3 for 3::Keeping Resolutions::January 3

On New Year's Eve day I went to the health food store for a chocolate bar or three and got talking to a lady who works there about plans for New Year's Eve and New Year's resolutions. After we were nearly finished talking, she picked up her glass, which was full of a green liquid. She told me that she was drinking her green smoothie for the morning, and we started talking some more about what she puts in hers.

I've been quite curiuos about green smoothies since I've heard several of my friends talk about them, but I haven't gotten up the courage to try to make my own. Until New Year's Day, anyway. After talking to the lady at the health food store, I thought it sounded simple enough.

So, here I am, drinking my own green smoothie, for the third time, on the 3rd day of the New Year. I'm doing great! ;)


(behind my smoothie is my book list for the next little while.
I'm currently reading, The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young - my dad gave it to me for Christmas; he said it is one of his favorite books. I'm really enjoying it so far!
Steve gave me the next three for Christmas: The Successful Novelist, by David Morrell - he read it and loved it as much as On Writing, by Stephen King,
Innocence by Dean Koontz - one of my favorite authors! :),
and "A Taste of Home" magazine and gift subscription; my mom used to give me gift subscriptions, but I think I was too young to appreciate it back then - I'm very excited to start receiving them again!)

Here's what's in my blender today (makes about a quart)~

1 handful of spinach, rinsed well
1 apple, rinsed and cored
2 oranges, peeled
1 banana, peeled

So easy & quick! Only rinsing, peeling, coring, & blending involved :)

How are you coming along with your resolutions?

♥

Happy Birthday, Dear Bill::January 2

Today I was looking to make sure that all of the loose 2013 ends were wrapped up, and I discovered that I never posted Bill's birthday post.

We couldn't celebrate right on his birthday because he was in the hospital, but we did a couple of days later. Here is the pic:


Happy (belated) Birthday, Bill! I hope this year is wonderful for you!

♥

New Year's Resolution... and no "word"::January 2

Because this blog was originally to be used as a type of journal for my family, I tend to write information that lends itself to being more personal than many blogs. Hopefully that is an attraction instead of a distraction. Today's post will be personal for me. My children will eventually read it, whether today or tomorrow on the blog, or in many tomorrows when the blog is printed out. In any case, I once again went to a Chinese restaurant for New Year's Day to reflect over 2013 and ponder on 2014.

Earlier in the day, I had thought I might be hungry for a diner's food rather than Chinese and was thinking about going to One Man Band. I decided against it because I really like the quiet to reflect on my own thoughts rather than to think on the poetry & music of someone else and One Man Band's jukebox is often playing, while the Chinese restaurant that we like is quiet. I was surprised to be greeted by Fun.'s "Carry On" as Steve & I walked into the restaurant. At first I chose to think of it as a good omen, after all, it has been on repeat in my brain & my youtube for months. After a while though, I was frustrated that we hadn't gone to One Man Band because there was a chance no one would put a quarter in the jukebox....

We stayed and ordered in spite of the music. I prayed and pondered and mentioned to Steve time and again that I felt like the proverbial blank slate - absolutely nothing was presenting itself to me in the form of a word or saying for a mantra for the year. I was surprised and saddened, because usually the thoughts come so easily....

I excused myself and went into the restroom where I hoped it would be quieter, and it was. I prayed some more, and the answer/feeling I received surprised me. This is from my journal:

This past year has been stressful and busy. The other day, I got a very hopeful feeling about 2014. I hope that feeling is correct.

I'm feeling very much like a blank slate. I've prayed and pondered and nothing is coming into my mind.

I don't know if it is because there is music on this year (at the restaurant) & I can't think, or if there is a bigger reason. Still thinking....

I just returned from the restroom. I prayed again and the feelings I received are very interesting.

I told the Lord that I felt like a blank slate & I felt from inspiration, "What is wrong w/ being a blank slate?" and that if my mind was filled w/ thoughts I wouldn't be doubting that was my answer, but when I keep thinking about feeling like a blank slate I think something must be wrong.

I got the feeling, which is true, that I take my word and overlay it on my year. What if this year, I let the year teach me what it is that I need to learn?

So this year, I will be the proverbial blank slate and wait to see what the world would like to teach me.

Usually I go out to find & fix - this year, I will wait and learn what I'm supposed to learn.

My fortune cookie said, "Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time."

My goals for the year:

* "Work out" every day: planks, stretching, squatting, push ups & other strength building activities.

* Live life hanging onto the moment and learning what it offers

* Craft, quilt, cross stitch - get use out of the bifocals :)

♥