What do you mean 2015 is already almost over?

I don't know if I'm the only one that feels like they just blinked and suddenly we're already almost at the end of 2015. I feel like I just got used to writing and saying 2015 for everything. I'm not one to make new years resolutions or at least not as far as at the beginning of the year stating I'm going to blah blah blah. I do constantly try to improve on my shortcomings but I don't make that a well I'll start on that in the new year or what have you no offense if that is something one does. I say do what works for you on improving or meeting ones goals not what the studies say to do because what works for the majority or for another person doesn't guarantee it'll give you the same results. With that I think I'll revisit a bit of what happened in 2015 for me again I didn't start the year with any real resolutions or really any particular goals. I do have to say that this has been overall a really great year. I love to travel but knew I wouldn't get any big trips in but ended up getting to have some of the best travels by just driving around the backroads and discovering hidden treasures of places. Better yet I got to go to some of these places with people I really care about in fact a couple of my favorite trips fall in that category. I got to meet new people this year. I think, hope, that I have matured and grown in ways. So as this year closes and a new one is about to begin I am thankul for all of the opportunities I had, the friendships I have and continuing to grow and improve not only in my faith but also into hopefully a good person and friend. Here's hoping that 2016 for you and I brings opportunities to meet whatever goals you have but perhaps most importantly may each day give us a chance to show others we care and encourage and help each other in this life because one can always use an encouraging word or help or to know they matter.

In closing I thought I'd share a few of my favorite pictures from my adventures this year.

 From one of my favorite trips that I got to go one this year

 This was another fun trip to see Anglin Falls

 From Winter Jam this year. This is always an event I look forward to going to not only because it is a fun, encouraging concert to go to but it's always great to spend time in line and at the concert with friends.

 Got to make a couple trips to a couple of zoos this year and this was probably by far one of my favorites I've ever gotten the chance to take

 I love music and as much as crowds can stress me out I love going to concerts and this was one of the absolute best concerts I was fortunate enough to get to go to this year.

 I added this one not because it's really that great of a picture although it was amazing to see Cumberland Falls that flooded but because it was one of those top favorite trips I got to go to not necessarily because of the destination but who I got to spend the day with. This particular day I got to spend with my little cousin and it was such a fun day.

  Autumn colors and mountains, doesn't really get much better!

I always love when I get a chance to find a covered bridge to go to

My Grown-Up Christmas List

It's that time of year again when generally you often get asked what you want for Christmas. I'm not a big fan of that question for a few reasons. One being I don't want people to spend their money on me and if I do happen to have something I could ask for I always feel like it's to expensive even if it is a used book. Another reason is because what I want for Christmas can't really be found or bought at a store and for whatever reason people tend to not believe me when/if I tell them these things that are found on my grown up Christmas list. For my personal list if you was to ask me here is what I want: for you to be my friend, which I tend to make more difficult than that initially sounds. It truly is that simple of a list, I don't need any expensive gadget or whatever is the next big thing just knowing I have a friend that is there for me. Since that list never cuts it I also find it amazing how difficult a time people seem to have finding me a gift (hint: you can even try asking one more time for me to do something with you and I might surprise you and say yes this time) but seriously books I can't feel guilty when I am gifted a book whereas I can sometimes feel when I buy that book I really wanted but need, well that could be argued. You know it always amazes and makes me happy when people will see something and they say they thought of you because that means they were listening or paying attention to something you said or did (also listening could easily be added to the grown up Christmas list because we all like to feel like we're being listened to when telling a story or that secret or something that you are going through). This time of year, as I recently put in a status on my FB page, can be a difficult time of year for people. It is a time with one of, if not, the highest rates of suicides which is heartbreaking (actually so no matter what time of year this happens). If I was to make my grown-up list a bit broader and not just include me here is what it would basically be this:

 That we would have a bit more patience and understanding. Not only during this time of year but the whole year around. For you see we truly don't know what others are going through. Recently I was in a store and was talking to an employee and had asked how his day was. When he greeted me he had a smile on his face and really friendly but when he answered my question he said he was having a long day and went on to say he had a lot on his mind. Just thinking about stuff. I didn't pry as to what was going on but said something along the lines of those days are rough and I hope things get better. Was there more I could've done probably I'm not sure but I will say that at the time I wasn't even going to ask how his day was going, which is rude on my part but I felt like I needed to ask and I did. And I think that's what I'm learning is that 1) you don't ever know what battle people are facing even if they have the biggest grin and seem like they have the perfect life and 2) it's not going to take a whole lot of your time to ask how someone is doing or take a few minutes to visit them. What seems trivial to you may make the biggest difference to someone. I've had people just randomly send a text or email and say something and it made my day and really encouraged me or someone has given me a hug when I needed it and just really helped. Never, ever underestimate what a kind word or deed will mean to someone even if it's just taking the time to listen, truly listen to them.

- To me the true meaning of this season isn't about the amount of boxes with your name on it or how much was spent or what is even in the boxes. When it's all said and done and people ask how was my Christmas I don't think about the gifts I got I think about who I got to spend the time with and hopefully we made memories. I mean it sounds like a cheesy Christmas movie I realize but it's true. I'll greatly appreciate those gifts that I may receive but I'm big on it's the thought that counts. I'm just adding to the cheesy factor, huh?! It's the truth though because for someone to even think about me or see something and they say I saw this and thought of you and had to get it for you or even taking the time to write a note or whatever I appreciate it more then I probably convey. 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of my favorite books and cartoons to watch this time of year and I love this line:

And the Grinch, with his Grinch feet ice cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling:
"How could it be so? It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!" He puzzled and puzzed, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before: "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store-- Maybe Christmas--perhaps--means a little bit more."


 I guess I just want my list to include more of me taking time for others even if it's something as simple as sending a Christmas card. And not getting frustrated at the long lines in the store or at the cashier who may be having trouble because to some degree everyone we meet is going through something. So I guess in essence my Christmas list is for me and others to be more kind, more patient, more understanding, take the time to listen and don't forget everyone you meet has a story, and is going through something be it good or bad so if they tell you a story or about something that's going on share in their excitement if that's the case or offer a shoulder, kind word or something if it's a struggle they are facing. As dorky and ridiculously cheesy as it is I truly believe we meet people for a reason be it in passing or we get to be around them for a bit longer.

I suppose I should add a Christmas song but for whatever reason this song came to mind as I was typing this...