National Thank You Note Day

I'm old enough to remember when there was no text messaging or email to send notes to each other.  We had to make a phone call (and that was usually pretty expensive if the person lived out of town) or write a letter.  Yes, WRITE a letter!

Well, this idea of a personal note is becoming a novelty rather than the norm - and so today I honor National Thank you note day.  

First - Some statistics.  According to a survey done by The Stationary Studio, 93% of us say that a handwritten thank you note is necessary, and yet, according to the same survey, let than half of us do it.  I wonder why that is?  Have we become less thankful?  Are we too lazy?  My personal opinion - and based on my own lack of writing them - we make ourselves so busy it is simply easier to send a quick text or email to say thanks.  

But, how many of you have received that handwritten letter of gratitude?  It feels pretty good doesn't it?  It feels like you and your gift were important enough for someone to take a moment of their time to say thank you.  It simply makes you feel special.

JFK said, "We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives."  Key word there - STOP.  Slow down.  Take a minute to show you care (and it's good for your body and soul to slow down!).

December 26 heralds in the annualy National Thank You Note day.  It's a day to STOP and take time for those that matter.  Lets all celebrate the day and write some personal notes to our friends and family.

"Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting."  Author Unknown.

Wild North West Winter (Before Winter)

Winter is still a week away and here in Oregon we are having some pretty good winter weather.  Last week we had freezing rain - not as bad in some places as expected, but pretty good in others.  This week we got snow.  We had almost 3 inches where I live.  But let me explain to you about Oregon snow.

First of all, we don't usually get it in the upper Willamette Valley.  We are a wet state.  In Portland, the average snow fall is 2 inches for the WHOLE month of December, with just one snow day.  And here we are with almost triple that.  And we're not done yet.  They say this is just the beginning.  Even the squirrels are scrambling!

Now for an old lady, this is a problem.  I had to drive home 30 miles in snow that I am not used to driving in, that most of the other drivers are not used to driving in and that the city is not equipped to properly deal with.  I saw multiple cars slide off the road, a truck going way to fast around the corner slide off the road and roll down a hill.  And I was only half way home!

By the time I got home, I was ready for wine - or vodka - or anything!!  My body had turned to jello and I was exhausted from a simple drive home - the drive that normally takes 40 to 45 minutes and took me almost 2 hours!!

Today was a snow day.  Our child development center (I am the director) was closed.  I sat by the fire warming my creaky joints drinking tea and wandering my yard taking pictures.  Now THAT is how us menopausal ladies should spend our time in inclement weather.

Oh - and today is actually National Wear your Pearls day - So here I am!  

Have a safe and warm winter everyone!

What Masochist Invented Planking?

Lordy where does the time go?  Seems like Thanksgiving was just a few days ago and here it is almost Christmas...

Well as many of you know, I am on my weight loss quest and having a pretty good struggle with it - so when my niece challenged friends and family to the "28 Day Plank Challenge" I was all on board.

Have you ever planked?  First day was 20 seconds - a   V E R Y  long 20 seconds!  Then thirty - then 40 and right now we are at 1 minute.  Who knew 60 seconds be SO long!

Well I am pleased to say that yesterday I did the full minute without grunting!  Today is day 12 - NINETY FREAKING SECONDS!!!  OMG - Well, I'll let you know if I made it, but there WiLL be grunting!

The goal at the end of the 28 days?  240 seconds - that's FOUR MINUTES!!  OMG - OMG - what have I gotten myself into!!

Actually - the bottom picture is me on both accounts!

Happy Thanksgiving

May the day be filled with happiness and fun!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

It's National Hiking Day!

Did you know there is a day to celebrate hiking?  Well, neither did I until now.  I tried to use it as a way to motivate my husband to get out and hike with me.  No can do.  He "doesn't like to hike".  But hiking is great exercise - and there are some beautiful sights to be seen along the way.   And it's good for the soul.

So come along with me on a few hikes I've been on!

Who wants to Hire an Old Lady?

I was working for Head Start in 2007 and was told if I didn't get my degree, I'd lose my job.  So what did I do, I enrolled in a University to complete the BA I had started 30 years ago.

Then in 2010, I lost my job anyway.  Budget cuts.  Since I was so close to completion, I just kept going, racking up those student loans with the idea that I would be able to get a job that was good enough to pay them back.  I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Studies, a minor in Early Childhood Education and an undergrad certificate in Conflict Resolution and Mediation in 2013; and a 4.0 GPA.

I was advised to keep going - get my Master's degree.  I would be able to find so many opportunities, and so I did.  In 2015 I received an MA in Interdisciplinary studies with a concentration on Leadership and Organizational Communication (with a 3.85 GPA - I got one A-).  

What? Three Months??

I really need to be more diligent in my postings!! It's been three months??  No Way!

Yes way - Well - here is what my life has been -

Work - crazy busy at work!! Budgets, Huge fundraising event, USDA renewals, hiring, losing and hiring again.... and the list goes on!

Home - I got sick with the flu - Hubby got sick, but not the flu - two days in the emergency room!  Thankfully he's on the road to recovery.  His insomnia is my insomnia!

Weight loss - well - I hit a plateau - A huge plateau!  So I decided to join weight watchers online.  After a month I'm starting to drop again.  Last weight, 196.5 - Only 45.5 left to go!!  Oh - and I had to buy a new dress for our event.  Last year's was too big!  And this year's was TWO (count them, 1-2) sizes smaller!! WOO HOO

And the hot flashes!! What the heck?  Those were supposed to be gone!  I'm in full blown menopause now and the hot flashes and night sweats have returned!!  I have doctor's appointment next week and will try to get some answers on that.

And so, I will try to commit to weekly posts - I have three other blogs so I get busy and forget this one.  The one that is my saving grace in dealing with this thing called menopause.  The one where I can vent and share and be me - My therapy.

So thank you to all my dedicated therapists that have stuck with me in spite of my inconsistencies!