New Year's Eve - a time to make resolutions or not?

Well it's finally here; the last day of 2016! I am definitely looking forward to the New Year and a new start. And of course I will be making some resolutions. I think most of us hope to do better and improve ourselves. It's human nature to look forward to new beginnings.

I read that people who actually make resolutions are more successful than people who don't.

So whatever you have been striving for; quitting smoking, losing weight, finding a new job etc., now is the time give it your all. But the great thing is if we don't get it right the first time, we can just keep trying. It's never to late to improve yourself or a situation.

Wishing everyone a fun New Year's Eve and a very Happy New Year! There are a lot of changes in the air and hopefully they will be good ones!

Hanging on to hope when life is a challenge.

Since I've started this blog I have tried to post something every few days. But lately I haven't been inspired to post anything. Of course I've been busy with the holidays, but I have also been struggling with a lot of emotions.

This has not been the best year for me and it hasn't been for many people that I know. I have experienced a life changing health problem which has affected my ability to return to my main job as a very active dental assistant. I loved my job even though it was the main cause of the demise of my right knee. I also have a back issue that I have been dealing with for over 20 years and it has been aggravated by the bad knee. On top of this we lost our beloved dog and had to deal with her devastating health problems also. Her absence has left a big hole in my heart.

So even though I am an extremely optimistic and upbeat person, I have had a hard time dealing with all of this. I am looking forward to the new year and hoping to find a new career opportunity that won't be so physically demanding.

I feel like the universe is pushing me towards new beginnings. Twenty years ago I survived a very large disfiguring tumor in my lower back and then a terrible divorce eight years later. I managed to bounce back and forge ahead each time. So I know I will this time.

I guess that is my "message" with this post. No matter what life throws at you; you have to keep plugging along. Sometimes even though horrible things happen to us; it puts us on a new path. A path to something better hopefully!

So if you have been feeling down and trying to deal with some tough things this year; I wish for you to have a much easier, happier New Year!

Hot Tub happiness and stress reduction

Around the holidays everyone's stress levels seem to sky rocket! Between doing all of the regular things we have to do every day like working, we also have so many holiday related tasks to accomplish. It's no wonder many people are running around overburdened and stressed out; not enjoying the holidays at all.

My advice is to prioritize and get rid of things to do that aren't necessary. If you really don't like sending Christmas cards- who says that you HAVE to? Give some of the people on your list a phone call instead. I'm sure you'll brighten up their day and maybe make your day too. I do love to receive cards; especially photo cards, but I also recognize it as a very expensive time consuming tradition. Some people aren't up to it and that's okay.

Preparing for the holidays can be fun; baking cookies, decorating and shopping for that perfect gift. But I think we all need to take some time to relax and reenergize.

I bought myself a small hot tub after my divorce. It was a big extravagance at the time. And I made a crazy decision to have it installed inside my house - in my porch.

It has been a blessing and actually saved my sanity during very stressful times. No matter what is going on I know I can go in it and my worries will disappear for a little bit. No noise, no phones and hopefully no interruptions to bother me. It's my private little paradise.

We really do need to disconnect from our frantic world. So when the holiday rush starts to overwhelm you, take a break and do something for yourself.

Take a walk, listen to music or take a drive and look at the beautiful Christmas lights!

Give yourself the gift of peace and quiet.

Secret Santa saves Christmas with random acts of kindness!

Just thought I'd post a feel-good story. A very generous Secret Santa enlists the help of local law enforcement to deliver some holiday cheer to the people who need it the most!

Hope you enjoy the video.

It's the thought that counts. Gifts of the heart!

Now don't get me wrong; any gift is to be appreciated of course. But when you get a special gift that someone put a lot of thought into or hand made for you, well that's a little bit more significant. Everyone seems to be running around, so busy all the time that when you receive a certain item with great symbolism it definitely stands out.

The holidays have become so commercial; it's all about the BIG sales! But in reality, material things actually aren't as important as a present from the heart. I know children look forward to getting the toys that they've seen advertised on TV. But I think older people are more apt to want something that brings back memories of the past or recollections of family and friends that aren't with us anymore.

I wish we could go back to simpler times when life wasn't so complicated and impersonal.  A time when Christmas was a magical place, a place of innocence and hope. I was blessed to receive two special gifts in the mail this week. One was a beautiful "Angel of Friendship" ornament from a very special person; my son's girl friend Lisa. The angel is holding a small brown dog in her arms. This ornament was so thoughtful and touching because we lost our beloved dog a few months ago. It will probably be my favorite gift that I'll receive this Christmas.

The second special gift was a handmade loaf of Cinnamon Bread made by my Sister-In-Law Janie. We all used to spend Christmas Eve together every year. But times have changed and we have all moved away from each other. I haven't had her delicious bread in years. But the memories of Christmases past came flooding back to me when I opened the box and smelled the cinnamon and sugar. I was so excited that I couldn't wait to call her and thank her for it.

It made me think of our big Christmas Eve dinners at my parent's house. And as everyone got older and the families grew we alternated the celebrations at our homes. Janie always gave us our aluminum foil wrapped loaves so we'd have Cinnamon bread toast for Christmas breakfast. It was a wonderful tradition made with love. And as I'm enjoying my cinnamon toast I will be thinking of her and a whole bunch of great memories.

I hope that whatever holiday you celebrate; you receive a special gift from the heart. Because they're the best!

It's a Wonderful Life - why haven't you watched it yet?

I just finished watching my favorite Christmas movie. I really don't even know how many times I've watched it. The weird thing is that I never get tired of seeing it!

Unfortunately I know that many people have never taken the time to actually watch the entire movie. Now I know it's long; 2 hours and 15 minutes to be exact. And it's an old black and white movie with no special effects. But it is a fantastic story of one man's ordinary life. One man who makes a difference in countless people's lives just by being a caring person and doing the right thing.

Poor George Bailey lives in a small town and yearns to escape from his boring life and travel the world. But because of family responsibilities he has to give up his dream. He is a kind decent man who cares more about his fellow man than making money.

Unfortunately hard times come upon him and he thinks that everyone would be better off if he was never born. He attempts suicide, but his Guardian Angel Clarence is sent down to earth to make him see that he has so much to live for and has helped so many people.

George gets to see how changed his world would have been if he had never existed. He gets a second chance to appreciate all of the wonderful things that he took for granted.

This old fashioned movie will warm your heart with simple values about love and family. Of course my favorite part of the movie is the end. All of George's unselfish acts of kindness come back to him tenfold over.  Having a lot of money and living an extravagant life is not the key to happiness. George Bailey is "the richest man in town" because of the love of family and friends.

So, if you haven't taken the time to watch this movie; just give it a chance. Maybe it will become a favorite of yours too?

All Dogs Must Go: Epic Pet Adoption - Prank It FWD

This is great Pet Adoption video. It's nice to see good things happening. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!