Recipe for a Happy New Year

Take 12 fine, full-grown months. See that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, and jealousy. Cleanse them completely from every clinging spike; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness. In short, see that these months are as fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of time.

Cut these months into 30 or 31 equal parts. This batch will keep for just one year. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way), but prepare one day at a time as follows:

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution.

Then put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a jigger of laughter, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

Cook thoroughly in a fervent heat, garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy, then serve with sweetness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness and a happy New Year is a certainty.

~~Author Unknown

Five years ago today: New Thing #355--Auld Lang Syne

An Accurate Description?

A friend recently showed me this puzzle.  Within seconds I found the words amazing, proud, and strong.  Care to take a stab and comment on what you find?

Michael Josephson/whatwillmatter.com

Five years ago today: New Thing #353--Chill Out

Petite Predicament

One of the Christmas presents I received this year was a pair of black yoga pants. They're beautifully made out of heavyweight stretch material and have a nice flare at the bottom. When I tried them on they fit perfectly--except they were too long.

I'm 5 ft 6 in tall.  Regular-length pants used to fit me just fine. Recently, though, I've had a problem finding bottoms that don't require hemming...and I don't think my legs haven't shrunk!  After many frustrating sessions in store dressing rooms I came up with a solution that works for me.  I shop for pants in the Petite department. 

(According to Wikipedia, "a petite size is a standard clothing size designed to fit women of shorter height, typically 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) or less".  I'm three inches taller than that. Something doesn't make sense here.)

Today I took my long yoga pants back to the store.  Although they come in a petite version, they'd sold all the black ones, so I grabbed another color to try on for size.  Sure enough, they were the right length.  Since they didn't have what I was looking for in stock I figured I'd have to return my present and order the new ones from the store's website.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the store offered free alterations. 

I put the long pants on, had them pinned up to the right length, then left them at the desk.  They'll be ready to pick up in a couple of days.  I wish all my clothing issues could be resolved so easily!

Five years ago today: New Thing #351--Going Bananas

Pizza For Christmas

This year we celebrated Christmas differently. Because of scheduling conflicts the extended family got together last Sunday (instead of Christmas Day) for a big dinner and our traditional Rob Your Neighbor present exchange.

Today was just our family.  There wasn't anyone awake before dawn to see what Santa brought, but the early risers were moving shortly after 7:00; eventually they coerced the others out of bed.  A couple of hours later we'd had breakfast and were seated around the tree in the living room. We opened all the presents, ooh'd and aah'd at everything, then started playing with them.  It was really nice not to have to start hustling around getting things ready for a second round of festivities. 

Eventually it was time to eat again.  Since we'd already had a large Christmas dinner on Sunday, today we decided to go casual.  Yesterday Hubby Tony had picked up two half-baked pizzas from a local restaurant.  It only took five minutes to finish them in the oven.  Pizza, salad, and crudites made for a fine holiday lunch.

Five years ago today: New Thing #349--Swap It

Merry Christmas, 2013

I hope it's wonderful!

Five years ago today: New Thing #348--Dinero Deposit

Oy!

This is my third holiday season at the Customer Service desk, so I knew it would be busy.  I'd forgotten, though, how draining it actually is.  There are more people in the mall asking questions, and gift card sales have increased exponentially.  Each day I come home brain-dead, unwilling or unable to move.

Regularly scheduled blog programming will return in a week or so.  In the meantime, here's another holiday song for you.  When I heard it for the first time this season on the radio today I found myself dancing around the kitchen banging on an imaginary set of drums. Enjoy.




Five years ago today: New Thing #344--Commencement

Something Different!

When I walk into the mall to go to work I hear the Christmas music. It doesn't stop until I walk out at the end of my shift.

It wouldn't be so bad, but they play the same songs over and over.  Probably not obvious to the shoppers, even if they're there for several hours, but I'm at the Customer Service desk about 20 hours a week.  Each day I can count on hearing multiple versions of "Santa Baby", "Jingle Bell Rock", "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Do They Know It's Christmas".  It's enough to turn me into a Grinch!

So, here's one of my favorite Christmas songs I haven't heard at the mall this year!  Hope you like it, too.



Five years ago today: New Thing #342--Furbish

Fortunes

The other night Hubby Tony and I enjoyed carryout Chinese food for dinner.  At the end of the meal when we opened our fortune cookies Tony's said:

And this was mine:

Wonder what those words of wisdom will be?

Five years ago today: New Thing #340--When You Care Enough

Advent Of Midlife

I rediscovered this poem (originally received in an email in 2006) when I was cleaning up my Inbox today. It inspired me back then, and it still does today.

Advent of Midlife

I am no longer waiting for
A special occasion;
I burn the best candles on ordinary days.

I am no longer waiting for
The house to be clean;
I fill it with people who understand that
Even dust is sacred.

I am no longer waiting for
Everyone to understand me;
It’s just not their task

I am no longer waiting for
The perfect children;
My children have their own names
That burn as brightly as any star.

I am no longer waiting for
The other shoe to drop;
It already did, and I survived.

I am no longer waiting for
The time to be right;
The time is always now.

I am no longer waiting for
The mate who will complete me;
I am grateful to be so
Warmly, tenderly held.

I am no longer waiting for
A quiet moment;
My heart can be stilled whenever it is called.

I am no longer waiting for
The world to be at peace;
I unclench my grasp and
Breathe peace in and out.

I am no longer waiting to
Do something great;
Being awake to carry my
Grain of sand is enough.

I am no longer waiting to
Be recognized;
I know that I dance in a holy circle.

I am no longer waiting for
Forgiveness.
I believe, I believe.

 -- Mary Anne Perrone, published in National Catholic Reporter December 15, 2006

Five years ago today: New Thing #338--Fun On The Freeway

I Love A Parade

Last week a woman called me at the mall Customer Service desk and asked about the mobility scooters we provide for shoppers.  She said she was bringing a group of older ladies to the mall; could she reserve the units in advance?  I explained that they were given out on a first come, first serve basis, but if they were at the mall close to opening time I could practically guarantee there would be scooters available.

This morning about 20 minutes after the mall opened the woman showed up at the desk asking to borrow three scooters.  Her group consisted of her mother and several of her mother's sisters; each older woman seemed to have a middle aged woman with her.  (I didn't ask, but wondered if the younger women were all daughters.)

I got the scooters out and lined the units up one behind the other.  One person claimed each, and they were off. During the course of my shift I saw the group several times, usually riding one behind the other like floats in a parade.  Each time they looked over in my direction and waved before they chugged off into the sunset.

Source

Five years ago today: New Thing #336--Electrifying