with no words.
The End
If You Smell Peppermint…
it’s coming from my place.
As I mentioned the other day, in the last few months, I seem to be having some sort of…thing…with peppermint. It happened slowly enough, almost without my noticing. But then, as I looked more closely, I realized that the crisp-and-clean-and-no-caffeine scent of Peppermint is positively everywhere I turn. It can’t be an accident. Lemme show you.
~I’m drinking it for breakfast and sometimes before bed–luscious soothing peppermint tea with an itty bitty–ok sometimes huge–spoonful of honey. Ummmm….
~Starlight mints and peppermint balls are in the candy jar on the shelf–where I can get at ’em quick and easy on my way out the door. That’s very important.
~Apparently, I need candy cane flavor on my lips too…you know…just in case. Baahahaa!
~I’m quite fond of washing my grubby little mitts with Winter Peppermint hand soap. Oooh…chilly.
~Then, before bed, my tootsies get the full treatment–Peppermint lotion with essential oils–which makes it that much more cool. La-te-da.
All I know is that it makes my toes all tingly and smells divine. Yes, that’s what I said.
~Cleaned out my purse yesterday and to my utter horror, there was a huge, mysterious pile of peppermint taffy just kicking around. Now, how did THAT get in there?
Shameful.
Sheesh.
~Lastly, I should mention the annual hording of the “after Christmas” discounted candy canes. Because as everyone knows, you just can’t have too many candy canes…especially when they’re ten cents a box.
At least, I don’t think you can.
I have 4 cases in the storage room, so I should know.
They’re sitting next to the Costco size box of Peppermint Patties.
Whaat?
I’m holding them for a friend…I swear.
                                                Counseling might just be in order.
For Another Day
Every year, in preparation for the holidays there are dozens of sewing bags or craft boxes or piles of yarn strewn throughout the house–so that no matter what else is going on, in the event that there is a spare moment–somewhere, the handmaking can continue, uninterrupted. I love it this way, because these particular hands are just too fidgety and restless to sit still for very long, without some purpose–any purpose.
But something interesting happened this year. There were the same stacks and piles and bags and yarn, all with a certain important project to be finished, but quite often, a little whispery voice would nudge me to just put it down…and so…quite often…I did.
True, the Babushka ornaments will have to wait another year to get their flowers…
the button trees are only partly put together…
the girls’ headbands are nearly finished…nearly…
and the cards never got sent at all.
I couldn’t find the laminating sheets for the nativity set…
and the snowflakes were never hung.
But in the end–there were the same smiles and giggles and hugs that come with the season– even without a few “vital” projects–that no one seemed to miss. And for me, the conscious decision to slow down, and be present and enjoy the moment with those faces I love–
turned out to be the greatest gift of all.
To Become
Believe it or not, I’m an avid list maker. Lists about everything–to do, to make, to cook, to crochet, to try, to call, to buy, and to redo. If it can be listed, I’d be happy to do it. This fact, makes facing the New Year more fun because if something doesn’t get done–I’m more than happy to scoot it ahead to the next page…or next week…or month…well, you get the picture.
I do love how the New Year gives us all that gentle nudge to go beyond the ordinary task list, and make a few real-live, honest-to-goodness resolutions. This year, rather than things I’m determined to do, I’ve decided on a few things I’d like…
to become.
Therefore, in 2012, I resolve…
~to become more grateful for the health, happiness and family-life that I’m so lucky to share with those that I love, both human–see above…
and feline.  :}
~to become more loving, kind and caring both within these walls, and outside them–more generous with my applause, a smile or a simple nod that could lift someone’s spirits or give them the strength to keep moving forward.
~to become a better friend and listen harder–to actually look people in the eye while they speak, so they know they have my complete attention…no matter how short they may be.
~to become a participant rather than a spectator, to go outside rather than watch from the window, to let a little rain fall on my face rather than dodge for cover–whether or not I’m wearing waterproof mascara. Believe me…that’s big.
~to become more healthy by cooking more and eating mostly wholesome food…and feeding it to my family as well…and to figure out what the heck my deal is with…
peppermint–it’s everywhere! More on that later.
~to become more trusting of my own abilities and have greater faith in myself and what I know deep down inside I can do…and then do it.
~to become a ferociously organized person with an incredibly low tolerance for clutter. I know, I know, big talk…I’m working on it. And no, I’m not showing you a picture of why this is sooo necessary. It needs to happen…trust me.
~to become a brave, courageous person who’s not afraid of anything…or of so many things, at least.
~to become a woman of valor and strength, someone my family, my friends and the Lord can count on–to do what is good, and kind, and right…no matter what.
This is my hope and prayer for 2012.
What about you?
New Year’s Potential
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~the bald kid~ 2009
~the bald kid~ 2009
“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.”
~Ellen Goodman