Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Looking Ahead

 Happy Tuesday all.  Well, in less than 3 weeks we will be in a new month and a new year!  Oh me oh my!  This year has just flown by.
Truthfully, I am kind of looking forward to getting past all the holiday hoopla and just get back to 'normal' (whatever that is)!  Don't get me wrong - I do love the holidays - the family - the lights - the pretties.  I also love the tranquility of a quiet and simple life.

We actually got a little glimpse of that bright light, that is supposed to be in the sky yesterday!!!!  I was amazing to see.  It has been so cloudy and gray this month.  Next few days (after today) won't be much better - rain is a coming!!!!!

The new year is always a great time to make any changes or just upgrade the way you live.  Many make resolutions (not me) - and many just make a few plans and hope for the best (me).
Do you have any big plans for the new year?

Maybe:
You will be looking for ways to save more funds for emergencies
Eating a better diet
Not spending as much
Overhauling the budget
Build that pantry
Taking more vacations
Being with family more
Living a simple and quiet life
Planning your next garden (or 1st one)

I generally take advantage of any deals I can after and around the holiday (so many at groceries) - then I pretty much stop shopping in January.  I like to start the first couple months of the year - hibernating - and using what I have and not spending.
I hope to finally get my bum motivated to do a little updating and remodeling around the house.  I have been planning on doing things forever, and just find a reason to not do it!  I have wallpaper to scrape - walls to sand and paint.  I want a couple pieces of new furniture.  I want to declutter more.  Nothing huge - just updating a little.  Winter seems to be the time to do this.
We will see!!!!!  I may be saying the same thing come next December!  LOL

What are you looking forward to in the new year?  Any big plans?  OR are you just ready to lay low for a couple months and rest?

Just think, for those of us in this hemisphere - in a mere 7 days or so - the daylight of each day will ever so slightly start getting longer again!  YAY!!!!!  Hopefully, once out of December, the days may get sunnier.  December seems to be the cloudiest month.  
I know many of you may be getting hit with snow and cold right now - here's hoping that you are all safe and warm.  We are just mild with rain coming at the moment.  Such a weird month.  I am OK with that - as I could do with NO snow - but it will happen eventually.

Make these next few weeks fun.  Spend time with people you love and enjoy.  Eat the food!!!  I  put forth - holiday goodies have no calories!!!  LOL
Be kind to yourself.  Do you and what makes you happy.  
Be blessed.


Today's Christmas bit:

Christmas became an official U.S. holiday when it was signed into law in 1870 by President Ulysses S. Grant.  It wasn't until 1890 that every state followed suit and declared it a holiday.
This amazed me.  Never thought about it before - just assumed it was always a celebrated holiday!



35 comments:

  1. (Little Penpen) I try to start with a list of goals, especially in my sewing world. I think I completed three of about 8 things on my list. Maybe I’ll extend that goal list for other projects around the house, like you are thinking. It could be fun to see if we can accomplish.

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    1. Good deal. It is fun to see what gets done and sometimes depressing!!! LOL I always have high hopes.

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  2. All of the above!! I'm not a New Year person at all. I remember asking my mom why NY was a big deal. I was 8! She said Christmas was for the kids and NY was for the adults. Flash forward 15 yrs. and I told her to remind me why 😂. It never blipped my radar. However, I love when Christmas is over. My friend gets really depressed and I'm all giddy. It's very peaceful to me. It's a time I find ideal for regrouping and assessing. Not because it's NY, but because it's a down time with little to do. Yard is asleep, activities are few, and it's ideal for getting some indoor projects done. We paint and redo a room every Thanksgiving, but January is the time for oven cleaning, closet sorting and such. And definitely fun in board games, jigsaw puzzles, and embroidery or other handwork.

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    1. It is the quiet time of the year - that is nice. A time to be able to do what we want - when we want. I like that. I don't really do things because it is a new year - just because all the hoopla is over and it quiets down

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  3. NEW YEAR? Well, more of the same. My 2022 goal was to release 30# and I'm at 28.5 today. My goal for 2023 will be to release another 20#. I took 2 lovely vacations this year and have plans for 2 in 2023. I will garden again as I have since 1995. Hopefully this year I actually get a good harvest for the investment-we've had 2 summers of bad heat but I am not yet defeated!

    Other than that, walking, reading, quilting, cross stitch, hiking and after 7y and 2 knee replacements????? Downhill skiing again!!!! Yippee!

    LIFE IS GOOD!

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    1. Sounds like you had a great year and hopefully will have another great one! You go girl - you are doing great after 2 knee replacements!!!
      Yes mam - life is good!!!!!!

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  4. I do enjoy Christmas, but I tend to be quite happy when all of the busy-ness and life slows down a bit. It's easier now that I'm retired, so it's more about family and less about fitting in Christmas preparations around work and work events. There was always a business wide event, division event, and down to the team events. As a team leader, I was expected to entertain my staff (on my own dime) and while it was fun, it was a bit much.
    My plans for the New Year starts with a full transit Panama Canal cruise. Yay, I'm getting away from the snow and cold for 15 days! When I get home it's time to do another deep clean and declutter of the entire house. I'm hoping the list the house for sale by the fall of 2023 so that's how I'll start the process.
    I don't make resolutions, but I do set some goals. Some I achieve and some I look back on a year later. :)

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    1. Same here. Just goals I would like to accomplish - maybe I do and maybe I don't.
      Another cruise? You lucky duck. You sure have been wondering the world. How neat.
      I hope you finally get to list and sale the house. I know you have been talking about it for a while. Good luck with that.

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  5. I always take the week between Christmas and NY off work to just relax and enjoy the season. I don't make resolutions but do have lists. January and February are my hibernation months also.
    This sums up my thoughts on this time of year. "Enjoy these short days. Curl up with a book, a candle and a glass of something you like. Revel in the dark depths of December-so beautiful, black and so utterly without expectation. Longer days will be with us soon enough." by Richard Street Have a great day Cheryl!

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    1. What a wonderful quote. I love that. A good statement to live by. Yes, we do tend to rush life along - it is already so short.
      We need to just sit back and enjoy! Thanks for the reminder.

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  6. I know how you feel, it's strange, some years I feel like I want my Christmas stuff out as long as possible and some years I'm ready to move on. We shall see. My sewing studio needs a total cleaning out so I'm thinking January will be nice for that. I also need to declutter more because I'm tired of clutter keeping me from things that are more important. : )

    I enjoy the grey weather if I have some kind of twinkle lights to cheer me up and make me feel fanciful like a little girl maybe? I also miss the sunshine too. Life is such a back and forth right? Kind of like a dance.

    I love your peaceful and content life, I like to plod along too in peace and quiet.

    Have a wonderful Christmas season day Cheryl, check out the Kmart Christmas playlist, it's so cute (I know I've mentioned that one before) but it's so cute and easy to forget at least for me! : )

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    1. A dance - yes indeed, that is what life is. Ups and downs, good and bad, happy and sad - it all washes out in the end.
      I like peace and quiet. I do miss having someone here to talk to, and I miss my indoor kitty - but I am a person who aloneness too.
      Thanks for the reminder of the music.

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    2. Cheryl, that must be very hard not to have your beloved there to talk to. I've thought of that before, that just must be so very hard at times. And your indoor kitty too now. I just thought of something though, do you know Petco is waiving adoption fees right now? At least that is what I heard on the radio in our area, I think you go to their site for details. : ) I thought of you and I thought of my daughter also who has lost all of her kitties including her kitten this year tragically. Praying for you. (((a hug))) We all appreciate you!

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  7. Tracy, isn't it wonderful to do this? I look back at my 2022 and I'm loving it. I've enjoyed the journey this year (other than the excessive heat that made my garden harvest dismal and my canning cupboard/freezer rather barren) but a wonderful year nonetheless.

    I am so very sorry your family has had a horrible year. Hugs for a sunny remainder of 2022 and 2023!

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  8. No real plans here. We like our lives the way they are. I don't even have any big plans for working on the house/property this year, though I'm sure fate will throw something my way that absolutely has to be done. We just like peace and quiet.

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  9. I bet it is beautiful. Glad it is there and not here!
    You had quite a busy and expensive 2022. Maybe things will be better next year. I am glad your hubs brother is coming, and maybe it will be good for both of them. A new start maybe. It does happen!
    It is so nice that you and your sons are there to help out, no matter what the past has been.
    LOVE the scripture!

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  10. Tracy that is a good method. I am sorry you have had such a bad year. Prayers that 2023 is so much better.
    Thank you! You too.

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  11. I'm sure you're right, Cheryl. I'm just a worn out piece of ham as this year comes to a close and unsure what the New Year will bring. We'd expected retirement to be quiet and peaceful. Still waiting on that. --Elise

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  12. Tracy, I'm going to take that as advice. Thank you!
    --Elise

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  13. I'm another one who doesn't make resolutions, I have goals instead. Next year these are - saving for retirement, not buying clothes (but I can make them if I have the supplies already) and growing more of my own food.
    Christmas day was one of the Quarter days when you had to pay the Lord of the Manor his rents here, in days gone by.

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    1. There were so many traditions back in the day. I am glad some have fallen to the wayside! Funny how things got started and changed over the years.
      Goals are great - I have many too.

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  14. It will be. You have made many adjustments this year - big ones. Things will smooth out and all will be calm and quiet. You got this!

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  15. The sun was actually out today for awhile! But, we are going into weeks of cold weather here so I want to stay home and get ready for the family to come as much as possible. Then onto January which to me is 'cozy month'.

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    1. We have months of cold coming yet! UGH! I do not like winter. I know it is necessary - I just am not a fan!
      Sun is so beautiful when you get it. It sure makes the attitude better and makes one smile.

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  16. Hopefully some time next year I will have my first knee replacement, fingers crossed. The National Health Service in the UK moves at its own pace!! assessment is this Thursday, so planned vacations are on hold.
    We have a busy time with family until the 28th then we can chill.
    We had sad news with a Christmas Card today. The wife of one of my husband's old work colleagues was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and unfortunately it has spread so it's not good news. They moved from the area back in the spring to live near family so that is a blessing.
    In a few months time it will be time to start planting fruit and veg again. I love the spring and early summer when plants grow from such tiny seeds.
    Meanwhile, I will follow Lori's plans and start January with a book (or three) which I know are Christmas gifts, and a cuddly blanket and take it from there. We also have the small dog to mind for 5 days so that will be a treat.
    Best wishes, Heather from the UK

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    1. I hope you can get the replacement soon and that it all goes well. I have known so many who have had them and are so happy.
      Family times are always lovely.
      So sorry about your hubbies friend's wife. Such a nasty disease. Glad they are closer to family.
      I love spring too - and really, it will be here before we know it! No complaints here!
      Enjoy snuggling up and that pup.

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    2. I hope you get your new knee promptly. I LOVE both of mine. They are so perfect I don't even know I have them other than it feels a bit strange to be on my knees. Meanwhile, work on leg, ankle and thigh strength as much as possible. Good muscles are key to quick recovery!

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  17. I have a challenge lined up for next year. I have never done a "Buy Nothing New" challenge and so I am giving that a try. I do have a few exceptions, but I am hopeful that I can do this.

    God bless.

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    1. I usually try to do them in January and February. Of course there are things that you need to get. My biggy is usually cat food and milk. I can be good on most everything else. It is just nice trying to be very mindful of what you have and not spending very much. Good luck!

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  18. Time does march on! My big thing is starting a gardening book, learn from last year's harvest and plan accordingly.

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    1. Good idea. We can always learn new things and learn from what worked and what didn't!

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  19. I have goals that involve changing lifestyle--losing weight and improving my health...favorite perennials. lol The next two months are hard for me, too cold. I hate cold weather and no sun.

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    1. Those are good goals to have! Every time I complain about the cold I think about our Canadian friends here!! They are already below zero. Oh my.

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  20. I love the winter, so no problem there. The only christmas decoration I have put out is a rotating lighted wreath above the fireplace. I have a full pantry and freezer. So no worries there.

    I have been watching my son and his wife. Thinking back to younger days when it was go, go, go. I kept the grandson Sunday so they could go to a Christmas party and they have another tomorrow evening. I will have the grandson for a couple of hours.
    It was a fun time when I was younger but now I have no desire for all the festivities.

    I did get up enough energy to make cookie dough, so the grandson and I will make cookies tomorrow. Stay well, will type to you again soon!

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    1. Always enjoy having you stop by!!!
      You decorate like me - not much! Watching your grandson has to be fun. I bet he enjoyed it as well. Making memories.
      I am with you, no desire for all the parties and such any more. I used to - years and years ago. Just not my thing - I prefer the quiet.

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