A new, colder week makes me think ahead to next year

This week blew into Atlanta below freezing which is how winter has finally arrived here. About a week ago it was shirt sleeve weather and I took these pictures of my favorite tree in our personal forest on our city lot. It is a very large Japanese maple that is so vibrant that cars come to a halt when they see it. I love standing under it on a sunny day as you feel like you are in a rose colored world. Now most of the leaves are on the ground - still pretty.

 

We had a very slow weekend as we both felt a bit off. Just some chores that had to be done and the rest of the time relaxing. I tried to be energetic this morning and went grocery shopping bright and early avoiding the regular stores and only going to Trader Joe's. We are alone for Thanksgiving and going out to dinner so I was just stocking up on food for the next 9 days until I can get back to my regular Wednesday shopping schedule.

 

Also bought plane tickets for our January trip to LA to see family. Why were they more expensive this morning than they were on Saturday? Who knows. We also are travelling to the San Jose/Oakland area in February to visit our other son and DIL. Then a vacation in Key West at the end of March for us. Lots to look forward to in the first quarter of 2014. We will also be going to NH in July to visit family and then another round of CA visits later in the year.

 

In addition, I ordered a replacement pair of the loafers I wear daily except in the hottest months of the year when sandals are the norm and a gift for my Mom. The sons and DILs have yet to let us know what they want so I am not dealing with their gifts yet. We send a Harry & David gift basket to my FIL so Hubby will order that soon.

 

I am thinking of what I want to accomplish in 2014 in non-financial areas (while avoiding cleaning house LOL). I think I'll set some goals quarterly and see how it works out. Here is the first draft.

 

JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH

Exercise (gym, walk, stretch, etc.) every day

Learn to cook some Mexican food

Check out from library each week CDs of music I don’t normally listen to 

Become very proficient on phone

APRIL/MAY/JUNE

Be an ARTIST

               Paint

               Take photos and edit them using free software

               Use a large page art paper, collage, paints, colored pencils and markers to journal

Outdoor home repairs/improvements

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

Celebrate 65^th birthday

Shop for summer clothes at thrift/consignment shops

Learn to grill fish and vegetables

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER:

Get a book of local hikes and go hiking 4 times

Turn artwork into greeting cards

Make holiday gifts

 

There will be some year long challenges too. Again the first draft.

 

STUFF

Only buy things that are consumable, depletable, a gift or needed for home repair/maintenance.

If must buy something, try to buy it secondhand before buying it new.

Exceptions are for things that are truly worn out and needed like shoes, underwear.

EXPERIENCES

Find free things to do for recreation/entertainment/learning.

Travel as much as time and budget allows 

FOOD

Eat in unless it is a special occasion.  

Real food, cooked very well, not too much.

Experiment – broaden cooking options.

Make menu plan based on seasonal items and sound nutritional guidelines.

 

I've pretty much finished our 2014 budget except for knowing how much insurance, etc. costs will increase. I've also charted out the must do and want to do home repairs/improvements that will help sell our house. I'm trying to limit us to the must do's and any want to do's that we will really enjoy and appreciate while we still live here. The reason I'm starting with the outdoors ones is that we are expending a huge amount of energy maintaining the outdoor area and anything we can do to make it easier or better will improve our lives.

 

I guess I have avoided house cleaning as long as possible and better get on with it LOL.

 

Have a great week.

 

A fun and sunny weekend

Early Spring weather was here in abundance for the weekend and we got out and about to enjoy it. On Saturday we went to a matinee of the long running local play "The Waffle Palace" at our favorite small theatre. The play was inspired by real life goings on at the Waffle House restaurants. I finally got around to buying season tickets to this theatre so we have "The Book Club Play" to look forward to on June 1st.

Sunday was warm and sunny again so we headed to Piedmont Park with the Poodle Princess and gave her a good long walk and exposure to lots of people and other dogs. She was eager and seemed to enjoy it. We ended the weekend with dinner at the counter in front of an open window at a Japanese restaurant nearby.

Had a great time and it makes for good memories now that Monday has arrived cloudy with rain predicted for the afternoon.

Hope you had a good weekend too.

Good morning Monday - Plans and hopes for the week

First of all, I hope everyone in the path of Hurricane Sandy is safe and prepared!

Although I no longer work at a full time job, Monday still feels like the start of the week to me. I suspect it always will. As I start the week, I find this thought inspirational.

I have quite a bit scheduled this week. Pilates this morning and coffee with a friend this afternoon. Tuesday is the orthodontist and a work related call. Wednesday is my annual physical, early voting and grocery shopping. Thursday is my usual volunteering at the library plus another work related call. Saturday is a party! 

I have hopes to also
- rake quite a bit (thanks Hurricane Sandy's outer edge for bringing down so many more leaves),
- order an update MedicAlert bracelet,
- finally set up voice mail on my antiquated cell phone  (Note to self - enlist sons' help in figuring out what new technology would add value to my life),
- set up on-line banking for my Mom,
- go through some more stored financial records,
- see if I can mend some tears in our down comforter, - work on a drawing and hopefully finish it,
- follow up on scheduling some pruning.

Oh, and cook, clean, do laundry, walk la chienne, figure out early January travel dates for an uncle's 90th party. How did I ever find the energy to work 50+ hour weeks?

And last but not least, try to figure out what I want to do for the next 5 years that will bring more meaning and positive challenge to my life!

What's on your plate for the week?