As I say good-bye to 2016…I can’t help but smile as I ring in 2017. The truth is I don’t have resolutions for 2017. At least, not the standard idea of losing ten pounds, but I do like to set goals for myself. More of a “change” to how I do things now. I will be better about going through my mail and getting my filing done each week. I made a deadline to complete my photography project by year end 2016…oops. But since I am my own boss I am extending the deadline by a month, or perhaps two…but no more than that. I don’t plan to cheat myself out of treats and sweets…but perhaps, extend the time between enjoying them. Anyhow, you get the point, just little changes to how I run my life is about the extent of my plans.

I have another book that will come out in 2017, and the next one sits brewing in the background. I’d like to write more short stories, and perhaps put a book together of only short stories and poems. If that transpires, it would be great, but it won’t happen if it puts too much pressure on me to the point I’m not letting life take it’s course. Otherwise, I have a tendency to get stressed out, and then I’m not enjoying life.

In other words, I have no plans to put myself in an “I must get it done” box. I’ve been retired for many years, and I don’t care to put myself under that much pressure. I say this all now hoping it will be a reminder to me when I start getting the pulse rate increase.

So, there you have it. My plan is simply to enjoy life as it comes. I hope to accomplish my book and photography projects, but if I sleep until eight every morning…even better. If I enjoy 2017 for all it has to offer…now that will simply be wonderful.

For today I’d just like to wish all my family, friends, and readers a Happy New Year.

Candy canes, mistletoe, and colorful lights blinking in the night. Santa’s sleigh and presents lying wrapped under the tree are a few of the fun things we see as we bring in a little Christmas cheer. My husband and I have had a busy year. We’ve spent time in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Colorado. We’ve helped build houses, watched season-ending soccer games and tried frozen custard to name a few fun things we’ve shared.

I took my granddaughters, Sav and Jo, camping in the summer…without any Washington rain, I’m happy to declare. We traveled to Deception Pass to find shells and rocks for our collections I fear have gotten bigger every year. Ice cream, pop, and chips filled our bellies – and yes, I fed them normal food as well.

I’ve published another book, Four of Spades, making three to my “Sara Series”…and recently added another to the shelf as I wrapped up a memoir project I was hired to write in detail, and bring to print. My next book is in the editing phase and will be ready for print sometime in the new year.

So, all in all, it’s been a great year. Time with family throughout the states, and even had time with those I lovingly refer to as my “crazy Canuck family” up there north somewhere – then to wrap up and get in gear for the big holiday of Christmas…Sav and Jo spent the night to watch the most magical movie of all with Grandpa and me…that’s right…Polar Express.

There is no doubt in my mind I am clearly blessed. I have so much how could I do anything but cheer. I see the less fortunate and though it is hard to witness, it reminds me of my wonderful life that I need to keep safe within my heart. I hope you are able to count your blessings…and bring in the New Year with a promise to meet a goal you’ve set for yourself, share some happiness with those you hold dear, and stay healthy throughout another year.

Merry Christmas to all…and a very Happy New Year.

This blog started out as a post of this sweet bluebird I photographed in the mountains of Colorado a few years ago. But my crazy brain continued to swirl with too many words for a post.

The bluebird is a symbol of happiness…something we all desire. In may cultures, dating back thousands of years, the bluebird is thought as the harbinger of happiness. I love what they represent…and they are my favorite color, which is a bonus.

Over the past two years I have done a post on what I am thankful for every day during the month of November. I won’t do that this year. Not because I’m not thankful, but because I am thankful for everything, every day, and nothing can change that truth.

We all have trials…which may be an illness, depression, anxiety, or simply a tough decision to make. There are a number of reasons we may not want to get out of bed. It might be because we know we are out of milk and bread, but only have enough money for one item until our funds replenish in a week. It might be we have been told we have cancer…and have to decide whether to do treatment or not. Or as the holidays creep up they bring an enormous weight on our shoulder we simply can’t bear to carry that day.

Life is filled with an extraordinary amount of struggles we all face at one time or another. Times when we feel like they are piling up against the door, blocking our exit. But, the truth of the matter is, outside of those stumbling blocks, life can be pretty darn wonderful.

I have a wonderful family, a warm home, food to fill my belly, and leftover candy from Halloween…no, I’m not being glib…I love candy, and though I was willing to lose it all to the cute little ones, no one came, so I’ll not waste it. My daughter, Kristin, offered to take the large bowl of candy off my hands and bring it to work. Yes, this would have been my better decision, but I’ve gotten to a stage in life that a little piece of candy now and then is a good thing.

Focus…Cecily…focus….back to the point you’re trying to make…

What I’m trying to say it no matter what is going on with your life right now, I hope you can dig deep and find the strength you need to push through the cloud and find what might only be one silver lining…but a silver lining regardless.

I’m blessed with the desire to write, which has provided my soul with an outlet for healing. No matter how small or how huge my issue may be at any given time, today I’d like to say I’m happy…happy with my family, my decisions, my health, my life. And I hope no matter who you are you find happiness……we all deserve happiness…go and find yours.

I’m a quiet, shy person, so getting to know neighbors is not an easy step for me. I leave that to my husband who is the friendly one. I love how he engages with others, allowing me to stand back and listen. Living in a large apartment complex, I have a lot of neighbors within a stone’s throw. I’ve come to know a few, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the actual count of people living in our community.

But regardless of who I know, some people know me, and today was a great test of their kindness. My neighbor spotted someone trying to break into my car…in broad daylight. In fact, it was around 10:30 this morning. My neighbor’s daughter stepped outside making her presence known when she felt it didn’t seem right, and then her father came out as well. The prowler got back in his car and drove away. My neighbor came to my apartment and alerted me to the situation. He was able to provide a description of the guy, the license plate number and description of the vehicle the guy drove. Wow…was I ever thankful for my neighbors.

I contacted the police and my apartment complex office right away. Thankfully, the guy was not successful, but it shows the time of year is here where theft goes on the rise. By the way – it was a 1987 gray Nissan, 300ZX, coupe 2d, plate AJE4440. The guy was possibly Hispanic, with short dark hair, about 5’9″, and around 180 lbs. 

As we near the holiday season, crime historically increases. But the point of my blog today was to mention how wonderful neighbors can be. They didn’t know what this guy was capable of, yet they risked their safety to scare the guy off.

It’s also a reminder that we shouldn’t leave anything in our vehicles, and not just this time of year, but anytime. It’s sad that our private property isn’t private at all, that thieves think we want to share at our expense.

Having wonderful neighbors that care about each other is beyond a blessing. Anytime you see something that looks suspicious, I hope you will be there for your neighbor too.

Life has many special moments…a first kiss…first home…the birth of our children. I could go on and on, but today it’s about spending time with grandchildren. When I came back from my two plus months of traveling, I had my next adventure in my sites. I took Sav and Jo, my daughter Kristin’s children, to the cabins at Bayview. We spent time at the beach, a day at Deception Pass, then wrapped up our two-night, three-day vacation at Wenberg State Park.

During our time, we talked, read, searched for rocks, shells and anything interesting the beach had to offer. We explored (Sav led the way) as we hiked up a hill to get where needed in order to have access to the beach. We were forced to turn away from a shortcut when the tide started coming in faster than anticipated…let me tell you that is some cold water…YIKES. We laughed, ate whatever we wanted…whenever we wanted, including a special trip back to the store for ice cream. My hamburger cooking is nothing special, but you’d never know that by how quickly my grandchildren ate. They thought everything I cooked was great. We slept well, ate well, played hard, relaxed often…and let life work around our schedule.

There are special moments in life we always remember; adding to my list was hearing Jo and Sav tell me how much fun they had. Jo even said it was the best vacation ever…next to Disneyland, of course. Maybe it was all the junk food talking, or the “no rules” theme, but hearing those words meant a lot to me. It told me these two young ladies enjoy my company…and they’d do it again next year without hesitation. Love is being a grandmother…and I’m thankful for these special moments in my journey through life.