State of Mind

This morning I find myself in a strange state of mind. The excitement of Christmas still lingers, as it should all year long. Folks are generally in a great mood this time of year. I think it has to do with the fact that we all can slow down, even stop our normal routines and it's OK. No one is going to complain about getting some time for themselves and their families. I hear friends discuss the long lists of things they feel they must get done prior to Christmas. Whatever stress we find ourselves in is, in my humble opinion, self induced. I tell friends to stay in the moment. I also think those same folks who have those long to do lists are the same ones who are creating some incredible memories that the adults and kids will all look back on with warm feelings. Who knows, maybe those kids will someday re-create what they remember.


It was this time last year that Dan and I were sitting at a 7000' elevation surrounded by snow. By this time last year the snow was old news but I was having a time. The first snow came by mid October and when we pulled out in March a lot of snow was headed that way. The staff at the park told us the real snow was just beginning. What was all that white stuff covering the ground for months? We cherish those memories! That brings me to being cold now. I find I'm colder this year at home than last year in the Colorado mountains. Guess it has something to do with the humidity that Arkansas is so famous for. I find I'm cold most of the time. By the end of the week we are suppose to be in the low to mid 70's. No complaining here. Bring it on!!



This week we had the pleasure of meeting Janna and Mike who are visiting here from Montana. Janna is from my hometown. Turns out we know lots of the same folks. We have a mutual friend, Ellie, who was instrumental in our meeting. Janna makes beautiful quilts and she has made one for Ellie. Dan and I had the honor of seeing that quilt. It is a work of art. I took pictures of it but in all fairness to Ellie I will wait to post it. I think that honor should be Ellie's to share. I asked Janna and Mike about life in Montana. Just makes me want to go see it. Montana is one state I've never been in. Someday I hope to change that.



This brings me back to my state of mind. This is our first winter in our house in six years. Usually this time of year we and many RVing friends are heading to warmer climates for the winter. I find I miss the excitement of planning the travels, meeting up with friends, making new friends, seeing new country, the anticipation of travel day, preparing the rig for travel, the setting up once we arrive at our destination. We have many good memories and some not so great, but all in all it was fun. I find myself getting a cold dose of reality that we really did come off the road and we are now into a new chapter in our lives. That doesn't stop me from missing what was.



I'm a person who has reinvented myself many times to adjust to my circumstances. Maybe it takes working on my state of mind. I'm truly enjoying being in the house with all the space, the real refrigerator and a dishwasher that I forget is sitting there. There are lots of good things about being home. First is our home church. It's wonderful to get up Sunday morning knowing where we are going to church, not wondering where a church is. We also have our dear friends Bill and Janice who live just a few miles from us. We see each other regularly and we always have fun together.



My Mom use to tell me that I was going to wish my life away. Wise woman!! I still look forward to things, not so sure if that is wishing my life away but it comes back to the state of mind. The glass is definitely half full. Remember I'm the one who is always saying "stay in the moment".


I hope all our friends are having a great week getting ready for the new year. To all our traveling friends, safe travels, enjoy the journey.