Happy 79th Birthday to Me! 1/17/206

Well, Happy Birthday to Me!

 I have completed seventy-nine years on this planet as of January 17th, 2016 at 2:32 a.m.  I often tell people that I was born "A Hundred Years Ago" (the title of a song which we played on an old '78 record years ago).

 For inspiration, I really am glad people are posting Facebook pictures of many centenarians - people who have survived much and have many life lessons to share - especially encouraging thoughts and advice.

Karen Lucile Brown - Garrison - Kelly @ 79 years of age!

As I've aged, I am very comfortable with the fact that there a lot of "no more have-to's" which I thought I "had to do" during my "growing up years". Now, I know from constant counseling with Mr. Edgar Gibson of The Strategy Group - that it's behavior that "is everything" and knowing it's the phrase "I CHOOSE" that's energizing to "Spirit" (Soul) - the real me!

So now, instead of being compliant and co-dependent, I know I can choose. In the past, I often chose behaviors which did not "fit" who I was - but it seemed (at the time) the "easy way out" to escape the possible encounter with a combative foe! This is not to say that I didn't battle my way through many absurd situations brought on by circumstance - sometimes beyond my own "choosing".

I know now, that many of the idiotic and chaotic years were spent with sick, sad people. I thought I could "rescue" them! After many, many years of counseling with various shrinks, Family Service, Al-Anon, Co-Da, etc. and finally now with Mr. Edgar Gibson, I have reach the "age and stage" of being "all grown up" and still leaning how to assert myself in ways that do not hurt me or others. I'm learning to "respond and not react".

Thinking back on all those "challenges" which took away my energy and time from a possible career as a serious writer and artist (I still write and paint), I realize that I learned a lot and now can put those "mistakes" to rest. And, thinking, too, how many of those anger-provoking souls are now "at rest" - not even here on this planet, but still floating in the back folds of my brain!

Today - it's a wonderful day to just have time, time to myself. I love a quiet day with nothing "particular" on my schedule except to do "what I want to do" - write, paint, putter and read. I like listening to music as I sit at my computer - clicking keys.

What did I do on my birthday this year? I celebrated my 79th birthday with my son, Marshall Garrison at Embers restaurant. Marshall gave me a beautiful set of snow tires and installed them, too. And, he gave me a funny birthday card!

I also appreciate all the birthday greetings on Facebook, cards and special gifts - handmade soap and chocolates. Thank you all - so glad to be with you here - "Sharin' With Karen"! Onward!

Snowy Day! Hooray! Jan. 12th, 2016

Snow, snow! Beautiful snow! Yes, snow is beautiful especially when it's outside and I'm inside here in the cottage poking the keys of "pooter". I've had great intentions of writing more often, but the daily task list usually wins over giving myself permission to write - just write!

Maintaining a "rambling ranch" presents plenty of "to dos" each year, each month, each week, each day. I keep an on-going list in various places - notebooks, bulletin boards and planners. I created "The Society of Too Much Stuff" Meetup group to keep me (and those who attend the Meetups) moving forward to the goal of having an organized, clutter free home.

"Project Cleanup" has been on "the list" for many years. I know I've made progress. And now, with Facebook I have various groups that help me "keep on track". I especially like "Homemaker's Encouragement" where we are sharing our daily progress and building long-distance friendships. Flylady continues to be an inspiration, too. I have followed her plans and know "the vocabulary" of living a life built on her book "Shine Your Sink".

I sit here in a small, compact area that feels like the cockpit of an airplane. There is a wall covered with a dry-erase  three-month calendar where I list upcoming events. Below that is another dry-erase "board" (a reversed year calendar) where I have listed "Stuff for Whom". As "keeper of the key" (keeper of other people's stuff) this list keeps me aware of inherited items that may or may not have historical or family significance.

Then, on the same wall is a bulletin board filled with favorite memorabilia - cartoons, pictures, postcards, drawings and sayings that my mother saved. I love it! And, I love the hand-hooked owl rug that Mama "finished" (something started by someone else). Owls mean a lot to us. We wrote "Hoot 'n Holler" for several years - a small publication that we sent out to family and friends. It was "much-appreciated" and worth doing.

The rest of this u-shaped "nest" is filled with a label maker, a Neat scanner, a scale from Stamps.com, and old Sony clock-radio of Mama's (clock doesn't work, radio does work), a printer, files, books, papers and more papers.

What I could be doing with my time this morning is jumping in on the 14-Week Challenge on one of my FB pages (Mary Organizes?). Our laundry room was the first week's challenge - I "got 'er done"! Next challenge - our kitchens - pulling out all items from shelves, wipe shelves/cupboards, sort/pitch/donate. Take "before/after" photos - share - receive compliments from each other. Move on to next challenge!

So, here I am again - nearing my 79th birthday, Sunday, January 17th, 2016 still "kicking" and planning to do more during this "Happy New Year"!