It’s That Time of Year … Again
It’s that time, once again, when I make promises to myself that I never intend to keep. If I were married to myself, I’d certainly be heading to splitsky-ville because I abhor liars! There are certain things that I know I must do this year if I am to come out smelling better than donkey breath!
I’ve already informed my dh that he can expect me to be a total bee-otch from now until May 7th. Working part-time, homeschooling, taking 4 classes, writing, roller derby — well, there won’t be time for sleep. And since that is my very favorite sport in the whole wide world … well, you can see why I would be having a bad ‘tude. I really felt like it was only fair to give the poor guy a heads up on how his happy little world that I’ve created for him is about to implode on his happy self.
Why do I wanna be a roller derby chick? Because I like getting my ass kicked. Yeah, I’m sick like that. It’s not the sorta thing I usually share with others (perceptions, you know), so consider yourself “in the know”. Actually, I figured that’s the only way I’ll keep my resolution to reduce, recycle, and reuse the cottage cheese off my back end. Think about that for a moment and you will see how many uses the composition of the back end can provide. 
I really need to make a special trip to Wal-Mart to load up on Duct Tape. There is no wrong in this world that cannot be righted with Duct Tape. I need it to keep everything together — or to be organized. Yeah right! I LOL when peeps that say they “know” me tell me how they admire my organization. Yeah …. okay …. ummm … yes, I am organized. The piles that sit around my keyboard are all in order — and as long as they don’t fall over and squash my fingers, they will happily remain in order. 
So let’s recap …
1. Stay focused so I make it through the year alive
2. Melt the fat away
3. Organize my little abode
4. Smile … lots! Even if it is a lie …
The Resolutions 2009 Edition
Yes folks! Here they are once again … the handy list of useless resolutions only carefully planned to make certain December 31, 2009 is a piss-poor day full of wallowing, self-pity and loathing.
Resolution #1
Read a book every week – hence the goal of 52 books (I’ll settle for 30 if some qualify as BFF or more affectionately known as fatties).
Resolution #2
Schedule an outdoor adventure at least one day each week.
Resolution #3
Laugh everyday.
Resolution #4
Start a family business.
Okay. I think I can safely say that I can handle 4 resolutions, or not! I don’t want the last day of 2009 to be such a horrid day!
New Year Wishes
Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be,
In working, or in waiting,
Another year with Thee.
Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face.
Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.
Another year of service,
Of witness of Thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.
Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven
Another year for Thee.
* Francis Ridley Havergal (1874) *
*Ball Drop*
I always think of the ball dropping at New York City’s Time Square on the eve of each New Year. It is a time when Father Time (ring out the old) turns the reigns over to the Baby New Year (ring in the new). There is always something personal and touching about celebrating a New Year with loved ones. I am fully aware of the old adage that encourages us to “ring” in a New Year, but other than the Japanese tradition of 108 bells.
*Books*
Read a book (or two) that reminds us of the highlights of the year:
• Around the Year
• A Year at Maple Hill Farm
• Listen, Listen!
• A Time to Keep
• A Child’s Calendar
• Little Farm by the Sea
• Groundhog’s Garden
• Cider Apples
*Nature*
Begin that nature journal that you have been putting off all year long. Don’t let it wait one more day. Today is it! Seize the moment.
*Glühwein*
On New Year’s Eve, while out celebrating with fireworks, a glass of Hot Milled Wine hits the spot:
Glühwein ~ Hot Milled Wine
- 1 bottle of dry red wine (750 ml)
- one lemon
- 2 sticks of cinnamon
- 3 cloves
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- some cardamom (or ginger)
Heat the red wine in a pot (don’t boil). Cut the lemon into slices and add to the wine. Then add the cinnamon, cloves, sugar and a little cardamom (to taste). Heat everything for about 5 minutes – do not boil – and let stand for about an hour. Before serving, reheat and strain. Serve in pre-warmed glasses or mugs.
*Reminisce*
Look back over pictures from the year that was. Make a conscious effort to understand each month and the ebb and flow of your life over the past twelve months. Jot down some notes about your observances and what may need tweaking for the coming year.
*Resolutions*
One of the most successful years I ever had was in how I planned my attack. For each resolution/goal, I noted the month that I would have it completed and break it down into small manageable chunks.
Wishing my friends and family much luck, love and happiness for the coming year!
New Year’s Day
Ruler of new beginnings, gates and doors, the first hour of the day, the first day of the month, and the first month of the year, the Roman god Janus gave January its name. He was pictured as two-headed (both heads bearded) and situated so that one head looked forward into the new year while the other took a retrospective view. Janus also presided over the temple of peace, where the doors were opened only during wartime. It was a place of safety, where new beginnings and new resolutions could be forged, just as the New Year is a time for new objectives and renewed commitments to long-term goals.
When the Family Comes Home to Play
Ahhh … the holidays, full of love, good cheer, and LOTS of family. You could just sit around the fire and chat, but if you have little ones — even teens — chances are someone will get bored. Not to mention losing out on a great opportunity for everyone from the youngest to the oldest to get in some fun time! So here are some family party games to play to spice things up a bit.
Hide the Pumpkin (or turkey, or Santa)
A fun twist on the old staple of “Hot and Cold” – assign a decorative pumpkin (or turkey/Santa) as “it”. Someone hides it in the house… then, as the group looks for it, the person who is “it” says “Whooooo” in a soft spooky voice if you’re far away, and a loud “Whooooo” if you’re nearby – getting louder and louder the closer someone get to it. Whoever finds it gets to hide the pumpkin next. For thanksgiving, “gobble” like a turkey, and for Christmas, “HOHOHO” like Santa!
Nuts in a Basket
Assorted nuts are a holiday tradition. In this game, everyone sits in a circle. They each choose a “nutty” name, such as “hazelnut”, “peanut” or “almond”… then someone stands in the middle of the circle and starts the game. Whoever is “it” calls out two nuts at the same time – the two nuts have to switch seats without letting the person in the middle steal their chair. If they have their chair stolen, they’re “it” – or if the person in the middle failed to steal a chair, then he/she is “it” again. To create mass mayhem, the person in the middle can yell out “Nuts in a Basket!” – which means EVERYONE must get up from their chair and find another chair to be in. Lots of fun! You can change this up for “Fruit in a Basket” or “Candies in a Bowl”… whatever you enjoy the most.
For Thanksgiving Dinner I had …
This is an oldie but goodie … and can be changed for Christmas. Quite a simple memory game, the family sits in a circle and someone starts out “For Thanksgiving dinner I had ________”, naming a food. The next person has to start out “For Thanksgiving dinner I had _____ and ______”, repeating the food they just heard, and naming a new one. As you can imagine, the bigger the group, the harder it gets… especially if you go around more than once! Sure to get lots of giggles, and the best part is, you got to get off your feet for a while!
Make a Family Capsule
Same thing as time capsules, only centered around your family! Have them write a Christmas card to themselves in the future. Take a family picture of everyone there – or include a Christmas portrait that you had made. Put in some things that have significance of that particular year… and then close it up, and write a chosen year on it to be opened in the future. You decide – are you going to open it in a year? Five years? Ten? Enjoy!
Gifts for Christ
Something a little more Christ centered is gifts for Christ. Make a little box out of cardboard and fancied it up with some colored glue and jeweled buttons. Every Christmas Day, open the box and read what “gifts” everyone gave to give Christ the past year, and then put in the box new gifts you want to give the Savior the following year. These gifts are things that you want to give the Savior – things like “Being kind to my sister” or “No yelling in the home” or “Read my scriptures everyday” – whatever it is that you want to better your life so that you can better the lives of others, thus “As I have loved you, love one another”.
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