Reverb 10: day 3

Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year.

One moment? From February 21 until now, my moment has been falling in love with Randy and realizing what a wonderful relationship we have together. I had no idea I would fall in love, I would have been content with great companionship however God had another plan in mind. He blessed me above and beyond all I could have ever imagined. From the very beginning our relationship has been guided by God and I am forever thankful to Him for this guidance.

One of my favorite places to go to with Randy is Botanica - The Wichita Gardens. We've been there several times in several seasons and it has been through these trips that I've learned I don't have a favorite flower - I LOVE them all. Walking through the gardens with Randy, stopping to smell, to admire the different artwork of God is one of my favorite things.

Being in this new relationship everything seems brighter, clearer and more vivid.

Now, all I need to figure out is how to combine 2 households. HELP!!

Reverb 10: Day 2

     I've never taken the time to write much. I read. I write down quotes, lists, reviews on books I've read but I've just not written much. But this year, actually the last few months I've had so many thoughts about embarking on this new life that I've often thought of starting another blog. But, there again, I just haven't taken the time. I usually can't imagine that anyone would want to read what I have to write. Now I'm beginning to understand that I don't need to write for anyone else to read but I do need to write to chronicle the feelings and thoughts that I have for me. Just for me. When I think back over my life I wonder if I've ever done much for me. How sad is that to reach 57 (almost 58) and not have done much for myself... I'm learning. I'm changing. As I told Randy not too long ago, I'm enjoying being a little selfish. I'm enjoying doing things because I want to do them.

So the biggest hindrance I have for writing is myself. And can I do anything about it? You bet I can...

Reverb 10, Day 1

My friend Debra and her daughters are participating in reverb 10 for December. http://www.reverb10.com/

I decided I would join them in this project, even though it's not about reviewing books! 

"Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead."

For day 1: Describe the year 2010 in one word.

     My word for 2010 is New. I started January having been divorced for 6 months. Everything that came my way this year has been a new experience. After having been married for 37 years this was my first full year of being single again and making many new decisions. The first one I made that has really changed my life was that I realized I didn't want to spend the rest of my life alone. I had always said "If I'm ever single again, I will never remarry." I quickly learned that had been a rash statement and one made with absolutely NO experience in that particular situation. 

I also discovered many - MANY others make these same rash statements often..... but that's another story for another day!

I took my brother-in-law's advice and decided to try the online dating thing. Believe me when I say that was a NEW experience! After dates with 4 men, I decided being alone wasn't so bad  :)  and I quit. Then one Sunday evening I thought, I'm going to try this one last time... and within the week I met Randy. That was a new relationship that has given me  a new understanding of what a wonderful, blessed, and fabulous relationship should be. - and could be.

The dating life - new and scary. Making decisions on my own - new. Deciding to remarry - new.  Making plans to join 2 households - new. My 2010 has been a year of ups and downs, lots of fears, lots of new understanding of  friend's discomfort with a divorcee.... That was a hard thing to learn - but valuable. 

Most importantly, a NEW understanding of my relationship with God. An interesting year, altogether.

My word for 2011:
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