Then we found out it was centered in Virginia, near Richmond.  It registered a 5.9 and was felt all up and down the East Coast and as far north as Canada and as far west as Chicago.

So, now I can say I experienced my first earthquake!

But, I have been busy around the house.  I’ve been going to school.  And in between classes I’m taking non-credit classes.  I”ve also declared this the year I get more organized at home.  I’ve been trying to clean up both electronic files and old-fashioned files.    I like things at my fingertips, but, I also like the house to look nice and neat. 

I’ve also been working on some other projects, too.

After my Mom died, my sister sent me some stories our grandma wrote–Mom had them stored at the house.  I’ve been scanning the stories to be sure we have them preserved and then for my birthday, our daughter and son-in-law gave me one of those nice storage boxes that are made to preserve old papers and things like that.  I am going to put the stories in there for safe keeping.

I was so excited to get the stories.   Since I am also a writer, it’s nice to have the connection to my grandma–especially since I never knew her because she died when I was 5 months old. 

Among her stories she also had some journal writings describing Mom’s adventures as she traveled all over the country with her dance partner as they performed in Vaudeville.

My sister also sent me some pictures of Mom with her partner and in some costumes.  She was SO pretty.  Everyone says I look just like my Mom–but I’m not sure if I was ever that pretty–but I hope so. 

Having these stories and journal entries is a real treasure for me.  I haven’t even finished reading the journal yet.  I have shared the stories with my daughter, too.  Since she is also a writer this is a great way for her to connect with a great-grandmother she never knew.

So, even though I haven’t been keeping up with my posts on this blog–I have been busy around the house getting organized and working on projects that I have put off for too long.  And, all those things were part of my resolutions, too, so I guess I didn’t fall off the resolution track as far as I thought.

I blink a couple of times and next thing I know, the week is over, and then the weekend is over and a month is gone, then a whole season is over–all without me getting to check off things on my list.

Every January I say to myself, “Ok, Donna, now is your chance. A whole new year.  A new beginning.  Time to get going, get off your butt and get things done.” 

Several years ago I swore off making New Year’s Resolutions–or rather–I swore off telling other people my resolutions.  I guess I got sick of people feeling like they had a right to track my progress and point out that I wasn’t accomplishing anything. 

But, this year, the resolutions have more meaning to me.  Accomplishing things has more meaning for me.   I have hopes and dreams and long before New Year’s Eve, I made a decision to really work on my resolutions and work toward making my dreams and life goals  come true. 

My Mom passed away in the fall of 2010.  And now, I think about all the things she accomplished in her 83 years.  When she was a little girl and a young woman she lived her dream of being a dancer.  But, I also know there were things she wanted to do and never got to them.  Traveling more for one.

None of us expeceted her to pass away–she hadn’t been ill.  Just all of a sudden she was gone.  We never know when that moment will be.  My husband and I traveled to Michigan in July 2010 to visit my parents.  Of course none of us knew that would be the last time we saw my Mom.  As I hugged her good-bye, she said she was thinking how nice it would be if she had a chance to get down to Maryland to visit us within the next few months.  She never got the chance.

I kept thinking of that and so, this year, I resolve to work harder to accomplish my life goals and dreams.  When I’m old, I want to think back on all the things I accomplished instead of thinking, “if only…”

I never finished college when I had the opportunity right out of high school.  Over the years I have dreamed of going back to school, but for various reasons (excuses) I never finished.  This past fall I signed up for an online class and struggled a little –but finished the semester with an A. 

For the first time ever, I feel like the degree I’ve longed for is within reach.  I can do it.  I will do it.

I have many other dreams besides finishing school. I have made notes on my calendar of what I can do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis in order to reach my goals and actually stick to my resolution. 

I have always encouraged others to go after their dreams, but I have never worked hard enough to make my own dreams come true.  I think it is important to go for your dreams and to have goals–to have something to reach for.

I let myself get stuck in the same patterns and of course, I have the same results.  To get different results, I need to change my patterns of doing things.  That is one of my resolutions:  to change my patterns and then the results will bring me closer to my dreams.

I am going to try harder to quit putting things off–when I have things to do I need to “just do it.” 

And, I need to focus more on what really matters and work on accomplishing as many of my goals and dreams as I can.  I want to take time to enjoy life and quit worrying about the things that aren’t important. 

If you see more posts here, then you know I am working hard on one of my goals: to keep my blogs up-to-date. 

Meanwhile, I will keep one of my favorite quotes in mind.  ‘If you can dream it, you can do it.”  Walt Disney.

I woke up this morning with a wonderful sense of accomplishment.  I did it. I finished the class–with an A.  It feels wonderful.  I have finished the first semester, I am one step closer to the degree I have dreamed about for so long.

I have already signed up for my next class and I am looking forward to it–but right now, I am looking forward to a couple of weeks off to rest, relax, enjoy Christmas and one of the very first things I will do is pull out a book–a real book–a fun book–and READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the new job.  The work is so different from what I’ve done before–but that is a good thing. I love the change.

I like my new company.  And, most important of all, I like my new co-workers.  They all are so nice.

I do miss the people at my old job, though. They were a lot of fun to work with–and very nice people, too.

I count my blessings everyday.  I have so much to be thankful for.  My husband, kids and extra kids and their families.  My family and my husband’s family. A job.  Great people to work with.  Opportunities to travel. A beautiful home, my health and the list goes on and on.

And, now, as this new journey continues, I am getting ready to take another step, school.

I am signed up for a class to start in September.  I’ve have tried going back to school so many times over the years–but I have failed everytime–I kept finding school too hard.

But, I have a good feeling about school this time.  I am approaching it with a much better attitude–a more positive attitude–an”I can do it” attitude. 

Way back when I first lost my job, I decided to look on that whole situation in a positive way.  Instead of being angry and bitter over what happened–(I didn’t get fired–and I didn’t quit–the contract I was on ended and my company lost the bid on the new contract–and the company who won the contract hired their own person)—-I decided it was time to move on.  I was in that office for 10 1/2 years, and worked for that company for 14 years.  But instead of dwelling on what happened, I looked at the situation as God closing a door and opening a window for me someplace else.   Everything happens for a reason.  It was clearly a sign that it was time for me to move on.  And ever since I adopted that positive attitude, good things have been happening to me.

I was only out of work for a month when I found a new job. And, now I have been at the new job for just about a month now. 

So far, 2010 has been a year of big (good) changes for me–I turned 50, I went to Cancun, I lost my job–but found a new one–I signed up for school.   I am very happy with my life and all the changes.  

Change is good.

But I had  a great time visiting the family I was able to see. 

I felt like we did a lot on this trip.  During the first part of our trip we got to Jamestown, NY to see the Lucy-Desi museum.  Jamestown is Lucille Ball’s hometown.  The whole museum is very nice, but I especially liked the sets of their living room, kitchen, bedroom and the set of the Hollywood living room.  They also had the set for Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin commercial.  It was set up with a camera so that whoever went out in front of the camera to pretend they were doing the commercial was actually seen on the TV.  Neat.

My sister and I had a great time shopping for antiques and just talking  and visiting with each other. 

We spent several days with my parents and saw my youngest brother, too. 

Then, on our way home, we stopped to see another brother and his family.  We had a great time boating on the lake and just relaxing.

The best part was just being with family and having time to talk to each other and visit. 

If I’m stressed or worried, my family is a comfort.  They are not judgemental.  They just listen.  They offer advice when you need it.  They offer a good time if you just want to relax and enjoy yourself.  They remember the same things I do, so, we have great fun laughing over all the silly things we did, and we remember the sad times, too.  We talk about the fond memories of relatives who have passed away. We talk About current family events as well as current events and plans for the future. 

In good times and bad, my family is the best group of people a girl has ever had.  I love my family.

The trip was a gift from my husband for my 50th birthday. 

The trip was perfect from start to end.  Our flights were on time going and coming.  From the moment we landed all the knee pain I had been feeling disappeared.  I was told I had osteoarthritis a few months ago and had been doing all the exercises and stretches the physical therapist gave me to do.  My legs used to be in a lot of pain and were very stiff after I had been sitting for just a couple of hours.  But, I was able to stand after the 3 hour (non-stop) flight.  When I stood up,  I was able to just walk–pain-free,  It was wonderful!  We breezed through customs and then set out to have fun.

I spent the entire week pain-free— AND–since I got home I’ve been pain-free. 

We fell in love with our resort.  It was beautiful and the service was top notch.  The pool and beach were beautiful and I spent a lot of time there.

I got up at sunrise a few times and took some fabulous pictures. 

We went snorkeling, did lots of walking, went for a boat ride, took a tour to the ruins, swam with dolphins and had an absolutely fabulous time!

We relaxed.  And I think best of all, we spent a lot of time talking. We’d go out to the balcony and we’d go over our adventure of the day, and just talked in general. We don’t usually just sit and talk.  I loved it.

We have our funny story we like to repeat.  Riding the bus.  We found out that the bus drivers help you to your seat on the bus.  Here is how it works–you get on and pay the driver.  Then, the driver goes from 0-60 in a nanosecond, which flings you to the back of the bus. Once you pick yourself up off the floor, whichever seat you are clinging to is yours. Easy. Simple. Works.

I did not want to leave.  I could easily go back there at least once a year, but more often if I could.

I highly recommend it — if you get a chance to go to Cancun–take it!

Busy, busy, busy at our house.  We’re working, working on projects, exercising, taking classes,  and planning  a trip. 

The other day we sat out by a bonfire — one of our favorite things to do. Did some star gazing.  It’s SO  relaxing. 

We discovered we have a family of cardinals hanging out on our deck.  They built a nest in the butterfly bush right next to the deck and I guess the deck is like their backyard.  It’s fun to sit and watch them. The cats stay glued to the door when they hear the cardinals out there.

All for now–need to get back to my walking.