Resolving

Hello on the 2nd day of January.  I am hoping the snow will start to melt today.  It was pretty but it's time for it to go. 

It's nice having the day after New Year's off.  I stayed in bed till noon reading.  That to me is the ultimate luxury.  I am reading Pictures of You by Carlokine Leavitt.  So far, I can recommend it, if you like reading about death and grieving.  I also enjoy mental health related fiction and psychological suspense.  Memoir is good, too.

Since I forgot to give you my list for the best books of 2010 (that I have read), here it is.

BEST BOOKS OF 2010



The Seventeen Second Miracle Jason F. Wright


The Saints and Sinners of Okay County Dayna Dunbar


Flowers for Elvis Julia Schuster


The One Hundred Foot Journey Richard Morais


Beautiful Maria of My Soul Oscar Hijuelos


The Madonnas of Echo Park Brando Skyhorse


Tattoos on the Heart Gregory Boyle, SJ**


Cutting for Stone Abraham Verghese


The Murderer’s Daughters Randy Susan Meyers


The Weight of Silence Heather Gudenkauf


A Reliable Wife Robert Goolrick


The Clothes on Their Backs Linda Grant


Someone Will Be With You Shortly Lisa Koogan






** must read

Actually I didn't get to read much last year.  With moving the office and my home and a bit of traveling, I didn't have much time. 

Which brings me to resolutions.  I have made a few and you can hold me accountable if you like.

I RESOLVE:

1. To Read Regularly - nothing is more off putting than not finding a good book or starting one you think is going to be good and find it isn't.  It is also difficult to start another book after finishing an especially excellent one.  And when I can't find one, I tend to waste time.  So this year, I promise to not get discouraged and to keep on track and explore books till I find the right one.  Because reading brings me joy and when I am not reading  and I piddle around I get irritable and I don't like me that way.  So far I have a good start. 

2.  Be Creative - I FINALLY have my craft room ready to go. It was the last room to get organized and at last it is.  I would like to have a bigger table, but I can make do for now.  I will still be making cards, but mostly I will be sending them to organizations who distribute them to veterans, active military and nursing homes etc.  I want to branch out into collage, and making little boxes of amusement and who knows what else.  There are tons of good ideas in the magazines Memories, Apprentice, and Cloth Paper Scissors.  I have stacks of them ready and waiting for me. 

3. Try To Be A Neighbor - I am not even hoping to be a good neighbor, but I would like to know the people who live near me.  I usually never care who I live next to. Rarely remember their names. I work so much and stay inside all the time that it hardly comes up.  But this year I am going to make an effort.  I already know my neighbors to the south (because they initiated it) and have waved to two others. 

4. Sail On An Even Keel  - My emotional range is several octaves.  It can change within minutes or hours.  The reason is partly due to the fatigue I experience with Fibromyalgia.  I can start out with a seemingly good day, pain around a 2, fair amount of energy, and it can quickly dissolve into extreme fatigue which makes me discouraged.  Nobody usually knows this because I have learned the magic of a smile.  I hate complaining. 
Other times, I feel like I am going to have miserable day and after my shower, I perk up and feel like doing something. So I am going to begin meditating and seeking serenity so my smile doesn't have to be fake some of the times. Pray for me in this endeavor.

5. Be Efficient at Work - I am really going to try to not let myself get behind at work any more.  I have wonderful Avis, my medical assistant and now that I don't have to do two jobs any more, I should be able to do one job in the amount of time allotted.  That way I won't be so exhausted, and I can function better and love my work more. Pacing oneself and keeping to a schedule are essential to anyone with Fibromyalgia, so I will have to get back to practicing what I preach.  While my internal clock is set for noon to midnight, the world's clock is set for 8 to 5.  So until I can retire, I will have to work at living the life I have been given.

Five resolutions is probably enough.  I might think of more, but they will be minor ones.  Let me know your take on resolutions.

Tomorrow, my theme for the year.

Blessings and peace for your hearts.