Happy New Year!!!

Ahhhh, the relief of a new year....feels like anything is possible.  A fresh new calendar, a blank slate, a chance to reset and imagine a life where you can achieve that beautiful balance of taking care of yourself and your people.  Jotting down ways to shape a life where you prioritize love and joy and health and happiness.  I love a new year so hard.

I woke up this morning about 6:30 and got dressed before I went downstairs.  I was talking to myself the whole time....convincing myself that getting out for a walk first thing was the right way to start the day and the year.  Get it done even before coffee!

SIDE NOTE:  I weighed myself this morning for the first time in probably a year and it was not an encouragement to me.

Cooper was beside himself when he saw me already dressed and in tennis shoes coming down the stairs.  When he realized there was going to be a walk to start his morning, he started spinning and whining and celebrating.  Oh, how I wish I could channel his unbridled enthusiasm for getting his steps in. He tried to slide under the garage door as soon as a crack of daylight showed as it was opening.  Sometimes, I worry his halter will get stuck on the door as it is lifting, but you cannot stop that boy from urgently getting his nose and body squeezed under that door and out into the world.  His excitement is real.  As we moved down the driveway, I was thanking God for another year, another day, so much grace and love and all the things that make me feel loved and cherished. So happy that I have two legs that let me walk.  I was proud of myself for getting the year started on a good note. A great note really!  Taking the first step out the door is the hardest part, but once out of the house with the garage door closing behind me I felt great.

Before we even got out of the cul de sac, Cooper had gone behind the neighbors hedge and gotten his leash tangled around a bush.  He was stuck.  Breathing hard.  Kind of panicked cause he wanted to get out and get on with our walk but he was going no where.  We have walked out of this cul de sac hundreds of time and never has he gotten himself into this predicament.  So, I found myself crawling on my hands and knees into the hedge with a very excited dog wondering why I was on the ground crawling towards him.  I was able to unhook his leash, hold on to his harness, untangle the snared leash, reattach it to his harness and crawl backwards out of the hedge.  Sticks and leaves in my hair, a little mud on my pants.

So within 30 minutes of opening my eyes in the new year, I was quickly reminded that it won't all be shiny and fabulous.  More than likely there will be challenges and obstacles thrown in to overcome.  That's okay.  That is just life.  That is what it means to be human.  That is what I love most about humans. We all have challenges. We all have to work hard at something. Finding the humor and the joy and the worry and the frustration in those things and sharing it with other humans is the best!

I hope the new year is filled with endless possibilities for you and that when you end up crawling through a hedge to untangle a mess that you will laugh to yourself and remember to share that story with me.

Bring on 2019!

RECIPE ALERT: Drip Beef Sandwiches

Over the Thanksgiving break, Ms. Tennessee introduced me to a new crock pot recipe that was outstanding and made the best little drip beef sandwiches in all the land.  It is called Mississippi Pot Roast.  It is ridiculously easy and scrumptious.

4 lb Pot Roast
1 stick butter
1 envelope Au Jus Gravy Mix
1 envelope Ranch Dressing
1 jar Peperoncini Peppers (I used the entire jar of sliced peperoncini - juice and all)

Cook low and slow all day long (about 8 hours) until it is just falling apart.

Shred the meat and keep all those precious peperoncini's and shred those along with the meat.  Put the meat back in the juice and be sure it is nice and drippy!

Serve on rolls.

If you want to go over the top....toast the buns, spread with a little horseradish sauce and melt a little provolone cheese on top of the meat.  Wow!

I have a picture on my phone of the roast that I was going to include with this post, but for some reason my phone and computer no longer talk to each other.  Photos that previously have magically moved from my phone to my computer no longer do that....so life is hard and technology.  The end.

In other news.....

• Today is Lana's follow up appointment with the surgeon.  MRI results show the cancer is responding to chemo but is not completely gone.  Prayers appreciated for a clear, easy path forward to kick this breast cancer to the curb once and for all.  

• Chip had a migraine last night.  I try to mention it when it happens so I have a record of how often they are occurring.  Not very often, but they sure stink when they do happen. 

• Harry flew out to Phoenix last week and had a fun weekend in Las Vegas visiting with his college buddies.  He is leaving Vegas $300 richer than when he left.  Lucky duck. 

• Also, if I didn't share this news on my blog before, Harry will be working for the Texas Rangers this coming baseball season.  He is over the moon and so am I.  So happy he is getting the chance to live his dream to work in MLB and also close enough for his momma to get to him if she needs to. 

• Work is kicking my butt and I have no idea if I am done Christmas shopping or not. It is a mystery. I hope to get a day off this week to figure it out.

I hope your Tuesday is wonderful and you have some time to sit and stare at your Christmas tree.