GOODBYE 2016 HELLO 2017

New Year's Eve, the end of 2016. I called my Mom, this would have been her and Dad's 60th anniversary had he not passed. When I was living in Oregon, I would take her to dinner on the Coast, we would stay in a motel and dress up. So today I asked her why we weren't going out to dinner. She laughed and said "'Cause you haven't picked me up yet". I told her she would not be seeing me until there snow was gone, but she was welcome to come to Arizona - LOL If I keep after her, maybe she will someday. She is 84 and still in good health, but doesn't like to leave her home for more than a couple of days. I didn't get my Wanderlust from her for sure!

I have spoken to all my chicklets this week. Every one is busy of course, but healthy and moving forward in life.

I have been working on my life plan for 2017, I started a Word doc so I could jot down thoughts as they occurred to me. This past week I have just been taking it easy and really focusing on what I want out of life. It has been a prayerful week for me, and good things are starting to happen.

2017 Intentions-
These are the things that are on my 2017 Vision board. Will post a picture when it is completed.

DAILY SELF CARE: Consistency, Practice and Awareness.
Health- A. Continue on my weight loss journey. Now that I have found my "secret sauce" my goal is to lost 5#'s a month. That will be 60 lbs for the year, and should be very achievable.
B. Get more exercise, I walk Ringo 3-4 times a day, and want to get involved in a stretching, strengthening class. I found one only 4 blocks from my house that meets at 9 am on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. The next session starts the 16th and is already on my calendar.
SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL, HOSPITALITY AND FRIENDSHIP
Spiritual- I am visiting a new church tomorrow and already it sounds like a place I will be comfortable in. That is where the exercise classes are held, and also the Pack a Thon that I will be assisting in January. Notwithstanding some of my own personal troubles this past year, I feel my spirit grow when I am involved in a church that has a large variety of missions and small groups to interact in. Right now, this feels like an answer to a prayer. If I hadn't volunteered for the Pack a Thon, I would have never thought of going to this church.

My Spark family is a continuing blessing. I love you all so much! I can't believe I have made such great friendships in a virtual world! Your encouragement and ideas have held me through these past few months. THANK YOU!!

Develop friends/family network. I have joined Sasscee Girls, and have a monthly activity planned with this group. As I have joined other Meetup Groups I see quite a few of the S.C's in those groups.

I also joined a group called Women in the Wild Sacred Camping. There is a casual get to know each other meeting later in January. Camping has been a part of my life forever. Of course as I have gotten older, I gave up the tents and sleeping bags on the ground. If there is a will there is a way and I will find it, and take lots of Aleve- LOL

Another group I am interested in is Dances your Buts off. Come Ready to Dance Your 'Buts' off.
Not the 'butts' we sit on, the 'buts' we live in. Along those same lines I am taking a year long course " A Year to Clear What is Holding You Back". It is about decluttering not only the physical but the invisible as well. I hope the following link works, it was today's lesson and I found it very interesting.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=
iM_caJw9rMI


Companionship - This is a difficult one for me at the moment. I was invited on a coffee date, and that wasn't a good thing. Nice fellow, I am obviously not ready for the dating scene! So while it is an intention for 2017, it certainly isn't a priority. Being open to receive love is a topic for a future blog- so stay tuned! Again it will be on the Vision board, but I think I need to spend a little more time figuring out what I want to invite into my life.



HOUSEKEEPING, FINANCES, BUSINESS
Wealth- I don't care if I am wealthy, I do want to live a life of abundance, and am grateful my Social Security covers my basic needs. That is a blessing and I realize how fortunate I am.
I want to travel and be able to visit my children, grandchildren and siblings. That takes a little more than I am able to swing at the moment, so I am working on a business model that includes 1) a listing service for people who want to sell their things ( crafts, books, whatever) on line, but don't want to go through the work of doing the selling. It would be like a "valet" service.
2) Create a set of instructables for people who want to start their own businesses. I have had 40 years of experience and would like to mentor small business owners.
These ventures may be separate ventures , or one business, but I will do this. And trust that God will provide, as he always has.


Traveling- I want to visit my children in Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Colorado. My siblings and Mother in Washington & Oregon. I have an SUV and plan on car camping this year, but am putting a small motorhome on my vision board.

Debt free by Sept 2017- I incurred some medical bills with the surgery, and some dental bills, and of course some moving expenses.

Obtain house with yard for Ringo. Ringo is doing very well in our apartment, but I would love to have a yard for him to run in. This is going on the vision board. It may take more than one year, but that is OK.

Continuing the Manifesto for a Simple Life
Eat less, move more
Buy less, make more
Stress less, laugh more
Feel blessed, love more,
Find a quiet spot every day and BREATHE!

Happy New Year to you all!