There Could Never Be Enough Time

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever. "

--Winnie the Pooh

I'm feeling pretty sad, worried, and anxious as I write tonight. Unfortunately, 2011 has started out not too nicely. While I certainly understand that this is not the worst thing in the world that could happen-- it still is important to me and affects me.

A couple of days ago, my little kitty, Minnie was having issues going to the bathroom. So we took her into the vet-- figuring it was just a case of bad constipation. Sometime after Minnie was cleared out the vet had time to look over her more thoroughly. Confirming my worst fear, the vet discovered cancer in her colon.

Tomorrow Minnie goes back to the vet to get looked at even more closely (they're doing an ultrasound). The visit tomorrow will tell us whether or not the tumor is treatable.

I am hoping beyond all hope that we can get it operated on. I can't imagine putting her down any day soon... it's so hard to even think about that... She is acting normal, her fur is beautiful and fluffy, she's generally happy (though you can tell she's a little uncomfortable), meowing all the time (as usual), and being her funny quirky self. I just can't imagine having to let her go now... but I also can't imagine her suffering either. A nightmare either way...

It's amazing how these little precious animals can become such a big part of the family. Animals make the best companions-- they're so faithful, loving, and consistent. They also know us better than we think... I won't forget the day when Granny fell down again. I was so sad and Minnie knew something was wrong. She was so sweet to let me hold her-- the exact kind of comfort that I needed.

I just hope that we have more time with her, my last cat. She's the last of the three that I have had in my life-- who I fondly call, "The Originals." I miss my other two kitties terribly. Just last year, on the 4th of July, we had to put down our kitty Chatty. Ugh... that was so sad.

I wish these animals could live longer, but even so a hundred years wouldn't be enough. I don't think there could ever be enough time with those that you love-- human or animal. Even a thousand years wouldn't be enough...

Hoping for good news tomorrow...

Hopes for the New Year

I'm not really one for New Years Resolutions any more. In the past when I made them, like most of the population, I always failed to keep them. I remember one year as a kid, I made a list of three items on an index card and then taped it to my wall. Did I keep those resolutions? Honestly, no. I certainly tried for the month of January! haha

So instead of making resolutions, I am simply thinking of my hopes, goals, and dreams for this New Year. There's lots of changes I would like to make, but I know I probably won't accomplish all of them this year. Here's a list of things I would like to continue doing, do more of, or start:

*Read, read, read lots of books

*Be more diligent about reading the Bible

*Run more than I did last year

*Do at least one 5k race this year

*Take lots of pictures

*Be more active in the kitchen-- actually, cook or bake something (anything!)

*Save more money than I did last year

*Write in my journal more

*Sew a skirt with mom

*Get back into scrapbooking

*Enjoy the little things... take time to be immersed in nature and reflect on God's greatness

*Be more compassionate to those who have less than me

*Keep on substituting and enjoying teaching

*Remember that every customer I help is a fellow human being- whether they frustrate me, are incredibly mean, or the nicest of them all... remembering that they all have a story, hopes and dreams just like me.

*Continue to change over to more natural products & foods

*Find time to relax and just do nothing!

*Enjoy being a student and make meaningful connections with my classmates and professor

Yes, that's a big list but I don't feel like any of those things are impossible to achieve. They're all things that I can achieve or keep on doing. I think that should be the point of "resolutions." Why set yourself up for failure?

Having hopes for the New Year means that one understands there will be challenges and victories. There will always be ups and downs. So these expectations we set for ourselves should be positive. No sense in creating lofty goals that will only lead to disappointment later down the road. There's already too much negativity in the world as it is!

What are your hopes and dreams for 2011?

Hope it's a good year ahead for each and every one of you :)

Hello 2011

Today is 1/1/11.

That's pretty fun to write :) Ahh... a New Year. Happy to say that today was a good one for starting of this new book, 2011. Overall, it was relaxing, somewhat productive and fairly uneventful.

The only downside to today was taking down the Christmas decorations. Before I got myself out bed, Mom had already started removing the wall decor. Once I had my breakfast, I joined her in taking down our mantel/fireplace decorations, nativity scene, and the ornaments. Mom hauled the empty tree out outside and then we were left with a very open living room. Always feels so strange to remove the tree.. It's always hard to adjust to not having the glow of the lights and all the fun festive decorations around. But before we know it, Christmas will be here again soon...

After undecorating the house, Mom and I got some of our January decorations out. For the past few years we have decorated with navy blue, silver and white colors. On our fireplace mantel we put a navy blue sash with some wintry decor and a string of white lights mixed in it as well. We also enjoy decorating with a variety of candles-- having some light in the house during the dreary Winter months.

To get a break from all the decorating and undecorating Mom and I dropped some items off at my cousin's house. We enjoyed chatting with her and her husband. I hadn't seen their home since they moved into it a couple of months ago. Not only was it great to see it all Christmasy but I got to see the changes they've made. Makes me excited to have my own place someday-- so many cool things you can do with a home.

Once our visiting was over, Mom and I did a little "mouse housing." We were on the hunt for wintry decorations, but didn't come across any. On our outing we did manage to stop into Starbucks, which was quite lovely :)

We came home and putzed around some more and then eventually went up the street to visit my aunt, uncle, and my Granny (who is staying at their place for a few days). Mom and I stayed for awhile and had a good time chatting with them. We particularly enjoyed observing my aunt make a delicious split pea soup. At one point she invited us to just stay over and join them in eating it! Let me tell you: wow! That was a wonderful soup-- tasty and all natural. Perfect for a cold day. After finishing my bowl of soup, my aunt asked me if I would like another serving... I said "of course, if you're offering!" She got a laugh out of that. I figured, hey, it's good if the "students" (Mom & I) are familiar with the taste of the soup before making it on their own. ;-)

We got back home not too long ago and parked ourselves on the couch. Ahhh... good start to 2011. Hope that you all had a wonderful start to the New Year!