Happy New Year

I went back to last years post to - 1 - get the photo above and 2 - see what I was thinking.

I had one resolution listed that I have kept for many years now and will continue with this resolution. 'Do unto others as others do unto me.'

This is the only resolution I make. There is no sense making others when I know I will not be able to keep them. So what I did last year was set goals for myself.

Lets review and see how well (ha-ha) I did:

1. I will try to read the books I have in my closet and not buy many new books. I fear this will be a hard goal to achieve because of my book addiction, but I am going to try my best. Amazingly enough, I have kept to this goal. Now I'm not saying that I didn't go out an buy new books, but I have put a dent in the number of books I have.

2. I will try to reduce the number of tarts, votive and jar candles. (Another addiction). This will probably be an easier goal to achieve. (Unless Yankee has a good sale or a new scent. Right now I love Autumn Wreath) Actually, this was a harder goal to achieve. Although I haven't bought many candles, I haven't been burning the ones that I have. I haven't put a dent in the candles that I have.

3. I will try to be more patient. Lately I find myself growing impatient with people and things. I think I have done good with this goal. I have been able to diffuse situations at work better. Made more friends. Accepting their quirks by being patient and I found they accept me for mine.

4. Keeping focused on one project. My brain has been so scattered of late. I start one thing, stop for no reason and start another. When I catch myself doing this, I stop that project and go back to the first telling myself to finish. So this year, I will focus to finish the first project before starting another. (I don't think I will be able to achieve this, but I will try.) I haven't been able to keep this goal. Oh I have tried, but failed. Will try to work on this again this year.

5. Working on taking better pictures. I am happy with how far I have come in my photography. Yes I have upgraded myself from picture taking to photography. This is a hobby that I have enjoyed this past year or so. It has been a great release and source of exercise. I will be looking into upgrading my current camera, an HP Photosmart R837, to something with more mega pixels and zoom. Any suggestions would be appreciated. This goal was easier to achieve, but there is still much more to learn. I still have my HP and carry it with all the time. But I have upgrade to an Olympus SP-565UZ. My walls in work are covered with my pictures. People will come in, look around and ask if I took these pictures. When they tell me they are very good, I get a high. This has also helped me to accept a compliment better.

6. Continuing with my weight loss. I keep ping-ponging between 20-25 pounds weight loss. Now with the holidays over, and most of the goodie's gone, I can concentrate on getting back to a normal healthy diet. And throw some exercise. My line dance class with be starting soon. Our local recreation center will be starting an 8 week yoga class I will try. I didn't do to good with this goal. I did continue my line dance. I tried the yoga and enjoyed it very much. But losing weight is a difficult battle. I will try again this year.

7. Just trying to be an all around good person. I will treat people the way I want to be treated, which I do already. I will think before I talk. I sometimes say something innocently, but after it is said, I realize from the expression or the silence that I have offended or hurt that person unintentionally. I would like to say that I will work on my temper, but that would be impossible. I have been a good person and treated people with respect. Okay sometime I digressed, but I tried. As far as the 'think before I talk', I failed miserably. I call it my foot in mouth disease. However, I have to say that this has worked well for me. I have unintentionally learned a lot about people this way because when the disease kicks in, the expression changes, and sometimes I have to say "bingo".

I think for this year, I will continue with the above goals and add a couple more.

8. To try and be a better cook. I have been watching the FoodNetwork a lot and trying some of the recipes. What I must do is start to experiment with different spices and add more foods to my diet. We'll see what happens.

9. To become more organized at home. Everything in my home has a place, but it doesn't always end up there. I will make a conscience effort to make sure everything finds its place. The closets will get cleaned out and organized and hopefully stay that way.

The first of the year, I change the batteries in my smoke detectors. So please don't forget to change the batteries in yours.

So as per the norm, I have gabbed way to much.

I hope that everyone has a safe, healthy and happy 2010.