So check this out. The first two pictures are what my yard looked like one year ago in January. The next two pictures are from last February, and the next two pictures show what it looks like now, night and day (literally-haha). Can you believe it??

These morning glories are welcome intruders from next door. So pretty.

And guess who the wind blew in? Sophie's BFFs, Florence and Jim (not pictured). That look on Sophie's face says, yeah I know I'm not supposed to be up here but I'm not going to move.

They are going to keep each other company while I trek up to Orlando for the World Quilt Show. Woohoo!

New Year's Day found me behind the bar in my tiki. Katrina and Sue came over for a swim and happy hour and then Tom and Lu came by so back into the pool. I am so very grateful, first for my wonderful friends and then, for a place of my own. (Thanks, Mom) The pool is icing on the cake.

A toast to the New Year

Sue and Tom clowning

Lu makes an entrance

Nightfall and thank you, Mick and Ellie, for the
pretty green and blue lights for my tiki

Last but certainly not least, I'm grateful for this little goofball, 

love of my life Sophie

Happy Happy New Year

Last night I dreamt of my beautiful Lucy girl. In my dream, she was sleek and lithe, leaping in the air and running like the wind. No gray hair or cloudy eyes. A ballerina, an athlete. I miss her so much. I woke up in tears but happy to have seen her as she once was. I wish I could see my Dad that way. I've only had one dream where he wasn't wearing the ugly mangle of Alzheimer's. I trust I'll see more of the real him in my dreams soon. 2015 was a year of loss for me. My husband got married. My daddy died. I lost my Lucy. Rose. Now we start 2016. A time for new beginnings, for moving out of the past. I will turn 60 this year! So, let the good times roll. I for one plan to make it a stellar year!  Now, let's review shall we?

words to live by

still apropos in 2016

HANDBOOK 

Health:

1.        Drink plenty of water.

2.        Eat breakfast like a queen, lunch like a princess and dinner  like a beggar.

3.        Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less  food that is manufactured in plants.

4.        Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5.        Make time to meditate.

6.        Play more games.

7.        Read more books than you did in 2015.

8.        Be in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9.        Sleep for 7 hours.

10.      Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11.       Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12.      Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13.      Don't overdo. Keep your limits.

14.      Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15.      Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16.      Dream more while you are awake.

17.      Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18.      Forget issues of the past. That will ruin your present        happiness.

19.      Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20.     Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 

21.      No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22.     Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23.     Smile and laugh more.

Society:

24.     Call your family often.

25.     Each day give something good to others.

26.     Forgive everyone for everything. 

27.     Try to make at least three people smile each day.

28.     What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.     Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your

          friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

30.     Do the right thing!

31.     Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32.     However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

33.     No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

34.     The best is yet to come. 

Here is what I read this morning:
Don't dwell on the past.
Your history can't be erased.
But your future has yet to be written.
Make the most of what's going to happen instead of worrying about what you can't change.
Don't waste your time being sad because you're wasting away moments in which you could be happy.
Don't know who wrote it but it makes sense I guess.

I wanted to show you Team Bill. We carpooled up to Miami and walked to end Alzheimer's in the blistering heat, then headed to Bubba Gumps for refreshments. Thanks to my peeps for supporting me! I raised enough to be a Grand Champion. Woot woot!

Here are a few more pix of the day:

banyan tree next to restaurant-125 years old

cute tutus

sea of purple (mostly)

starting line

And in other news:

Sophie got a doggie door! The good news is she learned how to use it.

And the bad news is that she learned how to use it. Apparently I must be punished when I go out and leave her. I came home to find this enormous hole, with muddy prints leading to the doggie door. I followed her trail through the kitchen, the hallway, the bedroom. I guess she needed to check each room before settling on her bed.

 and just one more

Beautiful hibiscus blooming today

Rose

My Dad's best friend died this week. So much loss this year. We used to say Rose was the girl with the orthopedic shoes and braces who didn't know she was homely. She was a sweet sweet girl. My mom says she feels like she has lost the last link to my Dad. We are all so sad.

It's been a sad year and I"ll be glad to put it behind me. I will catch you up on my goings on soon.

This word will guide you through the year of 2016! It will support you in your daily struggles and situations that may appear hopeless. This word will always show you the silver lining so that you won't ever need to worry. It was chosen for you specifically, embrace it!