A Likely Story!

Highlights of 2008

I'm an optimistic realist, always choosing to look on the bright side.

In keeping with that tradition, here's what made me smile in 2008.

• My friends, here and there 
• My blogger/online friends, who are as unique (and priceless) as their internet personas.
• The 2nd job that turned into the 1st and only job that turned into my biggest joy of the year 
• That even in the toughest times (losing my sister-in-law) the love of my friends and family was there to get me thru the darkest days 
• The news that it was not cancer 
• Hearing that two friends - Howard and Stephanie - were cured of Lymphoma 
• My family aka the loves of my life 
• Karma, who was very good to me this year 
• Waking up Nov 5th and realizing it was not a dream and YES, WE DID 
• Realizing that bad times are still good times if you look at them in the right light 
• Saying yes more than I said no 
• Choosing to laugh more than cry 
• Perserverance 
• Taking vacation the week of the DNC  
• Trusting in God when I wasn't sure that I could
• E-A-G-L-E-S 

Hope you all have the opportunity to challenge yourself and live life to your fullest...and then some...over the next 365 days.

xo :-)

Kath 

Denverversary

3 years ago today I closed on my house. And never looked back. Still <3 Denver and CO more than you'll ever know.

And my Denver/CO friends???

THE. BEST!!!!

What If ???

Thinking the following thoughts.

What would happen if...

• I gave up TV
• Limited myself to one hour a night on the internet 
• Got back into the habit of exercising an hour an day (minimum) like I did during Summer '07 
• Tracked my budget on a daily basis 
• Read more (and not online, either) 
• Devoted an hour a night to home improvement/tweaking 
• Wrote a letter - yes, an actual letter - a week 
• Sorted thru and catalogued all my pix from back in the day 
• Shredded everything and anything that needs shredding 
• Did an entire Spring Clean about 4 months early 
• Made an effort to be social once a week

  

You see, I stood in line at Comcast the other day for about 45 minutes. For a place that bans smoking, the entire waiting room reeked of stale cigarette smoke. It was gross. To me, at least.

The reason I was there was to get a cable box so I could 'upgrade' my system so I can save about $27/month. And the whole time I was standing there, trying not to breathe in, I was asking myself why I was there. Why do I feel I need TV? I have the internet, after all. And I'm not into network stuff and TV in general all that much to begin with. 

Yet, I stood there and when they called my number - C147 - up I went and got my little receiver. Didn't hook it up yesterday. Didn't hook it up today. It's like as soon as I hook it up, I will be flipping the switch on my my brain to allow me to waste even more time sitting in front of the tube. Wasting time for the most part. Being inactive. Just sitting there, watching my life go by.

Maybe part of it was being surrounded by people in the waiting room, none of whom looked all that healthy or happy. And did I mention the smell? They all reeked of cigarette smoke.

So as much as I heart my HGTV and NBA, I think I'm gonna quit. Take back the box. Save even more than $27 a month. And maybe, take back my life. 

I'll give it 3 months and see what happens.

Stay tuned :-)

7 Seven 7

This post is brought to you by the # 7.

As happens on the internet, meme's get circulated all over the blogosphere.  My buddy Andrew Hyde tagged me with this meme, so I shall tag you!

See how that works?

7 Random Things About Kath

• I have dreams that come true with alarming frequency
• If I could rid the world of just one thing, it would be cigarette smoke 
• I had a s'more for the very first time last week at work 
• I've never gotten a traffic ticket 
• Sunset is my favorite time of the day  
• Rio's Mango Margarita is my most favorite Marg in the whole wide world 
• There is no such thing as too much laughter  

Who to tag???

How's about HDW, Fyrchk, Tom, Mr. Bacon, Gabe, Rosalish, WeatherDem and Sara

Have at it, kids!

Follow Up & Looking Back

Wrote this on my birthday last year.

As I thought then and know more than ever now, it's all about following your gut feeling. It really is.

Reviewing what I had hoped to do, I snagged the 2nd job part the day after the inital post was written. Had no idea at the time that the 2nd job would go on to become my only job. My gut told me to go for it, I did, and haven't looked back since.

Had been making great strides at getting debt-free...then a death in the family, a funeral and all that goes with it, medical challenges and a sucky economy (given I spent most of last year in a commission-based job) torpedo'd my getting debt-free plans. It's still a goal; just one that will take longer than initally planned.

Fixing up my house...yeah...not so much. I have tons of ideas, just not the initiative or bravery to get them out of my head and into real life. And I still have a huge fear of heights.

Everything else I listed I made progress with. More proficient in the techy area of my life...but not as good as I want to be....lost more weight...but not as much as I want to lose...have a better understanding of photography...yet no where close to being an Ansel Adams or Andrew Hyde.

Overall, I'm doing ok with what I hoped to accomplish.

So what are my goals for 2009?  

It's pretty simple, actually. Maybe way too general for others, but I know myself well enough by now that this one line goal will work for me.

"You know what you need to do...so do it"

So. What about you?  Did you make goals/resolutions/promises to yourself last year? Did you keep them? Some of them? Any of them? 

Lemme know...I'm all ears!

Roe - From Fort Collins

I really like these guys.

Give 'em a listen.

A-Ha Moment

I've spent absolutely zero this holiday season. Not a cent.

Not doing cards. Not doing gifts...the ones that cost money, anyway.  Won a $100 gift certificate for Pottery Barn that I gave to my parents for their Christmas gift. I'm just not spending, cause I really have no excess $ to spend.

Contrasting this year with years in the past. Back when I was married. Debt-free. Plenty of disposable income.

Know what?

When it comes right down to it, I've never been happier than I am now.

1 Year...

1 Year ago today the powers-that-be at what used to be Job #2, now Job #1, called to offer me a place with their team...a chance to become part of their family.

First I cried and then I said yes. And then my life changed in ways I am still comprehending.

Even tho I thought it would be years before I had the opportunity to go permanent, I was offered to go perm at the 11 month mark. I jumped at the chance. A leap of faith on many levels that I haven't questioned at all.  I am where I am meant to be, with the most amazing people on the planet.

So. If you have dreams, goals, lifelong wanna-do's where your life won't be complete unless you do them?  Go for it. What are you waiting for?

The whole world is yours for the taking. So take it.

This Is What 0 Degrees Looks Like

My backyard. And where last night's wind blew my patio chair.

My driveway. Before I shoveled.

Shoveling...YAY!

Why YAY you ask?

Cause shoveling is even more proof that I don't live in FL.

No hurricanes. No humidity. No freaky gecko's that invade your house at all hours of the day and night. No freaky gecko's that evade you as you try to catch them to throw them out of your house at all hours of the day and night. No whiny bitchy elderly Floridians whining and bitching 24/7.

I could go on and on, but the snow's not gonna shovel itself.

Pix to follow!