January 3rd

Last night was a rough one for me since after a nice day out, I got ill and didn't get to bed until after 1:30 a.m. since I had a 24 hour bug. It was awful, but fortunately I slept till 9:30 a.m. .

This morning Leigh spoke his family on the phone. He rang his Grandparents, Uncle, and Mum. And fortunately everyone was doing well. I know how much he misses everyone, and hopefully we'll be able to go over to travel to England soon for a visit.

Later in the day, my sis Linda came over to visit, and we exchanged Christmas gifts. Rocco was overjoyed with his gift....a duck that quacks..hehe. Leigh got a lovely bottle of cologne, and I got a sewing box to hold all of my sewing notions in them instead of having them hodgepodge and misplacing them. Plus, I got the new Rachael Ray cookbook....YAYYYYYYY! We enjoyed a late lunch and watched a dvd. I also got some Christmas photos of Mom, which are beautiful. I can't wait to frame them!

January 1st and 2nd

Yesterday Leigh and I spent the entire day at home. For dinner, we had Chicken Pot Pie, which was scrumptious! Most of the morning was spent playing games. Leigh was on his XBOX while I was on my pc (lifetime website) playing brain games. It was a relaxing day.

As for today, we headed out to town. We enjoyed a nice pizza lunch, and then we went browsing at a furniture store for potential furniture pieces to buy as the year progresses. Then we went to the store, where we stumbled upon a 75% off of all Christmas items mayhem. We made some good finds, which will be utilized for many Christmases to come...lol. Then we visited Mom, who ate all of her dinner. We visited with her for awhile. When it got dark, we left back home to veg out on the couch and watch "Wife Swap", "Supernanny", and "20/20". Most of them seemed pretty normal, but the 20/20 show was a bit surprising. It dealt with babies and birth. One part dealt with having midwives at one's own home to give birth while another part was a bit more unusual since it dealt with nursing children up to 8 or 9 years of age. Other women purchase life-like dolls for up to 1400 dollars in price to fill a maternal need that they feel for nurturing. One woman actually took her doll out, dressed it up, and took it out for walks in the park. She said that getting the attention with her 'baby' feels good and that it's not harmful to herself or anyone else like taking drugs,etc. In my opinion, I see nothing wrong with having a midwife or buying dolls , yet I don't know how healthy it is (psychologically, not physically!) to continue nursing a child of 8 to 9 years. Personally, I feel that I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't make someone who does so feel ashamed or inferior if they choose to do so.

Five things I'm grateful for:

1. Visiting Mom today

2. Finding good stuff on sale for 75% off!

3.Eating thin crust pizza with mushrooms, tomatoes, and canadian bacon.

4.Reading my Feng Shui books and getting good ideas to implement

5.Cutting back my intake on DP and drinking more water. Yayyy!

Happy New Year--It's 2009!!!

Time for New Beginnings. . . . . . . . . . . Taylor Addison, Blue Mountain Arts, 1989

"This is a time for reflection as well as celebration. As you look back on the past year and all that has taken place in your life, Remember each experience for the good that has come of it and for the knowledge you have gained. Remember the efforts you have made and the goals you have reached. Remember the love you have shared and the happiness you have brought. Remember the laughter, the joy, the hard work, and the tears. And as you reflect on the past year, also be thinking of the new one to come. Because most importantly, this is a time of new beginnings and the celebration of life."

A New Year’s Prayer. . . . . . . . . . .. Anonymous

Dear Lord, please give me…

A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;

A work to do which has real value, without which the world would be the poorer;

A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;

An understanding heart; A sense of humor; Time for quiet, silent meditation; A feeling of the presence of God;

The patience to wait for the coming of these things, With the wisdom to recognize them when they come.

Amen.

To Start A New Year. . . . . . . Anonymous

"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within. Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others. As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance."

My Resolutions for 2009

Looking through last year’s resolutions, I noticed that some I failed to follow through with (see #’s 1-3, 5, 7 and 8) while others I did well on (see #’s 4 and 6). Thus, I am keeping this list and adding one new resolution (#9) to my collection.

1-3. Take better care of myself=====nourish my mind, body and spirit.

I plan to stimulate my mind through reading great works of literature as well as learning a new language and other things I’ve meant to learn but haven’t so far. But, I’ll be taking this one baby step at a time. As for my body, I intend to exercise daily (meditation, walking/running on the treadmill, cycling on my stationary bike, dancing as well as practicing Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, Belly Dancing, and the Balance Ball) and to eat foods that are healthier and better for me. Spiritually, I will read and study the Bible.

4. Keep documenting our lives through photography and journaling (on paper and electronically) . Also, reflecting daily on five things for which I’m grateful).

I’ve always kept a journal or diary of sorts from when I was younger, aspiring writer until I became a young adult in college. And somewhere along the way, I stopped keeping a record of my life and this reflection makes me feel a sense of loss, more so now that I’ve come to the realization that life’s moments are precious.

5. Create a beautiful, uplifting morning routine.

Hmmm…I need to find a creative way to make mornings less hectic and harum scarum. With my Iphone, I can rise with jams that are inspiring. Now I just need to set my alarm an hour earlier so that I can enjoy the morning with relaxation rather than in a typical mad rush of a rhinoceros.

6. Keep improving my progress in my culinary skills and actually transition from “an intermediate cook” to “advanced-high -just-like-my-faves- Martha Stewart-Paula Deen-Rachael Ray-and-Emeril”.

I am actually proud of improving in this goal. I did meet with many flops of burnt or tasteless meals, but Leigh has been brilliant with his encouragement. And it’s made the tasty meals feel like victories!

7. Learn how to decorate cakes for special events.

8. Draw, Paint, and Play the flute more

often.

9. Become better at sewing.

The Year 2008 in Pictures

Here's a slide of our photos from the year 2008:

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Ella Fitzgerald's New Year's Eve Song

What are you doing New Year's Eve? lyrics

(sung by Ella Fitzgerald)

Maybe it's much
Too early in the game
Ooh, but I thought
I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's eve?

Wonder whose arms
Will hold you good and tight
When it's exactly
Twelve o'clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Year's eve

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of the thousand invitations
You received

Ooh, but in case
I stand one little chance
Here comes
The jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of the thousand invitations
You received

Ooh, but in case
I stand one little chance
Here comes
The jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?

Feeling a bit stronger

I am feeling loads better. I had a 24 hour stomach bug, and it was horrible since I couldn't eat anything. In the evening, I was finally able to eat 1/2 a piece of warm toast with the bottle of water I was drinking one sip at a time. Today I was weary of eating anything, so it was toast time once again. Fortunately, I had another day to recuperate from yesterday. I was a hermit for a second day in a row. Tonight, for dinner, I was able to eat a baked potato with grilled chicken. Gosh, it was a delicious meal. Now, I just need to be careful of what I eat. I don't want to be ill tomorrow.