THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE

This will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. At least that is my intention. To be authentic and real and informative. I love to learn and grow and change. I hope to instill that desire in my family, friends, and my precious readers that I don't know. We are all beautifully different and I am so grateful God made us that way.

Why did it take me until now to start my new blog? Honestly, I didn't know what I would write about.  Until today....this very moment....and here we are. So what changed? I have learned that I like to solve problems, an interesting trait for a person that is very expressive, outgoing, and emotional. I love that about me. I have many different and almost opposite traits that make up who I am becoming.

"Let me think about that." Five very important words I had to learn. Words that can stop us from saying things that can hurt people, or agreeing to do things we really don't have the time for, a myriad of things. These words probably have helped me to do just that - think about it! Problems get solved when we take the time not rushing into responses, commitments,  and projects.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Some very exciting things have been happening to me. Starting this new blog is one of them. I did something I never thought I would do, even spent years saying - I will never do that! Remember the old adage "Never say never!" I signed up for online dating -  the name should be perhaps "sign up to be uncomfortable,  frustrated, a little scared, roller coaster ride of emotions, to check email 100 times a day, to not sleep, to go crazy, be embarrassed on a daily basis...any of these would be suitable! Yeah!! I have felt or done all of these things, and in only 1 week. Yikes!! However, it is getting easier and more fun, and I have my own personal dating counselor, my good friend Julie.

Sometimes she sends smiles/winks for me (when we are together cooking or having girlfriend time).   I read profiles to her about the possible matches I received from the website. She can be objective because of course I am involved emotionally. I had one creepy guy that taught me to be cautious and start out slowly sharing. I didn't give him any personal info, but got too excited. Yup, that's me! And all of a sudden his tone changed, and he said things that showed me he was writing to many ladies. Two red flags, otherwise this has been a very good idea. "You've got mail"...who loves that movie?
I do because it makes me happy, makes me laugh and smile, and I am an incurable romantic.

My day starts with coffee and a glass of water. But then I get to go to my computer and see those wonderful words -you've got mail, more specifically, the number of emails that shows in my inbox, or on my iPhone. And I am in my pj's just like Meg Ryan. This morning the number was 2. One was a smile, and a short sentence saying hello. They have several choices, then the receiver has the option to read his profile and respond back. The second was an email from a man I actually sent a smile to. That is a tough one sometimes. More about that later. I misread his email and thought he wanted to pursue writing. Think again, Aleta, rather....read more carefully, and don't get so excited, Aleta! Anyway, I apologized saying I misread his email, I wished him well, and told him I read his profile and if his current interest (a lady he recently met online) changes, to get back to me. Ohhh, thank God I can be clear-headed and accountable, and immediately take care of a faux pas!

There have been 128 members check me out, 23 emails sent to me, 48 smiles, 7 IM's, 3 added me to their favorites. Then the website has my files showing everything from me, this is very helpful, because when life gets really exciting...how can a girl keep track of all her admirers?!

Life is exciting! I have worked hard all my life. Whether it was raising my 3 precious sons with their father, taking care of family members, taking care of an older second husband, or working a job. It is now my time to learn to be with 'Aleta'. That has been a work in process.

A big thank you to my 3 friends, Julie, Keith and Terri, who came up with my blog name. I loved it right away. A little of this a little of that. Perfect, because that's what I am all about. Thank you!!

I send loving thoughts and prayers to all of you! Aleta  ps no fears, it may be short sometimes!

"On the Simple Abundance path we begin to learn how to pause. As we bring the principles of gratitude, simplicity, and order into our lives, harmony emerges."  author- Sarah Ban Breathnach