Dedicated to Decorating

Yep, I am sometimes a silly woman, and it shows with the changing of the seasons. I have always been a holiday decorator. This is something I do for myself, and sometimes for others, trying to share the spirit of the seasons, mark in celebration the passing of time.  These past two years have been no different despite living alone. I celebrate for me, and don't worry who might not feel in the 'mood' for Christmas.

In my past, for the most part, it was just a quirk that my ex-husband knew was for family and friends who visited for the holidays. It always seemed a mad rush to prepare for one day of celebrating, and sometimes was very stressful since I felt I was doing it alone, the shopping, baking, wrapping, cards and decorating the house and the tree. Maybe things would have been different if we had been able to have children of our own. Kids seem to ignite excitement in the hearts of their parents, giving us a taste of what we once felt ourselves in the weeks that led up to Christmas. Without the children, and with my last partner, who was always depressed during the holidays, it was a struggle to bring warmth and joy to the holiday.

Now, I decorate to lift my own spirit to a higher level. Am I entertaining? Doubtful, this place is far to small for a crowd, with little room to house guests, and everyone has their own plans for the holiday. My little tree greets me when I come home from work. I put lights in the bushes out front to share with my neighbors who have also decorated. That has always been a favorite part of my Christmas, taking a drive and seeing the creativity of others. Money and resources keeps me grounded in how much I can do around here. It's simple and beautiful, and I spent my weekend decorating and cooking for myself along with my myriad of typical chores.

Next on the agenda will be Christmas cards. After that some baking. (I passed on both last year due to lack of funds) I'm sending early Christmas wishes to all that stop by to peek at my blog.

Wishing All A Joyous Christmas
k

Haven't Said Much

I haven't said much lately because I haven't had anything to say, lol. There is work and there is home, and that has been the routine. I did put Fall away today and did some Christmas Season decorating. Tomorrow is my 'little Christmas tree' day, along with assorted and oh so much fun regular chores. I can decorate even if I don't have a big celebration, it helps me find the spirit.

 My current status"? I am fighting the usual battle of the funds per normal; as in what can you live without and what must you have.

I'd like to know if the members of our Congress have to stop and figure out if they can afford to buy groceries this week? I have my sincere doubts. Or the CEO's of major corporations, do they have to pinch pennies for the holidays? Would one too many bills throw off their home budget? Hmmm...

Ok, done bitching, I'm just having a harder than normal week financially because the dentist wanted $263 for 3 cavities. I seem to remember that simple fillings, cleanings and x-rays were covered. I guess it is just like my health insurance...it pays less each year. Pretty soon we will have to stop and consider if having insurance makes any difference at all. What I pay per pay check to have the coverage, and then have that same coverage  not cover what it used to?  Again...hmmm

I sometimes wonder if anyone else thinks that the gulf between those who have and the rest of us is growing at a faster pace. I cringed at that Black Friday sales numbers..because you can bet that most of them used credit. If I don't have the cash for something then I do not get it. That deep hole of debt sits and stares at me every day. It disturbs me that "getting the economy moving again" means fellow members of the 99% using credit to make it move. Have we not yet learned our lesson? Zero x Zero=Zero

The biggest crash is yet to be.
Seems our government and it's citizens do not learn from their mistakes.

k

My Prayer of Thanks

(Head bowed)
Thanking God for
the gifts he has shared with me.
Shelter, warmth, food to sustain;
Friends, family, love,
and the gift of laughter.
The ability to get up and go to work
each day with an energy that
leads me through each challenge.
Music that takes me on journeys
of my own imagination.
The ability to face adversity, stand tall
and overcome.
The beauty and diversity of life
which share this blue world with us.
Gardens that bloom, wither and come
back, bringing joy through the seasons.
My fury friend that shares my life
and home, who gives unconditional love
and purrs that warm my heart.
For all that I have and hold dear,
I thank You Lord.

Thanksgiving
2012
k

Just out of Curiosity

Just out of curiosity tonight I added the total views of all 3 of my blogs. (Simply a Life, Simply Poetry and Souly Speaking) The total came to 10,599. I have been viewed from all over the globe, and I think that is kind of cool. I know that not everyone who visits finds what they are looking for, but perhaps some do.

I started blogging on Souly Speaking in January 31, 2011. My reason was self therapy, and it was painful   to lay out how my life had taken a huge turn for the worse. I did achieve what I set out to do which was using the blog as a venting place that kept the anger and pain from exploding out of me in the physical world. I found my inner peace again after a long year of sharing. That blog is rarely written on anymore since I pretty much said what I had to say and then some. If you have ever have been heartbroken then Souly might appeal to you, though I admit it is a dark place to peek into.

Simply Poetry came next, just someplace to jot down what was rolling around in my head. Eh...I really like a few of my poems, but most were just attempts to share what I see. When the mood hits me I post there.

And finally Simply a Life which is more like a journal then any other form of expression. It's a shared view of what's happening in my life, what I am thinking about, and other news. Hopefully if anyone does take something away from visiting it would be a need to express themselves as well. And I hope that  maybe it will make the world a little smaller, realizing that we are not all so different from each other no matter where we live.

  I am "far-far-far" from being an accomplished writer, and I know because I read a great deal off line. When I was much younger I kicked around the idea of being a professional writer. I dabbled some and because I was my strongest critic I let that dream slide away. (much to my English teachers dismay) Life happened and time passed and it was another 20 years before I felt inspired to write again.

Welcome to all my visitors from everywhere around the globe. Leave a quick comment if you'd like, I would find it interesting to know more about you too.

g'nite
k
Simply Poetry

Simply a Life

Souly Speaking

Fast Forward

Just a brief note, because it has crossed my mind a few times lately. It's just strange how time either stretches or rockets forward at certain ages of our lives. When we were children the school year seemed forever and summer break was over in a heart beat. Christmas seemed to take forever to arrive, and vacations flew by.

As an adult time has slipped into fast forward and seems to have no intention of slowing down. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday I was 22 and preparing to be married. That rascal time is at it again, because I find it hard to believe that another year has almost passed.

Last year, 2011, was a kick Kelly's butt year.  I had some mountains to cross, and a few that are still looming ahead of me. It was a year that was a passage out of pain, between my heartache, and my own body. I can hardly believe that Christmas and the New Year are just around the corner now, and 2012 will also pass into remembrance. The holidays last year were hard on me, and it showed in my writing and the one sadly flat Thanksgiving video I posted.

That saying that "time heals all wounds" is quite truthful in my respect. This seasons holidays don't seem so dreaded. I do have at least one family gathering to attend before Christmas. And though I am off this Christmas, I intend to make phone calls and burn up my cell minutes saying hi to family and old friends. I will sit back and enjoy the music and treat it as a relaxing day off.  I worked last year, it helped some, but not enough. This year I feel stronger than I did then. Next year? With hope in my heart I will not be alone but instead sharing the holiday season with a good friend and room mate.

I'd like time to slow down a bit now and stop whizzing by so quickly. If anyone has any suggestions, please, comment away. I'd almost prefer the slow motion school year to getting whiplash when looking at the calender. A very loud "Slow down Buddy!" to Father Time. ( Somebody give that Dude a speeding ticket please.)

kel

Birthday Bash

So...I spent my birthday with a lot of people who had too much to drink.
There was a very loud band and a rowdy crowd.
Some of those people got into squabbles,
and some were not careful and fell.
Some were angry when you tried to help.
At one point the police had to be called for
an unruly party guest.
Some left very happy, some not.

Yes..you got it..I was working for 11 hrs.

k
sadly no one brought a present to the party...lol

PS
guess I will finally bury the last memory,
pawn the ring, and buy something to make me smile.

Back to work

Another of my midweek weekends is over. I don't feel like I accomplished too much., mostly "have to" chores and relaxing. The work week (F,S,S,M) is sure to be busy, another Saturday night concert, this time "Candlebox." And yes, I'm working on my birthday, but since there is no one to really celebrate it with my being at work will keep me distracted.

It's funny, as children we loved our birthdays. Cake, presents, family and friends. After hitting 40 they all seem rather pointless. As in "Yay! I'm not dead yet!" --- my tribute to Monty Python's Holy Grail by the way. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for each day I have. I am thankful for food and shelter and my family, though they are rather far away. I would have loved to kick up my heels and had a time out on the town, but that's not going to happen. I will make it up to myself some other time. A belated gift to myself so to speak.

Normally I pick up a new book as a gift. Ever since Borders closed it's doors it's been hard to find a decent book store around here. The closest Barnes and Noble is somewhere in the wilds of Frederick, MD, and I have not yet explored the town well enough to not get lost. Just the bus station where I picked up Mel when she came to visit.

So instead I picked up a few small items towards Christmas, cards and candles. I am looking forward to the peace of the season, and spending time with family. And church will happen this year, work will not be impeding on my time to attend. I am greatly looking forward to that.

have a good week---end
k