Happy New Year !

I Dig This

Happy New Year Ya'll !  

In the spirit of "putting it out there" I'm going to throw a few things out.  This past year has certainly had its ups and downs but I hope that the coming year is a lot kinder in many ways.  

May we all have more money in our pockets without having to work more.  Lower those taxes and bills I say!  May we all have more time with family and friends, because that stuff is important.  May we all be healthy and energized by all the beauty that surrounds us.  

May we all have more adventures and creative challenges.  May we all have a safe haven to return to at the end of the day and good food in our belly.  May we all have a tribe of friends who will stick with you no matter what.  May we all have a special person in our lives that keep us anchored down and wipe away the tears when we fall apart.  May we all have that special person to love and cherish in the days and years to come. 

May we all be blessed with fun travel adventure and silly selfies.  May we all be blessed with kind people and communities coming together so their voices can be heard and make positive changes in our world.  May we all be blessed with doggie kisses and kitty purrs.  May we all be blessed with faith and comfort that all will be well when we are disheartened and lost.  May all be blessed with all good things and have a most prosperous, happy year filled with lots of love, hugs and laughter.  Because you just can't put a price tag on that shit.  I hope we all channel what we want to come into our lives and let it bloom and grow.  Don't you?  

Until next time...Happy New Year!  elizinashe

Cheers!

Post Holiday Cheers

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas ya'll !  Two days late that is....

I must say I was quite blessed with the little things this year, which always makes me happy.  I received a couple of unexpected treasures from my neighbors, one of which included the most delicious ginger cookies I've ever had.  Mmm...

I wish I could say that my nights prior to Christmas was just as delightful but alas they were quite the opposite.  In fact, they were quite distressing.  I wish I could just block some of the aftermath out of my head, as it has been bothering me but I guess that's a part of the process.  I'm just glad that I have an awesome work family.  

Maybe all the little surprises and treasures prior to Christmas was to remind me of all the wonderful little things that come into my life and that I should focus on that as opposed to the negative.  I'm still working on that part.

I will say my mother, being the crafty person that she is, found an awesome handmade vase that some local artist made.  And of course, she found it at one of her many thrift/consignment shops that she likes to haunt.  It's really groovy.  Now I want to paint the wall that sits behind it so it will really "pop out" while it sits on top of my cabinet.  Guess I have a new project ahead of me, eh?  

Isn't it Cool?

In the end, my Christmas day was quite peaceful.  I managed to stay in some normal "day time" clothes for about three hours and then it was time for the comfy oversized sweatshirt.  Which was what I should have put on in the first place.  Haha... After opening the said gifts, I had a nice plate of leftovers from my new favorite crock pot dish paired a most refreshing Pinot Grigio, cookies from my neighbor and a nice long nap with my kitty lying on top of me.  I guess you can't get any better than that.  

In the meantime, enjoy the little things and may the New Year bring you many blessings and happy adventures.  See next time....elizinashe 

Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2016

What Happened to You 2016?

This past year has been one helluva ride.  I've never seen such a horrible, ugly year in my life.  And yet, 2016 had such promise....what a let down.  But instead of talking about what a hateful, violent and mean spirited year that 2016 brought, I'd rather focus on the good things.  

This past year certainly had it's ups and downs for me both personally and financially.  But I choose to celebrate all things good that did happen for me in my little corner of the world.  

New Year's Day weekend started off with dear friends coming to visit with their son.  New Year's Day night, if that makes sense, was spent at a local restaurant where I ordered the typical southern black eyed peas & ham with collard greens for "good luck".  Good stuff folks!  And my time with my friends was special and refreshing.  Couldn't think of a better way to begin my New Year. 

I have been to a couple of gatherings with co-workers, had a picnic at the Biltmore Estate,  three cookouts, a few dinners with my neighbor, a Dave Matthews Band concert with my girl friends, a trip out to the DC area to visit yet another pair of dear friends, went to two symphonies, created a silly birthday card for a co-worker for her birthday while we were all at work, found a new "go to" fave in the crock pot, took lots of silly pictures and got some painting done in the house before a big project arrives.  Sounds like a lot, eh?  But there were many, many nights where my butt was parked on the couch too.  Nothing wrong with that. 

Today has been cool, rainy and lazy.  I've spent the day getting Christmas packages ready to mail, finished up some Christmas cards, made the said new "go to" in the crock pot, spontaneously had my neighbor over for dinner and made some spinach dip for a girly thing tomorrow.  It was a perfect day to do so and I've  enjoyed every moment of it.  It's the little things, no?  

So instead of "building walls" to keep out the riff-raff and close off borders,  I chose to build shelves.  I want more shelves in my life so I may fill them up with all the little things that make me happy and color my world.  I want my shelves to be over flowing with the nic-nacks of life that remind me of happier times and good friends.  Forget a wall...it does nothing but block out the light.  Why would you want that?  That's not living happy, and I chose to live happy if not happier.  Don't you?  

So Goodbye 2016...you sure were a doozy and I am so ready for you to be over.  I hope 2017 brings  more fun times and dear people into my world despite what the world brings.  It's the little things is it not?  Until next time....elizinashe

What Do You Want On Your Shelf? 

You've Come a Long Way Baby

I've Always Loved This One

My mom gave me yet another box of stuff that I had squirreled away at her place many years ago when I moved into a tiny studio apartment while I was "rebooting" my life and could not take all of my belongings that I had in my previous two bedroom digs.  

It was mostly stupid stuff that I really don't need, but what I did find was a simple reminder of how far I have come on my journey in moving to an area that I had always wanted to live and begin anew.  

I found an old check registry that I had when I paid off my final bills in Arkansas and moved to Asheville with very little cash in the bank.  My two bedroom apartment in Arkansas was only $365 a month. What a dream...My first one bedroom apartment in Asheville was $530 a month.  That's quite a hike in cost of living, but I had expected that and had already prepared for the increase.   After paying deposits and rent along with food, hooking up the electric and a phone in my new digs, I had $3300 to my name.  No job, one apartment and two cats.  I knew two people in town and that's it.  What was I thinking? 

Looking back now, I don't know how I really did it.  Now that I am older, I realize that you really do need quite a bit of cash when it comes to moving.  Especially if you're moving across the state.  Nine hundred fifty plus miles to be exact.  It was two days of driving, with two cats in their carriers.  There were lots of cigarettes and music in the car and caffeine.  Can't forget the caffeine.  

I had a lot of naivete back then and a whole lot of Faith.  I was absolutely clueless as to what it really took to make such a big move and take such a big risk, but I did it.  And I am so glad I took that leap of Faith.  It was one of the hardest and scariest things I have ever done independently but it was also the best thing I have ever done for myself.  I'm a lot older and wiser these days.  I still have a bit of that naivete I guess, but I'm a lot better at it.  

So when it doubt folks, listen to your heart and take the leap.  You might end up on a bumpy road for a while, but in the end, you just might be glad you took that first step.  Until next time....elizinashe

Who's Ready for a Walk?