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Tag Archives: New Years Resolutions

One More Friday Lame Post

Posted on December 31, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

There I was, drinking wine, watching Columbo on DVD (a Christmas present!), and I suddenly realized:  I don’t want to make my Lame Post Friday post on Saturday!   What’s a blogger to do?  Pour another glass of wine and blog away while Peter Falk continues to track down the killer.

“Oh, one more thing.”

I said earlier today I might write something about New Year’s Resolutions.  Many people these days get all huffy when you bring up New Year’s Resolutions (you know who you are).  “I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions!” they aver.  “When I see something about myself that needs improvement, I make that change.  I don’t wait till January 1st to do it.”  Their implication, of course, is that they really need no improvement, how presumptuous of me to imply such a thing.  It could be, and how envious I am of such self confidence!

However, the “make improvements any time” school of thought makes me wonder if New Year’s Resolutions are not a gigantic excuse to behave very badly for the latter part of December.  One could add “or longer!”  although I like to think most of us would feel a little silly saying something like, “I can’t start a diet in July; I must wait till January 1st!”

I guess I don’t really have much to say about New Year’s Resolutions,  not even Columbo’s  “one more thing.”  However, I see I am over 200 words.  That works, especially on Lame Post Friday.  Back to Columbo!

 

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Decorations Past, Future Plans?

Posted on December 30, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am not waiting for my dining-room-table-top to boot up and get to WordPress, I am pecking in one letter at a time with the stylus on my Tablet as I sit lounged on my comfy couch.  Full disclosure: I am not as comfy as I might be, because I keep doing crap to irritate my back.  I know, I know:  lift with my legs, not my back!

Anyways, it is Friday morning, and I thought I would try for some semblance of a blog post.  A comment yesterday complimented me on my Christmas decorations.  I confess, they are not great this year, but I can share some pictures of previous years and call it a Throwback Thursday Post.

Look at all our toys!

2017 was a good decorating year, it seems.

A less cluttered arrangement.

It is nice to look at these pictures and think, “Maybe next year…”  Then again, I think I thought that last year.

Backing up from the previous shot.

I have long had it in my head to get my house thoroughly cleaned and organized.  I make a little progress, then get discouraged and slack off.  I suddenly have the thought that it is time for New Year’s Resolutions. Could I use this sort of motivation to jump start my efforts?

Hmmm… This could start me off on a whole big thing on New Year’s Resolutions, which have become a kind of a controversial topic.  Sounds like a good idea for Lame Post Friday, a post I hope to make later.  We shall see.

 

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Lame Post New Year’s

Posted on January 2, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

We had a delightful New Year’s Eve with the result (but really, who knows where to place blame and what good does it do anyways?) that I had a wanging headache this morning. Once the headache passed, we had an enjoyable New Year’s Day. Now I must make my blog post. On the brighter side, holiday or not, it is Lame Post Friday.

I have been thinking about writing a post pondering the idea of New Year’s Resolutions. New Year’s Resolutions have fallen into disrepute. Some people proudly proclaim that THEY do NOT make New Year’s Resolutions. The more honest admit to setting self improvement goals when appropriate, in disregard to what the calendar may say. Others just let the statement stand, along with the implication that they are perfect, with no need for resolution to improvement.

The other day at work, a lady was asking about New Year’s Resolutions. She said she liked them, because she liked the idea of a new beginning. I, personally, like them, because it makes me feel that I can improve myself and my situation.

This year, I have heard the thought that we should let up on ourselves and not add the pressure of Resolutions to our current COVID anxiety. This is a chance, the thinking goes, to be gentle with ourselves.

How about this for a New Year’s Resolution: I resolve not to judge others for whether they do or do not make a New Year’s Resolution. I will even refrain from judging them for judging me, as they may, for my making and failing to keep mine.

And as others have said, may your Happy New Year outlast your New Year’s Resolutions.

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I Am Not Resolute

Posted on December 31, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am not making any New Year’s Resolutions.  Every time I think I am going to do this or that to improve my life or myself, I don’t do it.  This morning I wrote down a simple list of a very few goals for the week.  I got home from work, sat down on the couch and commenced to whine.

Actually, I did not whine.  I chatted with my husband.  We watched a couple of episodes of Dateline we had on DVR, during which time I crocheted and Steven cooked dinner.  I even paused one episode long enough to take a shower, so I don’t stink (at least not literally, no promises about being a stinker). Oh, I also wrote in the TV Journal this morning and started writing a letter, both of which were on my list.

Gee, that’s not so bad.  The only thing I did not do was a load of laundry.  What am I beating myself up for?  Look, I’m even making my blog post, a task I have recently had problems with.  Let us not go overboard with this, “I’m such a hopeless wreck” stuff.

Still, it might be a good idea to stick with my No Resolutions resolution.  You see how easily I can turn a simple list of goals into self disdain.  Maybe I should make a resolution not to do that any more.  Waaaaait a minute!

 

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We’ll Call This Wuss-out Wednesday

Posted on January 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

“Oh shame! Oh degradation!”

I open with this picture from Dirty Work at the Crossroads, the melodrama that my husband ,Steven, directed at Ilion Little Theatre some years ago, because I am, as I was on stage, hanging my head in shame.  In the play, it was because the villainess in yellow was about to expose my deep, dark secret.  Right now it is because I am making yet another foolish blog post.

In my defense, it is too cold for any Mohawk Valley adventures!  Actually, that is not strictly true today.  It was supposed to get up to 21 degrees.  That is practically a heat wave.  I could have gone for a nice walk or even a run, if only I had had enough oomph.  And here we come to the ugly truth about me.

Too cold for adventures, I tell you!

I had meant to write something while at work today.  I thought I might wax eloquent about things I MIGHT do.  Kind of a Preview of Coming Attractions.  Instead I worked on a letter to a friend, wrote a few more notes on my new novel, and worked on cryptogram and crossword puzzles.  Um, I did all this while on breaks, so any co-workers reading this don’t need to go squealing on me to the bosses.

Do you suppose that I am getting old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!  Of course I am older than I was yesterday; everybody is, that’s how it works.  The fact is, although I spent most of today feeling less tired than I felt yesterday, I am once again VERY TIRED NOW.  Dammit.

This is what I feel like doing.

It is early January.  I declare it not too late for New Year’s Resolutions (oh don’t go snootily telling me you don’t DO New Year’s Resolutions; I am not up for an argument).  I shall make one now.  Better blog posts!

Incidentally, the above photo is our dearly departed doggy, Spunky.  I included it because he looks so relaxed and happy to be resting.  It makes me think of another change I’d like to make in 2018.  I want to find another doggy friend.  Now that would be something to blog about!

 

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Not Just Slacker: Sagging!

Posted on December 31, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

Ah, what a lousy week for my blog!  Post Christmas let-down, a fender-bender, foolish post after foolish post… and I am damn tired today!  I was going to start a new feature of Sagging Saturday when I remembered I already had one called Slacker Saturday, which is an accurate description of me today.

I had thought of making a post about my goals for 2018, although that would be inviting the scorn of people who Don’t Do New Year’s Resolutions (you know who you are).  Well, why shouldn’t I set goals for myself, and since the calendar is about to turn over, why should I not call them goals for 2018?  Being the dithery, indecisive person that I am, I naturally hesitate to do so.  What if I set these ambitions for myself and fail to follow through?  How foolish will I look and feel?  I suppose no more foolish than usual.

My main goal, which I set for myself again and again throughout the calendar year, is to Write More.  On Facebook this morning, I saw a couple of videos of people who decided to do something every day for 100 days:  doing something they were scared of, going to the gym.  I thought, hey, Work on My Novel.  So when I went to the store this morning, I purchased a nice new notebook and got started.

Did I make a good start?  I can’t tell you that.  I’m sorry I told as much as I did.  It’s not so much the fear of looking foolish I mentioned earlier.  It is the fear of Once You Talk About Writing It, You No Longer Feel the Need to Write It.  So I shall say no more.

My headline now seems less apropos.  Perhaps something about Day One of a Hundred would have been better.  But I am still sagging.  Hey, it’s still a holiday week.  I’ll try to perk up and do better in 2018.

 

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Red Wine, Red Blood, Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

So there I was, ready to get this New Year’s Eve party started.  I only lacked my husband Steven (the only other guest expected since Spunky the dog was already here) and all the food I said I was going to fix.  I thought it would be a good idea to open a bottle of wine, so I could sip a little while I chopped and mixed.  And then things got ugly.  A short time later, I was posting the following on Facebook:

“So I open a bottle of wine, so I can enjoy a libation while I fix the snacks. Somehow a chip gets broken off the rim of the bottle, and I cut my thumb! It’s bleeding big red drops (although a very pretty color)! I get a Band-aid on it and go to cry on Facebook, and it’s STILL bleeding! I fortunately do not bleed on my laptop. I employ pressure and elevation for a short time and it seems to have done the trick. Then I see my thumb is bleeding from two places. Two Band-aids later, I wonder if I can be trusted with a knife.”

It really does seem OK, but you know what a drama queen I am (it’s a little awkward to hit the space bar with the band-aids on my thumb)  (it is my right hand, by the way).  I thought it might be a good idea to make my blog post before attempting any further culinary adventures.  I’m even thinking in a vague sort of way of sending out for pizza and making all the fun party snacks I planned tomorrow instead.

In the meantime, I had meant to write my blog post about quite a different thing.  I was going to talk about resolutions vs goals and strive for some profound thoughts about improving myself.  Or I was going to get all introspective about the passage of time and change and our own perceptions of what makes a good year.  I even had some vague notion of musing on these artificial milestones we invent for ourselves:  Why is one revolution around the sun called a year?  Who even figured out how we got back to the same place in the planetary ellipse?

And here I am, doing what once got a professor really annoyed with me:  writing about what I’m not going to write about (in my defense, he only wanted a two page paper; how much could I say in that?).  My thumb is fine; my wine glass is almost empty.  However, I feel disinclined to begin cooking or refill the glass, because a little dog (above-mentioned third guest at the party) is snuggled up next to me so cozily, I hate to disturb him.  Happy New Year, everyone.

 

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Turns Out Polonius Was Right

Posted on January 1, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is New Year’s Eve, although as the previous two posts may have pointed out, it will probably be dated January 1, 2016.  I can’t worry about that now.  I must make my post!  (Said with a dramatic gesture.)

It is not Lame Post Friday, my usual place for half-baked philosophy, yet what better time can there be to wax philosophical than the threshold of another year?  Oh, you can probably think of lots of times (you know who you are). Why do I even bother with these rhetorical questions? HELLO!  THAT ONE WAS RHETORICAL TOO!!!

There is some controversy about the efficacy of New Year’s Resolutions.  Many people firmly eschew them. Others embrace them with fervor.  (Look at me articulating with the E words: “efficacy,” “eschew,” “embrace!”)  I personally am of two minds here.

Part of me says, “Take any opportunity to improve yourself, you need it” (yes, I often talk to myself in the second person).  And for another reason, how can you worry about self-improvement during the holidays?  Start a diet with all those Christmas cookies and candy around?  Clean the house amidst all those decorations?  Work on that novel when you have shopping, wrapping and partying to do?  It’s madness, I tell you! (Again, with dramatic gesture.)

The other part of me says, “You’re setting yourself up for failure!  You’ll never stick to it, and then you’ll feel bad about yourself!”  Quite frankly, I think this is a spurious argument.  Say I start a diet in January then eat a pan of fudge brownies in February.  Does this mean I have to wait until next January to start another diet, thus wallowing in self-loathing for 10 months?  Well, I guess that would give me a chance to eat a lot more brownies…

My real problem is that I feel all self-conscious, like I’m doing the cliche, obvious thing, having a New Year’s Resolution. None of the cool kids are doing it.  And by “cool kids,” of course I mean the unusual, alternative, unexpected kids.

And then I come to the stunning realization:  EITHER WAY, I’M FOLLOWING A CROWD!  Some people make New Year’s Resolutions, some do not.  Whatever I do I’m wrong.

Or, whatever I do, I’m right.

Happy New Year, everybody.

 

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I’m Grateful I Finished This Post

Posted on November 26, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

You know, in a little more than a month, people are going to start asking each other what are their New Year’s Resolutions.  And some people will answer, with varying degrees of huffiness, that THEY do not make New Year’s Resolutions.  Some will say they are perfect as they are; the less obnoxious will say they always strive to improve and do not NEED an arbitrary date to do so.

What has this to do with Thanksgiving, you may ask.  Well, I will tell you, I hope with no huffiness but with honesty.

I try to spend my life in a state of relative gratitude.  For one reason, when you are feeling grateful, you feel less depressed, angry, resentful, sad and other negative emotions.  For another reason, it helps to counteract my usual complaints and whining, which I’m afraid can become rather tiresome.  In confess, I pursue this attitude with a greater or lesser degree of success at different times.  As Billy Wilder so aptly observed, nobody’s perfect.

For example, I complain about my husband’s job but hasten to add that I am grateful he has a job.  I used to groan over the necessity to go to the laundromat but hastened to add that I was grateful there were lots of machines and the place was clean.  Right now I am almost purely grateful for our new (to us) washer and drier.  Soon I’ll find something there to bitch about but no doubt will hasten to add how grateful I am that I have them.

You see where I’m going with this.

I am looking forward to tomorrow (Thanksgiving) as a day I will spend time with family and eat a lot of good food.  I am not going to wax eloquent about all that I am grateful for.  Please believe that I am grateful for many things.  And feel free to share your own list of gratitudes on Facebook, in person, in a comment here or in your own blog (my computer is telling me “gratitudes” is not a word, but I can’t think of a better one).

More astute readers will remember that this is Wuss-out Wednesday and be nodding wisely.  I am, of course, grateful for all my readers (you know, for not posting a list, I have mentioned a few gratitudes, haven’t I?).  I shall humbly sign off now and begin pondering tomorrow’s post.

Now, about that New Year’s Resolution…

 

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A Public Service Announcement

Posted on January 29, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Has anybody else observed that this January seems to be taking longer than the allotted 31 days, or is that just me? Never mind, it’s almost February, and I have a marvelous idea.

At the end of January, I got a little annoyed at some people who said, with or without a superior sniff, “I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions,” or “My New Year’s Resolution is to not make any New Year’s Resolutions!” Well, now they are probably feeling quite vindicated as many people who made New Year’s Resolutions have fallen by the wayside or off their respective wagon or otherwise failed to make our lives perfect.

Full disclosure: My New Year’s Resolutions were really just continuations of things I had been working on all during the past year. I let a couple of them slide during the holidays. I am, in fact, making some progress in everything except running (and for that it’s been too damn cold).

So here is my brilliant idea: Let’s all make Ground Hog Day Resolutions!

Think about it: Ground Hog Day is a fairly useless holiday. We torment a poor animal who has even less weather predicting capability than your local meteorologist. It’s dumb! They don’t have sales, nobody gets a paid holiday for it, there aren’t even any parties. What, I ask you, is the point?

On the other hand, many of us have transitioned from our post-Christmas letdowns into our midwinter slumps. Cabin fever is setting in. We need something to perk us up.

Self-improvement? you ask, with a skeptical eyebrow raise. Hear me out. My idea is that we make fun resolutions. Cheery resolutions. Get Ourselves Out Of The Dumps Resolutions.

My resolutions are as follows (full disclosure: I’m deciding this as I type): Watch more cheesy movies to write blog posts about. Send more postcards. Go to more fun places to buy said postcards. Write blog posts about those places.

Don’t look at your shadow and run back into the hole! Try to think of a fun resolution, and let’s make Ground Hog Day something to celebrate!

This public service announcement is brought to you courtesy of Mohawk Valley Girl.

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