New Year Intentions

2012 is upon us and as usual I have a myriad of resolutions flying around my head.  Research tells us that about 50% of us make New Year's resolutions, but 22% fail within one week and 60% after 6 months (R Koestner, McGill University).

So instead of resolutions this time round, I will contemplate ten intentions.  A measure of success will be if I can accomplish time goals at least 75% of the time:

1. To write: a monthly newsletter to friends and family and a weekly blog.
2. To phone home to mom every Sunday.
3. To be fit enough by October to run the CIBC Cure for Cancer 5km race in Burlington.

4. To eat more healthy: less sugar, smaller portions, and lose 20lbs before the wedding, whenever that is.
5. To listen to my Spanish tapes in the car twice a week and actually practice speaking to someone.
6. To finish the Blurb book in the summer.
7. To get back to posting actual photos in actual albums.
And 2 more of the less measurable kind:
8. To procrastinate less. 
9. To be more organized.
And 1 to always keep in mind:
10. To be more relaxed, more patient, and more generous to others; and on the other end - less anxious, less cynical, and less impulsive.

Let's see how it goes....

Reflections

Today I have a new vision:

The ocean will be the icon by which I will steer my course.

I will surf its waves, find its ports, ride out its storms.

And most of all, I will cherish its safe harbours.

I will float, peacefully and quietly,

on a sea of calm whenever it presents itself,

storing up energy for days when gales may blow,

or when waters are rough, turbid or unforgiving.

I will be unperturbed by dark and ominous clouds overhead,

for they too, must pass.

I will know that

Change is a constant.

I will remember, each day,

to be thankful for the beauty and vibrancy underneath its waters,

for the hues of colour spread around the world,

and for the life it brings.

I will find solace in tide pools

left to bathe in the sunshine of an outgoing tide,

reflecting a microcosm of the oceans portent.

I will be watchful of high tides, swift currents, and... jellyfish.

I will find happiness in a sibilant shell;

wet, white sand oozing around my toes;

the damp salt spray dancing on a fresh wind,

and the brilliance of a sunset shimmering across the wide horizon.

I am a tiny emblem in the vastness and depths beyond myself.

I am a moment in time

and

I choose to ride on the crests of waves.

ABC's of New Year's Strategi es to Live By

A is for Attitude - keep it positive, Adapt and Accept.
B is for Bold and Brave - take risks, make mistakes.
C is for Children - yours and mine - give them a better world.
D - Dance as if no-one is watching.
E - Efficiency and organization in all you do
F - Friendships to be nurtured and maintained.
G - Go as far as you are able, reach as high as you can, strive for all you can.
H - Help out wherever and whenever possible.
I - Invest your time wisely.  Gain Insight.
J - Jump for Joy at least once a day.
K - Kindness to others - try every day.
L - Learn - to speak fluent French and Spanish or something new: Tai Chi, Cello or maybe Line Dancing.
M - Motivate yourself and others.
N - Now is the moment - live it well.
O - Observe and Listen.
P - Patience and Persistence.
Q - Quality in work and relationships counts.
R - Relax and go with the flow.  Be flexible.
S - Save money and budget.
T - Travel on new adventures.
U - Utilize all your talents.
V - Validate and verify - don't jump to conclusions.
W - Worry less.  Weigh your words wisely.
X - eXercise! Enough said.
Y - You are the author of your life story - choose your path carefully.
Z - zest for life - keep it up!

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A New and Exciting Pathway

The last day of 2011 brought with it winds of change.
Tiffany and Andrew are engaged to be married and we are all very happy for them.
Congratulations to you both.

It will be exciting to follow them on their journey over the next few months.  All those decisions to be made: date, venue, dress, location.  We have hours of fun and discussion to look forward to, and much to accomplish in the coming months.

Merry Christmas to All

To family and friends around the world:

2011 is just a few days from ending and once again we have had a whirlwind year.  It seems I always use the analogy of a rollercoaster - perhaps a better one would be that we seem to be perpetual visitors at Canada's Wonderland or Disneyland USA - rollercoasters, drop zones, and ferris wheels are perennial favorites featuring the joys, fun and laughter on the upswings and stress-inducing, stomach flopping, eye-popping downturns from dizzy heights.

The upswings have included the joys of making it into the ranks of the permanently employed at the School Board, making new friends along the way, and learning more than I thought I ever could at my age.  Patrick slogged his way through another year and is one year closer to retirement - not too many to go now.

We survived a renovation and love living with the results. The house has been updated and modernized with new light fixtures, hardwood floors and a new stairway.  The bathrooms and kitchen have granite counters and all the rooms look fresh with a new coat of paint.  The only thing left on the wish list is a new front door.  Cleaning is a breeze and storage has been vamped up so that we even look more organized. 

A memorable holiday in Peru during the summer was spectacular - Machu Picchu was on the bucket list for quite awhile, but will now make way for a new adventure....yet to be decided.  Our choices are Australia or Annapurna or somewhere in Europe, but whatever the destination, it will have to wait for 2013 or 2014.  Next year will have us zooming off to the homeland in August en famille – all five of us which will make it a very exciting trip – we will most likely head for the Natal Zululand coast – hoping to spend time with as many of the family as we can and maybe taking in the sights like Oribi Gorge, and Aliwal Shoals.

Our girls are well and happy - Andrew and Tiffany bought their first home and have settled right in.  The fence is up, the painting is done and it looks lovely.  It suits the animals as well – now Wes (the very large German Shepherd) has plenty space to play.  Courtney made her first successful moves in life after years of school.  We are looking forward to hearing more of her exploits. 

To all of you, we wish a wonderful Christmas and may 2012 bring health, happiness and fulfill some dreams as well. 

Hoping to catch a glimpse of all of you along the way.

All our love 

Lest we Forget.

Remembrance Day is particularly poignant when you work in the school system here in Canada.  Children of all ages and in all grades tackle specific projects and assignments for weeks in advance of the special day. Their work culminates in imaginative and creative presentations, dramas, posters, artwork, and chorals on November 11.  It makes your heart glad to see students as young as 6 and all the way up to the graduating class of Grade 12 immersing themselves enthusiastically in holding onto the memories of sacrifice and bravery of soldiers in all the wars past and present.

At the school, ceremonies are held in the company of old warriors and young soldiers in uniforms bearing medals.  It tugs at your heart strings when you watch them salute in honour of those who have fallen.  It is truly remarkable to witness the respect given by the young who are largely untouched by the strife and mayhem of war.

It feels good to be a participant in the annual cycle that keeps the flame of remembrance burning.

My Personal Fairy Godmother

My wish has finally been granted.  My fairy godmother has arrived at last and waved her magic wand in front of my pumpkin.  Now, every second week, I close my eyes, make a wish on a bright star in the night sky and, hey presto! the next day my pumpkin of a house is sparkling clean.

After 33 years of maid-free marriage we have finally taken the plunge.  Two angels come every second Thursday and transform our house from dismal to delightful in a few short hours.  They get into corners and crevices where I would never think of going.  When I am the cleaner, some of corners that I do see, I measure in terms of "will someone else see that?", "is it worth my energy?" or "will it really matter so much if I leave it for another week?" My specialty is cutting corners, whilst my fairy godmothers appear to head in for the tackle and spruce them up.

After each occasion, I have to say that walking into a sparkling clean house is like winning a prize: invigorating, refreshing, and energizing.  I love the added touches: like artfully folded towels in the guest washroom, a cleaned out fridge, and even a bed replete with fresh linens.  The nicest surprise of all - an occasional bunch of flowers on my table.  What more could a woman want?  It's better than ...chocolate.