December 31st, 2019, My Favorite New Year's Eve Ever

New Year's Eve nudged me from my cozy bed early this morning. Reviewing my day so far, I can say I've done a year's worth of work already today. The Ever Ready bunny rep is applauding me.  I'm about to initiate my holiday celebration with a Raspberry Tart beer brewed and bottled by New Glarus Brewing Co. here in southern Wisconsin.

Three extraordinary occasions occurred in 2019.

1.  I turned 70.
2.  My husband and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.
3.  I retired.

Fortunately, I don't feel 70, Lon and I are happier together than ever before, and I'm finding retirement is a joy I didn't foresee.

I plan to become best friends with my blog. I am easily motivated to pound out a few words and post a few photos.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU.

   

My Beloved Photo Archives

Tom and Jerry's are my favorite Christmas time treat.

Coloring is a joy with gel pens.

The variety of coloring markers, pencils and pens available is endless.

They love their milkweed.

On Lake Vermilion, this resort is a favorite.

Petunias are beautiful and easy to grow.

My mother loved observing birds and taught us to do the same.

I'm amused by this unusual pose for a robin. Looks like he's watching something very closely over his head.

Metallic gel pens go on very smoothly, makes coloring so effortless.

Another glimpse of my leisure time effort results.

 My recent photos are on my phone. I have no clue how to get them to the laptop I'm using for my blog posts. Until then, I'm using photos stored in my computer archives.

I hope you enjoy them.

Ahhhhhhh.....What a Wonderful World!

Crescent Beach, Siesta Key, Florida

A wooden container that my father made and my mother painted using the rosemaling technique

I completed the biking part of a biathlon and was about to put my bike down and start the run.

A newly emerged monarch butterfly

A pelican coming in or taking off

A hawk in our back yard dining on a bird that he scooped up from our feeder

I hope you enjoyed this hodgepodge of photos from my archives. 

My Happy Place

Actually, my happy place is every where I am. I hope and pray you feel the same about yourself.

Pilates and Racquetball

This is my racquetball gear. I'll be ordering a glove any minute now. 

 

My pilates class is held in this room.

I left home this morning at 8:00 to go to the Y. My pilates class started at 8:30. After that one hour class, I played racquetball until 11:30. Granted, Renee and I spent time teaching a young lady the game, but we also played singles, cut throat and doubles. 

Man, I enjoyed all of it. I LOVE RACQUETBALL. I'm looking forward to playing in a new league that's being organized. 

I haven't been sleeping well so every morning I wonder if I should stay home and take it easy or get a workout at the Y. I'm always glad when I go and I don't miss many opportunities.

I've said it before and I will say it again, the Y is a lifesaver for me and I know it could benefit any of my readers who want to get moving.

Will You Dance?

My challenge in navigating through my days is that I have more options than I ever anticipated. As a result, my head spins and I do many a happy dance. Seriously, I can't dance but my moves are joyful.

I want to be happy. My friend, Cap, reminded me that "To feel good, do good." I will focus on that as I go forward. And, I'll eat chocolate!

I have so much to be thankful for. It's humbling to consider the mountains of blessings I've enjoyed in my life. I will do my best to be a blessing to those whose lives I touch.

And so I ask, will you dance with me?