Snow Hysteria Richmond Style

For days weather forecasters are predicting the unappreciated – snow. In sunny VA sun is our major snow remover along with any vehicle that holds a blade large enough to push snow and person with a shovel attached to their arms. Activities are cancelled. Driving is dangerous because we don’t know how to drive in snow. Hysteria takes over.

The sun is shining through thin clouds this morning. Grocery store parking lots are full. Shelves inside the stores are emptying. (Could this be a stimulus plan?) Stores do a landslide business as shoppers buy three weeks of supplies to ride out the approaching storm.

Neighbor Patsy called after I finished putting my newly purchased provisions away.

“It’s going to snow. Do you have a snow shovel?” she asked.

“Absolutely not. I live here so I don’t need one.” I replied. Curious I asked “Why do you need one?”

“In case I can’t get out my door. “ she said.

When I asked where she was going, she said, “No where. It was 24 hours before my walk was shoveled after the last storm. And I wondered if we had to shovel our own walk.”

“Only if you like to shovel snow and can't wait.” I quipped.

Patsy and I laughed with each other because we had drunk the kool-aid and were infected with hysteria.

Unappreciated snow I really appreciate. I’m looking forward to tapping my fresh supply of hot chocolate, watching snow fall and reading while wrapped up in my zebra-stripped snuggie.

Create your 2010 smartly

January is the time for new beginnings. The cool short days now are perfect for thinking about what’s really important to you. You may not be able to do much about the recession. You can do a lot to have a great year. Here are some different ways to plan your year.
What are three main goals to accomplish this year? What’s important about them? How will your life change because you met them?
What one thing can you do that brings out the best you? Is it to join the gym and actually use it to firm up flabby arms and jelly belly?
What change can you make that will improve your life right now? Is it to clean out your closet, fix the broken drawer, clean the winter debris off the garden?
What change do you have to make? When does it need to be done? Probably the sooner the better.
Where can you lighten up?
What skill do you need to improve or develop?
What habit do you want to develop?
How can you put more fun in 2010? Perhaps a regular date night, a monthly night out with the girls, going to a new place for dinner, wear a pin upside down and see who notices, wade in a fountain, join a book club.
How can you do more of what you love to do? My favorite is laughing. Try it: laugh a good ole hard belly laugh ‘til your jaws and sides hurt because you laughed so hard.
What are you excited about?
What wacky, crazy thing do you want to do? This is the year to do it so get going.
Who can help you? While this life is do-it-yourself, it isn’t a do-it-alone job.
What do you want to be able to say on Dec. 31 about your life this year? And finally, if you had a theme for 2010, besides tie a knot on your rope and hold on, what would it be? Ask your teammates at work to pick one for the department and listen to an energizing conversation.
It’s a new year, new you and new times never experienced before. Go for it. Create your 2010 smartly.

Sometimes Good Enough is Good Enough

This holiday began with vacation with Don and friends. In great excitement I packed carefully for one full week at the beach. Extra winter gear for walks on the beach, batteries for the camera, food, presents to exchange and a 4’ tree filled the car. The tree was naked - to be dressed and lighted beach-side.

Since it was my first Christmas at the beach I decided ornaments would be whatever I found on and near the beach. Being a recovering complusive shell-picker-uper it was easy to find “ornaments” to dress the lighted bare tree. Shells strung with colorful ribbons did the trick. Feathers, pinecones, and lichen covered sticks added finishing touches.
The Christmas tree passed all expectations. To complete the image I took the tree to the edge of the water and took its picture. Geese and swans were feeding in the water nearby. Desiring a more authentic scene I placed the tree on the dock railing where birds and water made the perfect background.

I stepped back, centered the tree in the camera lens and felt a gust of wind. Crash went the tree to the dock floor as Don yelled “Oh no!” Branches fell out. Shells scattered and broke. Feathers laid in goose poop.

With his help the fallen tree and its dressings, minus feathers, were picked up and carried back to the cottage for a make-over.
Many minutes of fussing and re-doing produced a different look for the tree. It had a slight list to the right, lights were reworked and it was adorned once more with nature’s ornaments. Proudly it stood as if it had never wrecked, doing its job towering over presents and shells too big and heavy to wear.

“What does a Christmas tree have to do with 2010?” you’re asking.

The plan for the tree was carried out just right. I messed with it, unknowingly putting it jeopardy. The wind blew it over, changing everything around.

You have your 2010 plan. A force unseen and unexpected change can come along and change everything. 2009 is a testimony to that. Help from unexpected partners is available. The repair job gets you on track again.

Someitmes good enough is good enough.

Happy 2010 to you and yours. I hope all winds blow in the favored direction.