Snow, the Amish, Coming Together

Monday, February 08, 2010

We got about 30 inches of snow this weekend in Delaware. I am not a fan of snow or cold weather. And yet, there's always something you can find enjoyable if you look for it.

There was a lot of neighbors coming together this weekend. That rarely happens in the WInter here. We are pretty rural. To get to most of our neighbors' houses, it's a quarter mile walk or more. In Summer, there's always a BBQ, a bon-fire, a hay-ride. In Winter, we wave as we drive by each other.

But this weekend, everyone was busy working together. The farmers were out with their tractors plowing. A few neighbors' with backhoes were out shoveling driveways and making way up and down the roads. Those of us with 4 wheel drives were taking the nurses to their shifts at the hospital. We were standing with steaming coffee in the driveways chatting. We were wading through waist deep drifts to help elder neighbors dig a path for their dogs to get out to the yard.

And, this is a lesson learned from our Amish neighbors around here. Most of them shun modern conveniences and electricity. And while a lot of people try to guess why that is .... it really all comes down to the importance they put to community. They have realized that if we are able to accomplish something alone - on our own - that's just what we do. BUT, we really miss out on the beauty and the camaraderie and the joy of accomplishing something when everyone contributes and works together.

This was a picture of sunrise out front the day before the storm ...




And then, the same shot during the snow ....





And then, after .....





Some teamwork clearing the driveways .....





so that we can make room for more snow starting tomorrow ....




SERIOUSLY!! MORE SNOW ?!?!?!

I guess I better get to the store early tomorrow and load up on coffee for the neighbors :-)

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Looking Back and Looking Forward

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A new year always seems an ideal time to reflect back, take stock, and set new goals. And one of the goals for the Cloverleaf team this week, is just that. So, here goes ...

Accomplishments for 2009 ...

In 2009, I began eating 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruits daily. Last year I would have thought that was impossible. But now, I love the taste of them. I used to have to eat them with a dip, now I enjoy them plain the best.

While I am not exactly to my goal yet, I have maintained my weight loss through Summer vacation, Fall vacation at an all inclusive resort - Whew! And through the Christmas holidays.

I bought 3 bikini bathing suits this year. No, I didn't need 3, but I had not worn a 2 piece bathing suit in nearly 10 years and it was fun to buy them. And I have a waist, an actual waist - YAY!! I went down 2 sizes. I went through my closets and drawers and I gave away all my clothes that no longer fit. I have room for cute, skinny clothes.

In 2009, I became someone who looks forward to exercising rather than dreading it. I've been a motivation for my husband, my mom, and my friend who are all exercising daily and making a conscious effort to eat better.

I am less reactionary. I can notice things and chose to react or not. I am able to live in the moment and enjoy it. I am less anxious. I feel attractive. My husband and I started a regular weekly date night.

I was more organized. I kept a daily calendar and a to do list. I can look back and see all the tasks I have completed. It's gratifying to see what I was able to do. The lists kept me focused - even small bits of idle time could be used for something I wanted to get done.

I started a daily prayer journal. I can look back over it and see all the prayers that God has answered for me this year, large and small. I feel grateful.

Goals for 2010 ¡K..

In 2010, I will reduce by daily sodium intake to 2000 mg or less per day and I will average 10 glasses of plain water per day. I have tried to do this before and have never been able to do this consistently. Now that some of my other habits are a routine, I will focus on these this year. When I am successful at making these a habit, I will reward myself. I am thinking about a red or purple suit ¡V two of my favorite colors, and both suits I gave away this year when they got too big.

I will participate in a half marathon. I've already picked one. It's May 16th. I may convince my husband to join me ;-) And I will learn and begin incorporating a new exercise or stretching routine by taking a class - maybe spinning, zumba, yoga, or tai chi.

I will spend 2 hours less in front of the TV and personal computer each week. Right now I average 15 hours a week. I will reduce that to 13 hours. I will take the time I save to consciously get something done from my To DO list.

I read that being grateful is a big part of being happy. Each day, I will list three things I am thankful for and I will continue to keep my prayer journal and to do lists. I find that even if I have a bad day, I have to smile looking back over all the notes I keep.

I will create a cheerful place in my basement as an exercise area so Hubby and I can work out together rather than one at a time. And so we have a place to play with the Wii together.

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My Favorite Christmas Carol

Friday, December 18, 2009

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

We just bought tickets as a Christmas gift for my mom and dad and hubby and I to go see these guys.

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Dancing is great Exercise

Thursday, December 17, 2009

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhrze8kJQM0

Too cute, my daughter sent me this link today.

I have a long to do list to finish before Christmas gets here. I am feeling more organized today because now at least I have a list rather than just a million thoughts scattered in my brain ;)

Yesterday I got my hair cut, mailed cards and gifts for family out of state.

Tonight I am going to Kickboxing class, then baking some cookies for a party on Sunday. My favorite Rootbeer cookies. Attaching the recipe here. I must caution you that they are worth every single calorie ... assuming you like rootbeer.

www.recipezaar.com/Root-Beer-Float-C
ookies-57007

Tomorrow night I am shopping for Christmas gifts. Saturday is doing some cleaning, and deciding on a game activity for Sunday's party.

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Thanksgiving to Christmas

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Thanksgiving through Christmas for me is usually a roller coaster of emotions.
My husband starts his Bah Humbug attitude a few days prior to Thanksgiving each year. I don't for sure know exactly where it comes from ... but there's so much "grinch-y-ness" that comes out.



Typically I spend a lot of effort during these four weeks trying to cheer him up or overcompensate for his grumpiness by being more cheerful. Typically all the extra effort either makes me a little irritable, sometimes downright annoyed. OK, to be honest, often at best, I remain with the smiles outside and am a little frustrated or disappointed inside.

And then this year, it started, right on schedule. A few days, maybe a week before Thanksgiving. And I observed it, noticed it, but didn't comment, didn't overcompensate. I gave him the freedom, the flexibility to be miserable, while I let myself be happy. WOW!! That was really quite an incredible realization that I could do that. That I did not have to feel responsible to cheer him up. That he could just feel like he wanted, and I could just continue on and feel as I wanted to.

Thanksgiving day came, and to me, it was the best Thanksgiving in years. All the family was there, and there was absolutely no tension. I love my family - every last one of them - but when there's 20 of us together in one house, there's some teeny tiny tension somewhere that can be observed. Nope, nothing, nada. Everyone got along, everyone was relaxed. Not one eye roll over one too many glasses of wine, or an offhand comment.

Then the day after Thanksgiving, I turned on Christmas carols in the morning. My grinchy husband complained. I didn't complain or whine back. I figured it's OK for him to complain, right? And he got over it, we didn't argue about it as we would have done on a typical day. Within 30 minutes, he had been irritated, and was over it, and I was still in a joyful mood.

So, December is starting. Christmas is on its way. The first party is Friday. Then a busy weekend of birthdays. And already he asked about what our plans would be and didn't groan about rushing around or missing a football game ... ;-)

I think this might be a good time to set some goals. Maybe I'm on a roll this season and need to ride out this momentum.

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