Wishing you a year of new growth. . . .
A year ago today I posted my New Year's resolutions for 2014. Two of my readers said they no longer made resolutions, but they did say what they hoped to do. So I will first ask Janet: Did you read all of your "as-of-now-unread books?" Martha Ellen: Are you and your husband still making your focus to exercise more?
As for me this is what I wrote for 2014:
I, Cathy, resolve to:
I am pleased to be able to say that I achieved all my goals:
As for 2015. . . . I will share what I hope to have happen and what I'm doing to help it happen:
Since we all need a new calendar for the year I wanted to let you know that you can use any calendars you saved from these past years: 1981, 1987, 1998, or 2009. They will match up, except perhaps for noting when the time changes. I've dug out a Kimble calendar from 1981--the year we moved here--and the 1998 Marjolein Bastin calendar.
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A year ago today I posted my New Year's resolutions for 2014. Two of my readers said they no longer made resolutions, but they did say what they hoped to do. So I will first ask Janet: Did you read all of your "as-of-now-unread books?" Martha Ellen: Are you and your husband still making your focus to exercise more?
As for me this is what I wrote for 2014:
I, Cathy, resolve to:
- figure out how to use all the features available on Blogger that I see other bloggers using
- be more creative with my blog
- blog more often
- lose the extra pounds I put on over the holidays
I am pleased to be able to say that I achieved all my goals:
- I figured out how to use some more of the features on Blogger, including making tabs at the top of my page, adding video to the side bar in my newest Blog, Another Perfect Day 365, and finding websites that enable me to make GIFs and collages.
- I felt I was more creative with my Blog. I sure got a lot of nice comments.
- I more than doubled the number of Blog posts.
- And I did, indeed, lose the extra pounds put on over the 2013 holidays. Just don't ask me if I need to make that resolution again because I haven't gotten on the scales since before the 2014 holidays!
As for 2015. . . . I will share what I hope to have happen and what I'm doing to help it happen:
- Declutter my life of the extraneous. To achieve this I will begin by decluttering my physical world. I believe there is a correlation between the physical and the psychological and if I can let go of unnecessary possessions in the physical realm I think it will help me let go of unnecessary habits that do nothing to help me achieve my other goals. I recently watched a movie that really brought this home to me. In Hateship Loveship a woman comes into a troubled man's life and literally cleans up his apartment. In the process he begins to get his life in order, too. Of course, all this was achieved in under 2 hours because it was a movie! But, nevertheless, I think it's a good analogy for real life. The way I'm going to go about it is to start in the basement and work my way up, doing one room at a time. I'll wash curtains, clean windows and floors, and dust baseboards, etc. before I leave the room.
- Learn how to draw. To achieve this I'm going to take private drawing lessons as soon as I get my house decluttered.
- Learn to play the dulcimer. To achieve this I'm going to join my neighbor's dulcimer group. It is led by a music teacher. She said because we play in a group we can each play at our own level (strumming, picking, or playing the melody line) and collectively we'll sound great! I realized that's why I gave up trying to learn when I first got the dulcimer. I didn't sound good enough on my own to enjoy playing. One of my incentives to learn at this time is I've been wanting to get back to singing like I used to do all the time when I was younger. The dulcimer is a great instrument with which to sing along.
- Learn how to use my new camera's many features. To achieve this I'm reading the manual and committing to posting a photo a day on the above mentioned Blog. However, I'm going to ease into it by using old photos at first. Once I run out of appropriate images I'm going to have to go out looking for them and I want to be able to capture them in a way that they will qualify as "art". This will be a big stretch for me, so we'll see if I can reach it!
- Last, but by no means the least, I want to become so Joy-filled that people will notice something has happened in me. To achieve this I am focusing on God's word and using my new Blog to facilitate this--there's nothing like preparing to share your knowledge with another to help you learn it better. I find I become more aware of the many overlooked learning opportunities when I'm charged with telling someone else what I'm learning. I want to see God's "word" more clearly in the physical realm (He spoke everything into being) and using my camera to capture what I see will help me focus my attention there.
I don't know how all of this is going to affect my posts for this Blog. I know I will keep my Out and About because it's been a wonderful tool for looking back over my year. I'm not going to be doing the View From My Kitchen Window this year, but I will probably share my view from another window. I liked the conversation we had on those posts, so I will keep that up. We don't have any trips planned or outings for a while, so I won't have anything in that arena to draw from. But I will be posting about the Maryland Chapter of the Tasha Tudor Museum Society gatherings. So we shall see what comes about.
Since we all need a new calendar for the year I wanted to let you know that you can use any calendars you saved from these past years: 1981, 1987, 1998, or 2009. They will match up, except perhaps for noting when the time changes. I've dug out a Kimble calendar from 1981--the year we moved here--and the 1998 Marjolein Bastin calendar.
In the meantime, enjoy this lovely YouTube video of Scotland to the tune of Auld Lang Syne as we bid adieu to 2014. . . .
.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
Take Joy!
Cathy, I am happy to report that Grayden and I have kept our commitment to exercise just about every day. Of course there was the occasional day due to illness or such that we were unable to exercise. I must say your goals for the coming year are quite commendable! My goals as you already know, include starting a blog and learning all the features to make it interesting. I too have a new camera and am still reading all that I can to make use of all its abilities.I'm thinking of taking a class. I've only owned a point and shoot camera up to this point. This, of course. should tie in with my new blog efforts. We are going on a trip in May that will hopefully allow me to use my new photography skills. We are planning our itinerary. Our trip is a shortened version, based on A Fine Romance. I'm so excited!!! Thank you for visiting my blog and being the first to comment! ♥
ReplyDeleteYou're going to England?! Will this be your first time? I look forward to hearing all about your trip and seeing your photos. We may go one day. I'm glad to hear you've kept up your exercise commitment. You'll be extra glad on your trip that you did.
DeleteYes, we are going to England! It is our first time visiting there. ♥
DeleteThis makes me so excited for you, Martha Ellen ~ and following a version of Susan's trip will add so much to the visit! Don't forget to take your special guide book! ~~~
DeleteI enjoyed reading all your well thought out ideas and plans. I need to visit your other blogs and especially your new blog. Congratulations on meeting your goals for 2014. I've been working on decluttering and cleaning out for two years now but have been interrupted by so many major events. Maybe my goal should be to not allow interruptions! I look forward to reading your blog in 2015. Wish I had saved my calendars … I use the nice ones for wrapping paper or making envelopes, plus I write appts on them. But I should remember this idea for the future.
ReplyDeleteThe calendars I saved were ones I didn't write on. They were always meant to be decorative because they were done by my favorite artists at the time. I've been getting Susan Branch's calendars but since I like to wait until after Christmas when they're half-price I wasn't able to find any this year. Hence, I had to dig into my stash of old calendars. I figure by decluttering one room at a time I can spend the entire day in that room and hopefully complete the task. I find it easier to make decisions in two stages. First, remove what I don't use all the time (this is the decluttering). Then once it's out of the room I can decide whether I want to store it elsewhere in case I need it later, or put it in the give-away/yard sale box. That's why I have to start in the basement so I have room to store the things I'm not ready to give a way yet.
DeleteHappy New Year Cathy!!
ReplyDeleteFirst off that is the BEST rendition of Auld Lang Syne I have heard yet!
Ooo another reason that it would be nice to live near ya, the Dulcimer!! I have two and used to belong
to a club (that no longer meets)..(Mt Dulcimer)
I am hoping to focus on my art too , my problem is getting to many project going at once!
I am looking forward to your sharing of joy filled! I think I should jump on board to that!! God is so good! :-)
Have a wonderful week many BLESSINGS and JOY!! Much warmth, Linnie
Happy New Year Linnie! I'm so glad you're jumping on my JOY bandwagon! Together we'll all have each other to encourage one another. BLESSINGS and JOY to you, too.
DeleteWell, Cathy I have read SOME of my "as-yet-unread" books but not all. Still enough left to keep me busy in 2015. I managed to get through the autobiographies - Bill Clinton's "My Life" and Hillary's "Living History." Those two took quite a while because they were bedtime books and no kidding but I kept falling asleep! Also finished "Winston and Clemmie" and "Team of Rivals" - the Doris Kearns Goodwin biography of Lincoln that was the basis for Steven Spielberg's movie. Still on the list for this year are Julia Child's "My Life in France," several Gladys Taber books "Especially Father," "Country Chronicles" and "The Book of Stillmeadow," David McCullough's "Truman" and Bonnie Angelo's "First Mothers" about several Presidential mothers. As you can tell, I like biographies and autobiographies. I loved your own list of 2015 goals - more than anyone else I know you are all about improving yourself all the time, and I think that's great. PS - the video and music of "Auld Lang Syne" you included was wonderful. I must have listened 6-8 times while I wrote my reply here. Here's hoping 2015 is very happy, healthy and full of discovery for everyone in the Schultz family! :>) PS - love this font too!
ReplyDeleteI find reading puts me to sleep no matter how exciting the story might be! I think because it takes me out of my own head and into another world. My own thinking must be what's keeping me awake! I'm very pleased to hear you loved the video and listened to it while you wrote your comment. That is exactly what I hoped for. I was inspired to change the font on my Blog when I saw that Deborah O'Brien changed hers. Wishing you a wonderfully happy 2015, too! And the "full of discovery" part is wonderful. Thank you.
DeleteHappy New Year! I have a small list of resolutions, or intentions, but as ever they are ongoing and continuations of many previous years, and are all about making me a better person ~ the usual suspects of weight and fitness, read more, craft more, show gratitude more, and so on ~ top of my list is to spend less time on social media and declutter my living space to create more crafting space ~ so what am I doing on here now, I ask myself? lol Getting the sorted things moved on is the hardest thing, so I am putting out the intent for help {someone with a car, maybe} to come to my aid with this ~ "if you build it, they will come"
ReplyDelete~~~ Deb ~~~
Deb, Happy New Year to you, too. I agree that putting one's intentions out there help to bring them about--so whatever you need (whether it be a car or some other means to accomplish what you intend to do) may it come your way! I bought a porch swing before I had a porch roof from which to hang it, but eventually I got the roof over the slab of concrete attached to the front of our house and now that we've screened it in it's like having another room on the house during the summer months. I got even more than I'd hoped for! We didn't think to screen it in until years later when I wanted to let my indoor cat have a little outdoors in her life. Now we can enjoy the porch without the mosquitos.
DeleteThat is quite a list, Cathy! But I have no doubt you will be successful. I have already signed up for your new blog which will help me in my spiritual journey...number one om my list of resolutions. Secondly, I am reading " the life-changing magic of tidying up" by Marie Kondo, the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing. What drew me to the book was the author's one rule of thumb for deciding what to keep and what to throw away. She suggests to take each item in your hand and ask, "does this spark joy?" If it doesn't...toss it!
ReplyDeleteThirdly I am working on patience...not my strong suit! My love and partner has dementia and with the help of a wonderful website called The Alzheimer's Reading Room we are dealing with this disease head on! Love can overcome all things and I believe that with all my heart.
So that is my list....and that's enough....I am just going to forget about those extra pounds!:)
I enjoy your blog and I am always reading, even if I don't always comment. Thank you Cathy for all your hard work and talent that you so freely give!
Chris in West Texas...where it is COLD
Dear Chris, I am so sorry about your husband's dementia. The little I know about the disease is that it has many challenging components. Concerning patience....in my devotional time this morning God showed me that patience is another way of understanding "in God's time." I trust that one of the Three LIttle Words will allow me to share what He's teaching me in that department! I love the decluttering question, "Does this spark joy?"! It fits right in with my other "hope to accomplish this year" item. ☺ This will give me even more incentive. Thank you! I agree with you that you don't need to add losing weight to your resolutions. I haven't gotten on the scales yet and may not. Instead, I'm back on the treadmill and am weaning myself from the Christmas cookies. That combination should take care of the extra pounds eventually. I know God will bless your efforts 10-fold because love DOES conquer all.
DeleteGood morning, Cathy! You and your readers have shared much for me to ponder. I applaud your accomplishments, and will be cheering you on in your continuing endeavors. How did I miss the fact that you've added yet another blog to add to my growing list?? Facebook, Netflix, and bloggers have usurped my time to the point that IF I were to declutter my life, I'd have to begin there; not sure I can commit to that yet! Last year's addition of 'senior' exercise classes four times a week have not resulted in any appreciable weight loss as I had hope for, but have noticeably increased my flexibility, balance, and stamina; I shall continue them. My dulcimer, tin flute, and drawing supplies are at the ready should I be inspired to follow your lead. Meanwhile, 2015 remains an adventure I shall embark upon one day at a time. Blessings to you, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Sharon! I know I will need much cheering on for a couple of those endeavors, so please stand ready! I think flexibility, balance and stamina are more important than weight loss as we age. I think we need some fat to keep us warm as we age and it'll be there if we get sick and don't feel like eating. We can draw on our stored fat for energy! ☺
DeleteYou have an impressive list of worthy goals. I am especially impressed with your desire to be such a joyful person that people take notice, that is the best. Learning to play your dulcimer, great goal; I must pick up my harp again./I did so well last year in changing my diet. I ate no sugar or flour products for 6 months, then, little by little, I fell back into bad habits. This year, I am determined to live a healthy lifestyle and remain doing so. I have new plans for our art business, which include an updated website, adding a new line of needlework kits, online auctions and eliminating several of our art shows. AND I will do something I have planned for years, have a home art and garden show on our farm, with my new shop filled with wonderful delights.I wish to stay home and create things instead of traveling all over tarnation. BUT I do envy Martha Ellen her trip to ENGLAND!!!!! Lucky you Martha! I will talk my hubby into it one of these days. May we all achieve our goals this year, Hurrah!
ReplyDeleteJeri, YOUR goals sound very impressive. I love the idea of you having an art and garden show on your farm with a little shop! It sounds very Tasha Tudory--her shop in NH was called Ginger & Pickles. I will be sure to come! I'm impressed that you were able to eat no sugar or flour for 6 months. I can't imagine what would be left for me to eat on my current diet. It would take the total Joy out of cooking for me. As it is, since I turned 50 and started gaining weight if I looked at a donut, cooking has lost its appeal. But I do like cooking for others. I think that's why I've enjoyed my Tasha Tudor group so much--someone to bake for.
DeleteDear Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with your accomplishments and your goals! I admire your focus and energy level and I'm trying not to be jealous!
Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderfully fulfilling New Year.
We'll have to wait until the end of the year concerning my goals to see if I'm good at accomplishing or just good at imagining! Best wishes to you and your family, too, for a fulfilling year. I know mine will be if I only accomplish a bit of it.
DeleteHappy New Year. I hope all your goals are achieved in 2015. You have put a lot of thought about what you wish to accomplish. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, too, Sarah.
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