Happy 59th Birthday

Today is a special day.

It's my husbands birthday.

We've been together almost 40 years.

We started dating in May of 1971.

We were quite the couple, don't you think?

I could never imagined back then how my life would be 40 years later.

We've changed a lot!

But, we are still so much the same.
We still love each other.
We still have a good time together.
Family is still important.
Actually, it's more important.
We never could have known that we would be a family of 13 already.
The one thing we said way back then was that we wanted four children.
That's how many we had. Four beautiful daughters.

On this special day, I just want you to know how much I love you.
I hope that you love all your gifts.
But, I know the one gift that would totally make your birthday perfect is the one thing that I can't give you. All I can do is say a special prayer and cheer at your side and hope the Bears win the big game and go to the Super Bowl.
Happy Birthday Dick

Go Bears!!

You Capture / Circles

Circles, circles and more circles.

I walked out the door tonight and look what was waiting there for me.

Lots of circles in circles.

Circles in an old lock.

Circle on circle.

But, the best circle of all for this mama is this one!

In case you don't know,

this circle is the Bacardi emblem.
Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

I'm sure there are circles everywhere at Beth's.

Go check it out.

My Big News

I can hardly believe that you can find me here now too.

http://nancy.shrinkingjeans.net/

I am excited beyond belief.

It was a Good Day

Today was a good day!
I got to meet Bari in person.
We met through blogging.

Bari and her adorable daughter were coming through very close to where I live on their way to a gymnastics meet. My daughter and I took off and met them at the outlet mall. We did some shopping, had some lunch and did a little more shopping.

Bari has been a huge inspiration to me this past year. She is one of the powers behind my renewed zest for getting fit. Bari was everything I thought she would be and more. We had a great time and I can't wait to do it again.

Random Thoughts

Bullet points I think are in order......

1. We have a winter storm warning here in nortwest Indiana. I'm hoping for a late start for school tomorrow. They are predicting 6 to 12 inches of the white stuff.

2. I'm really hoping we get lots of snow. I love snow and it makes for some really pretty pictures for the camera.

3. I went to my first functional fitness class last night. It was hard and challenging and I loved it.

4. Why is it that people won't talk to you for months at a time, but you are the first person they call when they need something.

5. My daughter and son-in-law are buying their first home. I'm so excited for them.

6. I love the color green. Hey, I said random didn't I?

7. I am this close to signing up to run/walk a half marathon. You finish on the 50 yard line at Notre Dame stadium. How cool would that be!!

8. Dick is going to the Blackhawks game tomorrow night. That is of course, if we aren't snowed in.

9. My grandkids are the cutest things ever.

10. Dick and I bought a sleep number bed. It is heaven.

11. Dick's birthday is in a couple weeks and I have no idea what I'm going to get him.

12. My granddaughter started taking karate class and loves it.

13. I love black licorice.

14. Natalie has had her bangs cut since the picture was taken.

15. I'm falling asleep at the computer. Time to go to bed. Night!

You Capture / Top 10 of 2010

I had a really hard time with You Capture this week.

I have taken 1000's of pictures this year.

I've been through my albums so many times in the past week.

I finally just picked 10.

They aren't my 10 best, but they are 10 of my best.

Or maybe they are just 10 of my favorites.

This is my Jack. The cutest baby New year ever.

I think this is trail 9 at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

This Natalie and Lizzy at a party this summer. I love how Lizzy is covered in cupcake and Natalie looks like she is trying to decide between the cupcake and broccoli.

Here is Natalie on Christmas morning.

Santa! Need I say more?

Jack looking like a little man.

The beach and waves on Lake Michigan.

If you know me, you know I love the moon.

Believe it or not, Lizzy is watching a parade go by.

A butterfly in the garden at school.

If you head over to Beth's, I'm sure you'll see lots of favorites.

A Better Me in 2011

More than anything, I want to be a better me. I want to be better in all aspects of my life. I want to be a better wife, a better mom, a better grammy. I want to be a better teacher. I want to be a better daughter and sister. I want to be a better friend.

I want to listen more and preach less. I want to give more and want less. I want to play more and stress less. I want to cuddle more and worry less. I want to remember that the best things in life aren't things.

One of my favorite quotes (I'm a nut for quotes) is "A goal without a plan is just a wish.".
I've been wishing that my body would be different for too long. I have made that wish a true goal for 2011. I have goals. Nobody but me can make this change. It is only a job that I can do. I've been talking about it and half heartedly doing it for too long now.

The better me that I want in those first two paragraphs will only happen if I accomplish the last paragraph. I want to be a "better me" and I am going to do it. 2011 is my year and I won't let myself down again.

I have so many friends through this social media that I have never met that have no idea what an inspiration they have been to me. Many of them are my age, but many of them are younger. I've met a lot of them through the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. I'm going to do my best to keep up with them in this latest challenge. It's called the Power of One and guess who the "one" is? Me, of course. If you are looking for a little inspiration to start your new year, this might just be the place to start.

This old dog still has a little bark left in her. I've got some serious barking to do. I can do this and I will do this. The "better me" is right there waiting to be let out and fly and 2011 is when I give her wings. Stand back friends. I'm taking flight.

A New Blog

I started a new picture blog for the new year.

A picture a day for 365 days.

Please come visit.

http://a365view.blogspot.com/