Boogie Shoes: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Friday, December 13, 2013

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window … cool cloudy night.  I'm glad Pelham Range has finally stopped booming. 

I am thinking...  about Christmas. 

I am thankful... for a great week.  Hoping for another one.

In the kitchen...  nothing; it's late.  I just hope I can stay awake long enough to get this post written....zzzzzz....oh, dang!

I am wearing... bedclothes.

I am creating... paintings and Christmas ornaments.  I've still got my heart set on creating some hand painted Christmas cards, but not sure yet.
 
I am going... Tomorrow, I am going to the botanical gardens at the Anniston Museum of Natural History to play with the Community Band.  Sunday is our Christmas musical, and I'm so excited about it...which is amazing because I'm singing instead of playing like I did in the Easter musical.  Hmm...wonders never cease.

I am wondering... about what I'm going to do for Christmas.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do for Thanksgiving, but Christmas day activities haven't come to me yet.  I may go see my Catholic friends and attend Christmas morning mass. This year, our church is again having a Christmas Eve service, and I am so loving that.  Call me old fashioned, but I've always thought the Christmas was a time for the church family to meet more, not less.
 

I am reading... I've found some readings for Advent online.  I'm also reading The Ultimate Weight Solution by Dr. Philip McGraw.  A friend and I were supposed to read Made to Crave together, but I haven't heard from her, so I'll put reading that one again on hold until the first of the year.
 

I am hoping... that all the job applications I've been turning in bring positive results. 

I am looking forward to... a new year that is much better than the last few I've had.

I am learning… what aging gracefully looks like.  Tonight, I did something different.  Normally I go to WWF (Wild Worship Fridays) at Celebrate Recovery, but I was invited to our local Senior Citizen's Center's Christmas party/dance.  No, I haven't aged 25 years overnight; I help them with the door prizes for their monthly dance.  There were 60 year old partygoers and some nearly 90 year old participants.  No one was stolidly sitting on the sidelines.  Those who didn't have the mobility to dance were very sociable and talkative.  Those who could dance threw themselves wholeheartedly into it.  There were no curmudgeons in this crowd.  In fact, I was the worst dancer there (well duh!).  The live band, comprised of older gentlemen, was very lively and talented.  I'm going to have to learn to shake my groove thing better if I'm going to keep up with them next time I'm invited.

Around the house... Sleeping now...well when I get finished.  Cleaning and errands tomorrow.

I am pondering...   on goals for the new year.

A favorite quote for today... “My book on anger management would be called Shut Up! with a sequel called No, You Shut Up!" - Craig Ferguson.  Yeah, I know I've shared this one before, but I heard it again today and laughed at it all over again.  As my mom says, "This boy's crazy!"

One of my favorite things... Crock Pots.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Errands, chores, and Community Band concert tomorrow. May hit the bike trail with my friend Tamara tomorrow if the weather's good.  Church Christmas musical Sunday.

A peek into my day...  here’s pictures of the projects I've been working on.

 

Little Drummer Boy: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Shout out to From This Side of the Pond for the Hodgepodge questions.

Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so please share.

My makeshift advent wreath

Last year was the first time I'd ever been a part of a church-wide Advent celebration.  This year is the first time I've attempted Advent celebrations at home.  I love the idea, but honestly don't get it yet.  I've read how this practice is a great time of joyous spiritual renewal, but I'm not feeling it.  Maybe for it to be successful, it must be a "family" thing.  Oh well.  I am enjoying reading the prophesies of the coming Messiah and the New Testament accounts of His birth.

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen...and of course you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...so, which reindeer name best describes you this week?

None of them really.

What's worse-too quiet or too loud? Which have you had more of lately?

Too loud, definitely.  Haven't had much of either, thank goodness.

This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo! When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they've committed to do?  If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through?

I don't know if I have administrative gifts or not.  I've not been given the opportunity to find out.  Anytime I've been in a leadership type role, those who know they are such gifted overran any opportunities I had to assert myself or be a part of the decision making process.  So, I just kind of go along to get along now.  It's like this, don't tell me I'm a vital leader in your business/ organization then take away any power I would have to be a leader.

What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?

I don't really have a certain task I dread.  I've been fighting the urge to dread the Christmas season all together.  I love Who Christmas is about and what Christmas is about.  The dread is about wanting to bless and share and feeling thoroughly inadequate to do so.  So, once again I say, maybe next year I'll have myself together. 

Facebook has released its list of the 'most talked about' topics of 2013.' Pope Francis took the number one spot.  Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was your most talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)

I'm always suspect of these kinds of lists, especially when these topics were barely mentioned (if mentioned at all) by my Facebook friends.  Where's the Iron Bowl?  Where's all the gripes about the formatting changes made by Facebook (of course THEY are not going to mention that)?  Nah, I put no stock in it at all.

What's something you consider a necessity that others might view as a luxury?

Good athletic shoes.  If I'm going to continue in my quest for health, I have to have good shoes that have good shock absorption and protect my feet from injury.  Long live New Balance! 

Insert your own random thought here.

Little drummer boy...the way it should be played...with DRUMS.

Five Minute Friday: Reflect

Thanks to Lisa-Jo Baker at Five Minute Friday for the prompts.

 

GO!

 

When I reflect on this past year, I can't help but be disappointed.  I've made a lot of progress, but not the kind anyone can see.  My progress has been in internal things.  Not many things on my external has changed.  In the externals I still feel stuck.  I'm stuck on the notion that no one owes me anything and I can't wait for someone to give me anything, including a break.  However, how does that gel with the "no man is an island," no one is truly a self-made man, and you can't get to the top if you don't have someone propelling you up mentality.  I keep seeing all these Facebook posts and tweets about "do this, do that, and you'll succeed."  OK smart-butt, HOW does one do that?  Is it something that must be accomplished with help or must I walk the past alone.  Frustrating!

 

It's very frustrating.  I know I need to reflect on the good and the bad.  And I will in a longer, more organized blog post. 

 

I would just like the image that is reflected back at me to be the image I see of myself inside.  In the mirror, in my external life, everywhere.  I want a better reflection staring back at me.  Not one of what should have been, but one that is all that I really am and really meant to be.

 

TIME'S UP!

CRAP!