Thankful

The current temperature is about 8 degrees Fahrenheit. That's without the wind chill factor. It makes me really thankful for two things. One, that they have finished work on the new windows on the house. It is so nice not having a collection of ice on the inside on days like today. Secondly, and more importantly, is the fact my folks are now back home and have power again. A day like today really makes a person thankful that they have a place that shelters them from the elements. I know I am.

Ice isn't nice

If you haven't heard, there was a huge ice storm in the Midwest. My parents live in that area hit and saw a bunch of the storm. They are fine, but they are without power and may not get it until the end of the month. If you want to see why, there are some striking pictures of south-central Nebraska available here that show the damage. They are currently living in a hotel room about an hour away from their home as that was the closest they could find that actually has electricity.

They had power temporarily around Christmas, when we were all visiting. I guess it could be one of those "Power of Christmas" specials on cable TV, except for the fact that the days without power afterward would probably damper those feel-good moments.

The Requisite New Year's Post

Happy New Year eveyone! Today is the day when many people are acting on their best behavior. They have started their diets, gave up drinking and/or smoking, treating people better and otherwise being their "best selves".

I'm no different. I've got a few goals for myself this year; including lose some inches off my waist, read more books, and the like. My big resolution is to make my life less stressful. For years I've had a sort of pride about how stressful my life was. It was my red badge of courage, I guess. Now, I need to get rid of it.

How do I do that? Heck if I know for sure, but I think I need to start saying "No" more often. I do know how to say it, but I tend to keep that gun holstered. My problem is that I tend to find new challenges and opportunities as very good and exciting things. I tend to add new things to my plate before I'm finished with the old obligations. Stopping that pattern; that's my first step on this trek toward a less-stress lifestyle.

Of course, like most New Year's Resolutions, I give this one a couple months before I give up on it. {grin}