Monday, January 3, 2011

EARLY JANUARY MUSINGS...

Well after doing some visiting this morning I find that many of you are looking ahead to this new year as a wonderful opportunity to accomplish MANY things…from shedding some extra weight and getting serious about exercise, (a fairly common theme this time of year) to setting some goals to begin to accomplish things your hearts have dreamed about for some time. I love reading of all of your hopes and dreams for 2011 as it inspires me to do the same.

My wonderful hubby and I spent ALMOST the entire 3 day week-end taking down “Christmas” and storing it away for another year. Now truthfully this took a little longer than usual for a few reasons. I needed to sort through my MANY boxes and items and eliminate those that I didn’t use this year due to lack of space, and then separate them into a couple of piles. Those I would pass down to some of my kids, and those that I might be able to sell, and some that I will deliver to good will. Most of it I have passed down. There was a little more than I thought; truthfully there were some items in there I haven’t put out in a few years, but just kept storing away every year. We also reorganized the storage shed a little bit (which was a chore we have been putting off since we moved in and had carelessly tossed boxes in there). We also took more breaks than we might have needed, aren’t getting any younger and therefore moved slower, and took turns moaning and groaning over how much we have managed to accumulate in our almost 36 years of marriage. But the job is FINALLY done and as I sit this morning in my freshly vacuumed living room, I am enjoying the neatness and lack of clutter. Unlike other years (where I wanted to push it all out the door on the 26th of December) I wasn’t really in a hurry to take it down. But now that it is, I appreciate it. New Years Eve was really pretty quiet for us. We made a DELICIOUS dinner and enjoyed a movie (it even got to be a romantic comedy ~ my favorite kind) together and decided rather than waiting for midnight we’d simply pray together before we went to bed asking the Lord to bless this new year and crawled in around 10:30. We were both rudely woke from deep slumbers at 12:03 a.m. by fireworks however. It sounded like it was right out our bedroom window coming from the sweet couple who are both in their late 80’s next door! I am sure they were probably both fast asleep too, but it was a VERY unexpected occurrence considering our new surroundings, haha. Yesterday, after morning service, we decided to take in a movie. We had lunch at our favorite restaurant (Market Broiler ~ which our son Joe and his family gave us a gift certificate to for Christmas), first, and then saw True Grit, with gift certificates that we got from my youngest son and his family. This made the whole experience a “free” one which doesn’t get much better, haha. We both THOROUGHLY enjoyed it. It would not have been the movie I would have picked to see, but felt like after New Year’s Eve, it should be his choice. After that we headed down to San Diego to both drop off all of the Christmas decs I am giving to that family, have a DELICIOUS soup that Larissa had prepared, ENJOY our grandkids, and then went to church to hear our son teach. He is going through the book of First Corinthians, and we are both learning some new things, and enjoying it so.

Unlike many of you I don’t have many ACTUAL plans for 2011! I have already set my appointment for Jenny Craig though for this Wed., and I will begin that AGAIN, and do it AGAIN, (with the Lord’s help) as it simply must be done. I refuse to dwell on the fact that I am doing it AGAIN (anyone believe me?) and just move along (as I tell my kids) doing the best I can. I want to dig deeper and deeper into the Word and get closer to Him in 2011 as well. I am hoping this is the year I can fix these knees and therefore become MUCH more active. I am looking forward to enjoying my time with my grandkids and will watch my middle son marry in Sept., and will welcome yet another dil to my life. I hope to spend many days enjoying my mom and watching her regain what she lost with her stroke. I just intend to live my life as best I can in 2011, one day at a time, enjoying all the Lord has blessed me with, and by hopefully using the time wisely and doing everything I can to bring the knowledge of Him to those who don’t know Him, and encouraging those I come in contact with as well.

We had MORE rain this week-end, and I am happy to report that I looked at the 7 day forecast and the rest of the week should be clear and in the mid 60’s! Sounds perfect to me. ENJOY these first few days of this new year



17 comments:

  1. A very Happy and Blessed new Year to You Debbie!! I so enjoyed reading this post. and related to taking more breaks when doing chores. It reminded me of when dh and I cleaned our garage a few weeks ago, we found ourselves doing the same. lol

    I am so glad you have everything back in order. I had planned to have ours taken down and put away by the 1st. but a sinus infection and vertigo had other plans.lol. What a way to start a new year! lol

    Dh is making me take it easy, and I must tell you it is so hard to see all that has to be done, and not be able. One good side is that if I keep my head still I can blog. LOL
    And like you I have read where everyone is starting a new slate which is always so refreshing! May this new year bring you continued blessings and joy unspeakable. I look forward to taking this journey with you.
    Hugs, Sue

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  2. Hi sweet friend, Loved hearing about your weekend and the review of True Grit-so many mixed reviews out there. I'm with you girl with exercise and losing weight and well as wanting to be healthy but more importantly to dig in deeper to the Lord. How blessed you are to have a hubby that prays with you and knows our Lord.
    Hugs and much love,
    Noreen

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  3. Hi Debbie. We saw True Grit and both loved it! I wish we had a Market Broiler here in town. Love that place. We do have one in Riverside though. Happy New Year to you!!!

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  4. Enjoyed hearing your musing...and I am thinking about each of our lives are different and yet our hearts so similar in wanting to become more intimate with our Savior.
    Passing down Christmas ornaments didn't work in our house..DIL will not use them, so they are coming back home...so I will have to stop buying the adult children ornaments and just buy for the ones still at home. Life has twist and turns and adjustments...letting go of that dream.

    Blessings on your knees this year...you really do have an exciting life even with that distraction.

    Another wedding...how fun!

    I haven't seen True Grit...but we laughed our heads off at RED last night...the dollar movie and it was fun to see that the old people won!!

    Have a great week...I too need the weight loss.
    Hugs,
    Janette

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  5. We still have not taken down our tree and other decorations. I think it takes a little longer each year, and I need more resting during the process.
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us as we begin this new year. I hope it will be a good one.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  6. Love hearing your musings...isn't it wonderful to clean out and declutter! Even if it takes a bit longer, always wonderful to have it done. We too, our decorations down on Saturday and it is great getting the house back in order. Although my kids laugh at me, because each January, after the decorations come down, I rearrange the family room. :)

    May you accomplish this year all that you set out to do. Yes...one day, one step at a time.

    Glad you had a relaxing New Year's and some time to sit back and enjoy your hubby!

    Much love,
    Stacy

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  7. Mmmm when I was pregnant with Riley I was addicted to Market Broiler. I made Tim go with me 2 nights in a row so that I could feast on their crab. Yum!

    Doesn't it feel so good to have your decorations down? I'm loving it. Good luck with the Jenny Craig, it's always so hard at the beginning. I'm hoping to start my diet soon. As soon as I can get my butt to the grocery store, you know, after I make menus and all!

    Here is to the new year, I hope it's a blessed one for you and your family!

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  8. Hi Debbie,

    Happy New Year to you! I also am done with taking down Christmas. It's always such a "job".

    Good luck with Jenny Craig. I wish we could all just snap our fingers and be the weight we wanted to be! I too am starting to watch my diet now in this new year. I am sick of all the crap I've let myelf eat.

    Wishing you well in 2011. :)

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  9. well Debbie, your week and mine sound very much alike! We also saw True Grit, with some friends, my hubby always loves a western movie. We did enjoy hearing the theme of the hymn through the movie. Not always what Hollywood chooses to do. We sat on the VERY FIRST row, and I've never done that! They were the last 4 seats open. Neck cricks aside, it was a fun evening.

    And now... the new year faces each of us, and most of us have renewed our resolves for all you mention.. eating, exercise and the whole thing. I think it is going to be a special year, and I am ready to move forward in lots of new ways.

    Thanks for the good sharing. I agree totally!

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  10. Glad that you had a wonderful time with your DH. Your posts always speak about your love for your family and the Lord. What a great reminder to dig deeper into His love. Happy New Year sister Debbie and may this year be filled with good health, and lots of His awesome blessings. Take care.

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  11. I didn't make any resolutions for 2011 and it's really very freeing! lol! It isn't that I don't have any goals, but I'm just continuing with what is already in place until the Lord shows me differently.

    Have a blessed new year!

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  12. Hi Debbie,
    Great post. I just finished taking my decorations down, and I must say I enjoyed them more this year then usual and was ok leaving them up a until New Years. Usually I am the 26th kind of girl.
    Haven't seen True Grit, but heard it was good... and love Market Broiler.
    The organization thing has taken hold of me too...I have about 30 boxes that have not seen Christmas in years and I must sort, seperate for the kids or toss. That should clear me some space for new stuff...just kidding.
    Hoping you and your family have a spiritually filled and healthy New Year.
    I look forward to a new year of blogging (and more) friendship.
    Hugs
    Maryrose

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  13. I think this is a very nice way to start the New Year and I did wonder about True Grit. I am been so excited about no rain in the forecast too. I just feel like sunshine is so very nice.
    I wish you blessings upon blessings.

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  14. I am always blessed when I come by here and today is no different. Thank you for always reminding us to look past the rain into the beauty of HIS presence!
    Hugs,
    andrea

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  15. dear debbie,

    i look forward to digging alongside you
    this year. it has been a pleasure to read
    your sweet blog and encouraging
    comments.

    we loved true grit and especially the
    hymn throughout!

    blessings on your new year,
    lea

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  16. Hi, I'm Jacquelyn. I came over from Peace for the Journey. Enjoyed your post and your beautiful blog. I wish I knew how to do all those little "extras" that I see around blogland...like your signature, and the cross, your tabs, the way your post spreads...and the Happy New Year greeting on the side. You are obviously very talented!

    Our Christmas was spread out, the last celebration having been this past Sunday...to accomodate part of our family that lives out of state. So we won't be taking anything down until this coming weekend. I'm ok with that...

    Have a happy new year!

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  17. I noticed that I became your 100th follower. I feel special! LOL! Thanks for coming by to visit me, and have a most blessed new year!!

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!