Farmville Is Taking Over My Life

A few months ago, I reconnected with a college friend through Facebook. I rarely accessed the site, that is until this college friend suggested I join in on this virtual farming game. In just a few short weeks, I now sign on twice daily to visit my Farm, harvest crops, tend to the animals and visit my Farmville neighbors to help out on their farms!

I turn on my laptop before I leave for my morning walk, so I can tend to my farm before work... even my neighbor has gotten into the act, spending a few extra minutes after our walk tending to my farm. My return home after work follows a similar routine. You couldn't PAY me to work this hard on a real farm, but virtual farming takes a few minutes a day and the payoff - rewards and farmville cash to be spent on acquiring more stuff for your farm keeps you coming back for more...

As if Farmville wasn't bad enough - another friend who became a neighbor on Farmville coerced me to try my hand at Cafe World, also through Facebook. I've yet to get the hang of it (in fact, my first "medal" was for ruining several consecutive meals as the cook at my restaurant), but I've managed to do well enough to add a 2nd helper and feed a few customers.

I'm not sure how long it will be before I decided to close the cafe or abandon the farm - but for now, I'm happy to spend a few minutes each day in a place that reminds me being a good neighbor, taking care of the environment and taking pride in my work comes with countless rewards in this life! See you 'round, neighbor.

Gummi Vitamin Fan!

I don't know who created the first vitamin in "gummi" form, but let me tell you - I am their biggest fan. I've struggled with taking any supplements and medications in pill form for my entire life. I've never consistently taken a multi-vitamin, until now. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my gummi vitamins.

New Year's Resolutions

Okay. I'm not a fan of making New Year's resolutions that never seem to take hold - but I have renewed my commitment to continue to work towards meeting and achieving goals I set for myself during the past year.

First on that list is commitment to my health and well-being. For me, this means getting serious about losing some weight by making the following life changes: replacing bad food habits with good ones, exercising more - adding some strength training and increasing overall daily acitivity and learning to control emotions so they do not derail any progress I make.

Another resolve is to finish the much-dreaded office organization project (which has been on hiatus for months) and re-tackle those areas at home where my prior efforts have not been mainained. I do believe conquering the clutter at home will go a long way to helping reduce the stressful feelings and free my focus to healther pursuits (like number my number 1 goal above).
Wish me luck in my endeavors!

Saying Goodbye to 2009

This may be my final post for 2009 and that is a welcoming thought for me. I am ready to put this year to bed and look forward to better things to come in 2010.

2009 started out with a bang - literally. It's hard to believe it's been almost a year since that fateful day when my friend and neighbor chose to end his life. While it's become easier to talk about Eric's decision to leave this world, losing your will to live is something I do not believe I will ever comprehend. I am no longer filled with the anger I initially felt afer his suicide and find it easier to recall happier times associated with Eric. I can only hope Eric found the peace he felt eluded him while living.

A year living in tough economical times has helped me focus more on what truly matters to me. I've spent time letting go of emotional and physical clutter from my life, reconnecting with friends I'd lost contact with over the years, and committing to making "me" - my health and welfare - a top priority in my own life.

I'm learning to set goals and create action plans to acheive my goals, not just wishing things were different. I'm still a work in progress, but find it easier to get back on track when I waiver from the healther life habits I've adopted through the past year. I have made a promise to myself - to continue on my path to becoming the best I can be in 2010 and look forward to sharing my experiences along with way with you.

All the best in the coming year!

Tis The Season For Exhaustion

It's December 1, 2009. WOW. I spent some time on my lunch hour yesterday designing my holiday greeting cards and have just fine-tuned the layout. This year, I'll be addressing envelopes to former classmates for the first time in 30 years, thanks to recent reuinion activities and the Class website. It just felt more personal to be sending a card I've created and not one off the shelves this year. It'll probably take me right up until Christmas to actually assemble and mail, but I think it's worth my effort.

I'm only partially through my holiday gift buying and sticking to a pretty strict budget. It's challenging to find meaningful gifts that have a use or a purpose every year. I've turned to more creative gift-giving the past few years, like making charitable donations in honor of a friend or family member.

This holiday season, I am grateful to have my health, a job, a roof over my head, food in the pantry, and the ability to truly appreciate that in these difficult economic times, they are the gifts in life that truly matter. I've found donating household items has been a great way to simplify my own life - shedding the weight of excess -and hopefully helping someone who has been less fortunate this year.

As 2009 winds down, I realize how blessed I am to have a life filled with loving family & friends and I look forward with hope in my heart for a wonderful 2010.

High School Reunion

This weekend my High School class is holding a reunion in Quincy, Massachusetts. I will not be attending, but have already contacted someone on the list who has promised to be my eyes and ears at this event [thanks, Heather!]

Thanksgiving is only 2 days away - and this year, I am thankful to Sharon and my other classmates who have taken time from their busy lives to create our class website and organize the reunion! Every new contact I make with an old friend is like receiving a new gift. And you can never have too many of those!

Sampling a little Tater Salad on Saturday Night...

This Saturday, I'm off to enjoy the comedic antics of Ron "Tater Salad" White with my friend and neighbor, Carrie. She picked up the tickets as a surprise to me, since we've both chuckled every time we've seen a taped show with Ron White in it. I realize his unique brand of humor may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I do find him funny. We normally catch shows at the Tempe Improv but this Saturday's show is in the Dodge Theater, a much larger forum. I need to pack a few tissues, since I expect to laugh so hard I'll cry! Will let you know what I think of this show! Let's hope Tater's on his game...