HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  Hard to believe it's 2013....really, already?  2012 seemed to fly by, so my one wish at the moment is that we can catch our breath in this new year and feel slightly less rushed through life.  With that in mind, I thought a quiet moment at my antique writing desk might be in order.  The old navy man bought this for me quite a few years ago.  I keep some special keepsakes in it's little drawers and the rest holds my growing collection of greeting cards...I need to send more of these out from time to time....one of the things I'd like to do more of in this new year.

So....does looking at this photo bring your blood pressure down?  It does mine...the soft light of the candle...some handwritten pages....so calming.  Ok, some might call it boring, but not me.  That photo is of me and parents.   Myrt and CJ Williams....taken in early 1946.  That little kid is me...we are awaiting the birth of my oldest brother, Mike.  I am sixteen months older than he...so in this photo he is 'a little bun in the oven' as they say.   The only photo I remember of the three of us.  

I have an old book from the flea market...well, I have many....but this one has become one I draw in and write things in...right over the printing.  Now, why I don't know....just something I play around with.  So, I chose three little thoughts to use for this New Year's Eve post and wrote them.....for you to see.

They aren't that clear...so I will type them for you.....much easier to read 'in real life.'  

It's the thought that counts, isn't it?  

You will be able to read them at the end of this post.  But, if you are like me...you like real handwriting...even when you can't really make it out.

This candle is one I've had for a while and has seen 'better' days, but late at night, you work with what you have.  It has a wax coating over it, so I took a toothpick and drew these leaves on it, then removed the leaf shapes...leaving leaf-shaped holes....I figured when it was lit, it would look kind of 'fancy' especially in a low light setting.  I like it.

Actually, I took these photos last night...Sunday.....and it really was 11:25 p.m. when I took these photos!

Yeah...there we are!  Dad in his army clothes.....Mom in a 40's dress....wish I had it now and the little coat I am wearing.  Mom from McGregor, Texas....Dad from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He was stationed at Ft. Hood, not far from McGregor...that's how they met.  I was the first kid of four.  He was 34 when I was born...she was 23.  He lived until age 63, she 81.  And, me, well I'm 68.  Yes, time does fly...and somehow memories are made.

And, here are the writings....for your enjoyment:

#1, by William Arthur Ward

Another fresh new year is here..
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest...
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And, sing more joyful songs!

#2, by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.

#3, by Henry Van Dyke

Hours fly
Flowers die.
New days
New ways
Pass by;
Love stays.
 

From my house to yours....a very lovely, safe, warm and cozy evening and a very Happy New Year...2013!!!  take care, pat