I had a quiet New Years Eve and did not even make it to midnight. I knew I wanted to get up fairly early to get ready for the trip back to Sterling on New Years Day. My sister drove me to the bus and as we loaded up all I could think was look at all the old people (snow birds) headed to Florida. Sure enough, as I listened to most of the discussions that's exactly where they were headed. They escape the cold of New England for a while and I don't blame them. I am a perpetually early person so I had time to walk at the airport and watch people. It was fairly quiet which meant no long lines at security. The flight was a little bumpy, but overall pleasant. Thank you to Mary for picking me up and getting me home.
It feels good to be home for a few days. It took me hours to get through the mail, but it was fun looking at the Christmas cards and cleaning out the sucker books. I don't know when companies will learn to stop sending out catalogs as they are such a waste of time/money/energy. I forgot to mention that the final count of 2015 calendars received by my parents from charity organizations was 35 - the majority were wall calendars, but a few were pocket size. I think what really amazed me that there were multiple calendars from the same organization. Of course, that made me think about how much money these charities are wasting with these type of mailings as I'm sure the majority do not receive any donations in return. I know that as I was in charge of my father's checkbook that no donations were sent because of calendars received. I started giving them away to anyone I knew that needed a calendar and took a few home with me. How did you handle the charity requests?
Well, did you make resolutions or goals? Or perhaps a commitment to something? I am not a fan of the pressure people put on themselves at the beginning of a new year. How many people commit to work out more? I know the gym will be packed tomorrow, but how many people will still be going in February and March? What does it take to make it real for you so it sticks? Perhaps some questions will help: 1. Is it personal? 2. Does it mean something to you? 3. What do you expect to gain from this resolution/goal/commitment? 4. Would it help to create steps along the way to check-in/re-evaluate? Is this something I can help you with through coaching?
I only have a few days this month to catch up with everyone and connect as much as possible. Of course, Friday morning I was at the gym and Frank worked me hard as I expected. I am seeing him Monday to get my butt kicked. I spent a couple of hours last evening with Diane as we caught up with our lives and families. I am having lunch today with the retired chicks! Tuesday I get my hair cut (it desperately needs it) - no color this time although I have threatened to add some blue. Tuesday is dinner with the Red Hat group. Between now and Tuesday I have to finish up the year end paperwork for my other business and get things in order for tax purposes. How are you connecting with the people in your circle?
Wednesday morning my friend Mary and I are starting our road trip to Florida for a couple of weeks. This is a trip we discussed as part of my retirement celebration and I am so looking forward to heading out. Of course, who knew my time since retirement would be spent living in two different states. We are stopping at Myrtle Beach so that provides me the opportunity to check on some work that was being done on the condo. I don't even remember the whole plan of trip except at some point I will be sipping a margarita or mojito on the beach in Key West at sunset. That has been on my bucket list for a while. What's on your bucket list?
My mom has been doing very well and even working on her physical therapy. She has been sleeping in and then getting up in good spirits. She does not yet that we traded in her car, but she does know something is up as she asks about her car almost every day. I just keep saying it is working fine or we parked it out back so you can't see it out the window. My dad surrendered his license on Tuesday. This is huge for anyone to do and I could not believe he did it. He told me to take him to the RMV and I did. I never pressured him or mentioned it as I knew his license would expire in the spring. He did this of his own free will and he has no idea how happy he made me. He still owns three cars and eventually will give them all away, but for now this is the way he wants it. Have you had to make any of these tough decisions? How did you feel?
I am grateful for my life and the people that are part of it. I am especially grateful for my sister who handles everything with my parents and deals with her own family all the time. If it was not for her, I would be spending the majority of time in Massachusetts and not heading to Florida. Who are you grateful for your life? Have you told them?
I finished reading "The Last American Man" by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is true story of Eustace Conway who has lived a self-sufficient life in the Appalachian Mountains for over 30 years. He left his suburban home at 17 to live in the woods. What are you reading?
I am going to end it here today. I hope you have a good week and do something fun. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
“Just know, when you truly want success, you’ll never give up on it. No matter how bad the situation may get.” - Unknown
“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” - Joshua J. Marine
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace & gratitude.” - Denis Waitley