Comfort Zone

I enjoy my comfort zone.

In other words - I REALLY enjoy my comfort zone.

An idyllic life, in my opinion, would include a friendly little cottage surrounded by a picket fence and an abundance of furry cats who enjoy lounging lovingly with me in my little rocker with a view that overlooks a picturesque nature setting. Throw in successful children, a happy husband who tends to my every whim, an endless supply of Crazy Bread and my life would be sheer perfection!

Seriously - is that too much to ask?!

So, lately, I've been trying to break out of my very comfortable zone and it's HARD. I found this definition in Wikipedia.

A comfort zone denotes that limited set of behaviors that a person will engage without becoming anxious. Alternatively denoted as a "plateau" it describes that set of behaviors that have become comfortable, without creating a sense of risk. A person's personality can be described by his or her comfort zones.

Highly successful persons may routinely step outside their comfort zones, to accomplish what they wish.

To step outside a person's comfort zone, he must experiment with new and different behaviors, and then experience the new and different responses that then occur within his environment.

I am such a creature of habit. It's hard for me to try new things. I order the same foods at the same restaurants. I travel the same roads to the same places. I shop at the same stores. Same clothes. Same haircut. Same old. Same old!

For the first time in about 16 years I want to try new things! Yoga, real estate, jogging, writing, community involvement, photography. Dare I say the scary ones? Marathons, foreign travel, getting the elusive degree, building my dream home, backpacking for an entire summer?

My dilemma is actually DOING these things. I can 'want' until the cows come home - but 'doing' is a different story. I realize that trying new things is a fear of mine. A big fear. Yet, it seems my curiosity to try new things is taking the lead and is forging uncharted territories.

I'm inspired by people who have an idea and run with it. I enjoy watching people who are afraid of something and do it anyway. I love watching success.

It's easy to refer to our dreams in the future tense as "some day". I want to live them now.

Scary!

*

Comfort Zone
Anonymous

I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork where really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside my zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone good-bye and closed and locked the door.

If you're in comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile; Success is there for you!

Yellowstone

Poor me.

I had to endure a miserable weekend. I suppose someone had to do it.

Todd and I were forced to visit Yellowstone without our children and stay in this really hideous cabin.


From this view, it's difficult to notice the fireplace and jetted tub. Misery!











Pretty awful. I'm surprised they're still in business.










Then - we were made to endure really horrible scenic views like these:


























As if that wasn't enough, we had to view wildlife in abundance.

Like Buffalo













And elk









And a bald eagle.













And a grizzly.









Okay - all kidding aside - this was an incredible weekend! Seeing a grizzly in the wild was beyond our wildest imagination. The reason the picture is so fuzzy is because Todd and I were so excited that we couldn't hold still long enough to take a decent shot. Now we know why pictures of Elvis and Bigfoot are always blurry! Seriously, we were bumbling nerds.

We had incidents this weekend, as usual, because we somehow attract strange things everywhere we go!

Such as:

*The poor gentleman that had a heart attack in the booth across from us while we were eating dinner. The ambulance came and whisked him off. Unfortunately, I have no idea how it turned out.

*The straw that was jammed into the roof of my mouth because I forgot to take it out of my mouth while getting into the car. Yeah, that was fun.

*The disgusting motel we checked into (then immediately checked out of) to save a few bucks. WOW - I have never seen anything like it....and I'm not a picky girl!

Incidents aside, this was an awesome weekend.

Hey Todd - let's go again!

Total geekdom

I live on a mountain that is about 20 minutes away from a grocery store. For four years I have laboriously traveled the well-worn roads to buy food, muttering and sputtering angrily under my breath at the sheer inconvenience of it all!

So, imagine my joy when I learned that a new store was being built at the bottom of the hill - a mere 10 minutes away. Further - imagine the shrieks and excitement my family endured several months ago when I learned that the new store to be built was a Harmon's.


The only store I will frequent is Harmon's. Why, you ask? I'll list the reasons in order of importance:

• Because Harmons has good prices.
• They have a very user friendly layout and I know where everything is.
• I'm a creature of habit.
• It's right next to Little Caesar's - hence, Crazy Bread.
• They offer discounts on gas.
• They have friendly people.
• They have Boar's Head meat.
• They have a drive-up window for prescriptions. (WOW I'm old).
• They load my groceries for me (wait, maybe this should be first).
• Bean doesn't shop there (wait, maybe this should be first). I'm clearly still fuming over his Dan Fogelberg comment.

But I digress.

Today was the grand opening and guess who was there with an idiotic, half-dazed perma-smile? Me. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.

Yes, I took my camera with me to the grand opening of Harmon's.

Wouldn't you?

Another angle of it's spectacular grandeur.

This picture was taken as I was pulling into their drive and load area. I was giggling like a little girl.

Today, the world was beautiful.

New member of the family

Isn't she lovely?

Happy Anniversary!

Two very wonderful people met about 47 years ago. The man thought the woman was very cute - she liked to dance, laugh, play piano and had a lot of friends (and admirers). The woman thought the man was tall, blonde, and devastatingly handsome. He loved to make her laugh. He liked to draw, paint, write, and was the life of the party. They decided to get married 46 years ago and start their lives together.

I'm glad they did because they are my parents and I'm lucky to have them. They are kind, generous, and loving to their 4 children, 9 grand children, and 7 great-grand children.

Oh, and guess what my dad surprised my mom with for the big day - a brand new, CUTE, fire-engine red Mini Cooper!

Happy Anniversary!!

Uproarious laughter

This guy has provided hours of entertainment in the Watson home. He is hilarious!

Enjoy.



and

Elora's Birthday

Elora turned 18 on Tuesday. She is an adult. She will graduate from high school in one month and will start college in the fall.

Okay - each of the statements above was NOT FUN to write!

I first met her when she was just 8 years old (wasn't that just last week)? I was dating her dad and he invited me over to his house for dinner. I arrived at his house and a very cute little brown-haired girl shyly opened the door. I asked her if she was Larissa. She said in the cutest little voice that I'll never forget, "No, I'm Elora."

She was wearing a dress and invited me into the living room to sit down. She said the chef (Todd) was still making dinner but would I like to look at a menu. She and Darren had made a homemade menu and I was able to select my dinner of choice.

She and Darren had soft music playing in the background and treated me like a queen. Elora served my meal and tried to be very formal and lady-like. Adorable!!

But that's not all - this is where it gets good!!

After dinner I heard her whisper to Todd and ask if she could go ride her bike. He told her she could but she had to change into her play clothes. She bolted to her room.

I was NOT prepared for what I saw next!

Apparently she forgot that she left her play clothes in the bathroom - which was down the hall from her bedroom. Rather than take the time to put on a robe or cover up in some way - she decided to make a mad dash to the bathroom. But since she didn't have one stitch of clothing on - I guess it could be said that she streaked to the bathroom!

I was sitting on the couch, trying to be ever so lady-like and make a good impression when I saw the flesh-colored blur, aka Elora, out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't stop the cackling laughter that escaped from my throat. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen.

I was hooked. Elora was adorable. It was her eyes...her shyness that got to me.

She is a true joy. She is sweet and smart and loyal and pretty and talented and funny and her smile is as big as Texas. There is nothing better than trying to get her to laugh so hard that she squeaks.

Happy 18th birthday. Please don't forget us little people as you pursue your dreams!

You are loved.


Eating her birthday dinner at her favorite restaurant.



From left to right:
Larissa, Elora, Egads-who is that?!, Todd, and Connor