Something About The Rain

Here in Texas, we are as dry as a bone. We need rain in a bad way, and some parts of our country it is flooding and they can't catch a break. It seems to me that there should be a balance in the powers that be and spread all of that much needed water to the places that need it most and give the areas that can't catch a break from all the moisture. I am sure someday, someone will figure out a way to manipulate the weather and everyone will be happy. Ahem......

Click photo to get a great shot of this.

After the rain, there is always a promise of hope and renewal. Pray for the people of the great state of Colorado who are experiencing devastating flooding. The weather in the mountains can be catastrophic and it comes sometimes without much notice and quickly.  

My husband and my brother are at our cabin in Colorado. They have had some rain but nothing like what other parts of the state are experiencing. Last night, my brother sent me these photos they took while on their way to dinner. 

I always love to take photos of the rainbows in Colorado, and my husband sometimes gets annoyed because I will have him stop a hundred times for me to get the "right" shot. I am sure he was relieved that my brother just took the photos from the car and with his phone. Not bad....but I would have stopped and snapped several shots because that is just how I do it!  This is on the highway by our cabin, if you look closely on the edges of the main rainbow, you will see the double rainbow on top. Very pretty.....wish I had been there to see it in person.

At the foot of those hills, is the road that leads to our place.  This is the place that calms my soul, the place where we recharge and detach ourselves from the rest of the world. A real treasure. I am most thankful we share this little piece of  Heaven. Please remember the folks struggling with disaster and pray the rains move on. The one thing about the rain, even if it's flooding...if you look up, you will always find the rainbow and the message of hope in the end.

“Gratitude is the real treasure God wants us to find, because it isn't the pot of gold but the rainbow that colors our world.”
~ Richelle E. Goodrich

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Dresser Updated

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

When my daughter was moving to Austin, she wanted a larger dresser than what she had in the past. So naturally, I was on the lookout for something larger that was made of good wood and would be something that would last.

I found this dresser on Craigslist, and the price was right, so I went to pick it up. When my daughter saw it she just sorta made a face ...... like... ummmmm...that was not really what I had in mind.

She rather reluctantly told me that this sorta looks like for a little girl. I quickly made the comment along the lines of... " A little girl?"

Well, I was a little shocked at that and said something to the affect  that she actually WAS still a little girl to me....as you can guess, that did not go over too well.

I guess at the age of 24 years old going on 25, the little girl image is not what one might be after. So I did what every thrifty person I know would have done.....reworked that dresser into something fit for an old lady, I mean a  young woman.

So out in the back yard it went. After sanding, painting, and sanding some more this turned out to be the perfect dresser for my daughter. She loved it.

New knobs from Hobby lobby were added for a more updated look. Those cost me almost as much as the dresser did to begin with....I was so glad they have 40% coupons. It only took me about 12 visits to purchase these at an affordable price and doing that I was able to replace the knobs.

Sanding around the edges and corners added the distressed look I love so well.

It turned out like I thought it would. As you can see, the mirror never made it with the dresser. That was still a little too "little girl" like for her. So we scraped the mirror, I think I sold it in a garage sale for what I paid for the dresser to begin with. ~ go figure~

All in all, very little was spent on this piece, and it works wonderfully in her room. What about you? Have you tried your hand a re purposing pieces of furniture and giving them a new updated look?

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!! Have a wonderful week.

Two Words I Never Hear Are " Hey Girl......"

Would you believe it if I told you that sometimes  a lot of times I am faced with a bit of resistance when it comes to getting my husband to implement an idea of mine? It is true. Sadly.

A few days ago, Lane my quilting friend talked about quilting tools. He shared his fantastic idea about using a pill bottle to hold bent pins to keep them off the floor where they don't belong. I seem to have that problem too and yesterday I asked my husband to drill a hole in the top of a pill bottle.

I got twenty questions on that one little request as to why I needed that and what I wanted it for.....all for a little hole. It was almost like he thought I'd gone completely over the edge this time with this request.

Well....since my husband certainly does not have Ryan Gosling's "Hey Girl" attitude I had to explain.

I quickly asked him if he enjoyed stepping on my SHARP quilting pins barefoot? Did he enjoy screeching in pain when it happened???

In no time....I had a functional quilting tool with a hole drilled in the top! In fact this happened so quickly I was rather impressed!

Now....if other matters could be handled as quickly as this one I'd be a happy camper!!

For whatever reason I still get a lot of flack from my husband and son when it comes to holding my quilts up for photos.....lots of complaining to the fact I take too much time doing the photography.

I sure would like to get a few "Hey Girl....." around here once in a while....things would run so much more smoothly if I did! What about you?? Do you have a Ryan Gosling Hey Girl at your house?? Wait.....don't answer that.....I am going to pretend we are all in the same boat!

Documenting A Year Of Your Life

Today is January 4th, 2012. Let me ask you something.......do you remember what you did January 4th 2006? What about how you felt on that day?? Honestly, I can not even tell you what I did on the 4th day of last month, much less any length of time after that.

This year is a milestone year for me. I turn fifty this year. It has been a mounting feeling of panic and dread as 2011 came to a close. I always thought fifty was so old and now....well, here it is right in my face front and center. 

In December, I decided this would be a good year to actually celebrate a milestone instead of letting the doom and gloom of feeling like time is running out take over my very being. And trust me when I say that would be oh so easy to do. That is just really how I deal with uncomfortable things. The gloomy will take control if I allow it. But not this year.

I purchased a journal while out Christmas shopping and started January 1st writing something each and every day. This is a new concept for me, so I really am having to force myself to write in there and yea....you are right it is only day four!!

I also decided to log a perpetual calendar. This was super simple to put together with just some note cards, a date stamp (purchased online) and a box to hold the cards. The idea here is that the calendar sits on your desk and each day has a card. Each day you can write a note, a little memory, or a quote and then move the card to the back of the stack revealing the next days card. Year after year you can add new notes to each days card, while also reflecting on the notes and messages you left for yourself from years past. ( I wish I had started this a few years ago...but then again, I am turning 50 this year, so it is as good of time to start than any)

And lastly, I decided to document a year in photos and called it The Coloradolady Project 365. Taking a single photo each day for one year. I added a new blog just for this. Made a new button which is on my sidebar. Clicking it will take you there.  At the end of the year, I plan on turning these daily photos into a book to serve as a reminder of this milestone year.


Ambitious? Maybe since I don't normally do these types of things. But I think it is totally worth a little time out of my day to do this at least this one year. I have found so far it only takes about 10 minutes from start to finish to do this and well....we all can find 10 minutes out of our day.....or at least I can.

 What about you?? Do you do something like this already? Have you ever thought about doing a project like this...maybe not all three at once, but one or the other? What's holding you back?? It is only day four into the new year...and well.....we all know bloggers take photos daily....so it is not too late to get started. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I have lots of friends turning 50 this year as well.....its not too late to get started!!

Can You Spare A Couple Of Minutes: Card Request

This afternoon, I had a request sent by one of my blogging friends, Anne. I am most sure many of you know Anne yourselves....she is a doll and requested my help. In the email she told me about a friend of hers who is struggling right now with breast cancer and having a hard time. Please see email below...

Hi sweet friends of mine:
I hope you ladies will help me out. Our billing rep., at my work place, who lives in Cheyenne WY has breast cancer and she is really having a struggle. I am providing her address and ask if you would spread the word for prayer and a card or letter of encouragement.


I hope you will encourage everyone you know to send a card or letter to Teresa. Her address is here:


Teresa Wood
4077 Cherry Wine Drive
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-8111


She is having some difficulties and I love her like a sister! Please help and spread the word. I am sure she would be tickled to receive lots of great mail!


I love each and every one of you so much and appreciate your generous hearts! A card or letter goes a long way in making someones day. Blessings, Anne.

If you still addressing Christmas cards, take a moment if you would to drop Teresa a line or two and some encouraging words. A simple word does a lot for someone who is struggling with burdens. Even if you have already mailed your cards, maybe a nice note of thoughts and kind words would be wonderful. It only takes a couple of minutes out of your day....and it would mean a lot I am sure. Mine is going in the mail Friday, Anne. Thank you for letting me know!

And Teresa......sending you lots of thoughts and prayers from my little corner of the world.......hang in there girl!!

No Shame Here

You guys know when it comes to asking for something, well, I usually just ask....or in the past BEG for donations of fabrics to help a quilt come to life. And so I thought I'd try asking again. No Shame. But...this time it is not for me, but for a fellow quilter who needs to be uplifted and encouraged.

This morning, I read a story about Sue who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Sue starts her treatment the Monday after Thanksgiving and is sad and scared and rightfully so. Sue is an avid quilter and could use a little cheering and a nudge to get back to quilting. Quilting during a difficult time would be a great distraction.  Quilting for me, is a stress reducer, I can get lost in the humming of the machine and the feel of the fabrics and forget my troubles for a bit.

You can read more about this Fabric for Sue Campaign on Designs by Debbie & Dixie too's blog. There are instructions to email for information on where to send a little piece of fabric to cheer this lady on as she undergoes the fight for her life. She also asks for encouraging words to uplift Sue during this time to be sent. She'd love to have this done and presented to Sue by December 15th. Debbie is also hosting a giveaway for all who send a piece of fabric.

Quilters are a generous bunch and always come through when asked. This is one opportunity to bless someone in such a small way. Just had to share. Together, we can cheer Sue on during this journey she is taking very soon. Blessings Sue, you will remain in my heart and prayers.

I Like Big Quilts And I Can Not Lie......

Oh, yes....I do. If there was any doubt, let me remind you that my very first quilt was turned from a full size into a king size just like that. After all, bigger is always better in my book.  I always seem to make large quilts. I have never made a twin size unless it was on purpose and that has only happened once. Lap quilts are not even in my thought process and I have only made two wall hangings and I gave them both away as gifts.

With that being said, I have to admit when I sewed the body of my latest quilt from the crumb along together, I thought....."What happened?"

All the blocks were trimmed to 6 inches. There are eight rows up and down, and seven across. Honestly, I have had this on my design wall all along, and for some reason, the thought never occurred to me that this was going to be small...em.....really small compared to what I am used to working with. This is the photo of all the blocks sewn together.....still up on the design wall. I had to check myself because I was sure something was off due to its size. But I finally just decided to just go with it, it was OK that it was not a gigantic quilt....smaller would be fine.....and it really is not small compared to some I have seen.

Here it is with the inner border added. The Green fabric was my starting constant fabric or focal fabric as Jo suggested. I spent the largest part of the day making an additional crumb border to sew on the outside of this green one. I kid you not. All day.......

My thought was to add the crumb border, then another green border, then the larger 6 inch outer border to finish it up. I don't know what I was thinking. After all of that additional sewing, I decided this quilt did not need that crumb border added nor did it need the additional green border. It will be fine as it is.

I need to work on finishing the outer border and getting it all put together. I may wait until next week, because Jo is so good at giving little tips and tricks for making it all come together.  This is a bright one to say the least. But I think I am really liking it and once the large crumb border is added, I think it will be really a neat quilt. I have even learned to embrace working with a smaller than usual pile of fabrics. I may just be finished with the larger than life quilts for a while......maybe!

You may notice the little block in the lower right hand corner. That is a crumb puppy block. It took me so long to get it the way I thought it needed to be that I am too ashamed to tell you long it took. Just know, I will tell you about it once the quilt is finished.

Quilts tell a story and they speak to the artist who is bringing it to life. Especially true for me with this one. Only, I had no idea what was in store  when I signed up for this crumb along or where it would find a home once it is finished. The scraps, the blocks, the story all came together for a quilt with a purpose. This is one like none other I am sure I will ever make. Thank you Jo for the opportunity and the challenge. There was a bigger purpose planned all from the beginning.

If you'd like to see some of the other participants, be sure to stop by Jo's Blog,  Jo's Country Junction and take a look around. Look back on the crumb post and think about trying this process out yourself. It is amazing how different each and every quilt is going to look, all using the same technique. Have a great weekend....happy sewing!

Finished At Last......Square By Square.....Begging Quilt Project

Last year, on October 15th, I had a blog post talking about a quilt I wanted to make and actually "begging" for scraps to be donated to this cause. The response was overwhelming and I was the lucky recipient of scraps from all over the world. Beautiful scraps. (Click photos to enlarge and get a closer look)

Well, after 11 months,which took way longer than I ever imagined, I am happy to say my quilt top is finished. And. I. Love. It. In defense of the time it took to finish this top, I must say I was not able to work on it as often as I wanted. There were other quilts pieced and finished during this 11 month time frame, so I was actually finishing other projects and working on this one at the same time.

This finished up at 104X106 and will go on my king size bed. There are 82 blocks each made up of 64, 2 inch squares. That is a total of 5248 UNIQUE fabric squares......all different. If you missed my post with each block posted to a flicker account, you can see all the individual blocks HERE. Photos just don't do the individuality of each square justice. Each one is unique and beautiful.

From the very first day a envelope arrived with fabric scraps to the last pin removed and the last seam sewn, this has been a real joy to work on. Trust me when I say pin removed....I have pinned more seams to sew together in this one quilt than I could ever imagine.....and I really detest the pinning part of quilting.....so it was a challenge. This is one special quilt to me and I will treasure it for always.

Today, I will be finishing up the back and getting it ready to go to the quilter. I was inspired by a quilt back a friend of mine posted on facebook, I am using more scraps that were sent for this quilt on the back, I am just as excited about the back as it is very different from my normal backings for quilts......but absolutely perfect for this one!

This wonderful top is filled with all types of fabrics from novelty, civil war, holiday, vintage and modern....all unique and all very special.....much like the bloggers who took the time to send the scraps my way. My original inspiration came from Mary, as you may remember she calls these quilts "Big Hugs" and that is exactly how I have come to view it as well....A Very Big Hug!!!

There is however one little one who is most glad to see the finished project almost ready to be out the door and to the long arm quilters....Baily is tired of playing second fiddle to some fabric scraps and hopes that there is more time for a game or two of fetch......she says "enough is enough". Poor little girl, she does not realize I have fallen in love with this scrappy goodness and I doubt this will be my last. I already have in my mind a variation of this quilt using 2 inch wonders....and I know there will be another come from the left over scraps.

I can not wait to show this off one last time....after it is back from the quilter and the binding on it!! I can not thank you enough for your continued support and encouragement during this process...but most of all for your contributions to a very dear to my heart quilt!! I simply love it!! I'd like to once again thank each and every one who had a hand in this quilt coming together. Without your thoughtfulness and contributions, this would have never been anything more than a dream.

It Doesn't Take Much To Make Me Cry.......

Call it hormones.....call it tenderhearted.....call it what you will....but today I sat down and cried like a baby....guess my eyes needed a good eye washing. Many know about my "Cards for Seniors" post I put up each month. You will find that on my sidebar under "one fine blessing". I have no way of knowing how many even read those post, much less participate in that project. I have sorta felt like there were not that many who did have the time to participate and had thought I'd cancel it before the end of the year....I was thinking this might not interest too many folks.

But then today....I received this letter in the mail....and believe me, I just cried.......I'd like to share it with you here. Some of what this dear soul said, I am leaving out as I feel it was most private in nature....but you will get the idea of the message.

Dear Colorado Lady,

Words can not express how wonderful my last Birthday was. No words can tell you what that week meant to me. I am going to tell you about it and thank you for all you have done.

I received a knock at the door one afternoon and it was my mailman. I felt that strange, as I don't get mail other than on sale ad days. (my kids control me and all my money and bills) so I see nothing and get nothing. That wonderful day I had two cards. TWO. I was shaking so bad when I opened them I could hardly hold them. And then, dollar bills fell out of the cards. I was dumbstruck. The cards alone were such a bright spot but that fact that there was a dollar in each I was almost afraid it was a scam. I sat those cards on my mantel and admired them all night. The dollar bills sat there too as I was not sure what to do with that money.


The next day I got three MORE cards and 4 more dollars. These cards had the most warmest greetings and wishes for my Birthday that I could not even remember the last time I felt like I mattered to anyone much less a stranger. My family does not live close and they are so busy, that I just don't see them hardly at all. All my friends are gone and it is just me. I have a neighbor behind me who calls me to see if I need anything from time to time. So you can really not imagine how these cards lifted my spirits and honestly, I had all but forgotten my birthday was coming as it is something that is just regarded as just another day.

What you don't know as I feel like I have some angels who were watching over me. I had very slim pickings in my cupboards until the next week when I got my allotment for groceries from my kids. I always make do, but for some reason this month was a little short. With my Birthday dollars I purchased a small milk, cheese, small bread, a tomato and a chap stick. I made it just fine for several days and was so thankful beyond words that someone out there cared enough to send me a card and a dollar.

Thank you so much and there has to be a special place in heaven for folks like you and all the others who made my week and birthday special. I am sorry it took me so long to write you a note of thanks. I am slow but mean well.

I hope we meet one day on the other side so I can hug you proper.

I don't know really what to say but thank you to all who have participated in this project. When you think you are not making a difference and all your efforts are tossed to the wind, something usually blows back into view and lets you know how much you do matter...to someone....somewhere......in big ways or small. If you know a senior to be added to the list of birthdays, please email me and lets add them. You just never know what a blessing to someone a card can be.

Last Minute Easter Centerpiece - Super Easy

Thought I'd post this fun, fast, and easy project I put together this afternoon. Are you in the middle of cooking for Easter Sunday and all of a sudden you realized you forgot the centerpieces? Well, take a look.....super easy.

All you will need is a clear glass vase, some jelly beans, some peeps, a little plant, a swatch of fabric and some Easter grass.

I took the jellybeans and filled the bottom. Then, took the fabric and covered the little petunia plant. Once the plant is placed in the glass vase over the jellybeans, I added the peeps. Not only are they cute, but they help hold the little plant in place. Lastly, I added some paper Easter grass on top at the base of the plant and added a little fabric strip bow. If you have a cute little spring plant pick, you can add that like I did. Possibly, you might be able to find all these things you need already around your house. I just bought the plant and the glass vase.....I could not find the vases I have stored safely in our shed!!!

I think it is cute, simple but cute. I am taking this with us tomorrow as we are going over to my niece's house for Easter dinner. I think she will like it, at least I hope so. She can plant the petunia in her flowerbed after Easter. Serves double duty that way!

Now, I need to get in the kitchen, I have a dessert to make and a side dish!

Happy Easter.....enjoy your day!!

One Fine Blessing: Cards for Seniors: April Birthdays

March is indeed going out like a lion, and we are very close to the first of April. How in the world did that happen?

I'd like to share with you a couple of Birthday request for April. I will email those who signed up at onefineblessing (at) yahoo (dot) com. But I am hoping there are a few who maybe did not know what to do, so this will make it easier.

The first one, is a request I found while blog hopping. Blackberry Creek home and arts had this request for Birthday cards to be sent to Edna, who has cerebral palsy. Please stop off and visit her post. She shows this lovely lady, and all her cards from last year. I know we can top last years card count. BUT YOU HAVE TO HURRY, her Birthday is April 2 which is fast approaching. I am mailing mine out today. Please take a moment and if you find it in your heart, drop one in the mail too. Such a small gesture, which has a large impact.

Mail cards to:

Ms Edna Quick
P.O. Box 94
Lumber Bridge, NC 28357

There is also a second birthday for a senior this month as well.

Helen will be turning 93 on April 27th. She is recovering from breast cancer surgery but is doing really well. At the present time, she is in a rehab facility until she is well enough to be on her own again. We certainly need to send well wished and encouraging words her way. If you'd like to include a dollar in her Birthday card, that would be great.

Mail cards to Helen at:

Helen Gulickson
c/o Mary Jo Mrdutt - (this is Helen's daughter)
1474 Center Street
Boyceville, WI 54725

I'd like to thank so many ahead of time, because I know many will love this idea and send a card. Remember, if you want to add someone you know to the list, please email me at the above email address for this project.

Together, we can be a blessing to one person at a time.

Remembering Our Senior Citizens: One Fine Blessing

You know the expression that one thing leads to another? Well, that seems to be true in a project I have decided to expand upon. My friend's mom started this endeavor a while back through facebook and I have really enjoyed it. Most of you know Georgie from Decisionally Challenged.....her mom is as sweet as she can be and a heart as wide as the Oklahoma skies, where she happens to be from. She post on facebook months when there is a senior citizen having a birthday and asks for cards to be sent along with a dollar bill.

The concept is very simple. Mail a Birthday card and a dollar bill for a Senior who is having a birthday for that month. Since most are over 70 years old, it is my goal that they at least receive a dollar and a card for each year of their life. How fun and special this will be, and certainly make their day. What a great way to let them know someone is thinking about them and they are important!

For so many seniors, the mail is a bright spot of their day. I am afraid that in our country today, our seniors are often forgotten. Some maybe live far from their own families and spend all the last days of their lives alone, feeling isolated and forgotten. It is a sad thing to think about, but it happens most times than not. Not only that, we all know how hard times are for this country and everyone right now. Just think no matter how hard we feel like we have it, some senior citizens have it harder than we can imagine.

So with my friend's permission and approval, I'd like to announce this project that I am excited about. "One Fine Blessing" This is a project blessing not only senior citizens in our lives, but I can tell you from experience, you will be blessed as well.

I am still working out all the details on this, and you will find a link on my sidebar once I have it all up and running. My plan is to have a calendar to track the birthdays. I have set up a special email for this project alone.

1) If you want to participate in this, just email me at onefineblessing (at) yahoo (dot) com and I will add you to the mailing list.
2) Feel free to email me any senior you would loved to add to the list. You will need to include their name, address and age along with the date of their birthday.
3) At the end of the Month, I will email all participates a list of Birthdays for the upcoming month. You can either chose one or all to send a card to along with your well wishes and if you can include a dollar, that is great.

One Fine Blessing came about with the idea of blessing one senior at a time with a birthday card and one dollar bill. "Fine" is part of my friend's last name, and it is a fine thing to be a blessing to one senior citizen at a time. I know we are all so busy, and I know myself that I try and do for others but time is always an issue. This is a small project that takes very little time to do and the impact really makes a difference one person at a time.

So many of you have emailed me from my post First, Fifth, Forever, a letter writing project, and this sorta will tie along with that project too. 

Be patient while I still iron out the details on setting this up. I will try and keep it simple. 

If you'd like to send a card this week, there is a special lady in Oklahoma who will be 89 years old on March 6th. Just email me at onefineblessing (at) yahoo (dot) com saying  you'd like to join in with me, and I will email you her address. By the end of the week, I should have a few more for the month of March. I will have it down eventually to only one email a month with a list.

Thank you friends, for embracing this project, because I am sure so many of you will love this idea. Please watch my post First, Fifth, Forever at the end of the week for more details, and a peek at how this project has touched seniors already. You will love it! Trust me.

Disney or Taste of Home Magazine - 1 yr. subscription $2.99

I thought I'd share this today, because I felt it was just too good to pass up.
Southern Savers is offering your choice of Disney or Taste of Home magazine for $2.99 for a year subscription, and the best part is you can order up to 5 years worth of magazines at this same price.

Click HERE to be taken to this page. I just purchased Taste of Home this morning and also a subscription for my mom, so it is the correct price. The code works with no hidden fees or charges, shipping included. Best part is I did not have to sign up for anything but the magazine.

I thought some might be interested, it was too good not to share!!

A New Decade: Letting Go of The Past and Grasping The Future

Someone once told me that they believe that everyone goes through life in cycles. Some of the cycles are good, some not so good. I pictured that more like the peaks and valley kind of thing and they agreed it was a lot like that. They went on to explain that the "valleys" and "peaks" or cycles were believed to last in increments of ten; albeit, ten days, ten weeks, ten months or ten years. Not happy where you are at? Wait it out...the next cycle will come....in due time.

I have not thought about that concept for a long time, and this week I was reminded that maybe there was something to that. At least, for me, I am going to focus on a new beginning tomorrow. A decade of being in the valley is far too long and I am hopeful that a brighter peak is right around the corner. After all, I have done my valley time....a decade worth and expect to see more happier times in the future.

I thought about this last decade of my life that just seems to have happened with me not even present. Where has the 10 years gone, and how did I let so much sadness rob me of 10 years of my life? Ten years filled with incredible loss, heartache, grief, guilt, adjustments, and so many other things that left me feeling totally out of control and unable to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Don't get me wrong, there were a few bright spots along the way, but for the most part, it has been an incredible hard ten years. Ten years in the valley...it is time for some better days.

I have always felt that things get much worse before they get better, and this year has been very difficult. Not too many know of my struggles,it is very hard to share those kinds of things, but finally, I had the courage to get some help and I do feel lots better. It has been so difficult to say the least. Guilty for thinking I have no reason to feel the way I do, and helpless to change how I feel or try to just push forward. I had hit a wall, and there was no more pushing forward. I was stuck and had no way or knowledge of how to make things shift in the direction I wanted to go.

So looking back on my ten year cycle that has been very dark and hard for me, I feel like I was able to see a little bit of light at the end of these 10 years. It is time for brighter tomorrows and making the most of the next decade in my life. I can't go back and get the last ten years back, or change things that happened, or react any differently than what I did during the most difficult of times, but there is a future and I feel like things will be better.

I have learned that no one experiences perfection in their lives, they may only let others see the great things about themselves and their lives, but deep down, everyone has things that are hard for them. They may choose to not talk about them, for what ever reason, but I don't believe perfect exists. Life in and of itself is a challenge everyday, difficult things happen as well as the best of times. We just have to push forward and expect good times to follow the hard times.

This is the first year I am not making New Years Resolutions. I have decided to start off fresh, and to follow my bliss. Whatever or wherever that will lead me. Because finding what it is that turns your life upside down with happiness can only lead to a life filled with no regrets. And no regrets for me, speaks of less time in the valley.

I would like to encourage anyone going through a difficult time, that it will pass, just hang on. Hopefully, it won't last for a ten year span as mine has, but you certainly can expect to see a few peaks after such difficulty. Remember, if things get too bad, it is not your fault, seek help, it makes a difference. Of course, nothing is magic and makes the difficult things go away, but it does help cope with those types of things a little easier. Just don't give up. And remember, you are never too old to follow your heart and find your bliss. That is a lesson I am learning.

Happy New Year to myself and all my friends. Remember if you feel no one would understand your troubles or how you feel, shoot me an email, because I just bet I would be able to relate. Reach out to someone you trust, they won't judge you if they truly love you, we all need to try to keep each other on top of the mountain. Now, Let's make 2011 the best year yet.