Merry Christmas Around the World

Image and Information Courtesy of Christmas.com

Country	Native Greeting(s)
Andorra (AD)	Merry Christmas	Bon Nadal
United Arab Emirates (AE)	Merry Christmas	I’d miilad said oua sana saida
Afghanistan (AF)	Merry Christmas	De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai kal de mubarak sha
Antigua and Barbuda (AG)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Anguilla (AI)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Albania (AL)	Merry Christmas	Gézuar Krishlindjet
Armenia (AM)	Merry Christmas	Shnorhavor Sourp Dzunount
Netherlands Antilles (AN)	Merry Christmas	Bon Pasco, Bon Anja
Angola (AO)	Merry Christmas	Boas Festas
Antarctica (AQ)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas, Felices Pasquas, Hristos Razdajetsja
Argentina (AR)	Merry Christmas	¡Feliz Navidad!
American Samoa (AS)	Merry Christmas	Ia Manuia Le Kilisimasi
American Samoa (AS)	Happy New Year	Ia Manuia Le Tausaga Fou
Austria (AT)	Merry Christmas	Frohe Weihnachten
Australia (AU)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Aruba (AW)	Merry Christmas	Bon Pasco, Bon Anja
Azerbaijan (AZ)	Merry Christmas	Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bosnia and Herzegowina (BA)	Merry Christmas	Sretan Bozic
Barbados (BB)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Bangladesh (BD)	Merry Christmas	Shuvo Baro Din
Belgium (BE)	Merry Christmas	Zalig Kerstfeest
Burkina Faso (BF)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Bulgaria (BG)	Merry Christmas	Vessela Koleda
Bahrain (BH)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Burundi (BI)	Merry Christmas	Noeli Nziza, Joyeux Noel,
Benin (BJ)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Bermuda (BM)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Brunei Darussalam (BN)	Merry Christmas	Selamat Hari Natal
Bolivia (BO)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Brazil (BR)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Natal
Bahamas (BS)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Bhutan (BT)	Merry Christmas	krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva
Bouvet Island (BV)	Merry Christmas	remove
Botswana (BW)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Belarus (BY)	Merry Christmas	Winshuyu sa Svyatkami
Belize (BZ)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Canada (CA)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel
Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CC)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas, Selamat Hari Natal
The Democratic Republic of The Congo (CD)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Central African Republic (CF)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Congo (CG)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Switzerland (CH)	Merry Christmas	Fröhlichi Wiehnacht, Joyeux Noel
Cote D’ivoire (CI)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Cook Islands (CK)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas, Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritime
Chile (CL)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Cameroon (CM)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel
China (CN)	Merry Christmas	Sheng Tan Kuai Loh
Colombia (CO)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad para todos
Costa Rica (CR)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Cuba (CU)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Cape Verde (CV)	Merry Christmas	Boas Festas
Christmas Island (CX)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Cyprus (CY)	Merry Christmas	Eftihismena Christougenna, Noeliniz kutlu olsun ve yeni yili
Czech Republic (CZ)	Merry Christmas	Vesele Vanoce
Germany (DE)	Merry Christmas	Frohliche Weihnachten
Djibouti (DJ)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel, Mboni Chrismen
Denmark (DK)	Merry Christmas	Glaedelig Jul
Dominica (DM)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Dominican Republic (DO)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Algeria (DZ)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Ecuador (EC)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Estonia (EE)	Merry Christmas	Haid Joule, Rôômsaid Jôule
Egypt (EG)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Western Sahara (EH)	Merry Christmas	(Muslim nation)
Eritrea (ER)	Merry Christmas	Melkam Yelidet Beaal, Poket Kristmet
Spain (ES)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Ethiopia (ET)	Merry Christmas	Melkam Yelidet Beaal, Poket Kristmet, Merry Christmas
Finland (FI)	Merry Christmas	Hauskaa Joulua
Fiji (FJ)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) (FK)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Federated States of Mirconesia (FM)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Faroe Islands (FO)	Merry Christmas	Gledhilig jol
France (FR)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Gabon (GA)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
United Kingdom (GB)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas, Nadolig Llawen (Wales)
Grenada (GD)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Georgia (GE)	Merry Christmas	Gilotsavt Krist’es Shobas
French Guiana (GF)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Ghana (GH)	Merry Christmas	Afishapa
Gibraltar (GI)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad
Greenland (GL)	Merry Christmas	Glædelig Jul, Juullimi Ukiortaassamilu Pilluarit
Gambia (GM)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Guinea (GN)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Guadeloupe (GP)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Equatorial Guinea (GQ)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad
Greece (GR)	Merry Christmas	Eftihismena Christougenna
South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands (GS)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Guatemala (GT)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Guam (GU)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas, Felis Pasgua
Guinea-bissau (GW)	Merry Christmas	Boas Festas
Guyana (GY)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Hong Kong (HK)	Merry Christmas	Sing dan fiy loc, Merry Christmas
Heard and Mcdonald islands (HM)	Merry Christmas	remove
Honduras (HN)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Croatia (Local Name: Hrvatska) (HR)	Merry Christmas	Sretan Bozic
Haiti (HT)	Merry Christmas	Jwaye Nwel
Hungary (HU)	Merry Christmas	Boldog Karácsonyt
Indonesia (ID)	Merry Christmas	Salamet Hari Natal
Indonesia (ID)	Happy New Year	Selamat Tahun Baru
Ireland (IE)	Merry Christmas	Nollaig Shona dhuit
Israel (IL)	Merry Christmas	Mo’adim Lesimkha
India (IN)	Merry Christmas	Shub Christu Jayanti
British Indian Ocean Territory (IO)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Iraq (IQ)	Merry Christmas	Idah Saidan Wasanah Jadidah
Islamic Republic of Iran (IR)	Merry Christmas	Christmas Mobarrak
Iceland (IS)	Merry Christmas	Gleðileg Jól
Italy (IT)	Merry Christmas	Buon Natale
Jamaica (JM)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Jordan (JO)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen, Merry Christmas
Japan (JP)	Merry Christmas	Merii Kurisumasu
Kenya (KE)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Kyrgyzstan (KG)	Merry Christmas	Hristos Razdajetsja
Cambodia (KH)	Merry Christmas	-
Kiribati (KI)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Comoros (KM)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel, Mboni Chrismen
Saint Kitts and Nevis (KN)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (KP)	Merry Christmas	Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Republic of Korea (KR)	Merry Christmas	Sungtan Chukha
Kuwait (KW)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen, Merry Christmas
Cayman Islands (KY)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Kazakhstan (KZ)	Merry Christmas	Hristos Razdajetsja, Rozdjestvom Hristovim
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LA)	Merry Christmas	-
Lebanon (LB)	Merry Christmas	Milad Majeed
Saint Lucia (LC)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Liechtenstein (LI)	Merry Christmas	Frohliche Weihnachten
Sri Lanka (LK)	Merry Christmas	Subha nath thalak Vewa, Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
Liberia (LR)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Lesotho (LS)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Lithuania (LT)	Merry Christmas	Laimingu Kaledu
Lithuania (LT)	Happy New Year	Laimingu Nauju Metu
Luxembourg (LU)	Merry Christmas	Schéi Krëschtdeeg
Latvia (LV)	Merry Christmas	Priecigus ziemassvetkus!
Latvia (LV)	Happy New Year	Laimigu Jauno gadu!
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (LY)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen, Buon Natale, Happy Christmas
Morocco (MA)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Monaco (MC)	Merry Christmas	Festusu Natale
Republic of Moldova (MD)	Merry Christmas	Craciun fericit si un An Nou fericit!
Madagascar (MG)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel, Arahaba tratry ny Krismasy
Marshall islands (MH)	Merry Christmas	Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MK)	Merry Christmas	Streken Bozhik
Mali (ML)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Myanmar (MM)	Merry Christmas	-
Mongolia (MN)	Merry Christmas	(Tibetan Buddhist and Muslim)
Macau (MO)	Merry Christmas	Boas Festas, Sing dan fiy loc
Northern Mariana Islands (MP)	Merry Christmas	Filis Pasgua, Merry Christmas
Martinique (MQ)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel, –
Mauritania (MR)	Merry Christmas	(Muslim 100%)
Montserrat (MS)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Malta (MT)	Merry Christmas	Il-Milied it-Tajjeb
Malta (MT)	Happy New Year	Is-Sena t-Tajba
Malta (MT)	Season’s Greetings	Il-Festi t-Tajba
Mauritius (MU)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Maldives (MV)	Merry Christmas	-
Malawi (MW)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas, Moni Wa Chikondwelero Cha X’mas
Mexico (MX)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Malaysia (MY)	Merry Christmas	Selamat Hari Krimas
Mozambique (MZ)	Merry Christmas	Boas Festas
Namibia (NA)	Merry Christmas	Geseende Kersfees
New Caledonia (NC)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Niger (NE)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Norfolk Island (NF)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Nigeria (NG)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Nicaragua (NI)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Netherlands (NL)	Happy New Year	Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
Netherlands (NL)	Merry Christmas	Prettige Kerstdagen
Netherlands (NL)	Season’s Greetings	Prettige Feestdagen
Norway (NO)	Merry Christmas	Gledelig Jul
Nepal (NP)	Merry Christmas	krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva
Nauru (NR)	Merry Christmas	-
Niue (NU)	Merry Christmas	-
New zealand (NZ)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Oman (OM)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Panama (PA)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Peru (PE)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
French Polynesia (PF)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel, La ora i te Noera
Papua New Guinea (PG)	Merry Christmas	Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas
Philippines (PH)	Merry Christmas	Maligayang Pasko
Pakistan (PK)	Merry Christmas	Bara Din Mubarrak Ho
Poland (PL)	Merry Christmas	Wesolych Swiat
St. Pierre and Miquelon (PM)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Pitcairn (PN)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Puerto Rico (PR)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad, Felices Pascuas, Felicidades
Portugal (PT)	Merry Christmas	Boas Festas
Palau (PW)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Paraguay (PY)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Qatar (QA)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Reunion (RE)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Romania (RO)	Merry Christmas	Sarbatori vesele
Russian Federation (RU)	Merry Christmas	Hristos Razdajetsja, Rozdjestvom Hristovim
Rwanda (RW)	Merry Christmas	Noheli Nziza
Saudi Arabia (SA)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Solomon Islands (SB)	Merry Christmas	-
Seychelles (SC)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas, Joyeux Noel
Sudan (SD)	Merry Christmas	Wilujeng Natal
Sweden (SE)	Merry Christmas	God Jul
Singapore (SG)	Merry Christmas	Sheng Tan Kuai Loh, Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal, Happy Ch
St. Helena (SH)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Slovenia (SI)	Merry Christmas	Srecen Bozic
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (SJ)	Merry Christmas	Hristos Razdajetsja, Gledelig Jul
Slovakia (Slovak Republic) (SK)	Merry Christmas	Vesele Vianoce
Sierra Leone (SL)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
San Marino (SM)	Merry Christmas	Buon Natale
Senegal (SN)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Somalia (SO)	Merry Christmas	-
Suriname (SR)	Merry Christmas	Zalig Kersfeest, Wang swietie Kresnetie
Sao Tome and Principe (ST)	Merry Christmas	Boas Festas
El Salvador (SV)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Syrian Arab Republic (SY)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Swaziland (SZ)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Turks and Caicos Islands (TC)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Chad (TD)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel, Mboni Chrismen
French Southern Territories (TF)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Togo (TG)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Thailand (TH)	Merry Christmas	Ewadee Pe-e Mai
Tajikistan (TJ)	Merry Christmas	-
Tokelau (TK)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Turkmenistan (TM)	Merry Christmas	-
Tunisia (TN)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Tonga (TO)	Merry Christmas	Kilisimasi Fiefia
East Timor (TP)	Merry Christmas	remove
Turkey (TR)	Happy New Year	Yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun
Turkey (TR)	Merry Christmas	Mutlu Noeller
Trinidad and Tobago (TT)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Tuvalu (TV)	Merry Christmas	-
Taiwan (TW)	Merry Christmas	Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
United Republic of Tanzania (TZ)	Merry Christmas	Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Happy Christmas
Ukraine (UA)	Merry Christmas	Veseloho Vam Rizdva
Uganda (UG)	Merry Christmas	Webale Krismasi
United States Minor Outlying Islands (UM)	Merry Christmas	remove
United States (US)	Happy Holidays	Happy Holidays
United States (US)	Happy New Year	Happy New Year
United States (US)	Season’s Greetings	Season’s Greetings
United States (US)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Uruguay (UY)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Uzbekistan (UZ)	Merry Christmas	-
Holy See (Vatican City State) (VA)	Merry Christmas	Buon Natale
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines (VC)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Venezuela (VE)	Merry Christmas	Feliz Navidad
Virgin islands (British) (VG)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Virgin islands (U.S.) (VI)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas
Viet Nam (VN)	Merry Christmas	Chuc mung Giang Sinh
Vanuatu (VU)	Merry Christmas	Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel
Wallis and Futuna Islands (WF)	Merry Christmas	Joyeux Noel
Samoa (WS)	Merry Christmas	Ia Manuia Le Kilisimasi
Samoa (WS)	Happy New Year	Ia Manuia Le Tausaga Fou
Yemen (YE)	Merry Christmas	Mboni Chrismen
Mayotte (YT)	Merry Christmas	Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Joyeux Noel
Yugoslavia (YU)	Merry Christmas	Cestitamo Bozic
South Africa (ZA)	Merry Christmas	Geseënde Kersfees, Happy Christmas
Zambia (ZM)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas
Zimbabwe (ZW)	Merry Christmas	Happy Christmas

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

It's been so long since I blogged, and for that I am sorry. Since we returned to the states for almost three months, life has been a whirlwind. The biggest news is deciding to move back to the states at the end of this year!

So, since our return to Ecuador, our days have been filled with sorting, packing and selling. No, not filled—CONSUMED! The good news is 90% of our stuff has been sold (only two large items remain) and 95% of our packing is done.

What does this mean to my readers? Well, for one thing, I hope I will be able to get back to my writing. As much as I have enjoyed our two years here, I haven't been able to concentrate on writing at all. It's time to get back to it, write book three in my Klondike Mystery series and hopefully start on my new Lia Rules series.

I will miss the writing group I started here but it looks like it will continue on and hopefully grow. I know I will be keeping in touch with all the wonderful friends I've made here.

2016 will be the year of CRUISING. We have booked nine cruises between Jan 2016 and Feb 2017. Can you believe it? I am hoping the little Asus Chromebook I bought will be perfect for getting writing done while cruising. I'm not a big participator in the various activities and have already been to most of the Caribbean ports (where hubby will scuba dive). We did a 14 day cruise just prior to our return to Ecuador and I read a dozen or so books. That felt so good but also got me more motivated to write.

Starting the first of the year, I am going to blog once a week. No telling what the topics will be, let me know what you would like to read and I will see what I can do.

Hoping for a wonderful holiday season, no matter what you celebrate!

Sometimes it's the little things - VELCRO®, Ziploc® Bags & Post-it® Notes

For some reason, this topic popped into my head - how did we get along without these everyday products? Well, we did, and I remember a time before they existed. Do you?

I was the data processing manager (does that title even exist now?) for a small company just outside Orlando, FL when Post-it® Notes came out. They were so useful that I bought my own to use in my department. What did we do before then? You used paper clips and hoped the note didn't slip off, or you stapled it to the original (if allowed). Now sticky notes come in all sizes, colors, shapes and are used in many different ways than the original. I used to have a collection of funny notes, funny shapes and different colors - I loved (and still do love) them.

VELCRO®? I have love-hate relationship with VELCRO®. Sometimes it doesn't work well enough, other times it works too well. But it is handy...well, except for that burr side. You know, the one that sticks to everything except what you want it to stick to, just like the sand burrs in Florida! And shoes? Kidlets and the elderly, right? Okay, maybe not, but that's what I think of (I won't mention the great sandals I have that use it...)

Hello, my name is Donna and I am a Ziploc® Bag addict. I love them - all sizes, all weights, all fastener types. Before Stu and I got together, I had them all. Freezer and storage weight, traditional squeeze zipper as well as the slide zipper, gallon/quart/mini capacities. Now we only have freezer weight but I still get both fastener styles, to Stu's constant aggravation (hey, the slide zipper isn't as airtight or liquid containing as the traditional). I use them for everything! We even have the XL size for traveling by motorcycle (and now storage). Great products, no matter the use.

So what are you favorite small inventions that you would hate to live without (and remember when you had to)?

Have you tried the new Kindle Fire? Here is a hard to resist price!

#IWSG for September: Missing

Once again, it's time for my monthly IWSG post. August has been a month of change and a very busy month as well.

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is MISSING.

I've been missing online this month, partly due to my schedule, partly due to getting ready for our time in the states (remember, I'm living in Ecuador for part of the year) and mostly because my writing career is in flux.

This blog doesn't get read a lot, my newsletter gets read by less. I am working on the WIBBOW principle. During my time in the states, I plan to get a LOT of writing done and that means I will still be missing.

I am hoping that December will bring me back to more of an online presence but until then, I will remain mostly MISSING.

Outrageous?

Are you outrageous? Have you ever wanted to be? My daughter bought me this sign years ago and I love the meaning behind it. But can I truly be outrageous? Can I go through the rest of my life never caring what others think of me?

Outrageous hair? Outrageous clothes? Outrageous behavior?

The older I get, the less I think worry about what others think, BUT I still have trouble really letting go. I have friends that can do it. Wear what they want, do what they want, say what they want.

Hmmm, can I ever truly be that outrageous old woman who never gets called an old lady? Can you (or are you)?

My FIVE. Tag, you're it!

FIVE Random/Weird facts about me:

• I didn't get my first tattoo until age 54 - I now have six.
• Besides 30 years as a computer professional I have also been a:
  A & W car hop
  Grapefruit packer
  Fiber optic construction inspector
  Long distance telephone operator (back when we used switchboards with wires)
• My favorite ice cream is black raspberry -- followed closely by Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey!
• I hate to have my head underwater when swimming.
• My favorite flowers are daisies and black-eyed susans (I also love wildflowers).

Top FIVE Seen/See Again list:

1. Yellowstone - rode through from three directions on the motorcycle, now want to camp there.
2. Australia - maybe someday....
3. Europe - in particular, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Greece, oh and Spain
4. Yosemite - never been there but hear that it's better than Yellowstone.
5. Glacier - another visited on bike but want to camp there, and I want to revisit the Blackfeet friends I made in nearby Browning while volunteering on the reservation.

What are YOUR fives?

#IWSG for August: Hope

Once again, it's time for my monthly IWSG post. I've been really busy with our move to a new apartment and starting Spanish classes again.

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is HOPE.

I've got a lot of hope.

• Hope that I can get two novels written before the end of the year. Published would be nice but I will go for written.
• Hope that our trip home this fall will go smoothly.
• Hope that I won't gain weight while visiting the states.
• Hope that all my extended family and friends will overcome their current personal and health issues.
• Hope that my husband and I find no health issues during our annual doctor visits while in the states.
• Hope that we can both continue to lose weight!
• Hope that I can get my current Klondike Mystery novels proofread and re-edited before the end of the year.
• Hope that I can continue to eke out time to write!

What are your hopes?

WIBBOW?

Would I Be Better Off Writing?

Thank you to Scott William Carter

I'm taking a little time off from my blog to assess the effectiveness of my time spent blogging as well as my newsletter. I am also going to revamp my website and while that isn't time spent writing, it is overdue.

I hope you will bear with me and check back from time to time to see how I am doing in this process. Thank you for understanding!

The Vagaries of Cars

Originally written in 2007....

I was sitting in my little corner of the local McD's enjoying my morning coffee and yogurt when I noticed a young couple pull in with an older car. It had "stuff" loaded on the top and covered with a blue tarp. While the lady came inside, the gentleman opened the hood and peered intently at the engine. Wiping his hands as she came out and handed him a drink, they talked for a minute.

I didn't see the resolution but when I looked back they had left. It got me to thinking about some of the cars I have had in the past. At one time I referred to as the lady with the disposable cars since it seemed as though most didn't last more than a year in our household.

Motivation Monday: Family

Family....

Many of us remember those early years, finding work, making enough money to keep an old car going, the stress of a new baby added to the mix.

A little motorcycle history....

Not everyone knows the history of my riding so I thought I would post a little about it. First, I come from a riding family....both my paternal grandfather AND grandmother rode their own Harley-Davidson in the late 1920's, early 1930's (cheaper than a car back then). The story goes that my grandfather arrived home with two bikes, one with a sidecar and one without. My grandmother asked which one was hers...he pointed to the one with the sidecar (for my dad and uncle to ride in). She shook her head and pointed to the one without. Guess which one she rode.....LOL!

Motivation Monday: Love

Interesting thought - what do you think? Does love change people?

Simple Pleasures

Written back in 2006 but still applies...

The sound of thunder woke me around 2 am....after 15 minutes or so of listening to it, I stumbled out of bed and unplugged the computer. [Note to self - backup files ASAP] Hit the bathroom and then tumbled back into bed, sure I would fall right back to sleep.

NOT! After laying there for an hour, wide awake, I got up. Thus you now find me at the keyboard...

I love the sound of thunder but especially when mixed with the sound of rain. When Mike and I owned our cabin in PA, we enjoyed hearing the rain on the tin roof over our pavilion. It soothed us both. Rainy days never depressed me, they always seemed to be call for curling up in a comfy chair with a good book and a soothing drink.

There are many simple pleasures that bring me joy....hearing a baby laugh, watching children play with puppies, seeing a pretty sunrise or sunset (although I have to admit to seeing many more sunsets than sunrises), hearing a passing motorcycle, feeling the sun warm me on a chilly day, sharing time with family and friends, seeing a bluebird or cardinal or hummingbird or even listening to doves cooing in the back yard. I love the smell of strawberries, cinnamon and vanilla....they all make me smile. Baking bread is a feel good smell. Watching a "feel good" movie always helps my spirits - love to see the underdog come out on top.

Guess I'm a simple person with simple tastes that allow me to enjoy simple pleasures. What are your simple pleasures?

Motivation Monday: Who We Are

Do you agree with this? Are we shaped by all the events in our lives or are our lives preordained? Interesting thought....for me, I know many unexpected and sometimes unintended events have helped make me the person I am today. What about you?