New Years Eve 2018

Weight 122, calories 974. As I suspected I'm going to stall in this vicinity for a while now. The challenge is to not get discouraged. Of course the next few days are going to sabotage me with dinners/brunches out before we leave.

It is COLD this morning (24). Justice was happy to do his business and come right back in. He us now snuggling warmly next to me. I am looking forward to the Florida warmth but I will miss it here.

I got what I wanted to get done yesterday: clean laundry, dishes and all Christmas decorations down except the trees and wreaths which I will take down Thursday. When there is downtime between now and then I will divest the tree of the ornaments to make it a quick process on Thursday. I also want to get some tarps up over some outdoor stuff before we leave, so I need to get my act in gear on that and make sure I have what I need.

Today, DH has a doctor appointment, then we are going to dinner at 5 with a group of friends followed by champagne and dessert at their home. I should be able to keep the intake of the latter minimal as I will have to get DH home. We are dressing up, so I have to figure out what I have that I won't freeze in (all my dresses have no sleeves, though I do have a gold shrug). Those that have them are wearing fur coats (I don't - the other women inherited them).

Have a wonderful day and talk to you next year!

Here is a picture of our pond yesterday:

Weight unknown. Kind of afraid to look

Thinking about last year and the upcoming year. Not even sure of my goals this year. I think it will be a very unpredictable and chaotic year with a young baby and a newborn midway through. Not that I'm not excited about it, just that I don't even know how to frame my intentions. Because, truth be told, one of my poor habits is creating expectations that are unattainable. I would like to say "simplicity" is my word for 2019. But I don't think I truly have any desire to adopt that. It's just not me. I'm the person always saying "more is more." I don't necessarily want to make things simple or do less, I just want to embrace what does happen and be okay with a messier house and last minute plans and takeout or semi-homemade. My resolutions sound like the opposite of resolutions!! I definitely WANT to continue to improve on things like my house and cooking and entertaining, I just don't want it to make it impossible for me to enjoy. Is that making any sense?

I would love to do more travel in 2019 but again, not the season. I think we will visit family in FL soon (they didn't make it out for the holidays) and have a wedding to attend in CO in February. Perhaps a weekend away before baby 2, maybe CA or Mexico in April.

I really want to adopt a healthier eating plan, especially once baby 2 is here. I probably ought to start now. High on my list is eating more fruits and vegetables. I act like I'm not hungry enough to include them, but truth be told I eat the "bad" things first. Baby will be born at beginning of summer and I think that's an ideal time to eat lots of fresh produce! And take nice walks in the neighborhood!

I'm going to continue to think about my intentions for 2019, but I'm open to suggestions on words or how to frame my intentions. I don't want to do less, but I guess I want to be okay with what is, grateful, enjoy.

Speaking of grateful...yesterday was a pretty special day! DSS has 2 semesters left in college. For Christmas, DH gifted him a suit and yesterday we took him to purchase it and have it altered. It was all 5 of us (me, DH, Becca, DSS, and DSD) and such a nice family day. DSD usually monopolizes our attention; she comes by it honestly--she just is more outspoken and family oriented, but it does make it harder to give DSS individualized attention. I actually wasn't sure if he'd even like the gift. Boy was I wrong! I've never seen him perk up as much as he did when he was trying on suits and having people bring him different options! And DH was very happy and proud to be with him. It was one of those times you know they will both remember forever and I was just happy to be a witness to it.

What a wonderful family day! I love how you have become close with your stepchildren. That didn't really happen with my DSD until after 30+ years of marriage to her Dad.

How about Simplify vs. Simplicity? I have a friend who always invites people over ad-hoc and I once talked to her about how she did it. She doesn't worry about how clean her house is or preparing for days for food. She just makes the decision, does a quick cleanup in the house (if needed), and does something simple for refreshments/meal. She doesn't sweat it. I've tried to remember that and had gotten better at it, so I guess I've simplified somewhat. But we are still who we are...

What a thoughtful and lovely post, Bonnie. My take is that you're pondering quite well what you hope to see happen for yourself and those you love in 2019. I also like some of the expectations you're starting to put out there, although it sounds you haven't yet completely settled on them.

Since I think that the words we speak to ourselves are important, I heard a word yesterday that made a good impression on me. I was talking to my stepdaughter about our respective 2019 plans and goals, and she used this language: "what I want to manifest in 2019 is ...." I'd never heard manifest used that way before. What I think she means is that she's definitely willing to do her part in "manifesting" what she wants to happen, but she's also inviting the spiritual forces and resources that support her to do their part, too. It may be a little woo-woo, but it's also really quite lovely.

For myself, I'm now going through a very long, involved 2019 planning process that involves a pretty granular review of 2018. It's taking a while, but I'm confident this process will result in a very simple plan for 2019. The language I've been using through this process instead of "resolutions" or "goals" is "intentions." And by intentions, I don't mean some wishy-washy, wimpy, weasley hoping maybe I'll take action kind of thing, but intentions that are iron-willed and perfectly aligned with my 2019 goals. When I finish this process I will share my 2019 intentions with y'all and invite your support.

Liz, your ability to get up and do what needs to be done is so impressive! Truly, you're a non-procrastination role model for me.

Oh I CAN procrastinate! I don't put it on a list if I want to put it off. Once something is on a list (whi*****ludes writing it down here), I feel compelled to do it. I think I have a touch of OCD, but I can channel it most of the time like this...

Interesting about not putting on your to-do list what you really are not going to get done now. That seems pretty darned smart.

It's also quite Yoda-like: "Do or do not. There is no try."

BTW, I just made a list for today through Thursday to make sure I get everything done before we leave for Florida on Friday.

A trait of successful people, I recently read, is that they make lists. Congratulations on being a successful person! I am only now learning to be a list maker. AND I still don't like it! LOL!

I find I use lists more as I get older (so I don't forget important stuff).

LOL on successful...