Sunday, January 29, 2012

Pay it forward

  I like the idea of pay it forward.  It gives us the chance to repay the help and kindness we have received by doing a favor for someone else.  It makes sense because the new person may need the help more.  For the past  five years, I have been reading to a young women who I'll call Pom Pom Girl.  I can give the gift of time to someone who needs it.  It's a win-win situation, because I benefit as well.   I enjoy my two mornings each week, and I know I make a difference.  I feel needed, and I enjoy helping someone else.  If you have some time to spare, I'm sure there are many things that you could do.  Don't be surprised if you feel that you receive as much as you give.  Have a good week everyone....and the beat goes on....the beat goes on...

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Teamwork and Dedication

  The New England Patriots are going to the Superbowl game and they will play the New York Giants!  It will be a rematch of 2007.  After today's  game, the Pats were awarded a trophy on the field  in front of the fans.  The players praised their teammates,  and team owner,  Bob Kraft  thanked the fans.   After the game, he spoke about a dinner he hosted last night for former players who were attending the game today.  Patriots fans have known for years that this organization is special.  Sadly, Mrs. Kraft passed away this year during the lockout.  Players, coaches and owners were not supposed to have any contact, however both current players and former players attended her funeral.  This year the team dedicated the season to Mrs Kraft.  Their offense is solid, but the defense ranked at the bottom, and so there were a lot of  questions.  Mayra Kraft had never seen a football game before she owned the team.  She loved to volunteer and required that the players do the same.  Players got to know her very well, and they spoke of their love for her.  We heard stories from players about her generosity, and her famous chicken soup. 
  I wish the Patriots well, and I hope they win.  This year they have a bigger  focus, and everyone will have to work together if they are to accomplish their goal to win the championship.    As a parent,  it was easy to point to the Patriots as good role models.  Players were held to the highest standards both on and off the field, and all of New England could feel good about being part of something great.
   When Matt went to first grade, I asked him to do two things for me.  One was to work hard, and the other was to be respectful. He did a great job with it , even though it  proved more difficult in high school.  I'm glad that Matt played sports, and is still friends with some of his teammates today.  Teamwork and dedication are traits that are required in every profession.  All of us are thrilled to have hardworking,  respectful individuals help us get the job done right....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on......

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Accentuate the Positive

    I'm happy to report that I've been able to keep my New Year's Resolutions for fifteen days and counting!  I'm using a jounal to record my meals and exercise each day.  I also make a gratitude list with three or four things.  My hope is that I'll be able to review each month, and see the good things in my life.  Some days my list shows sleeping in late, or a good day at work.  I want my journal to evolve throughout the year, and my goal is progress not perfection.  It's always easier to focus on the annoying negative stuff, than it is to acknowledge that the glass is half full.  
I've decided to list some of my favorite things from the Holiday Season.
   My most thoughtful gift was given to me by my niece.  She made each of the aunts a wooden puzzle as an art project in one of her classes.  There was a cat for the cat lover, a frog for the frog collector, and I got the pug.   They were all beautifully stained, and each was fantastic!  She definitely deserved the A grade that she received.  We each also received a hand made card and mine said " You never know when you might happen upon magic.  It's all around us-- watch and you'll see!"  I loved it, and of course I'm going to keep my eyes, ears and heart open to the possibility of magic.
   My most beautiful gift was the bouquet of roses and peace lillies that Matt sent me.  They looked good, and smelled good for almost two weeks. 
    My most useful gift was the great smelling hand soap that I recieved and will use every day.
    My most practical  were the gift cards which I will enjoy throughout the entire year.  My goal is to use my cards and gifts before next Christmas, and I will definitely achieve that.  I will also think about the person who gave me each gift, and remind them of my purchase when I speak to them.  It does keep the Holiday Spirit alive for a little longer.  Have a good week everyone....and the beat goes on....the beat goes on.....


   

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Wrapping a bow around 2011

   The Christmas tree came down today, and most of the decorations have been carefully stored.  It took me a couple of hours, and I remembered that it took a lot less time when Matt was around to help.  I just asked  him to give me a short amount of time, and I would handle the rest.  All I needed was the time it took for a CD to play while we put ornaments on the tree, and  we made a top ten list of the previous year as we took things down.  We started with the categories of people, places and things, and it was interesting to hear what  stood out from the last twelve months.  I always felt like this was a win-win, a real positive activity.  We spent some time together, and I learned the kinds of things that  Matt found important.  It also gave us a chance to realize that we actually had accomplished a few things, and had some fun while doing it.  Kids seem to be more comfortable talking when they are working side by side.  Awards from school, big wins from sports, fun day trips, and our favorite movies would all make the list.  Blizzards, and other wild weather events always got some consideration.  Kitchen disasters, and other silly things were recounted, and given a grade.  We were  working together and laughing at ourselves, which isn't usually as easy combination.  It also got us started on our list of things to do next year, which we'd eventually call goals.
  Among this year's top ten for our family were a wedding, several new baby cousins, a new condo, some travel, pretty good health and finances, finally completing one home project, as well as being able to work on my blog.  2011 has been a lot of fun for me, and I can easily review last year by just scanning the weekly topics.  I promise to always try and accentuate the positive things in my world, and to recount my experiences with humor in 2012.
  As always, take what you like and leave the rest....and the beat goes on....the beat goes on.....
 

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year !!!

  It's hard to believe that it has been twelve years since we all gathered for the turn of the century.  Remember all the hype with Y2K and the computers??  It cannot possibly have happened more than a decade ago !!   I know it's a cliche, but the last few years have flown by.  2011 was better for me than 2010, and I'm expecting 2012 to be better than any of the other two-thousandsies.
  This year, our New Year's Eve was pretty typical.  We went out for an early dinner,  then back home for a movie and watched the ball drop from the comfort of our TV room.  These days, I prefer to watch the midnight fireworks while sipping a cup of tea in my jammies. 
   Each new year starts with a blank slate, which makes it a perfect time to set new goals, and outline the direction for my next twelve months.  It's easy for me to make broad statements like "may we all be healthy, wealthy and wise in 2012."  Let's break it down, and see if I can get a little more specific.  This year, I plan to  be more active every day (healthy).  I can walk my dog, watch an exercise video, or walk in place while I watch one of my TV shows ( why did I ever give my treadmill away??)   My goal will be thirty minutes per day, and I'm going to record my activity.  I'd love to win the lottery (wealthy), but until then, I'll continue to work hard at my day job, as well as set some practical goals towards getting Matt and Muggzy published.  Success is the journey not just a destination.  I hope my wisdom will come from asking for other opinions, paying attention to current events, and staying involved with family and friends.  I never thought I had all the answers, and  I love to bounce ideas off others. 
   May our problems be few, and our blessings be many.  Let's all list a few practical goals for the next year, and perhaps one or two that will be hard to accomplish.  Have your kids set some resolutions too.
 Let's hope the economy turns around for all of us, and our neighbors find the jobs they've been looking for.  May we enjoy a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012...  and the beat goes on....the beat goes on.....