The Great Gatsby

Yeah I pretty much love that book.^ If you have not read it, read it.

Just for fun.

I felt creative.
So on this splendid Tuesday,
I wrote a Haiku

CATRA

William and I volunteer at least once a week at a place called CATRA. I have been volunteering there for about a year and a half altogether. Some people may know that I do this but they don't know what I do there or even what it is. I thought it would be nice to blog about it because I get a lots of questions.. So here it goes.....

CATRA stands for Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association. It is a place in Grantville, that allows mentally and physically handicapped people to ride Horses. Many of the riders cant even talk or walk. CATRA has about 35 horses and very many other various farm animals. There is also a huge garden. The Jobs I do out there consist of Feeding, brushing Riding and walking horses Hauling heavy bags of food, bales of hay, and sawdust, Cleaning stalls, barns, and cages, and pretty much anything that needs to be done.

Now I am not exactly a big animal loving person. Not that I hate them I'm just not fanatical about them. So why choose CATRA? For most of the riders there, it is the one thing they look forward to in the week. it is a chance for them to forget about their disabilities and do something that gives them so much joy. That really moves me and makes me feel like not taking advantage of how healthy I am and all the awesome things I am able to do. So for me, I kind of feel obligated to help out and give my time. There are also a lot of other advantages .I love doing hard work. I enjoy getting dirty and and feeling tired and achey at the end of a really hard days work. It keeps me fit and strong. I have also made tons a really cool friends and definitely gotten closer to William through all the fun experiences I earned there. CATRA it a really awesome place I really love.

Happy New Year.

New Years Eve was truly a blast! Maryann came over and we sang, laughed and played every card game you can think of. We made lots of delicious food and just enjoyed each others company. But I really feel like New Years is more than just a great party. What does New years mean to me?

When I stop and think of the Holiday "New Years" it seems like a lame holiday. Especially after Christmas. Why does that day (Jan 1) have to be the one to mark the new year? After all a year is just another number. Why make such a big deal of ringing in the new year?

It is so much more than that, though. I really started thinking what the new year means to me and I actually had a lot of thoughts on it....For me, new years is a time for looking back at the past year and recognizing all my accomplishments, hardships, and things I am thankful for. To look into the future and establish goals for myself. Goals, which lead me in the right direction Also, a time to ask questions and really search my self . "Is my life heading where I want it to? Am I what God wants me to be? Has everything I done been for him? Do I live in the moment every moment?" New years is sort of like and examination of myself. I find it very spiritual for me. I sort embrace my faults with the refreshing thought of a new year a new start to better myself as a person. A new year to strive to unconditionally love my Savior, My family, my friends, and very importantly people I don't like. I feel exhilarated. A New year to live, laugh, sing, Dance, Have and make friends, Help, Grow, Make peace where it is needed, and most importantly to love....

I hope you all have an amazing New year filled with happiness!