The thought of not posting today felt weird.  I never really thought of myself as connected or jacked in but here I sit.  The office is chilly and my fingers wont move as fast as I want them to.  It's making me slightly frustrated.  I am having to purposely slow down my thoughts.  Maybe it's time to break out the USB hand warmers that my bro in law gave me a few Christmas' ago.

I need to set aside some time for my Personal Manifesto.  Lots of thoughts floating around in my head.

"The wheels are always turnin, even if they aren't always touching pavement" - Juju

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2011

My hope for everyone in the new year is that you take the small opportunities that life hands you and make them yours.  Enjoy them as you would.  

Take time to slow down.  Life isn't always a race.  There are at times just enough minutes in the day if you take them.

Be uniquely YOU.  Try not to let other's influence your mood or take you down.  Stand up and be you.  Present that to the world.  I say that knowing all to well that it is an "easier said than done" statement.  But still I try.  Yesterday I let my mood be influenced by another.  I spent the last day of 2010, mad.  And I regret it.  But there is nothing I can do about it now, but move into the new year with a new attitude.    

Share your passion.  Knitting, crochet, phones, writing, crafting, painting, whatever it is.  Create it...love it...share it.  You would be surprised how happy it will make you.

Let it go.  The past is in the past.  Sometimes it hurts and sometimes it hurts more to hold on.  So let it go.  Breathe a little bit easier knowing that you left it behind.

Cherish each other.  I love the word "Cherish".  Cherish the people that you love.  The people that make you happy.  The people whom you go out of your way to make happy.  Show that you love them.  Cherish them.

Smile more often.  They say that it takes more muscles to frown then it does to smile.  So why does it hurt when you smile so much?  Probably because smiling muscles are weak.  You should strengthen them.  Smile more.  It really is contagious. :) See...how hard was that?

Right now 2011 has all the potential in the world.  It's fresh and new.  Hopes, aspirations and the dreaded resolutions are forefront in our minds.  I know the year ahead of me can be great.  All it takes is taking time to enjoy myself and my little moments, my family and friends.  I know it wont be perfect.  That there are things out in the world that are way beyond my control.  But in the immortal words of Dr Seuss

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”