Wednesday, January 1, 2014

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



32 comments :

  1. Happy New Year to you and your lovely family. I am totally with you about making sweeping promises. I have to whisper ideas,resolutions,decisions gently so that they can permeate into my being.

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  2. Happy new year to you and your family!
    I am the same way with important dates…I know they are on the horizon but I seem unable to get a card in the mail.
    May 2014 be the year of the card!

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  3. A whole day is nearly done in this brand new year and I can say I paused a lot. Lot lot! So, I'm off to a grand start. I love your card idea and think we should all try a little more hand writing and a little less typing this year!!! Enjoy it all, dear Mel. x

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  4. I'm sure your new year will be wonderful with lots of exciting times ahead. Ours has started off with rain and gale force winds over here - perfect for a spot of knitting! No resolutions yet though - dangerous territory indeed! Jane x

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  5. I love getting cards in the mail. And I do continue to send them to close friends, and family. I've found that even though the friendships haven't changed, that people are just not sending cards like that used to anymore. A message on my wall on Facebook doesn't quite feel the same. So I hope others take on your resolution and make it the year of the card too!

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  6. Happy New Year to you & yes, NYE was a non event in our house too. I am sure 2014 will be a fantastic year for you and your family xx

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  7. Hey Mel,

    I watched back to back Sherlock episodes in preperation for the start of series three this evening. I embrace this part of middle age anyway! I made a concerted effort to send cards in 2013, and it gave me so much pleasure. It's so easy to txt or fb a greeting, the handwritten note seems to have fallen out of favour. I hope your handwriting is better than mine. I often have people phone me up to ask what was written in the card in the first place!!.

    Leanne xx

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  8. Happy New Year to you and your family Mel, I'm with you about cards, not too many people bother these days and I know it can be seen as wasteful but I love to send & receive cards and letters; so much better than an email. In 2014 I resolve to try to live more healthily and not be such a hypercondriac (although I've hardly moved today save to get another slice of carrot cake!)

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  9. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, Mel.

    I love receiving notes and letters but rarely do and I rarely write any either. My daughter Annie is the only one who writes to me regularly, short notes to say she loves me tucked under my pillow, or little poems that I find in my handbag. I love your idea to write to everybody you love this year and I am going to try and do this for my loved ones, too. A personal goal I have for this year is to become more confident and embrace the life I have with more joy and less worry. Always aiming for the stars I am....

    I take so much pleasure in reading your blog and I look forward to reading many more posts this year. Cx

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  10. I'm keeping the goals for 2014 simple and few.
    Your idea of sending cards is something I should get into too. There really is something very special, that brings a smile to your face when you receive a card in the mail.
    x

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  11. I think that this is the best resolution that I have seen or heard in a long time. It is something that will bring joy to you and others at the same time. I wish you every success with it! Happy New Year to you! xx

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  12. You and I are thinking along the same lines. I have spent the days since Christmas getting all my handmade cards in order with the VERY SAME idea. I have two whole boxes of cards ready to send for any occasion. Crunch time comes this afternoon when I need to make the first move and send birthday cards to two friends at church who I wouldn't normally send a card to. But with facebook there's no excuse for not knowing a birthday, and I intend to recognise every one of them! Well, that's the aim.
    I had to chuckle at your description of new year's eve. We didn't stay up for the fireworks but I was reading/snoozing in bed until almost midnight and now am not sure whether I was actually awake at 12.00 or not. We recorded the fireworks and watched them the next morning. Sad, isn't it? Wishing you all the best with your year ahead and would love to hear later on how you are going with your resolution!

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  13. Happy New Year Mel! I don't make new year resolutions, not because I don't think I couldn't stick to them, but because I never seem to have any right at the beginning of the year. Besides, they just seem like something I'd be set to fail at :-D

    Sarah x

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  14. Dear, wonderful Mel!

    I love the way you write; honest, candid, tongue-in-cheek and so very bright and cheery! I am hugely looking forward to following you and your family's adventures throughout 2014 thanks to this wonderful blog of yours.

    Happy, happy peaceful, magical New Year to you all.

    Stephanie

    ps New Year's Eve is not really my favourite day so we kept it fairly low-key with the children; card games, delicious food and plenty of laughter. I love the magic of Christmas and the run-up so much that December 31st pales a little in comparison. I DO love, however, the promise of a fresh start!

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  15. Happy New Year to you too! I don't make resolutions either but I like the idea of them. I love a handwritten card too and when we lived in the UK I was so good about sending cards. (Although since moving back to SA I've become awful at it!) x

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  16. Whatever adventure 2014 takes you on I'm sure you're up for the challenge.....happy 2014!!! :) x

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  17. Happy New Year, lovely! You are so not alone, I couldn't keep my eyes open on New Years Eve (made it till 10!) nor have I made resolutions - I never do, though. I try to keep growing & learning and remain productive all the time. It's important for many reasons. Your idea of sending cards is so simple and thoughtful, I love it. All the best for the year ahead, Mel - I hope it is another happy and productive year for you and your gorgeous gang! xx

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  18. A beautiful goal for a fresh new year.
    I must blow my own trumpet and say, I'm pretty good at this, bc I try hard to keep it up. I make the kids write to their grandparents and I always write hand written letters for birthdays and thank you cards for events like weddings etc.
    We must keep the tradition alive for our children Mel, go you good thing! xx

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  19. my New Years Eve was quite funny: we invited some friends for dinner and i was literally sleeping while eating (my five months daughter was way more awake than me!!). then i drank an espresso (i'm italian) and i couldn't sleep until 5 o'clock!! when i finally feel asleep, my little wake up for eating :(
    I'm still thinking about resolutions for 2014... with two little daughters there's no plenty of time left!

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  20. Happy New Year Gorgeous Girl!!!!
    I have a searing feeling of guilt whether I even sent you a Chrissy card!?
    But..... I'm completely with you on this one!
    Long live the written letter
    xoxoxoxoxo

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  21. Good luck with your cards. I like to send cards too, we have a lot of people who are not with us every day and a birthday card in the post is so much more thoughtful than a text. Always nice to let people know they're in your thoughts. Have fun with that. Wishing you every success.

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  22. A very happy New Year to you, Mel - I love your goal - I think reconnecting with friends and family in a simple way like sending an actual card is lovely! x

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  23. I'm exactly the same, Mel, both in terms of failing at massive resolutions and in sending out real tangible birthday/Christmas,etc greetings. I feel bad because, like you, I might think of someone dozens of times in the lead up to their birthday but then forget to send a card and have to settle for a text or an email. I think your resolution to send cards is brilliant and it really is the best way to maintain friendships in the long term and to make people feel special. I'm so happy I've found your blog. I've been browsing through and your photography is amazing. I've always wanted to visit Tasmania, so you'd better watch out - I might just have to come and visit from beautiful farm! lol. Wishing you and your family all the best for 2014.

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  24. I never make New Year's resolutions for fear of failure. I don't set goals of what I want to accomplish unless it's something that needs maintenance on the house ... like this year I would like a new garage door. I like your idea of sending cards for special occasions, I think that is something worth following you on ;) Wendy x

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  25. Gosh that's a pretty admirable commitment to make! I can't even manage to reply to all texts/emails. Go you. My commitments generally only apply only so long as there's no sickness in the house. And it's not raining. Or if I'm in a good mood. And there are no good books to read. So basically never. Except for this year when I'm going to do my best to keep one, and that's only buy ethical fashion. I suspect this will translate to just not shopping, haha. Happy New Year!

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  26. I like the idea of everyone getting a card. I want to make cards for people but lets just say that my crafting skill level is zero. I have just I have bought Christmas Card making supplies so I figure if i actually start in January or February I may have made a few cards (perhaps even some decent ones) by December.

    Good Luck with your goal.

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  27. I miss cards. For many years I didn't send Christmas Cards, just emails. However, this year, and last year I decided to write and send Christmas Cards, but most of my same age peers don't send cards.
    Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  28. Mel you are so right. My actions quite often are not in line with how I feel about people....cards to be sent this week.

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  29. I'm setting the bar even lower than cards ... I'm aiming for 'everyone gets a reasonably prompt answer to their emails' ... which means look in your inbox soon, just maybe not today!

    Seriously, I know exactly what you mean. I also think it can be too easy to neglect the folk we're sure of and who mean most to us in favour of all those we know less well who may take offence if we don't call, write, or remember whatever. I'm speaking for myself there of course ... I've definitely noticed myself doing that.

    Great post Mel x

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  30. I am finally getting a round to visiting again all the lovely blogs of my IG friends, what a wonderful space you have here, it's 2 weeks into new Year and my resolutions are going great, still!! I know! I'm as shocked as anyone.

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  31. That photo of your desk is really lovely - you are very good at creating and photographing vignettes Mel.

    I don't have any resolutions this year, just hopes and a vague sense that I need to embrace whatever comes this way. I really like your idea to resurrect the handwritten card. I always write and send Christmas cards - I love to receive them so it seems only right I make the effort to send them. And yes, I try with birthday and anniversary cards, but sometimes forget...I am guilty of the birthday text message. x

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