Warm Cookies

Santa Claus is coming soon and I have my book of cookie recipes raring to go. I love baking cookies, I always have. I remember as a little girl using my Easy Bake Oven to cook those terrible mixes that came with it. Fortunately, my baking skills have improved since then, and so has my equipment!
But the thing that makes this year so special for me is the chance to create these cookies with my daughter. This is the first Christmas that she is really aware of the season and the stories and Santa.
I have had some massive changes in my life in 2008, massive! I have had some difficulty this year getting into the "holiday spirit", which is something that has never been hard for me in the past. Let me tell you, looking at Christmas through a three-year-old's eyes makes it sparkle again like I never realized it would. You should try it sometime, the wonder on her face is magical.
Milk and cookies anyone?

Just a little bit further...

I went for a marvelous walk on the beach yesterday with my sweetheart. It seemed that we walked forever talking and just enjoying the afternoon. In fact, we walked to the end of the "tourist area" and found a small cut in the sand where water flowed out from a tidal pool area. It seems that almost everyone else stopped there and turned back towards the hotels. It wasn't much of an obstacle, I mean it was only about four feet wide and two feet deep. We looked at it and shrugged our shoulders and forged ahead. We wanted to go just a bit further.
Our exploratory attitude paid off. Not far past this "impassable river" we found scores of beautiful and unusual shells, sea urchins and even some crabs. I commented on how I'd never seen so many whole shells like that before on our beaches. Then I realized that the little creek that we crossed kept most of the tourists away, so there weren't many people who came to this area to beach comb. It was such a small obstacle, yet most people didn't have enough forward motion to cross it. Silly really... look what they missed!

Whew - what a week!

I just had a very unusual week to be sure. I spent nearly 16 hours carving pumpkins. No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you and yes, it was Thanksgiving this week... I answered an ad to carve pumpkins for a Thanksgiving banquet. I knew I had the talent so I replied. I ended up finding a fantastic tool for this purpose - a dremel tool. I don't know if you'll ever need that piece of info for pumpkin carving, but it works like a dream and really helps you carve intricate designs you really can't accomplish with a knife alone.
There is a drawback though - pumpkin dust! Actually it isn't dry at all, it's more like pumpkin flinging madness. I was covered, I mean it covered, in pumpkin. I have a stained t-shirt to prove the power of beta-carotene. Did you know that pumpkin is a super food? But I digress...
I had a strange and exciting week. I regret that I have not kept up with my daily blogs during the mayhem, but it really threw my rhythm off. Plus my right hand was literally exhausted from using that darn dremel tool for umpteen hours straight! I couldn't even hold a pencil at the end of the day! Phew... glad to be done with that and ready to move on.

Blogging's Like a Box of Chocolates...

I very rarely have a plan when I sit down to write. Sometimes I have the burning desire to tell about an experience I've had (like sinking my boat) or an epiphany that woke me up, but more often than not I just pull random thoughts from my head.
This morning I woke up to a different game plan for the day then I had expected. My daughter, with a very cheerful grin on her face, announced to me that she was getting sick. "What do you mean Sweetie? What kind of sick?" I asked, not knowing whether this was a make-believe game or real (she's three after all). She told me she wanted medicine as she fumbled with the "childproof" lock on the bathroom cupboard. As I reminded her that only grownups issue medicine she proceeded to throw up on the bathroom floor.
"Oh, geez, that kind of sick!"
So she's home now from preschool watching the Wizard of Oz for the umpteen millionth time. Come to think of it children are like a box of chocolates...

Only way to go is up!

I remember watching a Betty Boop cartoon when I was about ten years old. These cartoons were originally created during the Great Depression and acted as an escape into fantasy for millions of movie goers in that desperate time. Betty and her dog (whose name escapes me) sang a cute and catchy little tune. They had been down on their luck and to cheer themselves up they sang a song with a lyric in the chorus, "The one good thing about bein' down, the only way to go is up!"
It seems that this song has been stuck in my head lately. With all the news (which I tend to ignore anyway since it's always gloomy even when the economy is fantastic) about unemployment, taxes, standard of living etc, a lot of people are feeling that they are in that "down" position. So instead of allowing myself to throw a "pity party", which believe me could be very easy to do, I just picture myself bopping down the sidewalk with my little singing dog...
Remember, "The one good thing about bein' down, the only way to go is up!"

Brrrr...

A cold snap has his SW Florida and my thinned out Florida blood can barely handle it. Having lived in Cleveland, Chico and (yes) Anchorage, I am no stranger to cold. I have never really been a big fan though! Mind you, cold here is still well above freezing, but that's hardly the point. The point is, I am wearing layers of clothes and waiting desperately for some hot coffee.

I don't have a cozy fireplace here to snuggle in front of, but I do have several fuzzy animals that don't mind the close quarters if it means that they stay warm too! Maybe when my brain thaws out I'll be more philosophical again...

It's a Choice! (Seriously)

I am choosing to be happy. I know that sounds simplistic, believe me it is often a difficult decision to stand by. I have decided that even though I don't have my "dream house" or "dream boat" (or both), I am going to find joy today; every day. How many times have you said to yourself "I'll be happy when...(I get a new job, new car, better home, more money....insert desire here)." Let me tell you, if you instantly had those things today you would not be instantly happy.

Believe it or not, happiness is a habit - like brushing your teeth! It is a choice you make every time you react to something in your life. It is possible to be in a mutli-million dollar home and completely miserable. On the flip side, you can find joy every day living in a double wide - okay maybe that's stretching it a bit! My point is you have a choice, I have a choice. I choose to be happy today, then the other "dreams" will follow.

Crickey!

I moved to Florida nearly 6 years ago looking for a change of scenery. Let me tell you, this is very different from California! First the humidity took some getting used to, of course now I save money on moisturizer so it all works out. Then my first major hurricane season literally blew the roof off my place - okay that was an adventure...
Then there is the wildlife, and yes, there is wildlife galore! Fishing is awesome here but there are dangers in these waters... Anyone watch the Crocodile Hunter???
Last night my dog, a creature of very few words, broke his normal silence (he so rarely barks I did a double take) to bay at something. He was persistent, so finally we decided to risk the mosquito bites, which are inescapable at dusk, and take a flashlight to see what he was so excited about. Low and behold, there is a pair of orange reflecting eyes and a very toothy grin leering back out of the water at my dog. It was an alligator, and the way he was poised, he could have easily taken Buddy's head off. Those things move fast!
We pulled the dog back into the house to make sure he actually kept his head and went back to ummm "discourage" the gator from his pursuit. He was already gone by the time we returned to the sea wall (we live on a canal, in case you didn't catch that).
What a life in Florida - it's definitely not boring!

The Little Things

I had an experience tonight that made me smile. I let someone over on the interstate, not really a big deal, but when I changed lanes I saw their blinker come on too. I held back a bit so they could also get out from behind a slow poke. Then something unexpected happened...

The driver that I let in actually took the two seconds to blink his hazard lights at me to say thanks. Two seconds changed my drive home. I actually said "your welcome" out loud. It was a very small gesture on their part, but that simple show of gratitude put a smile on my face.

Sometimes we overlook the easiest of words and we have no idea how much saying them can effect the listener. Brighten some one's day today by saying THANK YOU!

Remember when?

You used to get so excited about everything? I mean being tall enough to reach the light switch by yourself, getting moved up to the next level in class, having a PB & J sandwich in your lunchbox are all incredibly exciting to a three-year-old. Being tall enough to finally ride on a roller coaster, walking to school all by yourself, riding a horse are great fun for a nine-year-old...

But what do you do when you're 33 for excitement? Yesterday I went for a boat ride at sunset. It was simple, but I don't know when I last took the time to just breathe and watch the sun sink below the horizon. I also helped my dad catch a fish, now come on - that's fun!

Sometimes the "rat race" sucks us in and we forget to stop and share our gratitude for the fact than we can stand and breathe and take in the beauty that surrounds us. So here's your (and mine for that matter) assignment for the day: get excited about a snow cone, or tying your shoes by yourself or watching your favorite TV show. It might seem hokey at first, but I guaranty you will smile!

What now?

Have you ever woken up in the morning and realized that you have absolutely no idea what you're even trying to accomplish that day? Unfortunately, I have. Where do you go for inspiration on days like that? Sometimes a walk helps, sometimes I just come back sweaty and still frustrated... (but at least I get some exercise!)
In this world full of MLMs (if you don't know what that means you don't have to go far to find out), get rich quick schemes, unsettling unemployment rates and tightening belts I have found myself searching for a way to combine getting paid with actually believing in my purpose. I mean I can do data entry of course, but when I get home at the end of the day do I feel even slightly fulfilled? Probably not.
Then you also have to question of what it is that makes you fulfilled. Is it work, family, relationships? Maybe it's all of the above? How do you connect with your own sense of self worth? I only ask because I find myself sometimes losing faith and I am looking for that boost that reminds me that I can be and am great (at something). Any ideas out there???

Thank goodness it's over!

I am no political satirist, but I am certainly grateful that the two-year campaign is finally over. Of course someone recently pointed out to me that this trend mirrors the retail business. They put up the Christmas merchandise in September... I suppose this means in January, shortly after the inauguration, the next batch of presidential bidders will start their camPAINS! (intentional misspelling)
I am ready to settle in and stop listening to all the media hype, direct mailings and even mechanized phone calls and just deal with living again. Anyone else ready to get on with it?!

Sleepy thoughts

How do you review your day? Do you think about everything that went wrong? Do you think about what you are grateful for? Do you think about what you have to take care of tomorrow?

I'll give you a bit of free advice: try not to think too much as you fall asleep, but if you are dealing with a problem or challenge just ask the question of yourself "What can I do to solve this...?" Keep a notebook by your bed. You'd be surprised how often you will wake up with a unique and perfect solution.

Oh, and one more thing... try not to journal as you're falling asleep unless you want to wake up with an ink stain on your face. (don't ask)

Use Your Smoot

I just love my name, it's unique. Or so I thought! About two months ago while out at a networking function I ran into another Smoot. He walked up to me and said, "I have to meet you because I'm Bob Smoot!" No way. That's my dad's name. It gets even stranger though.

We have developed a very nice working friendship and we were chatting over coffee one afternoon. He mentioned that he was going on a cruise. I turned to my boyfriend and said, "Oh a cruise! Well maybe for my birthday." Bob asked what month my birthday was, to which I replied, "March." "March what?" he asked with an eyebrow cocked. I told him that my birthday was on the 18th. He almost fell out of his chair!

"That's my birthday too!!" I thought he was joking, but he was completely serious.

Now come on. A fellow Smoot (we are few and far between) that is not only a Smoot, but Bob Smoot. Then we even have the same birthday?! (Can you hear the twilight Zone music?)

This string of "coincidences" has lead to a great reciprocal relationship. He is currently coaching Travis and I on how to start and run a business long term. We are helping him streamline his logo, website and marketing.

Which brings me to my point. Travis recently told me to "use my Smoot" when he needed brute force (we Smoots are a hardy, strong bunch). I laughed at the expression he managed to coin, but this is good advice. Find out what it is that makes you unique, that thing that sets you apart and use it. May the Smoot be with you!

You can check out Bob's business at www.rolinsolutions.com You will see some dramatic changes in the near future due to the efforts of Travis at www.keywaterdesigns.com