New Year's Plans and Ponderings

I don’t like New Year’s resolutions, the word resolution makes me mad. I think I’m kind of a rebel and non-conformist, so I like thinking of those strange things we all talk about at the beginning of each new year, as "positive life changes". No that’s kind of pompous. What about a new beginning? No that sounds like a Young Women’s program. I’m still trying to think of my own word or phrase that describes my New Year’s “things”. But I won’t wait for the right word or phrase, after all Thursday is the beginning of another new year. So some of the things, SO FAR, that I’ve been thinking about are listed here. I hope you can relate to some and laugh at others. I’m sure I’ll add to the list as time goes on. And I’ll be sure to let you know when I come up with an appropriate “thing” to call this.

Unconditional acceptance. Have you ever thought about meeting someone totally unlike yourself, someone maybe not as fortunate as you are? Maybe someone whose grooming habits aren’t quite up to snuff. What about the lady in line in front of you at the grocery store using her welfare card for stuff you can’t afford, whose kids haven’t had a proper grooming themselves that day? How do you feel? Are you compassionate? Do you mumble under your breath, do you step back from the un-groomed man? I will try this year to be more thoughtful when it comes to acceptance of those different from myself. People everywhere have different beliefs and different ways of doing things, that doesn’t make them good or bad, just different from me. I will try this next year to be more accepting of others, realizing that they too may find me different and strange.

Live for today, not because I don’t want to plan for tomorrow, but because I want to enjoy today. I don’t want to visualize what “might” happen, I want to experience all the good that is happening to me right now. I don't want to create anxiety before it's necessary. To do this I will try to look at situations in a more positive, "it's good today" mode.

I’m going to write in my journal more regularly. I have a “jottings” notebook that will become my “Gratitude Journal” and I will write 4 things daily that I’m grateful for. Doing this at Thanksgiving I realized just how superficial my gratitude is. I’m hoping that I will become more “deeply” grateful as I become more aware of my many blessings.

I will try to be more efficient at work, play and talk less and work more. I will try to be more understanding of those I work with and look for the best in them and let them know I appreciate them and their friendship.

I will study my scriptures more regularly and read good books. I will pray with more meaning and less selfishness. I will be more kind at home, less judgmental at home and away.

I probably will still procrastinate and dislike it as much as I do now. I will TRY to NOT procrastinate.

I will take better care of myself. I will try to eat a little healthier and if that means losing weight along the way, all the better. I will NOT deprive myself of some of the foods/treats I really enjoy. I will rack up the miles on my treadmill until spring, then I'll hit the streets again.

I will walk Baxter more this year. Some smart person said if your dog is fat YOU aren't getting enough exercise.

When I have the feeling that someone needs me or that I can do something to help someone, I will ACT not just think about it.

I will laugh more and complain less. I will try to control the little "evil twin" that lives in my head that feeds me negative energy.

Most of all, I will continue to love and care for my family. I will make sure Rick and Justin know they are the most important people in my life. I will watch my mom very closely, learning from her beautiful example. I will love my brothers and Rick's brothers and their families and completely enjoy the new additions they bring into this world. I will check with and visit Rick's parents more often and let them know that they are loved and how grateful I am for their love and support.

I will probably need to repeat all these again next year. But for now I have good, positive,happy thoughts and think I really can pull it off. At least for the first day or two of 2009.

Happy New Year to all you you!

Jewel's Christmas CD

Twas the night before Christmas Eve, I think, when all through the house, nothing was stirring, everyone was snoring. When around 2:30 there arose such a clatter that Rick and I almost emptied our bladders. Out in the front room, surround sound blaring, was Jewel serenading us with Joy to The World, loud enough that it left us staring. I jumped from the bed, ran from our bedroom, wondering how to shut Jewel down and restore our peaceful nights sleep. I stepped on the hearth, depressed the power button on the DVD player with a mind of its own, staggered back to my bed and finished the night a little less joyfully.

It turns out that we had a power outage during the night and I hadn’t turned the DVD player off, having listened to Jewel earlier in the day. So when the power came back on, so did Joy to all the World. Kind of a rude awakening, so to speak, but very fun to talk about later.

Christmas Eve, Eve

Justin came for Christmas, arriving in St. George Saturday at about 4:30. It's always so good to have him home. He keeps me grounded and helps me not be anxious about things I can't control. He's outside right now helping Rick sit the "Otie Tree" back up. Last year, after losing Otis, we started a tradition of putting a Christmas tree on the back patio in remembrance of Otis, and this year the wind keeps blowing it down.

It's cold today, having snowed again yesterday. Rick, Justin, Baxter and I went into Starbucks this morning and it was beautiful outside. It's truly a winter wonderland right now. Driving is kind of sketchy, but otherwise very beautiful.

Today mom and I both have hair appointments at 1, then Rick and I have to renew our military ID's, then it's off to Albertson's for last minute food shopping (I might decide to cook or something). Then a girl in our ward is in the hospital so Anige, Kamie and I are going for a visit.

Rick, Justin, mom and I are planning on having dinner somewhere in town then off to check out the Christmas lights. We'll go by the Tijuana house, the synchronized house in Fiddlers Canyon and wherever else it looks merry and bright.

We are looking forward to Christmas and are trying to keep the true spirit of Christmas in our hearts. We love this time of year and the happy, loving feelings it brings.

Happy Birthday to me and other ramblings

So, yesterday was my 55th birthday. That sounds so old, but I don’t feel so old. I remember the first time someone asked my mom and dad if they wanted the senior citizen discount, I was totally offended. Now, here I am at that ripe age.

I decided many years ago that I didn’t want to be one of those people who used age for an excuse for everything from not being able remember things to not being able to stay active. If and when these things happen to me I’ll blame global warming or some other ridiculous thing. I promise to try very hard NOT to say I can’t……I’m getting too old.

I have noticed some changes, like my butt isn’t where it used to be, among other things. My butt feels like it sits further down on my legs, and I’m really glad I can’t see myself walking away. I’m working on that though. I bought a treadmill last year, the day after Christmas (Rick couldn’t take a hint before Christmas). I’m sure it doesn’t have even 300 miles on it since December 2007, but I’m trying to wear it out this next year.

I’m also trying to eat more healthy, but during the holidays that could totally go out the window. Don’t you just love the good food this time of year? The carmels (mom makes the best ever), the great chocolates circulating the office, apples, but who wants apples when there are nuts? Oh, and today we have someone bringing in Mexican food for lunch, just because he’s a nice guy (and they rent his restaurant, great advertising if the food's good). Think of all those good greasy chips, cheese running off the burritos, and maybe he’ll have some deep fried ice cream. I’d better try to wear out the treadmill THIS MONTH. There’s always lipo?!?

I had a great day. Renon told the girls in the office they couldn’t sing to me (I’m kind of weird about the attention) so Megan made flash cards that said: Happy Birthday To You Dear Wendy. Then Megan, Renon, Mary, Cathy and Kristin all came into my office and “sang” happy birthday to me. I wish I had a camera here at work, it was the best ever.

Of course Renon couldn’t tell Britain, at Youth Corrections, not to sing. So that’s just what he did, he announced to the group that they needed to sing to me. It really kind of touched my heart. Last night was the last time we will be with him on Monday nights. He “breaks out” on Friday. I think he’ll keep in touch with us and we pray that he will be okay.

Then my weirdest, best friend, Justin sent a cute reindeer filled with Mrs. Fields cookies – YUM!!! He always does something good and I always like what he does. He said I have another package coming today, can’t wait.

And I do have the best family ever. Mom told me happy birthday numerous times, Ione called and had a pretty, holiday arrangement sent, Danny and Randy both called, so did Paul, best brothers ever. Rick got me a cute card with a Starbucks card in it, what more could I ask for. EXCEPT maybe a Lia Sopia necklace, which I purchased for me from Rick – perfect day.

But then, aren't most days this time of year near perfect?