The face behind the blog...

This is me. As the author of this blog, I should show you the "real me" a little more than I do, but over the past few years I realize I don't like to show you myself very often. All I tend to see are my droopy eyelids and uneven smile. The rest of me has plenty of flaws too. As each year passes, age has sure made me dislike more and more superficial things about myself.

When I start to see all those wrinkles and flaws, and ponder my own mortality, I think of my mom. I remember her great attitude and how she lived her life, not just at the end but throughout her 40's, 50's and 60's. Wrinkles and flaws were especially of no concern to her once she learned she had only a year to live. What truly becomes important in life isn't the outside part of us, but who we have in our lives and those we hold dear. I am so glad I was able to be a part of my mom living that concept first hand.

Since my parents both passed at age 67, I spend a lot of time thinking about the time I have left on this earth. How am I spending it and with whom? Do I invest in the relationships that mean the most to me? Is the way I live my life, true to how I want to be remembered? Maybe I'm having a mid-life crisis, or maybe I'm still trying to find my way. Either way, I'm trying to live more fully and embrace life more, just like my mom taught me to do during her lifetime. In doing so, I've picked up a new hobby. There are still so many things I want to accomplish in this lifetime...including learning how to knit! Although I haven't learned how to knit yet, I did learn a "lazy" version!

See this loom and yarn in the photo? I learned a new skill with Ashlyn at Girl Scout camp using the "Kniffty Knitter." I am now officially hooked on creating treasures with the Kniffty Knitter...This is what I have been busy doing in my free time!

Don't laugh, but I have made 6 matching sets of mother/daughter hats! Now if I could just learn how to knit for real and make matching scarves! I have no idea who will want to wear these works of art...Luckily we live in a state that sees snow, so I'm hoping friends will oblige me this winter! Doesn't everyone need a warm hat when they walk to their mailbox? :-)

Tom and I have also started excersing together! We have one of the most perfect settings to make exercise as pleasurable as possible. We have been jog/walking around our neighborhood lake on a 3.5 mile loop. There are prairie dogs, cottontail rabbits, egrets, wildflowers, fisherman, canoes, and wonderful views of the Rocky Mountains to enjoy as we get outside and get moving! Since Tom is home during his job search, we have been enjoying getting active and making positive life changes. I joined Weight Watchers last week and am hoping these positive changes will help me not only lose weight, but lower my cholestrol, etc...

Tom has also been growing quite a mountain-man beard since being home almost a month. When it is daylight tomorrow I will take a photo to share. He loves it and not having to shave like he did daily the past 20 years! I have a differing opinion about the beard, but will show you a photo so you can see for yourself!

I will say, "Goodnight" for now, and wish you all a good week! I hope you spend every day living fully!