Let It Be

As a champion worrier I often find myself finding something, anything to fret over. As I wrote in an earlier post I choose a word rather than make resolutions. My word "release" has already challenged me on a number of occasions...I tell myself "Let It Be" or Let It GO!" All this musing and fussing puts me in mind of The Beatle's tune, "Let It Be." In Marlo Thomas' book "The Right Words at the Right Time," Paul McCartney mentions that the song came to him due to some worries he and The Beatles were having and he pictured his mother saying "let it be" So when you find yourself in times of trouble just remember to...






As I reflect on 2009 deciding what no longer serves me well...let it be reverberates through my head. Anyone in the New York City Times Square area there is a "Good Riddance 2009" giant shredder...just write what you didn't like and shred it to bits in preparation for 2010. As one decade closes and a new one begins may we release that which serves no one, be grateful for our blessings, live with joy because life is indeed GOOD! Wishing you Peace, Love and Happiness for the New Year!

Who Will Fill My Stocking

Scrambling about...looking for those last minute treats to fill the stockings...once Santa's job, now mine...once two stockings now more than 10! Mutiny in the ranks when it was suggested that maybe the GROWN children were getting a little "old" for stockings. Looking at the "loot" in the guest bedroom ~ wondering if I will still be filling stockings when I am 60, 70, 80...once gave each child an infant sock filled with a chocolate quarter and a candy cane...they were not amused!

So who will fill my stocking...it is looking a bit bare

who has small tokens and love a plenty to share

Do you have some patience, gratitude and time to spare

who will fill my stocking...with joy, peace on earth,

smiles, giggles and mirth...remembrances of that glorious birth

Dear Santa,

The above was a plea from my NOBLE self...this girl would love some chocolate, scratch that...lots o chocolate, uninterrupted quiet time, girly girl stuff...lotions and potions, sparkles

and let's think about that trip to Italy...just sayin

I have been MOSTLY good

xoxox, Connie

Love and Peace! Merry Everything to All my Fiends...I mean Friends.

Another Floozie Christmas

The "floozies" have been gathering monthly for birthdays and annually for Christmas for several (many) years. Since we are blessed not only with good looks and charming personalities...a unanimous decision was made to adopt a family each Christmas rather than buy gifts for each other. The Princess of Quite-A-Lot collected funds, pondered who the family should be and did all the shopping...Thanks Princess! After a scrumptious feast (all the floozies are excellent cooks) Santa's helpers set about the task of wrapping gifts and making merry!

It warms my heart to have such generous, beautiful (both inside and out) wonderful friends.

Have you been reflective of 2009 or are you too busy rushing around to think about it? Seventeen days left of this month, this year and then we begin anew...a New Year...a New month.

I have been "inside" my own head too much lately. They like me there...no expectations but my own. The danger in this is the disconnect from everything around and about. These musings and thoughts wake me up at the ridiculous hour of 3 a.m. almost every morning without fail. It is hard to do anything when you are exhausted. I have been obsessing a bit about being so caught up in the survival mode that there is a tendency to forget to slow down and enjoy the moment. Hurry up and do this and that. Oxymoronic (yeah, I am pretty sure that is a hybrid of the real word) Overly meditative versus hurry up there is more to be done and you are not getting enough done.

A few years ago I began choosing a word for the year rather than making a resolution...as I had the same resolutions for over ten years...THAT was obviously not working. The word gives me a direction to travel and I make better progress. So in typical fashion I began thinking of a word for 2010...just one word? I had a word in mind and it didn't seem "cool" enough or cute enough to post on a sign or bracelet as a reminder...I denied my word. I have been obsessing and thinking "and you thought a resolution was difficult, you can't even pick a word, one word." I threw a bunch of words in the pot and looked at it for a long time...fished my hand around til I had two and felt the edges like I could tell what was on one piece of paper from another!

What do you suppose happened...well of course it did...I chose the word that I have been thinking about and discarding for a month. More irony...the word is RELEASE...

The tendency to hold onto things when they no longer serve the greater good...objects...relationships that no longer work well for either party...thoughts...traditions...that reel that keeps playing in your head saying this is the way you have always done this...these are the areas in which I plan to apply the word I so desperately did not want as my word for the year. It already feels like the right choice.

*image is not mine...unable to find proper documentation...(many take credit)

To Be a Person Like That

Dear Dot Dot,

In remembrance of your wonderful life and because you have been on my mind much...because you were such a kind, thoughtful, giving person...because your humanitarian efforts raised the bar for all of us...I pledge to do at least one anonymous act of kindness every day of December...more so than usual. Til we meet again my friend...you are sorely missed...even though I can sometimes feel of your kind spirit and often snarky humor...love you always!

"Once in a Blue Moon"

"Many of the instances in which we see colors in nature are due to a physical phenomenon called scattering. Scattering occurs when a beam or wave of light is scattered in a range of directions as a result of physical interaction with particles in its way. Outdoorsmen have unwittingly observed the scattering effect for many centuries. A much-mistaken incidence of scattering leads to the widespread phrase, “Once in a blue moon.” This phrase is accurate with its connotation of rarity, but those who coined it claimed that the uncommon event was just a cyclical happening associated with the Moon’s proximity to Earth. In truth, it is wholly due to scattering in the atmosphere. Forest fires and violent volcanic eruptions can fill the sky with tiny particles that will provide more of a scattering effect than is normal." For more info on the scattering effect see www.sewanee.edu/.../Worthington/Worthington.htm

Tonight we will have our first full moon of the month...the next full moon "the blue moon" occurs on December 31st.

It seems impossible to me that we are reaching the end of another year! I have been contemplating the word I will choose for 2010. I quit doing resolutions many years ago and now choose a word each year to be a reminder of my intentions and aspirations for the year. It works. It is probably about time to start nagging Jayne about her word for the year...she always chooses a great one!

I enjoyed a milestone birthday this year...I am finally middle aged (50) and have already had all the "crisis" I need... so my intention for 2010 is to fully embrace who I have become in 50 years and continue living the best life.

Back to the "blue moon phenomenom" it is said anything started and completed within the cycles of a full moon will culminate with great success! Here is an opportunity to complete some goals and end 2009 with a BANG!!! Maybe you are waiting for something, whatever is standing in your way...take a chance...after all...it only comes "once in a blue moon"

Here is a great idea from Jamie Ridler Studios: Remembering 2009

What was the highlight?
What was the low point?
What are you proud of?
What was fun?
What has changed?
What has stayed the same?
What did you say yes to?
What did you say no to?
What challenged you?
Who are the new people in your life?
What will you be glad to leave behind?
What do you want to remember?
What would you like to celebrate?
What did you love about this year?
If this year was a painting, what colours would it be?
What do you want to take with you into 2010?

So here's to wishing you a wonderful December complete with two full moons! May all your dreams wishes and intentions come to you. I highly suggest some moon watching with loved ones. Frank, Elvis, Ella and I are off to sing "Blue Moon" Peace and Love Ya'll (thanks Kristi)