Off into the New year of 2010

[ladyauthor2b]

Well, we are off into the new year. It's hard to believe I am alive in 2010. It sounds like some star date Captain Kirk may have mentioned on the series Star Trek.  I've been around since 1959 and I'm now 50 years old. A lot of stuff has occurred in my lifetime, like the assassination of President Kennedy; Mans first walk on the moon; the inventions of the cable, Internet, and cell phones and most importantly, small computers/laptops to fit into one's homes. Wow, technology at its best and some to make our lives a bit easier in the kitchen, such as the microwave. I'm so grateful to those who dreamed up these products in the first place. Sometimes when I go camping, roughing it up without these miracle conveniences, then I do take time to appreciate them.  I can't imagine what it must have been like over a century ago, when someone like me, may have reflected on her life in 1910. So many changes; so much progress.

I guess as I look down the road into the next fifty years, I can only pray that I can live to see what comes next. All the good things, of course. Of course it's scary because we are going into the unknown. With the factors of Aids; homelessness; economic crisis; global warming and even terrorism, we know we must face adversity. We must learn to overcome. Our children will be very affected by things we sometimes just take for granted that comes in the news. Hopefully, they will grow and cause changes in socialism and government to be positive; to lessen the threats of these evils.  With hope, there is a chance for a better future.

With this said, I can move forward into 2010. I want positive changes just in myself and within my own household. To start, my list of resolutions are small, but positive:

1) Lose weight to improve my stamina, health and control my diabetes.

2) Eat healthier selections and eliminate the junk and fast foods.

3) Organize my junk drawers, closets, and throw away or donate what's not been pulled out in over a year. Why keep if you don't wear it  or use?  Some one's trash maybe the treasure someone else seeks.

4) Be more time efficient in everything, so that I don't fall off schedule or run behind.

5) Take time to meditate or write often. I so need to take a quiet "me" time once in awhile as my life does get a bit crazy with work, family, and aging parents. Even taking care of the pets can be stressful. So I need to dedicate one hour per day just to zone out. And while I'm doing this, perhaps jot down ideas or goals during this reflective time.

6) Take time to be thankful for my blessings. I need to pray more often and visit my mom more. She turns 81 this year and I know the time is slipping away. I want to communicate more and show appreciation to my close friends. Without their support, I don't know how I'd pull through sometimes.

7) Vacations/getaways-  My husband is my ally most days and I want to schedule more weekend getaways and plan a vacation spot to visit late this year or early next summer. He wants to go back to Ohio to show me around. I'd also like to make one trip back to Florida to re-visit old in laws and their families, and one to Denver to visit my eldest daughter with her new baby this spring

8) Most of all, I want to finish up my Cross Passage book series. I have two manuscripts to edit and I procrastinated finishing up the 3rd installment.  So my goal is to have "Hearts Restless Winds" out by early spring. And then the final installment , still untitled, by winter.

9) I want to work on promoting my Cafemom group, The Written Voice, newest book.  Our Written Voices, is being sold now on Amazon to benefit the David's House facility in New Hampshire. I'm so proud of contribution of poems and short stories for such a worthy cause. I'd think it would be fun to get our members to contribute submissions again by early fall, but we'll see how we are doing by then before we commence.

10) I want to help my senior daughter to realize her dream of visiting Germany in August, as sort of a belated high school graduation gift. I still have to buy her passport and airline fare. After that, it's just the target of saving for her spending money.  She's just begun working a good job at the hospital, so she might be able to put away some spending cash before then.

So there's my top ten list of resolutions. I guess resolutions can be goals too. I"m sure I'd probably have missed some ideas to post but if I can reach any five of these, it would be considered milestones. 

Just this past weekend, I have cleaned up my house and stored away all of the Christmas decorations. I've pretty much eaten up all of the leftover ham, candy, cookies and am ready to start anew on my diet come Monday morning.  The new year is off to a good start and no matter what comes, I am ready to handle all of the challenges. With God's love and the support of great family and friends, I will enter the unknown with a smile and much courage.

[CA1960]

Jan. 4, 2010 at 9:31 AM

Good post!