HAPPY NEW YEAR (2014, right?)

Unlike most people, I'm not gonna lie to you.  I didn't make it to midnight, New Year's Eve (Dallas time).  That's because I was up waaaaay too late on New Year's Eve eve watching a bowl game played in San Diego, CA.  

If they insist on having their very own time zone (what a bunch of narcissists!), I really think the West Coast needs to at least sync their activities to mine.  They can work 6a to 3p, and then play football from 6p to 10p.  Seems fair, right?

And about those New Year's resolutions....get real, people!  "I'm gonna lose 30 pounds, get me some 6-pack abs, write a novel, do an archaeological dig in the Holy Land, and make the US Olympic ski team....right after I buy a pair of skis."

My NY res sounds a bit more reasonable, yet is probably equally out of reach:

DOH!

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My 2014 looks like it might be a very busy one.  While I'm supposed to be retired, it's hard to walk away from work when there are serious $$$$ involved.  That train doesn't come my way too often, so I'm gonna get on board while I can.  One last good (?) year and then I can coast much more comfortably.  *Please God*  :)

I sincerely wish for each of you good health in this new year, the good fortune to be able to live peacefully with your neighbors (we're ALL neighbors), and the good sense to be grateful for all you do have instead of dwelling on those things you don't.

Or as some wise guy once said, "Live well, Laugh often, Love much".

S

Time to eat crow. Pass the Tabasco, please.

*Your picture here*

Okay, I've already made fun of New Year's resolutions saying nobody ever follows through, but I'm having second thoughts about the subject.  For the past year my friend Pixel has been updating us on her "54 by 54" project....54 things she wants to do/try before her 54th birthday.  Now Bug wants to do something similar and has listed a few things on her blog.  One of them struck a nerve with me:  She wants to pay off a considerable chunk of her debt.

K and I need to do the same.  I say "need", which isn't true.  We can easily afford our lifestyle and service our debt, but still, it's debt.  Ewwww!  If we didn't have that debt we could perhaps take some of those exotic vacations we've dreamed of.  Other than that I don't really want for anything.  

K, on the other hand, has dropped hints recently about us buying/building a home.  I have no burning desire for one, but I'm not opposed, either.  I've had many homes over the past 35 years and what I remember most is the work that comes with them.  All K sees is decorating it just the way she wants, with all the features she's seen on Pintrest (?) and in magazines.  If I could find a suitable property I could probably build one for what we're paying now in monthly rent, so financially it makes sense.  And of course I want her to be happy....a pretty powerful argument.

Still, that debt (much of it medical related) complicates either travel or a new home.  Our big vices are dining out and buying books/magazines.  As things are now we can't walk out our apartment door without dropping $20-$40.  It would be quite a shock to stay in more and eat "Helper", but it would probably be a good exercise in self-control.  I think we need to do this.

Resolution.

S

If you don't want to break 'em, don't make 'em

Yes, it's that time of the year again, time when we declare our New Year's Resolutions, those things we're going to do different next year that will have miraculous effects on our life.  And a couple of days later it will be the time of year when we have to admit....at least to ourselves, sometimes publicly....that we don't have the willpower of a wino in a liquor store.

And the reason we fail so miserably every year is because we aim WAAAY too high.  "I'm going to diet and lose 40 pounds, join a gym and work out 4 days a week until I have the body of one of those Cross Fit people, eat sensibly, give up booze, and get my 10 hours of sleep every night.  Amen."

And then one-by-one you fall off the wagon and by the next December you've gained another 5 pounds, found that your preferred shape is 'round', developed an addiction to bacon and a taste for Ripple, and learned the best classic movies are on at 2 am.

So here's what I've learned from my 62 years on Planet Earth....aim loooooooow.  These are my resolutions for 2013:

1.  I'm going to work extra-hard to keep my weight within a very narrow range....say 10%....of where it is right now.

2.  I'm going to take the stairs instead of the elevator every time I take the dog out for his dootie-call.  (Note:  I live on the second floor, and the stairs are closer than the elevator.)

3.  I'm going to confine my food intake to ONLY those things that can be identified as belonging to one of the major food groups.

4.  I'm going to drink alcohol only on days that end in 'y'.  (I'm not a big drinker, so this should be a slam dunk.)

5.  I'm not going to take up the use of tobacco in any form.

6.  I'm going to limit my sleep to a maximum of 10 hours a night.

See how this works?  Now be brave.  Go out there and push yourself.

Happy New Year!  

S