10 Things about Winter

Every season this blogger and author does a post on 10 things she learned in that season. I have never read any of her books and only occasionally read her blog, but these posts ALWAYS catch my eye. I decided that this time I would try that idea. I am not linking up with her blog, because I rarely ever do that. However, I am going to share my ten things here.

Here are my 10 things learned in winter....



My first one is that winter definitely has a purpose in the balance of nature but also in my body and mind. Winter keeps the seasons in balance by keeping everything budding at the appropriate time and cooling the Gulf waters down which is very important in our neck of the woods. I didn't always like winter and dreaded it. I now see it is a chance to do a little less and go to bed earlier and just stay in. I now see the value in those things for physical and spiritual health. It still isn't my favorite season because of the lack of light, but I don't dread it like I once did.

#2 - I really really really need to try and slowly rearrange some of the winter appointments. I think there are just too many that come at once and it wears me out. Not just mine, but Mom's. It seems every winter we are going to something two and three times a week which just throws me off for some reason. Knowing that--- I am going to try and move some of them to later times and maybe not have SO many at one time.

#3 - Housekeeping is different either with age or not working outside the home. I think it is most likely a combination. Slow and steady is the winner rather than all out going for it on Saturday or any day of the week for that manner. I might not get that all at once clean feel but I get a good enough and everything picked up not so stressed feeling.

#4 - I simply must be more disciplined with diet. There are really no shortcuts for me. It is either follow the plan or feel less than. Now, I am not sure diet was the entire reason for my crash in thyroid this winter. I think that had to do with some other factors, but I am realizing that diet is HUGE! I didn't grow up with Lent as something we followed at our church, but I do love it for two reasons. It is a time to think about the upcoming Easter season rather than it popping up on you quickly. Same with Advent. AND...I like to focus on a reset of sorts as in this year making sure I eat correctly. Sometimes the reset is just to focus on something like prayer or a special reading in my Bible.

#5 - Decluttering is a process and there can come a time when you feel much better about things...like you really have achieved a better place.

#6 - With number 5 said, it going to be a reminder that I need to be very mindful about what I bring in whether it is home decor, clothes, crafts, etc. I will just go ahead and admit I was doing so good and then I didn't! I made a very poor impulse purchase last week. Yep! A poor one! I am not going to beat myself up, but it was way too expensive, didn't need it, and it didn't bring me joy at all. I am going to keep it out as a reminder of doing better. The purchase was a seasonal purchase, but it is probably going to stay out well past spring. We have a basket called the $40 basket at our house. This purchase is going to be similar to that. It might get a similar name. One time when we were first married and money was tight I got invited to a Longaberger basket party. I didn't have money to buy those at that point in my life and the cheapest one was $40. Y'all that was over 30 years ago. I felt awful not to get anything, so that was the cheapest purchase. Jeff wasn't mad but couldn't believe when it came in that it was so small. It was dubbed the $40 basket and still sits in our living room. Still called that:)

#7 - Watching dogs age is hard. Lemony has reached 11 years of age and apparently that is old for a Golden in this day and age. She is precious and lovable, but it is slowing down quickly. She has a bum hip and can't run anymore. Her heart wants to run, but her body says no. I am not enjoying the struggle for her. She is taking to her new bed a bit better.
Speaking of dogs...our first Springer Spaniel, Sally was a leap year dog born in 1984. We got her right after we married. She was about 10 months old. She was my first born. She welcomed home the real kiddos and lived to the ripe old age of 15. I had hoped she would make it to 16 but she said no. She succumbed just after her 15 birthday which we always celebrated on the 28th.

#8 - I am looking forward to spring gardening and yard work mainly because of some decisions I made last fall to downsize my load outside. It was such a wise decision. Less pots to maintain and try to water is going to be a BIG yes and getting rid of the roses was a winner. I actually don't miss the work that would have gone with them starting already. I can just stop in at the grocery store occasionally and pick up a few with a lot less work. The work outside now seems manageable and I find myself looking forward to the change.

#9 - I am so ready for light! Winter has its place and I am fortunate for a girl who is not a winter girl to live in an area where it is shorter lived. I am ready for the coming time change. I am ready and feel it will be a good thing for me.

#10 - I might be running out of ideas, but I am glad that I can see the benefits of winter EVEN though I am ready for spring.

And that my friends is 10 things I learned in winter.
Sandy