I knew it was my new neighbors next door. I listened as the sound moved around to the front of the house.
It sounded like footsteps, but more of a dragging . . .
Before my imagination could switch into high gear, I heard the first drops of rain on the roof.
The wind is still blowing, but I’m no longer concerned . . . it’s no two legged culprit out running amuck in my yard.
I Do Love Rainy Days
It’s my excuse to stay home.
But I do have groceries to buy . . .
I guess they can wait. Check out the pantry and freezer.
There’s a big boom of thunder. I jumped. Then the roar and rumble that seemed to go on and on . . . and the major flash of lightning . . . more thunder . . .
I shut down my laptop. I didn’t want to be involved with any electrical phenomenon.
The weather has calmed down considerably and we have some clouds, but mostly sunny.
As much as I love the rain and cooler temperatures, I do play it safe when there are electrical storms. I do love the sound of the rain and the rumbling of the thunder, but the lightning makes me a little nervous and I allow Mother Nature to do her thing and I’ll stay off line.]
It’s a good time to dig into a good book. There are plenty for all ages. And maybe doing a jigsaw puzzle will pass the time nicely and allows for conversation.
Of course I have a selection of good books and jigsaw puzzles for your family enjoyment. Reading aloud a favorite story is always fun. It may be interesting to have a jigsaw puzzle out, too. That way you can take turns reading and working on the puzzle.
Here are some great before Christmas rainy day stories and jigsaw puzzles for your family enjoyment:
These are in Kindle format so be sure to click hardcover or paperback if you want a printed book.
Now, for the jigsaw puzzles:
Some of these puzzles won’t be available until closer to Christmas. But there are plenty that are available now you can select. These are only my suggestions.
I don’t mind if my order comes after Christmas. It’s a way of keeping the season going a bit longer. And they’ll be available for next Christmas. These aren’t gifts. They’re to have around for my family and friends to enjoy while they’re visiting. And for rainy days in winter . . . and any time of year, actually.
This may seem strange, but sometimes during a hot summer day I like bringing out a jigsaw puzzle of snow and cold weather — even a Christmas theme . . . or Halloween . . . or any holiday for that matter. I don’t need to go along with the season. It’s all in the fun of reading a story or doing a jigsaw puzzle.
I have a friend who always does Christmas in July. She can’t wait to throw a party . . . she puts up a tree and we bring gifts and have a great feast with Christmas goodies. It’s fun and gives us two Christmas celebrations.
Lately I’ve Been Watching A Variety Of Christmas Movies
The unfortunate thing is that I don’t remember titles . . . or paid much attention to them.
After a while the themes or story lines seems to blend together . . .
I do like the movies that have to do with families. There was one where a young woman was to meet her fiance’s parents by spending Christmas with them. He had a business appointment and would meet her there.
Well, it so happened that the last name was the same as the last time of a man she met on the plane . . . her fiance’s name was Will and the man’s brother was Billy . . . but it seemed close enough for her and she joined the man to meet his parents . . . and they were having a lovely time . . .
Until Billy showed up . . . and Will the fiance called wondering where she was . . .
These mix up stories are always wonderful . . . yet embarrassing . . . and real heart breakers . . . Yet they’re always eye-openers when it comes to affairs of the heart . . . And the connection we make with others . . .
Movies May Have One Central Message . . .
But we do find so much more that is meaningful to us.
Yes, it is very subjective. It’s about finding common ground for friendship and love relationships . . . without that there is nothing . . . or to have shared interests in the movie I mentioned, but with differing attitudes.
In this movie, the woman owned an antique shop that was opened by her father . . . he since passed and it was left to her . . .
The fiance was a real estate big wig and he wanted to sell the shop to a high bidder . . .
The man on the plane appreciated old things and rebuilt an old clock or music box for his grandfather . . . which was lost in the baggage claim . . . and the woman lost her luggage . . .
Yes, they had a bit of a conflict at the “lost luggage” counter . . .
But besides their differences . . .
It is a lovely movie . . . one I’d watch again and would recommend to you, if only I could remember the title . . .
The message I received from this movie may be entirely different from the one you’d receive which makes it quite interesting and an excellent movie that relates to a wider audience.
It’s very much a romance than a love story . . .
I don’t want to give the ending away, but I may have let the cat out of bag unintentionally . . .
It’s difficult explaining something without giving too much away . . .
Generally, Christmas Movies Are Feel Good Movies
There is usually something for everyone.
I know the classics that everyone watches during Christmas . . . “A Christmas Carol”, “It’s A Wonderful Life” and there are probably a dozen or more others you may enjoy and watch each and every year without fail.
I like Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” and I’ve found many remakes of the basic theme run through them. The message is always the same and it’s delightful to acknowledge it has withstood the “test of time.”
There are funny movies . . . and heart break movies . . . and some with a bit of nostalgia and even melancholy thrown in . . . there are various mixes that make for Christmas entertainment.
It is wonderful to live in a time where movies are made to capture a wide audience either on the wide screen of movies in theaters or small screen for home entertainment.
They also reach all age groups . . . which is always fun for family entertainment.
Christmas Is Family Time
There’s a lot of focus on Santa and gifts.
And Black Friday and getting a head start on gift buying.
For me, the gifts are nice, but it’s family quality time. That’s what I remember the most . . . not really the gifts . . . but those quiet moments when we’re all together . . . maybe lost in our own thoughts or talking quietly . . .
I suppose we all have our own memories which may be very different from mine . . . but a quiet walk or sitting by the fireplace quietly is very special to me . . . it doesn’t have to be grand, just knowing you’re safe and warm, wrapped up in the love of your family.
Goodness, I can’t believe how fast this month is going by. Yet, it is said that the older you get the faster time goes by. I must be getting older because I can see it.
Do You Remember A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens?
The story where Scrooge is visited by three spirits?
I thought the original was good. Then, I noticed all the remakes using the same concept.
Well, of course, I have a variation on the same theme. Mine is a bit different. Mine is based on websites past, present and future.
This has been my concern for several months. And I attended a webinar to clear up my concept.
Since The Webinar
I’ve haven’t been visited by spirits.
But my thoughts and dreams have centered on my websites — past, present and future.
I remember how excited I was to begin a blog. Then another and another. After awhile they don’t seem all that exciting and with time I’ve lost interest.
I learned at the webinar that one blog is basically all you need and all you can handle, if you want to do it right.
I’ve thought long and hard about my various websites. I’ve eliminated two of them and may find a need to eliminate two more. All due to lack of interest . . . and them not fulfilling the need I thought they’d provide.
These thoughts have turned into a form of a nightmare. One I can’t seem to escape.
At odd hours one of them pops into my mind and I realize how useless they truly are.
The more I think about them, the more I know I don’t know what I’m doing.
Anyone Can Do A Blog
That’s so true.
It’s having a popular blog that counts. One that is read on a regular basis by thousands of visitors.
A blog is no different from a store. The doors are open, but no one comes in to shop. Soon there is no reason to continue.
It’s difficult to let go . . .
That’s the hardest part for me. It’s letting go of all the hard work I’ve put into my blogs.
But the thing is . . . Getting back into the Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol . . .
I’m not all that excited and elated . . . I’m not feeling the value of eliminating websites . . . other than giving me more time to devote to those I have and to my life . . .
Some I’m eager to let go. They’ve become a major pain in the neck. But others . . .
I’ve Narrowed It Down To Three . . . Perhaps Four
Isn’t that ridiculous.
Starting with 8 websites, I’ve got it down to 6 and can get it down to 4, but 3 is difficult.
I was watching a YouTube video last night and an ad began the video. It’s probably one you’ve seen on YouTube or even television. It’s the Pioneer Woman and her dinner and cookware products.
Her focus is about her family and giving them good food on attractive plates after a hard days work.
We know her life isn’t centered around her kitchen, but her products are . . .
To have such a clear focus . . . to be so driven in one particular aspect of her life is remarkable. I truly admire it.
I’m all over the place . . . especially in this blog and thus the need to have two or three other ones.
Can Life Be That Simple?
Yes, I believe it can . . . and that’s my goal . . . to simplify . . .
Every day we have tasks to accomplish. It’s the driving force that gets you out of bed each morning that drives us to succeed in whatever it is that motivates us that is important.
It’s our passion . . . something we’d be doing regardless of whether we had a huge audience or not . . . but is that really worthwhile?
Yes, I have more questions than answers.
That’s the problem I’m experiencing and my need to move on by eliminating my other websites.
As much as I’ve thought myself to be Super Woman, I’m not. I can’t take charge of several websites and make them all successful, but I can focus on a couple that truly motivate me.
Then I think, but there’s this other one . . . so I’ll have to say that I have in the course of writing this narrowed my focus . . . successfully down to 3. Yes, 3 and only three. And if I get honest about it, I only need this one and my newest one.
I may have found that 2 websites are all I need.
That’s keeping it simple and manageable.
Life can be simple, if we stop complicating it.
It All Comes Down To What I Can Offer You, My Readers
And what comes naturally.
What it is that I have to say that will enrich your life . . . and mine, too.
That’s the essence of having a blog. It’s communicating and connecting with others who have the same interests.
I see it clearly when I’m reading a book or watching a movie. There is something that hits me . . . something I would like to do or something I am doing . . .
Too often we focus on the wrong thing.
It’s like that TED Talk I’ve referred to before in giving us an elevator description of who we are.
It’s no different than having a mission statement . . . one that is inspiring and truly worthwhile.
Here’s the video again, if you haven’t seen it before. And even if you have, it is worth revisiting from time to time.
I hope this revisiting of my random thoughts hasn’t been entirely off the wall boring. I do like giving you food for thought when I seem to be struggling to make my life work and to understand why I’m feeling so overwhelmed.
It’s easy to let go of things when you realize how they’re dragging you down.
Getting to that point has been a struggle for me.
I wish you all the best during this Christmas season for you and your family,
Yes, the webinar I attended was 5 hours long with a 10 minute break.
There was time for questions and answers and clarification. That ate up some of the time, yet it was full of useful information. And my conclusion . . .
I’m going back to how it was before with a focus on holidays and crafts and whatever interests and amuses me.
I was leaning in that direction, but this webinar basically told me it was for the best . . . and my stats weren’t all that wonderful. That may have had some bearing on my decision.
I’m a blogger and TwoCansOnAString.com is actually my favorite blog. But lately I wasn’t feeling that great about it.
This webinar also showed me how I do need to eliminate a few more blogs. It’s difficult to have so many of them and add to them regularly. So I’ve been messing up by splintering my focus.
It was interesting to learn that some people started a website not out of their passion, but because they thought they should do it in a particular way. That’s basically what happened to me with the changes I made.
Well, I found it wasn’t working for me . . . and obviously for you . . . so I’m back to doing my own thing and seeing if I can get you back or get a whole bunch of new people. I’m not claiming it will be “better.” It will be what I do and what I’ve done over the past year or so.
I want to just have fun again. That will make it enjoyable for all concerned.
Too Much Information
When I learn something new . . . it usually contradicts something I’ve learned . . . and I need to look at why it’s this way. Was there a change or is this a different type of blog?
Well, it is a different type of blog.
Quite honestly, it is the type of blog everyone on-line should strive to have, but that’s my opinion which may not be worth all that much.
All I know is that what I was doing wasn’t working and I’m going to go back to my own concept of what blogging is to me here at TwoCansOnAString.com
Since This Is A New Post For Getting Back To Normal
I was thinking about a fun project the whole family would enjoy.
A picture basically says it all. So you decide what you’ll need to make them. This is going to be your family project.
You decide upon the size of candy cane, the size of marshmallows — I was thinking of using one of those jumbo marshmallows for the body and a regular sized one for the head.
In the picture the hat is a Hershey’s Kiss, but I was thinking of a Rolo or a mini Peanut Butter Cup. There’s the Twizler type of scarf you could make from a fruit roll up. Then add branch arms using a creative mix of Twizlers.
There’s M & M’s for the buttons, but you can use what you want. Also black frosting gel for the eyes and orange frosting gel for the nose. And some white frosting to stick the hat, eyes, nose and buttons on the marshmallows.
I think I pretty much have it covered, but you may have other ideas of your own.
It’s interesting to see what your kids create. They’re always better than what we think.
They can be eaten “as is” or dunked in hot chocolate. That should be a deliciously gooey mess that will delight the eye and the taste buds.
Enjoy this fun recipe for these delightful Snowmen On A Candy Cane.
You may be all wrapped up with Christmas shopping, decorating and preparations.
Yes it will be here before you know it!
I’m changing some websites. I’ve eliminated one and plan to eliminate another one and perhaps a third one. It’s interesting how sometimes we have to let go.
This refers to many things besides websites, but that’s been a major concern of mine over the past several months. And the time has come for me to do it.
You know, I feel really good about the website I eliminated. And I know letting go of a second and perhaps a third will be a major weight off my shoulders.
The same is true of letting go of those things that are weighing on you. I’m not saying it is going to be easy, but once you decide to do it, you’ll feel so very much better.
This applies to letting go of people, the past and even stuff. As a wise friend of mine said, “It’s only stuff.” Well, I had a sentimental attachment to it . . . or thought I should. But in reality, it is only stuff.
I Built A New Website
Here I’m all happy about getting rid of websites and I built a new one.
I am a puzzle I can’t figure out most of the time. I’m been thinking about having a Christmas website for quite some time. You’d probably think I’d do Halloween. I thought so too, but Christmas seems more exciting to me.
It’s a year round Christmas website. This is why I’m getting rid of the other websites. I lost interest in them and I can do more with Christmas Go Round than I can with them.
I’ve decided I’m more of a kitchen junk drawer type of blogger than a niche one. Over time it doesn’t work for me. I lose interest or run out of things to talk about. But with a junk drawer . . . there’s lots to talk about and to share.
There’s always an interesting “find” that was pushed back — way back in the back of the drawer — waiting to be rediscovered.
Tomorrow I Have A Webinar Boot Camp
It’s going to run a few hours and tell us about the best way to blog and those blogs that make it and those that don’t.
I can almost hear you say, “You should have waited until you attended the webinar before delving into a new website.”
Yes that did cross my mind, but I went for it . . . tis the season and all that. So, technically, instead of a niche, I have a theme.
I’m beginning to think I like having a theme instead of a niche. But I’ll see what I learn from this webinar.
Do you believe this webinar had a price in dollars to pay for attendance? They’re usually free with a “buy to learn more” component. I think I like paying to get the information and my questions answers than listening to a “pitch” and then getting the real information.
I guess it is all a matter of perspective . . . and the major changes I’m feeling I need to do.
Watching Movies Make Me Think
I don’t believe we choose movies by accident.
There were two about making major changes in the main character’s life. One was trying to hold on to a failing business when she had a passion for something else. The other was delving into a job to avoid “going home.” This involved dealing with the loss of her mother and then her best friend. She didn’t really know her father, but he was there all the time. So, she did go home and faced her grieving and developing a relationship with her father. It has an interesting twist, but just given those elements, it was an interesting story.
And then, there’s the first one of doing something that she lost interest in doing. This one truly hit home. And the reason for delving into a new website and the long awaited decision to let go of what wasn’t working for me.
Change in the only constant in our lives. We sometimes get blindsided by having to do it, but in the end it turns out for the better. Just as losing my content here when I moved the hosting of this website.
More Change May Be In Store For TwoCansOnAString.com
This will have to do with tomorrow’s webinar.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed it or not, but the more I learn, the less I really know. Seems strange on one level and makes perfect sense on another.
I definitely won’t be letting go of TwoCansOnAString.com, but I may be letting go of my current direction. I don’t believe it is working. I can always have my random thoughts, but maybe I need a theme. Yes, the kitchen junk drawer concept works for me, but maybe I do need something that means something to you.
Yes, it is my blog, but I need you to read it and be a loyal follower of this website. I need to give you what you want to see regularly. Giving you those treasures pushed back in the drawer.
And there may be more I need to let go of in order to see things clearly. Just go through the clutter of my mind and do a major cleaning.
Clarity is so very important. Until we have clarity, it’s difficult to make informed decisions.
You may be fortunate and not feel the need for change. It is very likely you had to move furniture around to make room for your Christmas tree. And, perhaps, for some of your decorations.
Change Is Inevitable
No matter the season or the reason.
I noticed a neighbor bought a new car. Not something I’m in the market for right now.
I want to write, but I also need people to read my blogs. I need to give value than just my rambling thoughts. Yet, this is basically food for thought for those rare souls who have been wrestling with changes in their own life.
