Today is the beginning of a brand new year, one that hasn't been written yet but each day we live will fill a page.  Yes, I am feeling melancholy because so much has happened this past year that it has made me think.  The past few months, especially, have been a time for reflection of my life, my friends' lives, and controlling feelings.

My life grew in 2012.  The best part was getting a new job that challenges me by letting me use my head and think of solutions.  I also have made new friends who I will treasure in my heart for always and these are people from work.  The environment there is very different from my previous job:  no drama, no back-stabbing, no gossiping.  It's so relaxing and people genuinely care for one another.  I'm not saying it didn't happen at my old job but let's say it wasn't seen very often.  

The division where I work, we are in the process of moving into the building I came from (I always said I'd come back but that's not what I meant LOL).  People are being box hoarders but I'm not worried about it.  In my younger days I would be frantic---must have boxes to pack--but aging has made me more patient.  That's a good thing.  :)

I did stick with a resolution and that was to up my exercise.  I managed to exercise at least once a week, which was towards the end of the year, but other weeks I did 3-4 times a week.  I really love Leslie Sansone's Walk At Home program.  You can walk with whatever intensity you want or can do and break a sweat even if you're not that into it.  I walk at least a mile and on one occasion I did her 5-mile walk.  Dang, talk about ready to fall down exhausted but I felt good knowing I can do this.  This is my favorite DVD of hers "Leslie Sansone 5-Day Walk Plan". You can either do what she has suggested +toning exercises or you can choose what you want to do.  I did notice a blooper in the Blue Mile. She's doing one thing but saying another.  LOL   Also, Leslie Sansone is online with a few full-length videos for you to exercise to.  It's called the "Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home."  I use this one most of the time.  

A few upsetting things did occur in the last few months of 2012.  On October 24, 2012 I lost someone who was like my sister.  We met at the quit smoking forum back in October 2002 and even got to visit with each other and other moderators of the forum a couple of times.  One was at her house in Montana in 2008.  That's when I fell in love with the wide open spaces state.  It is absolutely gorgeous!  Gaylene was very special.  She was a lung cancer survivor and was one of my heroes.  Each year she had scans and tests and they showed she was cancer-free.  The treatments worked!  However, Gay already had COPD which compromised her breathing.  This is what eventually killed her.  I remember her being short of breath and her cough was awful.  This is what smoking can possibly do to you.  Please stop smoking if you do smoke.  I don't want you to die.  Here is a link to Gay's journal on the smoking cessation site on About.com:  Gaylene's Cancer Journal.

Also, the Sandy Hook Elementary killings hurt my heart.  These poor children and adults had their lives to live and they were taken away with a shot from a gun.  I pray for them, their families and hope their loved ones' is lessening as each day passes.  Grief will never go away but the memories should help put smiles back on their faces.  I also pray for the gunman, Adam Lanza.  What he did was unthinkable but some sort of forgiveness will help us move on from this tragedy.  

As far as 2013 goes....well, I hope it's uneventful with lots of laughter and smiles.  My uncle will be turning 90 in February so my family and I are hoping to go up to celebrate this big occasion.  He and my aunt live in NY so I'm shooting for when the weather is not as cold, as in no snowing.  LOL  I am praying for my friends and family that all their wishes come true.  I know there have been times when things just aren't going the way we want but if we pray and be patient then they will happen.  My wish for you is the same.  Happy New Year!

Smoking

On October 2nd, 2012, I celebrated my 10-year milestone of quitting smoking.  I was at work on a break when I made the decision to not smoke so, as you can guess, I went cold turkey.  It was not a fun ride but it was only a few weeks out of my life that were pure hell.  The rest really hasn't been that bad.  

Eleven days after I quit I was on the Internet and searched on "quitting smoking" since I thought I needed to learn more about it.  I found on About.com a forum that was just about that:  quitting smoking!  I quickly joined and have not left.  Many friends have been made and many people have been helped because of this place.  It has helped thousands of people to quit this nasty habit and stay that way.  

I became a moderator a few years after I quit.  The moderator's job is to oversee the forum to help educate and support those who are quitting smoking.  We also make sure people play nicely and follow the forum rules.   There is a guide who oversees the entire forum and writes the major articles, educational and current news items.  I absolutely love my job as moderator because I feel like I am paying it forward and that's an awesome feeling.

Ten year milestone post

One of my friends who has visited the forum and is one of my heroes, is now very sick.  She is a lung cancer survivor but I really can't go into what is wrong with her now (it's not cancer, thank God).  I am asking for prayers.  She's such a special person to so many and we need for her to get better.  Pray, pray, pray!

I really want to go on an anti-smoking rant but I won't.  Remembering how I felt when people shoved down my throat the cons of smoking I just won't go into it.  If you smoke, you know what you are doing to your body.  If you don't, you know you are living a healthier life because you aren't polluting your lungs.  If any of you are interested in quitting, leave a comment and I'll get you the information you need.  I am always here for anyone who desires to quit.  That's the first step in becoming a healthier and happier you!

Otherwise, life is chugging along.  I am absolutely loving my new job since every day is a challenge.  It feels good to be using my brain and trying to figure things out.  And you know it's tough for an old person to use their brain.  LOL  Just kidding.

Thanks for reading my blog.  I know it's not anything special but it feels good to just write about things.

Until next time....

Linda