DECEMBER 24TH & 25TH ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS

It’s after midnite on Christmas Eve, so…..

Happy Holidays and A Prosperous New Year!

DECEMBER 23RD ~ PARKING LOT PANIC

I went out with my son to the mall today so he could make a quick last purchase.  While en route he made it clear that we were going in and out, no dilly-dallying.  I said OK.

Wow, parking was a nightmare.  I think it took us 20 minutes to find a spot.  While we were cruising the lanes we saw some amazing attempted parking acrobatics and some pretty dumb moves!  Yikes!!

My son’s stated shopping philosophy today was: know what you want to get, with a back up option, then go get it.  Good plan I agreed, but wait until you’ve done holiday gift buying for 5 or 10 or 20 years, then the ‘knowing’ part gets tough.  That’s why there’s panic in the parking lot, I said, these folks either just, finally thought of what to buy and are racing to get it, or still haven’t and the clock’s running out.

My best wishes for success to all you shoppers still out there.  Don’t give up, there’s still one more day.

You can do it too, no matter what day – click this image on the sidebar and find out how.

DECEMBER 22ND ~ BLUE SKIES

We had a momentary break in the clouds this afternoon, with blue sky and sunshine.  I’m sure there were rainbows somewhere.  The rain has returned, but it’s OK, because we know there’ll be more blue sky.

Wishing you blue skies always.

DECEMBER 21ST ~ STILL RAININ’

Feeling just a touch of cabin fever as the rain continues to come down in L.A., but realize I should take my cues from the dogs, who venture out only when absolutely necessary, and not the cat who is too young to care and doesn’t mind getting wet – a lot!

We’ve had most of the streets in our immediate area resurfaced in the past couple of months, so we’re in decent shape, but I notice lots and lots of potholes appearing elsewhere, and the news is full of weather related incidents.  Best to stay indoors if you possibly can, especially with Christmas just around the corner.

Today’s wish is for everyone to get where they need to go safely as the earth flexes its powerful elements worldwide.

You can do it too, no matter what day – click this image on the sidebar and find out how.

DECEMBER 20TH ~ COMMUNITY SERVICE

Had kind of an interesting exercise this evening in my capacity as a local DSV (Disaster Service Volunteer); namely we went out in the rain and did a street lamp check.  We were paired up with members of  TARA  – TARA is the ham-radio arm of the volunteer service, then split into teams and areas, given a grid map and tasked with checking all streets in our section for dud lamps.  The TARA team member then radioed in the information.  I learned that each street lamp has its own serial number and where to find it.

Strictly speaking this is the responsibility of the utility company, but I guess they’re a little behind and folks have been complaining to the police department, hence our involvement.  There were more lights out than you’d think!

I’ve been involved in my newly rediscovered community for about a year now, and I enjoy it very much.  Please try and get involved in your own community.  After all the politics and posturing, I honestly believe that when it comes down to it, you and I are the ones who are gonna get stuff taken care of, and the sooner we learn how to do it, the better.

Wishing you all the great rewards of involvement in your local community.

You can do it too, no matter what day – click this image on the sidebar and find out how.

DECEMBER 19TH ~ HAPPY SUNDAYS

This Sunday has been a good one.  It’s still raining.  I took the dogs on the long walk (about an hour); I figured they could do with a nice rinse.  I dressed to get drenched and somehow the rain held off completely til we got back and then it poured for most of the afternoon.

Me and my critters kicked back with a book and some football on TV, interspersed with a little napping; one dog wagging her tail in her sleep, the other curled up tightly in a ball and the cat snoozing in what is now his chair.  The teenagers were in the other room doing whatever teenagers do.  Super relaxing, super nice.

This time next week Christmas will be over and it will be Boxing Day and my son’s 18th birthday.  I’m ready, hope you are too.

I wish next Sunday and every Sunday thereafter is as relaxing as you want it to be.

You can do it too, no matter what day – click this image on the sidebar and find out how.

DECEMBER 18TH ~ FRUIT CAKE

Is it a bird, am I insane?  No, it’s my first Ginger Stollen mit Ingwer.

Yes, I am one of those weird people who likes fruit cake, and that includes fruit cake of pretty much any kind.

The good thing about liking fruit cake in the U.S. is that you get to eat it all yourself.  The bad thing about liking fruit cake here is that you eat it all yourself!

Wishing you happy holiday fare.

You can do it too, no matter what day – click this image on the sidebar and find out how.

DECEMBER 17TH ~ A LITTLE MORE ON INSPIRATION

Getting inspired is great isn’t it?  The weight is lifted, you can take a full breath again, the sun shines and you feel refreshed… aaaah.

Once inspired, you do need to take action and I know very well how that can cause the ugly head of anxiety to stir once more.  So I’d like to give you this thought: once you know that you *can* be inspired and have felt its effect, how about you focus on just that release point, hone in on it, learn to recognize it immediately, close your eyes and remember the feeling.  Let it move you. Who knows, one day you might find you’ve trained yourself to simply inspire… yourself.  With this recognition must surely come wide open doors to action.

This is a wish for an abundance of inspiration and easy action to follow.

P.S. It’s raining here, gonna be for a few days.  I like how that feels – a rainy December in the beach cities, Southern California.

Look – rain chains and Christmas lights.

DECEMBER 16TH ~ OUT OF OVERWHELM AND INTO INSPIRATION

I hereby acknowledge the mysterious and wondrous movements of the universe.

Being in a state of overwhelm is not fun but it is a familiar feeling to many solopreneurs.  It kind of sidles in on me some days and before I know it I’m operating knee-deep in glue, horribly unable to focus.  It sucks.  And then, something comes along, gets my attention, lifts my spirit and sets me back on my path.

I’m currently a participant in two “beta” courses offered by two really awesome people and this has come at a most key time for me.  I thank them and I thank the universe for its marvelous timing.

Today I wish the dark clouds of overwhelm move past you all quickly and the sunny rays of inspiration beam down directly on your heads.

DECEMBER 15TH ~ Hair-Free for the Holidays

May I wish you all a pet hair-and-lint-free holiday season and 2011.

Failing that, may Santa be generous with the lint-rollers.

Note to self, stop hugging the animals while wearing your black top!

Here are two Santas at our house.