It is that time of year when we talk about New Year's resolutions and such. I knew I would be late to the game on this sort of thing and I do love this type of thing. I am very much a thinker.
Between sickness for me and the family I knew it would slow me down. We took the week after Christmas to go to Auburn and it was so good for me. I look forward to our visits to our second home to recharge. It is such a different setting than our normal environment here in Florida. You see the seasons in a more traditional sense there. We see seasons here in northwest Florida but through a different lens. Anyway, I rested lots which I needed. I knew I would come back to keeping more than one kid for a day or two and I would tire quickly.
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| The trees in Auburn are more like a typical view of the season. |
I asked for a cross for Christmas. We have one like the picture below in our home here and I just wanted something in our Auburn home. Our good friend makes these as well as many other things for a hobby. I thought it went well with the pictures just around the corner from it on the adjacent wall.
I have been busy thinking in between all the life stuff. I like to think of changing things in a more seasonal setting. I think each season is a good time to evaluate and to take a bit of time to reset when things are not going like you planned or let some things go that weren't working.
I do have some things that have been calling my brain. Things I want to change or add and things I want to try and eliminate from the routine.
Now for some of my resolutions, goals, seasonal reset ---thoughts.
The evenings -
I want to continue trying to keep my mind active through January and most of February and not fall asleep at 6:00 PM. Anyone else?
I have made a list of things I want to accomplish similar to the ancestry book I worked on in December.
Family Time -
I want to get Palmer out once a month on Fridays. That day is review day at his preschool and I just really want to do something special with each child...not always in a group where I get tired quickly. My goodness ---aging is real folks.
I want to eat lunch with Tucker once a month on another Friday. He won't always welcome that, but he is still excited about the idea.
I want to give Paul Allen and Katie a date night once a month on a Friday. Lindsay and Tyler are much better about this than Paul Allen and Katie. Mostly I think they are just sleep deprived. We did this last Saturday and I could look at Katie's face when they returned from eating a pizza without kids and I knew we needed to do this. It was fun too for Miles and Valerie and we enjoyed them.
Mostly I want to remember to do things that are helpful and good for the kiddos. I KNOW I need to take care of myself, but I want to spend time with them.
I also need to help Lindsay get healthy. Getting healthy can begin on ANY date. Mine started November 4, 2015. It is important.
I had a long thinking session about my physical body. I am trying something NEW. I will give it some time and let you know if it is successful. It involves less rather more.
Hotspots -
I want to work on some hotspots in the house. Places that just don't make me happy when I walk into the room and don't work as well as I want. One is here ...
This room is such a blessing and it stays too messy and honestly I am trying to do too many things in here. I am going to really try and pay attention to things over the next couple of months and rethink the organization in there.
The cross stitch in the above picture is still sitting in that same spot. After realizing I was rushing things with it and that I wasn't going to gift it I let up on the quick finish. I have sewed cording around it and tabs to hang it on a dowel, but I have not stretched out the edges for the cording nor painted the dowel that is cut and waiting to hang it on... Need to get that done.
I have started a new stitch. I will update on that later.
About blogging.
I am going to share less pictures of my grandkids...
OR at least I am thinking that right now.
Blogging is such a weird thing and with AI and all the things coming along my mind spins sometimes.
Anyway, I am thinking pictures of the grands are what my blog is now mostly and maybe that is not a good idea. I am praying about it. It is something I am deeply pondering.
Do people read blogs with no pictures anymore?
I know I have a few friends that I would be so sad if I didn't hear from anymore. I have followed along for a lot of years. I just need to think on this as the world spins a little faster these days.
As I sit here typing I have a digital frame that the kids gave me years ago. I upload each month's pictures on the last day of the month. I am seeing the snow from a year ago. Valerie was born just before the snow. The grandkids will probably never see that kind of snow again.
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| The morning of January 22, 2025 AD |
If you haven't stopped reading by now with few pictures, I am still going to blog, but rethinking the kiddos. It is a journal in some ways but maybe less in the picture department.
Until next time,
Sandy
Yes, the prevalence of AI does brings thoughts of apprehension and questioning what is wise now as opposed to a few years ago. I wonder, too. My blog has had fewer pictures of people outside of the two of us, and (in some posts, anyway) fewer pics of us.
ReplyDeleteI have been using more graphics on my blog posts, too, from FB and other sources, when they communicate something I want to emphasize. That seems to be received well, from the comments people are giving me.
I suspect readership will decrease if we reduce photos too much. When we have a lot of blogs we want to follow often, there just isn't enough time to read every jog and tittle but pictures can speed that along and still communicate our message.
I hope everybody continues to recover, and to get all the way well.
The new cross is beautiful and looks very good where you've hung it.
I love the cross, Sandy! Very nice. I purchased one at one of the craft fairs I went to in December and love it. It feels right to display a cross in our homes. I think a mixture of blogs with photos now and then, with more words in between is a good balance. I tend to do that because I don't always have pictures to share. I also use my blog as my journal. Just keep posting because I would miss you if you weren't here!! xo
ReplyDeleteI am also focusing on some areas in my life that need a reset. Reading is one of them. I let stitching take over and I so love a good book. Getting healthier is a big thing as we age so that is on my list as well. I quit drinking sodas....maybe I will have an occasional one but more water. I think I can tell a difference already. The cross is the perfect size and shape. As for blogging...I would read without pictures.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your posts and I love the pictures. I am more of a visual reader and writer. I've always said "a picture is worth a thousand words", but I do tend to maybe use too many pictures. I don't know, I think we each have our own style and what works for us. Personally, I love to see pictures of where people live and what they are doing. It just makes it more personal and interesting to me. But like I said, everyone is different and we each need to do what feels right for us. Either way, I look forward to hearing from you. Your ideas of taking the grandchildren out for lunch or to do something special for them is really nice, and then doing the date night thing for the adults is really nice too. I am sure they appreciate it!! Just be sure to take some time for YOU and your hubby too!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and be blessed.
Sounds like a thoughtful and promising start to the new year.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
First of all, I wish for you an easier 2026, Sandy, filled with healthy, happy days for each member of your beautiful family. I don't make resolutions--just try to do my best each day to be kind and live a happy life. I had to laugh at your comment about a 6:00 pm bedtime. I'm a night owl these days and rarely go to bed before midnight! It's a bad habit I've fallen into, but I don't seem to be tired the next day when waking before 7 so I guess I'm getting all the sleep I need. Yes, photos of family members are a definite concern. I always ask my son before posting the grandkids and don't post very often. It's a scary world out there. He is a computer professional so when the time comes that he says "no more," I'll certainly follow his advice. You can always post photos from the back or with faces blurred, too. I'll continue to read and enjoy either way :) ♥
ReplyDeleteI love your new cross! Yes, it looks very nice there...with the photos around the corner. I enjoyed reading through your resolutions. I always make resolutions (and not sure why so many are against them) and am often inspired by what others are thinking. Thanks for sharing. And I have to say that I agree, less photos of cute kiddos is probably a wise idea. This cyber world requires all the caution you can give.... Enjoyed your post. Happy Thursday to you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy: I do not make resolutions, I am one that falls back on what I know well, its just easier for me, but I plan on keeping 2026 at a year of keeping up my health.
ReplyDeleteI am like you I have hot spots that need attention, the Cross is beautiful, perfect spot as you come in the door, we touch our Cross entering and leaving or giving it a look of love.
I rarely share photos, I too am worried about AI, its is not something I am wanting to use unless I need too.
Love the Twelve Days Of Christmas design.
I do read blogs without photos, some are religious, some are just information.
I hope you have a great week.
Catherine
I forgot to mention that it is a good thing for a couple to spend time together without the children, it is very healthy for a relationship, also still having Lindsey on my Prayer list.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
This post has made me consider my own blog - like what is its purpose? I love to read stories people write (about their lives), and I think some pictures are always nice, sprinkled amongst the words. Mostly, I treat my blog as a place where I record things (more than trying to think of things that might interest others). I often go dry, though - as in not having inspiration for writing. Sometimes that's because I'm busy. Sometimes it's because I'm lazy. Sometimes I'm simply preoccupied. Whatever the reason, I almost always get to the place where I don't think I have anything interesting to write about. I'm just rambling a bit, Sandy. I think it's good to take stock of these things from time to time. Our lives change, and it makes sense that our blogs will change over time, too.
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