Happy New Year and Contemplating on This Past Year

Happy New Year to everyone! I guess with this being New Year's Eve, I am thinking a bit about 2010. I didn't have the best year, did I?That's putting it mildly. First there was the shingles,but I guess the event that has caused the most havoc was when I fell and injured my legs. I can never tell the story about the donkey causing the fall, because then I can't get them to stop laughing. It was funny how it all happened, but it isn't funny that my legs can now so easily reinjure, so I move about like I was walking on eggshells, sometimes looking like a duck.Getting up from a chair is a challenge in itself, and you should see how I do that....a bit of humor in watching that one. LOL Finally, my arthritis in both of my knees is pretty severe, so in essence, things are not the way they used to be, but then what do they say about getting older?..."Old age isn't that bad when you consider the alternative." Joe always says that, and boy does it make me smile.

It is still rather hard to imagine how one event can make such a radical change in one's life, but funny enough, I guess that I still do have a Pollyanna attitude and always say to myself , "There are things one can get that are worse." I just said to Joe yesterday that I would be gutted if it were my hands, as my hobbies are dependent on them. I can still walk, and we take a long walk each morning together for 7-8 miles. I know people who have great legs, and they can't do that. Hey, it shows, I am a persistent little devil for walking each and every day like that, doesn't it?

The best advice I can give to anyone: Keep Movin' while you can! LOL

Now, as to 2011, I can only hope that it brings joy to everyone.I have been reading about people in blogland who are going through so much, and I do pray that 2011 is an easier year and will bring happiness and health to them, because there is no price tag on happiness and health.

I do want to say that I am thankful for many things and here they are:

1. I am grateful for Joe first. He is a keeper, as most of you know, and he is my best friend. It is amazing that we met so many thousands of miles apart, and we are soulmates, so one does not take something like that for granted.

2. I am grateful for Rufus and Charlie, who are my two older dogs. I am so thankful that they are still in good health and happy. Sounds stupid, but they are the two who have stayed the most loyal and faithful to the two of us over the years.

3. I am grateful for our life here in Ireland, as Joe and I found a beautiful place to live. Dunfanaghy, in County Donegal, is a magical place, and I am still in amazement that every corner you turn is stunning. In Pennsylvania, I had to drive for hours to really get to a gorgeous place, but everywhere in this county is stunning. I do appreciate all that so much!

4. I am grateful for my friends, and also all the people I met in blogland, and some have gone beyond the casual relationship and have opened up their hearts to me. That isn't easy when we are doing it through writing and visiting each other's blogs. I do thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

5. I am grateful for each and every moment that I am with Joe. We never let a day go by where we don't say, "I love you" and never just once, but many times. I am so grateful for each and every day that I am with him. He can really make me smile and laugh, and that is rare. We have been married for 14 years, since 1997, and I hope that we are together for many more years to come!!!

6. Lastly, I do enjoy my hobbies, and I am so grateful that I have so many interesting things that I love to do: quilting, art journaling, crocheting, paper crafting and scrapbooking, and reading.

It's the Gemini in me...dabbling in a lot of different things. I am so grateful for the time that I have in retirement to do all things that I could never do when I was working hard as a teacher in America.

Many of you have said that I have the luck of the Irish...I do if one considers the things that I am grateful for.

Well, bring on 2011......I hope that you all have a great year that is filled with so much inspiration, happiness, and joy. I have so enjoyed visiting your blogs, seeing your stunning work, sharing your lives. and always, but always, I am so inspired by you all. I thank those who have taken the time to become my friend, and I can only say "thank you." Be kind to yourself in 2011, but most importantly, be happy and keep smiling!

Happy New Year to all!