A New Year... A New Beginning

Yep... it is that time of year again. Okay, so I'm about three weeks behind. Story of my life recently.

In past years I've always taken the month of December off. It's a perk of working from home. I schedule things to wind up around Thanksgiving then I'm done until the first week of January. I get to enjoy the holidays. The only thing I do pertaining to work is to clear out the present year files and set up the accounting system for the new year. It's always worked well in previous years.  This year... Not so much.  But there was a happy bonus to my very chaotic December.

I had the pleasure of spending time with The Polish Sinfonia from Krakow Poland.


I've been married to my best friend for almost thirty years. He loves me for who I am tubby middle and all. He has accepted my female issues and still wants to make love to me after all these years. A woman can't ask for more than that... or can she?

Understand, I wouldn't trade my spot here in the Ozarks for anything. I love it here. But that doesn't mean I don't want to see other places and experience other things. Those desires kicked in full force in December when I had the opportunity to interview, and spend some time getting to know, Steven Byess and the Polish Sinfonia Ensemble. I've always loved Big Band music, 1930's and 40's musicals and listening to instrumentals. When we lived in IL, I was close enough to attend some great music opportunities in Peoria but didn't have the budget.

Now we have the budget and none of those things are available within a reasonable driving distance. So I was delighted to hear the Polish Sinfonia from Krakow Poland would be visiting our small community of approx 600 people in December. I had first met some of the members in December of 2011. What an amazing experience. You can read about their 2011 visit on my Ozarks Journal blog... created specifically to share Thank You cards from grade school children with the Symphony members after they had returned to Poland. (But will begin showing regular updates in the coming weeks)

Aside from funds, one of the things that prevented me from attending a real symphony was the silly notion I wouldn't fit in with 'those' people. I was not elegant, I was not sophisticated, and I did not have a fluid bank account to dress properly

After spending time with the ensemble, their conductor Steven Byess, and new friends Dr. Dan Ross and Katie Bowden, I realized I am the only one holding myself back. I am planning to experience a full symphony in April.. Katie and Dan will be performing with the Arkansas Philharmonic under the direction of Maestro Steven Byess. Having friends both in the ensemble and directing, I won't feel out of place and am looking forward to the experience.

So how does this fit in with the Journey? I do not want to attend my first symphony looking like I should be rolled down the isle. I want to look and feel confident. I have a little black dress in my closet that will work... if I lose a few pounds. I don't mind having to shop for a SMALLER size but I do not want to buy a bigger one. So my goal is 2 pounds per week. That's approximately 25 pounds in 12 weeks

Next week I'll show you a picture of my current little black dress and what I've been doing the past 8 weeks towards fitting into a new one.

Enjoy the Journey!