Winding Down

-

The first part of 2012 seemed to move so slowly.  Or maybe it just dragged along because I find the weather here during winter and most of spring to be so miserable. 

The seemingly never ending cold, rainy weather results in way too much time spent indoors, for me at least, as I have so little cold tolerance now.  I used to enjoy skiing and sledding, but now I experience cold as pain, and even when bundled up from head to toe, being out in cold weather is a painful experience.  Fortunately, this will likely be our last winter here in Bellingham.

As I mentioned earlier this year, Fred’s employer will be closing their facility here sometime during the first part of 2013.  He doesn’t have another job lined up yet.  I’m hoping he’ll be able get a job somewhere near where our families live in California.  It would be so nice to see everyone more often and for our daughter to have a closer relationship with loved ones.  

Not knowing where we’ll be living or when we’ll be moving hasn’t been easy.  Some other situations have added to this stress, but they aren’t things I can go into here.  I’ll admit that in spite of a lifetime of deeply felt spiritual beliefs, my faith has been shaken this past year.  My spirituality has always been there in the past, as much a part of me as the vital organs that keep my body alive.  This past year, however, maintaining faith and hope has required conscious effort.

I’m not sure when this past year seemed to pick up speed, but these last few months have raced by.  I can hardly believe the year is coming to a close in just a few days.  The Solstice is behind us, and the days are lengthening, even though we don’t notice it yet.

Just knowing that more sunshine is on the way makes me happy.  I can understand why tanning salons are so popular here, but they’re not an option for me because of a health problem that can be made worse with direct exposure to UV light.

For now, I’m enjoying this little break between Christmas and the coming year with its goals, plans, and general daily business.  It’s lovely to sit in a warm house and enjoy a few quiet days with no obligations or demands on my time and energy.  With a book in hand or knitting needles clicking away, a fire in the fireplace, and a cat on my lap, I’m happily passing the time as I take a relaxing little break (and keep my mind away from my to-do list).

Hoping and praying for a better year in 2013,

Cindy

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Crochet Kindle Case Tutorial

-
Image
My wonderful husband gave me a Kindle e-reader for my birthday last month. I love to read and am enjoying having an e-reader. I like to carry it in my purse, but wanted it to be protected, so I made a cover for it. Here’s how: 1. Using cotton (Sugar & Cream weight) yarn and a size K crochet hook, chain 26. 2. Beginning with the second chain from hook, single crochet in each chain stitch to end. This should now be a half-inch longer than the height of the Kindle. 3. Chain 1, turn, and single crochet in each single crochet. Repeat this step until the piece is twice the width of the Kindle plus three inches. Bind off. 4. Lay Kindle on piece about three inches from one end.   Fold other end over Kindle. Adjust so that Kindle is completely covered and edge of piece matches side edge of Kindle.                            ...
Read more

Little Flat Gift Boxes

-
Image
I like to send little gifts to my niece and nephews for Easter. They’re all teens now, but I still like to send them a little something to let them know I’m thinking about them. This little gift box is perfect for giving little gifts to friends, teachers, grandparents, pastors, and neighbors. I’m providing a blank template in PDF that you can print and decorate yourself, and a printable Easter gift box. The only thing you need to add is a sticker or piece of ribbon to hold it closed. Here is what the blank template looks like. It is ready to print on cardstock, cut out, decorate and fold into a flat little gift box, then seal with a sticker or wrap with ribbon. The Easter template is double sided: Print both sides of the cardstock, write the recipient’s name in the space on the front, add a message inside (and a little gift), then seal with a sticker or wrap with ribbon. Both are available here.
Read more

Shaklee Sports Nutrition Pack Giveaway

-
Image
I was an Amway brat.  My parents were successful Amway distributers for many years, and we used Amway products extensively in our home.  They were good products.  Their laundry products worked well, and were a good value because they were so concentrated.  Best of all, they didn't irritate sensitive skin.  Because I have extremely sensitive skin, I've continued using Amway laundry products for most of my adult life - until recently.  I'm not sure when it happened exactly, but Amway began adding fragrance to their laundry products.  Since I can't stand wearing perfumed clothing, I started using fragrance free laundry products from the grocery store. Finding fragrance free laundry detergent and fabric softener from the store has been easy.  There are several available. There is one Amway product, however, that my family wasn't willing to give up:  Trizyme.  It's an enzyme laundry booster and one of Laura's favorite lau...
Read more