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.

Things to Do at Midnight on New Year's Eve

On the Domingo Live! Show, Paloma suggested to do some of these things at the stroke of midnight. Most of them are said to bring closure to the old year and to encourage love, wealth, harmony,etc for the upcoming new year. Here are her suggestions:

1) Eat 12 seedless grapes at the stroke of midnight...make a wish as you eat each one.

2)Eat blackeyed peas (yuck!)

3)Place your wedding ring in a champagne-filled glass and drink it during midnight with your honey bunny.That's supposed to bring harmony and wealth in the upcoming year.

4)Ring a bell twelve times.

5)Place money in a purse,wallet, and/or pair of boots to invite wealth into your life for the new year.

6)Place a bundle of cinnamon in your household to attract more love into your life.(Wearing red to ring in the New Year also does the same.)

7)Sweep your doorway to remove any bad events from the past year, and toss away an old cleaning rag.

8)Fill a suitcase with clothes and run around the yard with them in tow (to promote the possibility of travelling more during the year.Apparently some people have done this and it works.)

Neighbor's Dog Rescued

Leigh heard a dog's muffled cries this morning. Apparently, he was trapped in the metallic tube at the driveway's entrance. Unfortunately, the tube had been badly mangled when someone ran over it with a vehicle. (Bad driver, by the looks of it.) But, Leigh dug around it, and the owner also came out to help get his pet out. The shy female dog was finally freed, and she went off to a quiet spot in the field to rest for awhile. (Her pups had ventured off awhile ago when they saw that we were trying to free her.)