Resolution Time!
I’m a believer in resolutions. I don’t always keep them, but there’s something about that “fresh start feeling” that has great appeal to me. I have a slew of resolutions this year. Here goes:
-Work at writing as though it’s a 9 to 5 job. This may sound like a no-brainer, especially to those of you who are not self-employed, but I tend to let other things get in the way of writing during the day. Then I work late into the night and I’m usually freaking out in the weeks leading up to deadline. All right, I know I’ll still freak out shortly before deadline, but organizing my work schedule will make me feel more in control before the crunch hits. So I’m going to pretend I have a boss who will not allow me to spend hours on Facebook or run out for groceries or Starbucks when the urge pops into my mind. Which brings me to the second resolution.
–I will actually attend the gym where I have a membership, instead of merely paying them a fee each month, and I will go early in the morning so I can be at my computer at 9 am. Uh, this should be interesting. To be at the gym early in the morning means going to bed earlier at night. Which brings me to resolution number three.
–Lights out at midnight. Not sure how I’m going to do this, because my reading time is usually 11 pm to 1 am or later. I can’t give up reading, so I guess I’ll have to get an earlier start on it.
–Attend mindfulness classes at a local yoga center. I’ve recently rediscovered my mindfulness and meditation practice, something I enjoyed when I lived in Virginia. It centers me and brings me peace and joy, but as with everything else on my list, I need to actually do it to reap the benefit.
-Do a few hours of volunteer work each month. I am so blessed, and there’s so much need.
–Stay in better touch with my family and friends. This should really be number one on my list. It is number one.
Looking over my resolutions, I can see the one thing that will trip me up is TIME. Like everyone else in the world, I don’t have enough of it. But I’m going to give this list my best shot.
How about you? Are you a resolver?
Today is a snow day for us-we don’t like these as we end up going so late in JUNE to make up for them…but yesterday, I had my students make one resolution each-only one…it was surprising what they came up with. MY ONE RESOLUTION is to keep in contact with friends by snail mail-letters-like back in the old days. Not with the fancy stationary and nice ink pens…albeit typed on the computer because of the increasing pain of the Arthritis…but letters nevertheless…so far I am on a roll. I found a box of letters from my ex (the children’s dad) when he was in college…they mean a lot…I found a box of letters from former students…same thing (I rummaged in one of the attics over the holidays.) Since I do not keep things I don’t use…this was an anomaly, so I know the letters have great meaning to me. I WOULD LOVE to have a letter from my mother or grandmothers…Also, I do send notes/cards regularly to my granddaughters…they love them…
Good luck with your resolutions…TIME will be what you must carve out…During the winter, I am lucky to get out of the house…Margo and I are sharing emails, and we both are probably tired of snow, ice, cold…
Barbara Delinsky’s book comes out today. Thankfully, I ordered it online…won’t get to bookstore for awhile. There are certain authors I MUST OWN (DC of course) to reread–BD is one. Also, Joanne Dobson-not an author one discusses regularly. Her series about a college prof (wonder why I like this one…) is good. My new one came yesterday…I read it (into the night) last night…there are 6 of them…I have several others ordered-must haves…don’t forget THE HELP and STILL ALICE…good ones…
It is sad that letters have disappeared. I just wrote one yesterday after searching high and low for an email address for a friend, and as I addressed the envelope and stamped it I couldn’t remember the last time I’d actually sent anyone a letter. Email is not the same, but that’s where we are. Looking at the positive side, I think I keep in touch with many more people now (via email) than I ever did before via letters. Just trying to be positive here! That’s resolution #57. Let us know how you like the new Delinksy. I started The Reliable Wife a couple of nights ago–loved the first few chapters, but now I’m having some creepy feelings about it. Will keep you all posted!
Diane, you have a great list of resolutions and I hope they all work out for you!!…don’t forget to include ‘down time’ with that list, such as meditation or quiet time with your book…that is just as important.
Brenda, you’re right about the snow and ice…the last 2 mornings I’ve been driving to work in -12 degrees weather with -30 wind chills…I love winter but would love it more if I were INSIDE watching it instead of being out in the elements…everyone here looks like eskimos we’re all bundled up in millions of clothes!…and the scenery looks more like the North Pole than the midwest…snow EVERYWHERE.
Brenda, I’m buying the new Barbara Delinsky tomorrow but meanwhile have started her book THE SUMMER I DARED which is one I missed reading…love it so far (-O:
Summer I Dared is one of my favorites of Delinsky…
I agree-I keep in touch with many more through email…the letters helped when I was a young wife and mom, and my husband traveled so much. I wrote all the in-laws and my own family…fun…and some really best friends…keep us posted on how you like the book, Diane…We’ll let you know about Delinsky…I am still snowed in and sick with another virus…reading and trying to stay warm in these unusually frigid temps.
I started reading The Reliable Wife and got the same kind of creepy feelings – did not keep reading! Let me know if I missed anything that I would have wanted to read.
I ordered the new Delinsky book on my kindle and will probably start reading it today. Just finished reading The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. If you like books about haunted houses, ghosts etc you will love this one. It is very well written.
Ann, I’m continuing with TRW. Skimming the parts that creep me out. I definitely am curious to see where it’s going. . .
I understand your feelings with R. Wife…I couldn’t do it…good luck.
Just picked up my copy of B Delinsky’s new book at Borders…I will finish THE SUMMER I DARED first and then start the new one…it has such a gorgeous cover!…I didn’t see THE RELIABLE WIFE at Borders but I was in a hurry to get back since our weather is really, really bad…we’re suppose to have 10 more inches of snow and by the looks outside, its happening already…roads are slick and its freezing cold…looks like Antarctica outside.
Margo, how do you bear the weather? The only good thing about our low temps right now is that there’s no precipitation. Otherwise we’d have Antartica here in NC as well. Stay safe and warm.
I agree with you, Diane. This weather is horrendous…we have had school one day-not a full day at that-and don’t know when we will return. This is quite unusual for us, but Margo has this all the time. I am restless and the antibiotic doesn’t help…glad you got the book-Margo.
Margo, I cannot imagine life going on with that weather!! I shut myself up when it is as cold as it is here now. [teens at night low 30’s in the daytime]I am a wimp!!!!!
Diane, Brenda and Ann…I grew up in this kind of weather so am very well conditioned for it…we have hard winters here but it’s something we Iowans always expect…we dress for it and are prepared…I have to admit that this winter seems harsher than past years and is reminiscent of the 1960’s when I was a little girl…I can remember blizzards where the snow was so high it almost reached our roof!!
It’s been snowing since yesterday afternoon and hasn’t stop once…we’re expecting high winds today so could be another blizzard…once we’re home and safe its actually fun to cozy up to the fireplace and read a good book with cocoa on hand and watch the gorgeous white snow do her thing outside.
In the winter I take care of the wildlife outside by putting out food for the squirrels, bunnies and birds…yesterday there were about 7 squirrels outside ‘chattering’ at me because they wanted their dinner!
I braved the cold and snow and took out their food placing it around and under our fir trees while they watched…as I turned my back to go inside I peeked over my shoulder and they were already under the fir’s devouring their supper and I’m not positive but I think I saw a few big smiles on their faces…
I am SURE that you saw big smiles!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cocoa! Did you have to mention cocoa, Margo? Now I’m craving it.
I’m with you, Diane…I am reading B. Delinsky’s new book…it came so quickly…love it so far…We had school today but early dismissal as another storm is coming and possible 2 degree temps…this is not usual for us…like Margo, this reminds me of when I was growing up…making snow cream…etc…Keep warm ladies. Returning to the deep south is looking better to me…