Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Resolutions

1. Stop cussing (so much anyway.)
2. Read (a whole lot) more.
3. Write (a whole lot) more.
4. Learn to speak Spanish.
5. Learn to relax (a whole lot more.)
6. Get (truly) healthy!
7. Get back down to 132 pounds. (or less?!)
8. Get my photos in (truly good) order.
9. Figure out a way to not let the mean people bother me so much.
10. Enjoy each minute. Laugh a lot. Celebrate everything.
Take nothing for granted.

Happy New Year

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Good Jeans

The last time I bought a pair of jeans was December 2006. 
I was shopping at (the Flagship) Nordstrom in Seattle with Allison and she strongly encouraged me to ‘bite the bullet’ and buy some good, stylish jeans. 
I stood in the fitting room while she brought me probably 10 or 12 pair of different kinds of jeans to try on. Some, of course, didn't fit my short, larger in the rear end body, but I would hand them back to Allison and she'd have another pair for me to try on. Off, on, off, on and, eventually, there they were: the perfect pair! I couldn't believe that they fit my body perfectly--including the length! I thought I HAD to have these jeans...
Until I saw that they were $150. Yep. Are you kidding me?!

And guess what?
I bought two pair of those jeans.

That was seven years ago.
I have not bought any jeans since then…and I wear these two pair constantly. In fact, I have no other pants! 
They still look great--thanks to washing on ‘gentle’ and hanging to dry-- and they still fit—most of the time. I get compliments on how cute they are. 
Yes, even seven years later. 

All that to say that the $300 I invested in those pants seven years ago makes the jeans cost about $40 a year. Which is about $3.50 a month. I figure if I wear them a dozen times each month—it’s cost me about 25cents per wear. 
Total deal, right?

I know, I know…it wouldn’t kill me to buy a new pair.
But why would I?
 

Monday, December 2, 2013

I wish I could quit you

In February of 2005...it seemed like a good idea. A great big, full color tattoo on my lower back.

By March of 2005, I was slightly regretful.

By the end of that year...I was planning its demise.

 In October of 2009 I began treatments for removal at Dr. Tattoff's very busy office. Month after month I would undergo the terribly painful procedure--with a week of lingering burning and blistering--and then plan my next appointment as if this was a normal part of life in hopes that it would one day be gone.

But this week, FOUR YEARS LATER, as I received my reminder email regarding my upcoming appointment, I felt a yearning in my heart to make it stop. To make the pain go away. To stop the madness and sadness and...give in to the fact that there will always be a little bit of it left there...and just let it be.
They asked me to please respond to the email to let them know I'd be there for my appointment.
I wrote back,  
To all of you amazingly kind nurses at Dr. Tattoff's office, 
Thank you for the reminder, however I will NOT be coming to my appointment this week. In fact, I am not going to come back any more at all. I just can't--it just hurts too much and, after four-plus years of constant treatments, I am having to call it quits. I am grateful that it has faded drastically but, well, I just can't take the pain anymore--the actual procedure is nearly unbearable, the bubbling of the blisters for days afterward keeps me up at night, the constant burning pain the entire following week...No, I just can't do it any more. Thank you for your incredible persistence with me, but it is finished.
Julie Hibbard
It really has faded immensely...but maybe, much like every other regret in life, a little lingers on long after the actual event is over...to remind you not to go there again. I truly believe (finally at 50!) that sometimes it's ok to stop trying to do something that is not really working. I'm tired of trying and being faithful to something that really isn't doing anything at all.
I am giving myself permission to give up.
I think Einstein said it perfectly,  
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results..."
No more insanity.
I surrender.
And I feel better already.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins133991.html#rtUo0DHO2yt53ZfU.99
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins133991.html#rtUo0DHO2yt53ZfU.99
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins133991.html#rtUo0DHO2yt53ZfU.9

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Give THANKS with a GRATEFUL heart...

Not exactly original--writing a list of things I am grateful for on Thanksgiving--but, today, I TRULY am thankful for SO many things. I have more than I ever thought I would have in life...more than I could ever deserve. Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts today.
  1. I am OH so thankful for my beautiful home. Be it ever so humble, it is warm and cozy this Thanksgiving morning. And paid for. 
  2. I am OH so grateful for my health. Though my back sometimes hurts and my feet often throb, I know that I am SO fortunate to be able to get up, dress myself, run around at work and not have to depend on anyone to assist me physically in any way. 
  3. My job. I know, I know...the hours are rough, I ache at the end of the day, people yell at me quite often and I have to work every weekend and all Holidays. But I am employed. And, for that, I am thankful today. (And I am at work today!)
  4. My four sisters, two nieces and four nephews! Tomorrow, the majority of these beautiful, fun and OH SO lively people will be here to share dinner with us. And dance the night away!
  5. Monday morning I met my parents for breakfast! At 50 years old I am VERY grateful to be able to spend time with my Mom and Dad who are able, willing and always ready to join me for a meal! So fortunate that they live so close too!
  6. My phenomenal daughter and incredible son. When your children are 28 and 31 the only thing you really hope is that they are happy and healthy and loving life. Allison and Zachary are all of these things. Plus independent and making an impact on the world in many ways. I am deeply grateful for this! 
  7. My friendships--most which span DECADES and are cherished beyond belief! I LOVE all the friends who fill our home, join us for parties, laugh at our silly stories...and are there when times are rough or you just need to talk. I am OH SO fortunate to live within driving distance of just about every single friend. 
  8. Facebook, Instagram, email and my iPhone! Honestly, I SO enjoy being able to keep up with everyone and share in their joys and life experiences! I am grateful for technology which helps us stay close even when we cannot be together. 
  9. Getting older. Yes, I still believe getting older is WAY better than the alternative. I have so many friends and loved ones who never made it to 50 years old! I am thankful for the wisdom and experience I now have. I am grateful for how comfortable I am with WHERE I am in life. I am happy to have LIVED all the years of my life. 
  10. My soul mate and best friend, Dave. He has changed my life in every single way and brought me JOY and LAUGHTER for nearly three years. He cares about me and listens to me and cooks for me and keeps me warm. I have never enjoyed life more. I am eternally grateful FOR him and TO him. 
Life is Good
Happy Thanksgiving
I am grateful for you

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

It's November 27th!

 Happy 50th Birthday Sweet Lu!
Thank you for a lifetime of friendship over the last four years! 




















Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Bait and Switch

 It's no secret that I hate to spend money. The kind way to say this is that I'm frugal, however it's really that I think SO much of what we spend money on is ridiculous.
My car is filthy. It's been months--yes months--since I've had it washed. I drove over to the car wash yesterday and, as I stopped the car in the appropriate spot, I could see the prices posted on the wall in front of me. $16.95 for the simple car wash. OK, I thought, I'll break down and spend this to get a good wash and vacuum out my faithful car.
The thing is, when I told the man that was the wash I wanted, he offered me TEN other options--"Today only--$99 for a complete detail!", "OK, for you, $75--we'll clean the rims, the undercoating, and the engine will sparkle!", "How about $50 and we'll throw in your choice of Pina Colada or New Car Scented air freshener!"
Are you kidding me? Do I get a lobster dinner with that? A ticket to Disneyland? $99?! Sheesh!
I said, "No thank you--just the $16.95 wash please."
He wouldn't give up.
I got in my car and as I drove off, I realized why I never go back to the car wash.

It's the same reason I don't get a manicure or a pedicure. Sure, it's posted out front "$20 pedicure", but somehow--through TRULY high pressure sales--it ends up costing me $50 or more. It's so stressful to me when they start offering me all the extras! No thank you!! Can I just get the $20 pedicure, please?!"

I really have a hard time with this...I hate being pressured into buying something I don't want--or MORE than I want--when I really don't even want to spend the money in the first place.

And so, my car is still dirty--but amazingly, still drivable. 
And I trim my own toenails and scrub my own feet.
And they look pretty good.

And my stress level is way down.
And my bank account balance--way up.

Friday, November 22, 2013

And...

This was the verse I had printed on my change of address card when I purchased my home in 2006.
I was definitely clothed in strength and had (finally) regained my dignity.
I really did laugh without fear at the future! I was NOTHING but EXCITED for it!
And today (oh so MANY years later..) I am even stronger.
And more confident...and practically dignified...
And I'm SO happy with how 'the future' is turning out.
And I'm still laughing.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

November 19

My 50th Birthday was six months ago. 
My 51st--six months away. 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Thursday, November 14, 2013

This is my life now!

(Except that my waist is not quite as small...)
NOTHING better than having a true partner.

Monday, November 11, 2013

The perfect day!

A birthday breakfast with a life-long friend.

Got 90% of my Christmas gifts organized and wrapped.
Did laundry, ironed, cleaned the bathtubs and toilets and even stitched up my torn camisole strap.
Ended the afternoon at Reggae concert/contest with my sisters...
And a few others...
The end of a perfect day.