2014 - Everyone Gets A Card!

Happy New Year everyone! 

Did you welcome the new year in with bubbles and fireworks or did you fall asleep on your knitting like I did? Daniel and I are utterly shattered, the fun and frivolity of the past couple of months finally catching up with us. Actually, we had some friends pop in later in the evening, but they were completely fine with me dropping off mid sentence and abruptly waking when a knitting needle stabbed my cheek. They were equally shattered. We were kept awake by the 3 back to back episodes of Sex In The City that were on the TV before tuning into the Sydney Fireworks and final 60 second countdown to the new year. We mustered up enough energy for celebratory hugs and kisses before our friends bundled up their sleeping children into their truck and drove home. I was out like a light at 12.05. Hello middle-age.

I'm looking forward to this year but I won't be making any massive resolutions, at least not today. History tells me I'm quite a failure at them. You may recall that 2013 was to be my "Year of Consolidation". I can almost hear your snorting from across the Pacific. Let's not count the multitude of ways in which 2013 was anything but a year of consolidation for me. It's embarrassing. At last count there were 15 dot points. With a 5th baby fresh into the world and a massive farm project coming onto the agenda I seriously don't know what I was thinking coming up with that one! 

Quite the contrary, 2013 was a year of expansion, not least with the expansion of my waist. My assertion that I'd be running alongside the Whippet by Christmas with my new fitness regime of Yoga and Spin classes is just another example of why I won't be making any more sweeping statements like this on the blog. Did you see the new Ice-Cream maker in my last Post courtesy of the Grandparents?  Dangerous territory folks! 

I do have one specific desire for the year and in the spirit of self-preservation I'm setting the bar quite low. In 2014, everyone will get a card. Yes, I'm bringing back the hand-written card, something I love doing and used to do religiously. Birthday cards. Congratulations cards. Thinking of You cards. Get Well cards. Thank-You cards. Christmas Cards. Friends and Family have sometimes been subjected to the token phone call or text message on their Birthdays, sometimes not even on the actually day. The sad and annoying thing is that I always remember birthdays and special occasions, usually weeks in advance. They are important to me. I think about sending off a card and then I let life get in the way and then the day comes and goes. My behaviour is not reflective of how I feel about them and so this is what I will focus on this year - letting people know how much I care about them, in a way that is more reflective of how I actually feel about them. Speaking of which, thank you to YOU, for your support and friendship over the past year. I know I've said it before but I am truly grateful for the friendships I've made through this little blog of mine and I'm looking forward to continuing the journey with you in 2014.

2014 has already got off to a good start. I found myself alone in the house for a few hours today while everyone was at the Cricket. I resisted the very vague urge to clean the house uninterrupted and instead gazed lovingly at all the empty white boxes of January in my new Frankie Calendar. I love January for this very reason - not a single appointment or place we need to be until the children start the new school year in February. I then made another cup of tea, picked some Lamb's Ears that are currently in flower and then faffed about making my desk look pretty. I did a spot of knitting and oh, how wonderful it feels to pick up the knitting needles after such a long absence.

What about you - any specific goals or resolutions for this year? Apparently only 19% of people are successful with their resolutions so if you want to be one of them you may like to read this article. I'm pretty sure my resolution of giving cards has all the basic ingredients of a good goal.

Whatever your goals or dreams for the year are, I'm wishing you and your families a very happy and healthy 2014.

Mel xxx