Jan 1, 2018 Intentions for Happy & Healthy

My daughter blessed me greatly yesterday. She decluttered the garage, and now I can park my car in the garage. It was -5 degrees so that is a real blessing. She also gave me a lateral file cabinet for my room. Now I can unpack some more paperwork. It is the small things that make life beautiful.

I don't make New Years resolutions, because I find, like most people, that they only last a few days. So I set a direction with intentions.

The word for this year is Simplicity, I will remain Mindful and continue on my Spark Journey to the corner of Happy and Healthy.



I saw this meme and loved it. Staying in the moment, not wishing my life away. It is appreciated every moment, even the ones that aren't so good. That kind of destroys the idea of keeping a wish list doesn't it. I will have to think about that one.

I haven't been mindful that last few weeks, and the scales are a reminder of that. It isn't the end of the world, but I do have 5 lbs that I need to lose to be where I was before the holidays. Or in my case Holly Daze.

In order for me to stay between the lines and feed myself good healthy food, I have decided to cook for myself separately. Well, I don't know that it will be cooking, but having foods available .
Keeping it simple!! Breakfasts: Peanut butter toast with bananas, or a quick egg dish.
Lunches- Soup Dinner- Lots of veggies, and a protein. Snacks- air popped popcorn, veggies and fruits.

In my minds eye I see me staying in Nebraska for three years. That gets the kids into Middle School and High School. The thought is that I will still continue to stay here in the summer. The kids will be old enough to handle their responsibilities and the eldest GD will be a driver, so I won't need to be the Uber-Granny. As I ponder this I am drawn to having a portable home. The reality is that I am not getting any younger and traveling in an RV may not be feasible. In any event I need to start saving $ so that I have something available in three years just in case I want to do this.

I have always been more of a grasshopper than an ant. Fiddling my life away and not worrying about the future. Unfortunately, life didn't work out that way. I don't have a spouse that will be taking care of me in my old age, and if it wasn't for social security, I would have no income at all. But I trust God, and he has always provided what I NEED! But I remember the story- he may provide the boat, but he expects you to row it!!

So the Intentions are
1. Stay between the lines with my food and exercise choices.
a. Start Chantix and quit smoking ( again )
b. Continue to use the gym three times a week
c. Stay on 1500 cal per day.
d. Add multi vitamin to daily intake.

2. Get out of debt, including car. Live Simply on a cash basis. Since I am not paying rent, I have taken the amount I was paying and have used that amount to pay down debt. Another Blessing from my daughter.

3. Bless others-
a. Help GC develop good personal routines and responsibilities. I am their anchor when Mom is working. They love helping and have embraced the chore routines. No more than 20 minutes a day and pick up after themselves.
b. Allowances

4. Stay mindful and know the difference between wants and needs.
I really don't need much!
5. Develop a social life in Nebraska. I love my GC, but I am a better person when my needs are being met. Life isn't all about kids.

Short term goals- shop some thrift stores and get WARMER clothing. My wardrobe prior to moving to Nebraska was capris and flip flops. Not too great for the climate here! LOL. My GD grew out of her boots and they mostly fit me. A dear friend from High school sent me a pair of crocheted slippers that are toasty warm. I also resurrected a wonderful neck scarf that I purchased years ago in Alaska. It is made with qiviut (pronounced "kiv-ee-ute"). My family gave me a gift certificate to Maurice's. They have stretchy jeans, I don't want to use it right away, since I do have two pair of long pants and access to a washing machine. Maybe in another 30 lbs I might NEED two more pair.

I have been sleeping on an old mattress, and while not horrible, I do wake up stiff and sore. So this month I bought a new mattress ( had to save up for it). And I bought a HEATED electric mattress pad for it. The family joke is that you need to be careful with the old mattress- five children were conceived on it! I am not taking any chances! LOL

I am an introverted extrovert! I love meeting new people and trying new things. I am not very good at putting myself out there and haven't had great success with dating matching. Most men my age are looking for a nurse or a purse. I don't have the desire to fill that job description. I would like to meet someone who has similar interests and wants companionship. That is a "wish" and I am not going to spend a lot of time dwelling on it.

Yesterday I went to a brunch with the Omaha Social Sandbox. It was fun and I met some interesting women. Because of the cold weather it wasn't attended well. The biggest functions are based around the Husker football program. I am not a sports nut, but will attend an occasional event and who knows, I may even like it! My younger grandson is a football fanatic, so I understand the basics! His dream trip this summer is to go to a Kansas City Royals game.
According to Chase ( GS) his best present ever were his football trading cards. LOL

Well, I am burning daylight so enough for now.

Wishing every one a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

HUGS