Jan 1, 2014 |
BETTER! 2014
Let’s be real: 2013 was a heart breaker, wasn’t it?
Everyone ~ and I mean everyone ~ has a story of hardship within the last 365 days. At the same time, everyone is looking forward to the New Year.
There’s always a sense of fresh. New. Hope. Promise. Something Good.
Am I right? As you’re reading this, aren’t you nodding and mentally going over your resolutions and new to-do’s? Don’t you feel like whatever happened in 2013, today begins the chance to change? A completely blank slate, to shape it however you want it to be.
Sitting Around
Yeah. Me, too.
The last two years I started the New Year with a theme. Two years ago I dared to be an awesome orange. Last year I set boundaries.
Today, I’m starting to be better.
2014: BETTER.
I have a brain bucket full of resolutions and ideas and goals and insights and dreams and warnings and… you get the picture.
I wrote out began my list. Things I want to accomplish/achieve/acquire in 2014:
- Get back to meal planning.
- Read a heck of a lot more.
- Do the Popover Project that I never did last year.
- Finish the interior improvements at Bedford Manor.
- Write. Write. Oh, and write.
- More Mother-Daughter Dates with my daughter.
- More Mother-Daughter Dates with my mother.
- Reach out of my comfort zone more. To people. To locations. To experiences.
- Create new recipes. And lots of them.
- Spend more time in my kitchen creating, less time cleaning.
- Redo the outdoor sprinkler system.
- Buy a reciprocal saw.
- Plant an olive tree.
- Craft more.
- Plant rose bushes.
- Buy fence slats.
- Buy many mason jars. In many sizes. For many reasons.
- Visit the Midwest.
- Get a passport.
- Visit Canada.
- Keep money in my savings account.
And so much more.
And as I looked at my incomplete list, I began to feel… overwhelmed.
This is the part where I channeled my mother’s mantra: “Simplify!” And, in case I didn’t hear her the first ten guzillion times: SIMPLIFY! (Stop yelling, Mom. I get it!)
My list is too long. It’s too exhausting. And honestly, too stressful. I can’t possibly achieve everything on that list.
And I’m not really sure I want to.
Sure, it looks good to put out there all these great goals. Oh, look at Molly’s Resolutions. This Girl’s got gumption! She’s a go-getter for sure! Okay. Quit laughing.
So this year, it’s not about New.
It’s about BETTER.
Taking what I already have, and working with it. Doing more, not different. Fixing, not forgetting. Stop adding to my plate and just enjoy what’s already there.
My goals for 2014 are the same no matter what day of the year it is: Be Better.
Do.
Be.
Dream.
Feel.
Live.
BETTER.
I’ll continue with the meal planning and the budgeting and the home improvements and the writing. Those are not new. If I gain a reciprocal saw and a passport, I’ll be happy. But if I don’t, the world doesn’t end.
I’ll make my life better because I’ll be better for the people in my life. I’ll surround myself with people who get it, who get me. Who encourage me and strengthen me and love me and support me. I’ll reach out more when I need them. And I’ll reach out to them when they’re not reaching out to me. I’ll make girl dates with Pam and Megan and Lisa and Nancy and let them know how they affect me and challenge me to be better.
I’ll let my family know I’m proud of them. For all they do. I’ll make the efforts to let them know I love them. No matter what. Just because they are who they are. And that’s good enough for me. They are always striving to be better, and I appreciate each and every one of them. All the time. And I’ll be better at telling them so.
Reading is something I do but not enough. Two years ago, I challenged myself to read a book every ten days. What was I thinking? In 2014, my goal is 12 books. Total. That’s right. Just one book each month. If I read more than that I’ll count it as a bonus. 12 books in one year is 10 more than I’ve read since last Christmas.
I’ll work on my current writing projects without starting new ones. I’ll finish NOLA and Amara’s Light and Broken Girl. I’ll record episodes of Five Minute Faith. I’ll do whatever I can to be the Writer I say I am.
I’m going to be a better version of myself and make my world a better place.
Not new. Not different.
But fresh. Hopeful. Good.
And definitely
BETTER.
Do Something
What’s your word for 2014?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Following Fabian
You can’t see where you’re going if you’re always looking behind.
The Friday Five – STORIES
Amara’s Light: Book One of the Grenalia Chronicles
Doing Something. Good.
Mar 5, 2013 |
Before I devoted more efforts to my Unemployment Cookbook and other writing projects, I blogged much more regularly. From August 2011 through November 2012 I blogged every day. Every. Single. Day.
And while most of it was wonderful, you must admit, there were times when you, as a reader, weren’t too keen on the fact that I wrote every single day. Quality over Quantity was not always my motto.
Of course, now it is. Now, with the Cookbook in production, A Study on the Ten Commandments in pre-editing stages, joining the California Writer’s Club, working a full-time day job, Meal Planning and starting this year’s Housing Project, I’m busier than ever before.
My relationship with Dot has changed. She’s 18 now, an adult. But she’s still my child.
Me & Dot
Our time together is more precious to me as our conversations are deeper than before, and our outings more adventurous. I love hearing about her college experiences. I like a little less that she drives. A lot. She loves it. And I love having another driver in the family. But I dislike the whole waiting-up-until-she-gets-home-no-matter-what-time-it-is thing. [Side Note to My Mother: I am now, and assuredly will always be, grateful for the endless mothering moments you endured without losing your sanity. You are my example!]
So… as you can surmise, I most definitely have not been mindlessly blogging of late. Previously, on my Facebook page, I would link up the posts from a year ago any particular day. Since I haven’t been Blogging daily since the holidays, that little task went by the wayside.
As a way of getting back into Better Blogging, and to make up for that lack thereof, the following are a few links from the Year-Ago Files for the the month of February.
Happy Reading!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Teaching My Teenager How to Drive (Or, Rather, How She Taught Me to Teach Her)
“Life is What Happens When You Make Other Plans…” Yadayadayada…
A Good Name
Teeter><Totter
For The Birds
Unsure
This Thing Called Pinterest
Beholding Beauty
Mojo Book Review: “The Haunting of America” by Jean Anderson
Why Does Being Politically Correct Mean the Loss of Common Sense?
Davy Jones is Dead
Dec 12, 2012 |
My Word this week is “Better”. I opted to trade in my frustrations and instead look for ways to make things Better.
I can’t change other people: their actions, reactions, lack of action… but I can take what’s at my control and manage my life Better. Sometimes people need a nudge in the right direction… or a push out the door.
I can’t be sad when things don’t work out. If there’s one thing I’ve learned lately, it’s that things work out with or without my interference. The best that I can do is to make any situation Better.
Yesterday I was cold. So today I wore socks and my Tall Boots to work. You know what? I felt better!
My eczema has flared up. Oatmeal baths and lotion are starting to do the trick.
I needed to hear from a friend. So I reached out.
I had a question at work and the Boss wasn’t it yet. I called our Home Office and discovered it was a system glitch and not something I missed!
Maybe my Word should be “proactive”.
Nah. I like “Better”, better.
What’s your Word this week?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
“What’s the Word?” Wednesdays is a link-up that allows other bloggers and readers to share whatever they want to talk about. Think of it as a virtual coffee date with some great friends. What’s going on in your world? Tell us all about it!
A few things to remember:
- Each week’s link-up is valid from Wednesday through the following Tuesday. So if you link a post today, you can still come back and link another post tomorrow! In fact, you can link up as many posts as you want.
- If you add a link, please put the badge on your post as well.
- Each week has a new link-up. Please make sure you grab the correct Badge Code.
- Be sure to check out what others are posting, and even leave a few comments.
- You can now show your “likes” by voting for your favorite links.
So, c’mon. Join the conversation. After all, a great coffee date is one where everyone gets to chat, dontcha think?
Aug 12, 2012 |
My daughter has an iPhone 4S. She bought it with money she received for her high school graduation. I, having not graduated recently, still have my two-year-old Android.
In the past two months, I have grown convinced that an iPhone is the phone for me. And this is my official notice that it is now tops on my Christmas List this year. (Or, Hallowe’en treat. Or back-to-school special. Or just “I’m thinking of you NOW” gift, if whoever-you-are is feeling prematurely presentatious.)
The differences between my Droid and Dot’s 4S, in no particular technical order, are:
- My battery no longer holds a decent charge. It stays plugged in to the wall 3 times more often than not. Even after being replaced six weeks ago. Dot’s battery has lasted her through four days of camping. Granted, she turned it off, often. But I know dollars-to-donuts my Droid wouldn’t have turned back on after Day 2.
- Her iPhone camera is far, far better than mine. I’d rather not demonstrate. It’s depressing.
- My Droid freezes up often when texting, or opens random applications (Calendar or ColorNotes, for example). Dot’s applications work when, and only when, she wants them to.
- My Droid overheats. Often. Regularly. Her iPhone never does. Never.
- Where Dot has chosen some amazing games and applications, I worry about adding anything new to my Droid.
- Her screen is bigger than mine.
- Hers is white. Mine is the basic black/steel looking frame.
- The iPhone has iTunes.
- The iPhone has Siri.
- Since we are an Apple/Mac family, the iPhone would work better with my laptop.
- Since we are an Apple/Mac family, if I had problems with the iPhone, my brother (whom I affectionately refer to as my unofficial business manager and techie guru) can resolve any such issue. Notsomuch with my Droid.
- Instagram. Need I say more?
- Because I do so much internet/social media work, it’s essential for me to have a dependable
hand computer smart phone.
I asked friends if they preferred iPhones over Droids or other cell phones, and the overwhelming response was
“DUH.”
Which leaves me with this one last reason to save for an iPhone:
- Because I want one. Period.
My dear friend Lisa thinks Apple should offer me an iPhone for a product review. I agree. But that’s just me.
Are you listening, Apple? Hello? Just a bite? Please?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Feb 28, 2012
Remember when we were young and our imaginations let us be anyone, say anything, go anywhere? We held an altruistic view of life. We played Hide-and-Seek. Tag. Used crayons more than pencils. We jumped on the furniture and clung to walls so we wouldn’t get burned by the floor that had become lava in our minds. The only dangers were those we chose to create.
A friend was a friend. We had differences, we disagreed, we even quarreled now and then. But we were still friends. Our families were our safety nets and the place to try out new attitudes before going out in public. (“Seriously, you want to wear that to school today?!”) We knew our community was a safe place. We could walk to the corner market without adults, without being afraid. And we colored the world with rose-colored glasses.
What happened? It seems the world I live in now is full of darkness. People telling me I can’t make up my own mind. That I don’t always know what’s best for me and my family. That I just don’t understand how things should be done.
I don’t like to stir the waters. I don’t want to offend people or ignite fires when there needn’t be any. I respect opinions and others’ rights to think and feel. I like to keep the very important opinions to myself and my family.
Pick a topic, and the variety of responses are as abundant as there are people: Love, Hate, Tolerate, Accept, Disagree…
Politics.
Abortion.
Religion.
Economy.
Food.
Animals.
Love.
Parenting.
Working.
Playing.
Praying.
What I don’t get, is the two main thinking patterns that seem to be infiltrating our media today. The first is, if I disagree with you, I must be wrong. Period. The second is, in order to keep the peace, I must placate everyone. Everyone. Not just a few. Not just the majority. Everyone.
Being “politically correct” seems to mean we just don’t rock the boat. But sometimes the boat needs rocking. Sometimes we’re in stagnant waters and we need to fight our way upstream or get stuck. We’re so busy making sure everyone on the ship is having a good time that we don’t see the rocks we’re heading for.
I don’t mind honoring the rights of others, as long as it doesn’t mean taking away my own rights in order to do so. There’s a permeating sense of selfishness in the world today; a lack of personal responsibility; a lean towards entitlement. People wants what they want, when they want, how they want. And the louder the grumpy ones get, the more noticed they get.
It’s the quiet peacemakers that don’t make the headlines. The ones who we don’t pay attention to, who are really suffering. The outspoken ones, whether right or wrong, are the ones who get the attention.
We can’t trample on the rights of the few, so let’s suffocate our own rights in their place. It hurts someone’s feelings to be that honest, so let’s tell little white lies.
We live in a “One Size Fits All” World Market. The problem with that is, I’m not a world traveler. And I’m pretty sure my clothes aren’t the same as yours.
I think it does a great disservice when I see a trend in children’s sports to “reward” everyone. What are we teaching our children? That there are no real losers. That it’s okay if you don’t try hard enough, you’ll still be praised. Encouragement is fantastic. We all need it. But in order to have real winners, there has to be real losers.
We’re told to learn from our mistakes, to grow, but then we’re told our mistakes don’t really matter. So does it matter if we learn? Or can we just keep on doing the same things over and over, not really changing? Alcoholics Anonymous calls that the definition of insanity. How’s that for politically correct?!
People watch and read the news everyday, and are waiting for someone else to make things better, to come save the day. We’ve forgotten how to be our own Super Hero. Conflicts, falling economics, rising unemployment, hatred, racism, intolerance, attacks. Bloodshed. And some people are using any means possible to manipulate the masses. I see a lot of blame. A lot of scapegoats and excuses and finger-pointing. I don’t see a lot of responsible leadership.
Fear tactics are becoming a favorite of mainstream media. Story after story about how things are going to be. Not might be. Not could be. Are. As if we have no choice.
And we’re being trained like Pavlov’s dogs to just roll over and take it.
No wonder neighborhoods don’t know each other, trust each other. People are out to protect their own. We’re kicking in those survival instincts and taking care of ourselves. And only ourselves.
Community isn’t what it used to be.
But I refuse to believe I can’t make a difference. And I refuse to believe my opinion doesn’t count. Mostly, I refuse to believe that my corner of the world is going to hell in a handbasket because I choose to use common sense over false friendliness.
There are good and bad choices. There are better and worse things in life. There are black and white situations. And in between there is a lot of gray.
I don’t have the answers, but I don’t think any one person or group does. And I don’t think they should. I think we all contribute to the goodness around us. Or at least, I think we can, if we try. If we remember, we’re all in this together. For the good of the community. If we remember, that sometimes, not always, but sometimes, it is about them instead of us.
What goes around, comes around.
I’m gonna try to color my world a little better from now on. Don’t you dare tell me to stay inside the lines!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
