Claim it - my word for 2023.

Each year I try to find a word and focus on this one word, in hopes it would make a lasting impact on my life. I haven't done too well with it for the past several years.  I so hope 2023 is different. 

This year is already off to a different type of start with good things on the horizon.  In my workplace, they allow 16 hours towards volunteering.  Since I was trying to learn the ropes last year, I didn't even attempt to figure out the "giving back" portion of the company. Thanks to a friend who also works at my company asking me to volunteer with him, I kinda rolled my eyes and said - sure, why not. (Just as a side note here: the number one reason people don't GIVE or VOLUNTEER is because they are never asked.) 

So you have here the newest volunteer math tutor for HEART Math Tutoring!  I've met one of the two students I will be working with this semester and she is PRECIOUS.  Adore her. We hit it off right from the beginning. Now, let me say here, I have a tendency to reverse numbers when I'm tired or stressed. I told my student this - let's call her Maggie - I told Maggie and she thought that was hilarious! :)  I'll meet my second student this coming week. 

Today, I scheduled time with a coworker to learn more about my company's match in giving. Holy smokes, you can give up to $2,000 a year and they match this!! And the match can go to any organization you prefer, not necessarily the ones you gave your money to, which is also awesome! I immediately looked up two organizations that mean the world to me: 

• Itmann Food Bank in West Virginia.  They have the most creative ideas on how to help people through difficult financial times. Yes, they give out food. But they also have a chicken project that provides a chicken coop and chickens for those who are willing to try it! 35 families now have chickens! And they provide school supplies, clothing, and more. Love them. 
• The Marfan Foundation.  Likely you have never heard of Marfan Syndrome, but it has a huge impact on my family. This foundation works to advance research, serve as a resource for families and healthcare providers and raise public awareness. I've sat in on a presentation from them and it's amazing where they are taking research and finding new solutions to Marfan related problems. 

So, in addition to giving to these companies, I can also give them my match.  AND I can give my gift in memory of my brother-in-law and Dad! I think that's just AWESOME that I can remember these two loved ones through my gift from work! 

AND FURTHERMORE! I discovered as I volunteer and log my volunteer hours, I can earn Community Care Grants to give to organizations. I earned $50 for signing up to send a card to someone in Maine. I'm so excited about this aspect of my workplace.  This is foreign to me and I love it. 

What else can I CLAIM in 2023? I'm hoping to get my passport and am encouraging Mom, my sister and niece to also get theirs... you know, just in case we should want to travel somewhere! Mom has an interest in traveling and I think I could convince her. And I want my niece to see the world outside of our little state. Or the states around us. I want to have to understand there is so much more to this world and it's so beautiful and awe-inspiring.  For Christmas, I signed her up to receive the magazine, "Faces", which is supposed to be about other countries.  So I hope to instill in her a love for travel and exploration.  

I know this year is going to be tough, going through so many things without my Dad.  Today I found a voicemail on my phone from him and listened to it.  I can't believe it's already been four months since I've heard that voice.  Wow. But he would never want us to sit and mourn. That wasn't him. He loved us so very much, this I've never doubted.  The voicemail was him worrying about me and wanting me to call and check in to let them know everything was ok.  Yeah, 2023 is going to be hard. But it's going to be good, too. Claim it. Claim all the good out there and push through the bad. We got this, right? 

And 2018 Begins.

Happy New Year!!! Since we are only halfway through the first month, surely I'm not too late. I made my "resolutions" for lack of a better word, and am working on my life. So thankful I am so blessed that resolutions are something I can focus on because I don't have to worry about my basic needs. So thankful.

In the recent cold snap...heck, deep freeze!...I gave thanks for a protective and warm shelter, warm electric blanket, and running water when I woke up in the mornings. I'm hoping I don't have frozen pipes this morning as I forgot to leave a faucet dripping! I have yet to figure out how you people in the north survived crazy cold winters and don't have frozen pipes. Baffled. Beyond my comprehension.

 So what have I been up to, you ask? Because it's obvious it hasn't been blogging. Last year was a tough work year. What should have been our down year, recuperation time, reorganize and get the office back in order year, became one of the busiest years I think I've ever experienced there. Including an election on Halloween!!! And the week of Thanksgiving! But my sweet nieces came to see me at work so I wouldn't miss out. Little Miss trick or treated from desk to desk.

I've spent my downtime exploring many interests, including family history and genealogy. I find this fascinating! This pic, my great grandmother and brother sitting on the porch of the house I live in now.  Wonder if the paw prints were in the concrete at this point or if it was repoured at some point. Anyway, I've hit a roadblock on my great great grandfather that will take some real digging and hopefully that will crack the case.  Although this is a "big" election year, I still think it will be less crazy than last year. So i should be able to find time to take some days off and Visit the historical center. I'll let you know if i figure it out.

Y'all, I started this entry early yesterday morning, having no idea what had happened overnight.  Our police officers were ambushed, four sent to the hospital.  One barely hanging on to life.  I'm not sure why it is settling so heavy on my heart, but it definitely is. I am familiar with two of the officers through my work.  Even if i weren't, the images in my mind of the chaos, fear, adrenaline, grief, anger, confusion...the families at home having no clue anything had happened.  Or maybe listening to it unfold over a scanner, and feeling so totally helpless.  My heart physically hurts for the officers, their family and friends. Please pray for them and especially for officer Doty.

Thanks y'all.

One Little Word 2015

Well y'all, I think my stray kitten has left me. I haven't see a trace of her in several days. I quit putting food out because every time I looked outside a different random cat was dining on my front porch. It's like my house is the cool singles bar everyone wants to hang at. Well, everyone but Noelle. Oh well. 

I'm very excited to announce... [drumroll please]... I found my one little word!!! ENCOURAGEMENT. 

source

I wasn't going to do One Little Word this year. I've been unsuccessful in the past few years. But I was praying that The Lord would surround me with encouraging people this year. Positive people, faithful people. And that He would use me to encourage others around me and be a good reflection of Him. Lightning zapped me, causing the thought - this is your One Little Word!! So I feel like this year will be a success.  Encouragement! 

I can't believe it's almost nine and I'm not really moving yet. Let me get up and get the day started. Y'all have a great weekend!! 

Friday's Letters

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! YOU ARE THE BEST!  All seriousness, I'm so thankful for my Mom - she really is a wonderful, amazing, lovely woman. A blessing!! 

The moment I'd been waiting for - Mary and Matthew to get together at last!!! *sigh*
Rewatching Season Three starting tonight, to prepare for Season Four! EEIIKK!

Dear New Year, I'm excited for you! I'm happy I spend it quietly in my living room watching a Downton Abbey marthon before the season kicks off on Sunday! Woop woop! Dear One Word, I'm looking forward to applying APPRECIATION to my weeks, hopefully every day. I'm starting a jar to drop my written blessings into all year so I can see how wonderful my year was at the end. :) Dear Blogger World, I'm not sure where it's going or how much longer I'll keep it up, but I'm here today.

Sister Beth, Ellie and Donna (my BFF) at the Orange Bowl, ready for tonight's game! 

Dear Clemson Players & Fans, Good Luck with the Orange Bowl!  I'm pulling for you! Dear Dave & Busters, seriously, you are going to be rude to Clemson fans, who are in your establishment with their hard earned money?! NOT a smart marketing move. Let the Ohio fans pay your bills from now on. 

Sweet Niece #2, I hope you feel better soon.  I'm not a happy auntie when you are under the weather. :(

Those are my letters for this week. :) I'm also trying to do the 365 photo thing, do you have to follow the prompts, or are their prompts? Whatever - if I get a pic in a day I'll be doing good. So maybe I'll share those on here once a week, too. Ya'll have a great weekend. :)

One Little Word for 2014

As I lay here on the couch for the second night in a row, watching a marathon of Downton Abbey, I'm full of contentment. So peaceful in my little house, quiet, the Christmas tree lit up, the show on... Snuggled up on the love seat. It's just happiness.

Earlier today we celebrated my Mom's birthday all together at Cracker Barrel. Dad, Mom, Clay, Angela, Katie, Roger, the two sweet nieces and me. The full house, all of the crew! Loved it. So thankful for those moments we are all together. 

Sweet niece #2 knocked out on the way home. She was jut too precious. Adore both of my nieces and their personalities. :). 

Today is Day One of a new year, which means I should have already talked about my One Word for 2014. Maybe I did mention it in a previous post. Regardless, my word is Appreciation. I'm starting over with the first word I chose, the only one I was successful in applying to life. 

I am looking at it a bit differently this go round. Instead of showing appreciation to others, I'm more interested in appreciating my life. My blessings. My God in heaven above who is always here for me. It's so easy to see all the negative, the stressors, those bad things. They take over the joy of life and make me lose focus on all I have to be thankful for every single day. 

Like having my family together at brunch for Mom's birthday celebration!! Quiet nights, peaceful evenings, warm Christmas lights. 

Will you be picking one word this year? Other resolutions?? Fill me in!  And any suggestions on how to enjoy hot tea? I want to "Do theDownton" Sunday night for the return of Season Four. So far, I hate it!  Help!!