The past 5 months have been very challenging for me personally.  But they are now in the past.  After Monday, my life should start to get back to normal...or at least back to what is normal for me.  It's been a struggle, and for those who have been there to support me along the way.  I thank you.  The support of my friends has been very important to me, and emotionally therapeutic.

Now it's time to focus on the future.   Time to do the things I want to do, reach out to those I care about, appreciate, and want in my life.  If you have been there for me during these past few months, know that I am truly appreciative of your support,  and I want to pay it forward.  I've changed my outlook on a lot of different things.  I've learned that you need to do the things you want to do and do them now.  The time for fun is now.  the time for living is now.  The time to enjoy your leisure hours is now.  Do not put it off. 

We all have to work for a living and that, of course, takes up quite a bit of time; that being said, the "free" time we have becomes even more valuable.  Make the most of it.  Call a friend, go shopping for the sake of just looking around to see what is out there and available to you.  Step outside at night and look up at the sky; enjoy the view of the celestial orbs, look at the clouds with wonder and awe.  Take the time to imagine the pictures in the clouds.

Go for a walk, and enjoy the weather regardless of the temperature.  Hug your family and friends.  Don't be afraid to tell them you love them, not just once, but every chance you get.  Snuggle up with a good book and a sot quilt.  Do those things you used to do when you were young; just because you are older and wiser now doesn't mean you have to stop doing what is important to you.

Reach out to people you don't know and get to know them.  Join a group, club, or organization that let's you expand your network of friends and become a friend to others.

Treasure every moment.  Life is too short to waste time worrying, hating, or focusing on the negative.  Realize your value to the community and to others in your life, and do something about it.  When you see an opportunity to do good things, do them.  Do them and enjoy it.  The pleasure you get from doing things for others is rewarding enough.  Don't do things with an ulterior motive.  Don't offer to do something for someone with the thought of how they will be able to repay the favor.

Today I spent the day with my mother; we had a "sew day" at my house.  My 83 year old mother came to my house today and we both worked together on our separate projects.  But we also talked about everything and nothing, and we learned from each other.  I'm looking forward to the next sew day, whether it is in my home or hers.

And on the third Saturday of each month we'll be going to the Heart to Heart Quilt and Scrapbooking shop to do the same thing.  This is a new group I'm trying to start; I want to do it it to meet people, to share with others what I've learned about sewing and quilting, but I also want to do it to help others learn about quilting/sewing and enjoy another way to create their own pieces of art work.  Whether it's quilting, sewing, knitting, embroidery, or some other type of needlework, share what you know, and be open to learning something new along the way.

Read a new book, spend time walking your dog and enjoying nature.  Ride your bicycle.  Take a casserole to a neighbor.  Teach someone to cook or bake and share what you know.

In short, start enjoying your life, your job, your family, your friends.  Wake up with a positive attitude and maintain it throughout the day.  Life sometimes throws you curve balls; swing at them anyway.  You may hit a homerun.  And if you don't hit a homerun, it doesn't really matter.  What matters is how you handle the situation.  Remember you can't control everything, and you can't control everyone.  What you can control is how you handle yourself and react to the situations you face.  And the fact that you can control your reaction should be enough.

You may think this blog is a confusing, rambling, unorganized group of thoughts that aren't well put together.  But if you know me, you know that is not the case.  You understand the message between the lines.  Do more than just understand it; act on it.  Do it now.  Pick up the phone and call that long lost friend just to say hello.  Call the person you haven't spoken to for years as a result of one trivial disagreement.  Apologize even if it wasn't your fault.  Repair the relationship and then work to maintain it.  Because without family and friends, there is no point to anything.

Love your life.  It's the only one you get.