Less Than 24 Hours To End 2009

2009 is almost over and honestly, I cannot wait. I have had some difficult years in my life, but 2009 has been horrific as they come and I for one am looking forward to slamming shut the door on this disaster!

When I wake up tomorrow, I hope to wake up with a fresh perspective and a better look into the New Year. I am also going to be praying for physical changes to improve in my body and not deteriorate more.

Financially, for the first time in years, I believe my hubby and I will be on the same budgeting page and that should help us do our best for the upcoming year and that means to pay many of our bills off and get out from under the heaviness of owing so many so much!

As I write this, it is cold, rainy and windy and to me it is just Mother Natures way of blowing out and washing the air clean from a year in which so many people have suffered loss of jobs, lives, peace and security, savings, retirements, health and more.

I will be starting off the new year with a giveaway of small proportions and you won't know what I am giving away until around the 5th. My giveaways now will go from the 5th of each month and end on the 15th, so instead of having to wait for 30 days for a chance to win, you will know on the 16th of each month. Every month, same days, same rules and hopefully, many new people. Some of my giveaways will be international and others will be to the United States only due to shipping fees.

I am hoping to incorporate more quilting and less whining! HAHA!! I am also hoping to post my first mini-tutorial on here within the first month and see how that goes. I am also going to be incorporating more Christian articles and links and as always, if you need prayer, I am available.

The other thing I will be documenting, is my goal to become healthier, so you may read about my weight struggles, my physical health struggles, my goals & my flops and I hope this will not offend anyone.

My house is almost in order for 2010, I have begun my readings and I have begun trying to force myself to be in bed before 0300 in the morning. So far, I am struggling, because while mentally I want to sleep, physically, my body won't...it hurts, it jumps around, is spasms and it has not been very nice to me since my surgeries this summer. I am hoping to change that around somehow.

I hope you will not only continue to follow me, but share with me how you are doing and how 2010 is treating you and as always, I hope we can uplift and support each other with prayers, smiles and support!

Bring It On...2009 That Is!

I want to wish everyone a wonderful 2009 and take this time to thank each and everyone of you have read my blog, posted a comment, told others, encouraged me and even lurked in the shadows, you are awesome people & many of you have become friends!

I want to encourage you to tell others about me and encourage all of you this year to do your best to purchase locally where you can. Living in my small town, I can purchase fresh produce, meats, flowers, wines, seafood & log sculptures. I can visit the beach in the morning and the mountains in the afternoon.

Make the pledge to buy more homemade. Even if you buy one thing homemade and didn't buy anything homemade last year, you are helping someone who made the decision to bless others with their talents and you are keeping that money out of the hands of (shhhhhhhhhh) WalMart and other big businesses that don't care about you, us or the local economy.

We have an amazing store in our area called the Dennis Company. A little bit of everything I notice when I go in...hardware, kitchen items, Christmas items, clothing, shoes, a general go-to store when you need logger pants, Romeo's, sleds, etc. I love the people and the store and I don't mind spending money there!

Micheal's Meats our local butcher who not only sells fresh beef, pork & seafood, but they go out of their way to tell you how to prepare something, they will season anything you ask, they will clean your fish and they sell wonderful fresh homemade Tamales. Their service can't be beat!

Jays our local produce stand. Fruits, veggies, a banana for the kids, tasty samples of an unrecognized fruit or veggie, smiles and laughter and the prices, well all I know is that last year I should have bought the entire crate of Apricots.

There is Clark's and the 7th Avenue Sweet Shoppe in Arctic and Hoquiam for the best milkshakes I have ever tasted and the largest!

Ocean Shores has the Blue Heron Fabric shop and the nicest owners you will ever meet! It also has some local stores you just want to walk through and talk to the people about the area. Stop in at the local Mexican Restaurant for top food and service.

Westport Winery selling Cranberry wine and many other wines! Westport you can walk down the docks and pick your catch of the day fresh seafood up to take home and when you are there, stop in at the local pizza shop and if Taylor is still working there, tell her Mrs. K from Americorps told you to stop in. The best pizza!

Every year I say I am going to enter my wares into our local craft and art shows and I never do, but I usually can find one or two things someone else has made to bring home.

Bless others, give to charity, volunteer to read to children at school, volunteer to help at your local school co-op and teach ESL to someone who wants to learn our language, who knows the blessing you receive may be learning a second language. Find a new blog to follow, got to Etsy and look at all the wonderful shops and advertise one or two on your blog or highlight one if you feel comfortable doing so. Joining a swap? Make a package to send and one to put back for Christmas or as a gift to someone else. Read your Bible, Mentor a teen, a single mother, a teen mother or father.

Blessings come in many ways and being a blessing is one of the ways of receiving blessings.

Happy New Year to each and all of you and may 2009 be brighter than 2008!

God Bless & remember, if nothing is really working in your life, it is probably because your priorities and focus are in the wrong place!