Never far from a new start

As the year closes, I find it doesn’t change much.  We still eat too much, don’t see our loved ones often enough, and life travels at the same pace whether it’s good times or bad times.  No, I take that back.  The roller coaster ride up always seems slower than the plummet down.

Here I am an empty nester staying up all night worrying about whether one visiting straggler made it home in a blizzard.  Just like I used to do when he was a teenager.  Most people have fears and that’s mine.  I have a fear of teenagers.  Rightly so.  (Incidentally, he did make it home after one cancelled flight, and one diverted flight due to visibility.  Oh, the glory of planes, trains, and automobiles.)

For me, TwentyTen bestowed a few more wrinkles, another grandchild, and a new friend.  I’m still doing what I want while making others think it’s what they want.

I love New Year’s Day.  It’s like the Mother of all Mondays.  I have the confidence that I can start anything on that day.  I’ve made a few resolutions…

1. Diet (what list would be complete without this one).  This can only be accomplished if I finish off the leftover goodies from Christmas.  For breakfast, I’ll have the last two pieces of English toffee, and wash them down with a glass of eggnog.
2. Clean out my closet.  Rid myself from the ties that bind.  And bid adieu to my favorite pair of shoes I wear when it rains.  One more puddle and they disintegrate. 
3. This one’s for my husband — promise not to tear down any new walls.  If I feel the need, I can take a crowbar and slug hammer to…  (I’ll figure out to what later.)
4. Complain less and be more patient.  Even when Couponman thumbs through his Entertainment book looking for just the right discount while I wait impatiently in the car.
5. Have a good cry weekly.  I’ve determined this clears the sodium from my body and reduces my waistline. 
6. Spend less time on the computer and keep in touch more often with visits rather than forwarded emails.  A LOL can only be topped by a hug.
7. Not to be so hard on loved ones, including myself.  This is so hard, because I get in the way of my success all the time.
8. Don’t be stingy with compliments or smiles (even if my eyes get lost in the wrinkles).
9. Exercise more.  May the pain in my butt, be from weights and not someone in my life.
10. Play more with the grandkids.  (Is this one even possible?)

Do you have any good ones to share?

Oh, and Happy New Year.  May you find what you are looking for in this coming year, or even better, be surprised by something even better.  And may your heart and your loved ones always be close to home.

Related posts:

1. I’m old enough to be thankful
2. Tacky & sappy but merry wishes to you all
3. Progressive December
4. Senior holiday activities
5. My favorite Christmas