Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Joyfulness and Critters Too

Good morning, everyone on this Happy New Year's Eve Day 2023. Life has been busy in my world, and my Blog, Instagram, and City Daily Photo has suffered so much.

Many of you may not know that I joined a Lions Club a year before COVID-19 hit and this past year I've been consumed in a lot more work with the Lions, so my social media time has taken a major hit, and I'm bound and determined to change that as of today! I miss my valuable friends in social media!

I'm posting to

 SATURDAY'S CRITTERS 

and City Daily Photo





Being a Lion You Serve. Working with Others for Others. Worldwide Service to Humanity. Where there's a need there's a Lion. We Serve. This December we aided in serving from smaller organizations to larger ones that serve our communities and our club (as others did too) served three families in need from Farmington to make their lives and holiday special for them.



and the Lions have a uniquely special critter, right?! 

December meant giving to communities not just where I live but surrounding me. 





Yep, that's me on the left with two Apple Valley Lions..


Lions from Farmington and Apple Valley assisted The Rosemount Lions in selling Christmas Trees which began the day after Thanksgiving, and they all sold out in just over a week!


What a difference we can make serving others.




The Farmington Police Department put on their "Toys for Town" gift giving and wrapping day which was an unbelievable success for those families in need. The response from community so warm-hearting-beyond-words. 




Of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus offered their assistance and took photos with all the folks on wrapping day!


Thank you again Farmington High School for opening your doors and providing space for these dynamic events.




Yes, even an Elf was caught helping out! 




"Every ending is creating a new space and opening for an amazing new beginning."




"The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance. The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you, as perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied a single moment in all your life. You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose." Arnold Bennett


A few highlights from festive holiday celebrations with family and friends as well, to those traditions that hold a bond like nothing else in keeping us connected. 



Plan an event and they will come.
Joyfully and happily!






"Why not squeeze every single second that we can out of life, because those of us that are young, you have plenty of years to grow, to be braver and bolder until those days when your bones may ache, and your skin wrinkles don't be sorry you didn't do more in this one amazing life." Karen Sather






These hoofs are made for walking.



If you can choose, why not. 
Be the sweetest you can be?




When you can. Build things.




When you can shop, shop!



Yep, I'm in there again with some of my family at Christmas in the Village!

"Set fire to the broken pieces; start anew."

Lauren DeStefano 














A huge lesson I've learned.

"We grow up with such an idealistic view on how our life should be; love, friendships, a career or even the place we will live - only to age and realize none of it is what you expected and reality is a little disheartening, when you reached that realization; you have learnt the best gift of all, any new beginning can start now and if you want anything bad enough you'll find the courage to pursue it with all you have. The past doesn't have to be the future, stop making it so." Nikki Rowe

Wishing you all the Merriest and Happiest New Year of all!
Take good care of you.



6 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Thank you. For your service and for this post. New Year's Day has reached us here and here's hoping it is a healthy and happy one - for the world.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Karen
You are an inspirations to us all. It is so nice of you to give you time to help out with the Lions Club and all the activities. Family time is a joy too.
Wonderful critters, photos and great memories for you.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy New Year to you and your family, wishing you all the best in 2024!

Sandi said...

Gotta love the big elf! 😂

Happy New Year, Karen. 🌹

magiceye said...

You sure are doing a fantastic job!
Wish you and yours a Happy new year!

Shiju Sugunan said...


Joyful return, full of warmth and roar! Happy New Year, friend, may it shine bright!

RedPat said...

You have been busy doing good deeds, Karen. Happy New Year.