A Year of Vision and Luck

2016 A Year of Vision and Luck 

Besides a Rainbow in my backyard the universe has been giving me signs.

Let me back track… When I worked for CenterPointe Energy in Leak Detection (2002-2007) 

I had a Vision Board.
We also had a Vision Board in Robbinsdale, La Crosse and Waukee, IA.

Now when we packed the truck to head west - the Vision Board didn’t make the cut.


So, then the Universe sent me a message on creating another board by way of an invitation from a woman in Rockaway Beach who has invited people to come and make a Vision Board or to color.

While looking for photos of my Vision Boards I ran across a couple of old emails.


Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 5:40 PM

I wrote my wish was….
living life with no fear and no regrets...


Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 8:45 AM
Subject: Decided to create a 5 year plan...

My Five Year Plan….

At 55, I’m going to sell my house, quit my job and rent a place on one of the Hawaiian Islands for a year and try to make a living from writing. After one year I’ll decide if I like life on the Island – I’ll purchase a place to live. If not I’ll try Texas for a year, if not Florida…If I can’t make a living writing – I’ll do office work or ? – whatever…


The best thing about vision and goals - sometimes it’s not exact…but it can be pretty close.

I am not in Hawaii, but I do have an ocean a block away, I am writing and 56.

So, we have Vision and now for Luck. I won a free class “What Career Do You Want?” taught by Indie Publishing Specialist Maggie Lynch.

I will be posting a picture of my "New Vision Board"

What if...

What if.. Do you ever wonder where you'd be if you made different choices.

For 27 years, I worked for CenterPointe Energy and one day my boss said, "You're not happy here. You should quit."

And I did.

Four years later my daughter said, "you're not happy working in an office, you should be come an occupational therapy assistant."

So, I quit my job at the City of Golden Valley, sold my house, moved in with Rich in La Crosse, WI.  and became a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

I worked with children with Autism in La Crosse, until I received an email with an job offer in Waukee, IA.  I worked for over a year in a skilled nursing facility until Rich said, "I'm not happy in Iowa. We should move to the coast and you should write."

So, we did.

2016 is all about writing.

I have been writing my whole life. I love writing, it makes me very happy. I have previously dabbled with writing and have had success with getting published, but writing is no longer easy and I struggle to get the words on the page.

I am not sure if it is because I do not have a routine.

Do I need to establish a schedule?
Do I need to join a writer's group?
Do I need to find a critic partner?

But I never wonder, "What if..."

Hmmmm

Christmas Mischief

One of my favorite short stories…

Christmas Mischief

and A Night Owl Review Top Pick. 

What could be worse than driving down a county road on a cold, snowy December afternoon and getting a flat tire... Being locked out of your car by your exuberant dog, acting like a fool trying to get back in when a tall dark handsome stranger stops and then the man doesn't ask for your phone number.

And my favorite recipe for Gluehwein

Gluehwein, 

1 (750 milliliter) of an inexpensive bottle red wine - 

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

A package of mulling spices (3 ounces)*

Cheesecloth

Cinnamon Sticks

In a saucepan, add water, sugar, and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer.

Place mulling spices in a cheesecloth. Drop into the pan and simmer for 30 minutes or until thick and syrupy.

Turn off the heat and pour in wine until steaming. Remove cheesecloth with spices. (Some people will also add 1/2 cup of Brandy)

Pour hot water into mugs/cups to preheat them, dump the water out and add wine and garnish with cinnamon stick.

*Or to make you own Mulling Spices, place 8 black peppercorns, 6 whole allspice, 6 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 orange rind strips and 2 pieces crystalized ginger on a 5-inch square of cheesecloth. Gather the edges, and tie securely with string.

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Mischief-Christine-Columbus-ebook/dp/B0054K8PSK

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