2010 Wish List

I have opted out of making resolutions this year. Normally I make resolutions around the end of December or the first of January then I give it my all for the first half of the year. As my all begins to dwindle (around mid year) I realize I’m behind on accomplishments and I recognize again; I have over promised and under delivered. It probably would make more sense to make less resolution demands, however the overachiever gets the best of me when it comes to resolutions. For the record this year my resolve has dissolved bringing me to my "new" New Year’s approach: The Wish List.

Instead of feeling the full weight of accomplishment on my shoulders I opted for The Wish List; this will take the pressure off of me and shift it over to the universe. I know many may be thinking this is a cop out, for we are in charge of our own life. I must tell you I agree, however we are not in charge of our wishes. I can wish anything I want. If it happens great, if it doesn’t I had no expectations so there is no internal damage to my psyche which throws my “not enoughness” into overdrive.

Another nice thing about wishes, they can be wished on stars, on birthday candles, on pennies, at a fountain, at a wishing well or anything else a person deems to be wish worthy.

I offer up my 2010 Wish List, not necessarily in priority order:

1. My wish is to work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00am till 3:00 pm receiving for all my efforts a six figure income. Since it is my wish I think it should be closer to a seven figure for my time is very valuable. On my days off, my wish is to complete all my unfinished projects.

2. I wish the government would stop spending other people’s money, like mine, my children’s my grandchildren’s, my great-grandchildren’s, and so forth. If they must then I wish to have me and my posterity excused from participating.

3. I wish I had an assistant to pick up after me, clean my house, organize my life, keep me on task, make me laugh and do everything I don’t feel like doing. She would also organize my desk and see to it that my chair is pushed in at the end of each of my work days. All of this she would do with a smile. (This sounds like a mom not an assistant.)

4. I wish all my listings would go under contract within 30 days of being listed and close within 60. Also I wish for no problems on the way to the closing table.

5. I wish my new puppy would potty train herself or my new assistant (See #3) would handle that job too.

6. Although I like to swear, I wish I didn’t enjoy it so much. I guess I wish I would quit swearing, however it does make me laugh so this wish is a bit conflicted. This wish may have to be put on the wish back burner until the conflict is over. Maybe I should wish the conflict be over, oh hell, I’m not ready for that.

7. Speaking of laughing, I wish everyone would laugh more. I mean really laugh. In fact I wish everyone would belly laugh. You know the laugh that makes you weak, with strange snorting sounds coming out of your mouth while tears run down your cheeks, that kind of laugh.

8. I wish gas stations were not self service and someone would wash my windows, check my tires, check my oil and do this all with a big smile.

9. I wish I had more time to exercise and golf. This would help with my next wish.

10. I wish for less stress.

11. I wish I could speak Spanish. (Maybe I should wish to master English first.)

12. I wish I could eat whatever I wanted without having to worry about growing outward. However if I do have to grow, I wish it would be upward.

13. Last but certainly not least I wish the real estate market was strong and construction permits were on the rise. I also wish "short sale" meant, a short time to close.

I think this wishful thinking is just what I need this year, my very own pocketful of dreams.

Happy Birthday Corbie

Thirty three years ago today at 8:47 am I received the greatest blessing of my life, a 7lb 11oz baby girl. She has grown into an amazing woman and blessed me with 3 beautiful grandchildren, Cale, Morgan and Ryan along with a fabulous son-in-law, Robert.

What a difference she's made in my life! I couldn't ask for anything more!!!

Remember Pearl Harbor

At 7:55am 68 years ago today, Pearl Harbor was attacked. 187 Japanese planes began dropping bombs on the ships in the harbor as well as planes in nearby airfields. A second attack came an hour later with another 163 planes continuing the assault. When the attack was complete, of the 96 ships anchored, 21 had been sunk with many others severally damaged. Out of 394 planes at airfields Hickam, Wheeler, and Bellows, 188 were destroyed and 159 were damaged. There were 2,403 (including 68 civilians) killed and 1,178 were wounded.


The USS Arizona was struck by a torpedo, within 9 minutes the ship sunk killing 1,177aboard. The USS Oklahoma after being hit rolled over on its side, pinning men inside and underwater. Of the crew of 1,301, 429 died. The USS West Virginia sank after being struck numerous times by both torpedoes and bombs. The USS Nevada was also hit by both torpedoes and bombs. After the first attack, the Nevada headed out to sea through the narrow channel of the harbor. The Nevada almost made it when came the second attack. The planes tried to sink the Nevada with hopes of blocking the channel, but the crew chose to beach the ship instead. There were two other smaller ships, the Shaw and the Oglala, both were badly damaged. (The Oglala capsized.) The Vestal was beached. The Utah, a target ship for the U.S. military, was also sunk.

In a little over two hours, 21 ships had been sunk and over 2,000 Americans had been killed. Japan’s attack had been devastating and destructive.

However the aircraft carriers were not in port. What a blessing. This meant the American left fleet was almost intact. The aircraft carriers later proved to be the main ships used by the Navy.

America had been divided over how much involvement and aid they should give to the Allies. However when President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan the country was united. The US would make Japan pay for the attack and help to rid the world of Nazism and Fascism.

The Admiral who had planned the attack had warned the Japanese Government that in
order for the attack to be a success it must be a crushing blow. The attack was devastating, but it wasn't a crushing blow. Instead it gave the Americans a rallying cry that carried them through to the end of the war: "Remember Pearl Harbor."

This is dedicated to the memory of my grandpa, Ruben D. "Mac" McEwen, who was in the Navy and at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. May we always Remember Pearl Harbor.

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Lord,

We come together with gratitude in our hearts on this Thanksgiving Day. We are ever so grateful to share time with family and friends. We are thankful for the food that has been so lovingly prepared, may it give us nourishment and strength.

We ask thee at this time to please bless those who are serving on behalf of others. May they feel your love, your guidance and your protection.

Help us to be mindful of your will, that we may all be an instrument in your hands.

Again we thank thee for the many blessings we enjoy.

Amen
-anonymous

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