As we begin 2016, with 365 blank pages to fill , 

I can’t resist taking a few moments of reflection on this past year.  

If I had to sum it up in one statement, It was a year that was somewhat hijacked by menopause for me.

The worst was the lack of sleep during the waves of hot flashes.  I am grateful they came and went and didn’t remain consistent.  I learned a lot about how important good sleep is to my well being and eneded the year with solutions.  That’s progress and all we can hope for in annoying circumstances.    

As I move forward in 2016, I have more work to do in overcoming the weight gain and that carb addicion that menopause reignited.  I can conquer it as I have before with great success.  It was only able to get out of control due to sleep deprivation and thanks to melatonin , valerian root and my Soma coolnights pj’s I have that under control.  

There were some great times in 2015 with my Vegas trip to see Neil Diamond and the fun awareness that my husband and I both love concerts and found several others to indulge in. 

Play is important to happiness and for us, music and dancing is a big part of that. 

My surprise bedroom makeover while I was in Vegas lit another spark in my wanting to get other things done around the house and once Football Season is over we have plans to get started on some things.  Yes, my priorities are straight, Football Season, then being responsible, lol! 

Turning 50 was the biggest event of the year and one that makes you pause and take notice of things that are working and things that are not.  All in all, It was a fun time to look at my relationships with my children and take a few moments to breathe deeply and have pride that my life’s work as a mother has given them wings to fly and make good decisions.  

On that note, the biggest and most difficult job of homeschooling my youngest and fixing the writing problems lies ahead.

This is my most important task for 2016 and one I intend to tackle , hopefully with great humor and patience!  

I have greatly enjoyed my once a month Parent’s Night Out, this year and hope to expand on that with once a month lunches and dinners with girlfriends as I think our society has really lost those opportunities in generatrions before us.  Long gone are the multigenerational quitlting bees where women filled their spirits by connecting with other women. Hoping to revive that in some small way… 

Last on my reflections for the year was taking a year pause in shopping for clothes, which I began in September. In looking over the year of blogging it really came into focus that my Summer wardobe is where I struggle the most. I will be seriously evaluating that and see what I can do to enhance that season to one I fashionably embrace.  

My husband was able to pay off his car payment in just 10 months and making that last payment really sparked the desire to increase our savings account this year and I began that with his first check of the year and hope to be very successful with this.  

Dear Readers, I hope today is a day of reflection to start anew in building on what is working and discarding what is not. I hope that a huge part of your plans includes Self Care, Gratitude and adding that important element of Play for increased levels of happiness.  

If I missed any typos, my apologies… still struggling with my sprained finger. lol!