Sunday, 01-01-23

 Good morning, one and all, and again a very Happy New Year to everyone.

It wasn't that long ago that I realised a 'word for the year' was even a thing.  It seemed a bit odd to me to define a forthcoming year in one word although I can see that having one or two specific foci in your mind as you start a new year can be very helpful.

I think back to the time when the world seemed to be closing down.  We had Brexit, we had a terrible government (still do, IMO, but let's not go there) and we had this virus thingy that was spreading round the world like wildfire, causing so many deaths it was designated a 'pandemic'.  We were locked down, shut in, isolated (some of us), Zoom was just a murmur on my horizon and - oh, dear.

It was then, I think, that I made the decision to work on positivity.  I've always been a fairly positive person but when so many things go wrong, it's hard to keep it up without a specific effort.  It wasn't New Year but it helped so very much.
It's been so helpful that I'm holding on to it - or, rather, keeping it in the forefront of my mind because it's pretty much a habit now so I just want to be mindful about it all.

So no 'resolutions', just an ongoing word (and an unrelated challenge in my other blog).

Yesterday did NOT go according to plan.
It was a very mild, very wet, rather windy day so no incentive to get out into the fresh air.  I pottered in the morning, tidied up, made up the beds in the spare room and generally got ready.  Sadly, Beth wasn't well so they are coming round today instead.
I spent the time nibbling stuff and watching more Christmas recordings and was fast asleep in bed well before midnight.
It seems to be a family weakness.  My late Mum used to get regular upset tums, as do Beth and I from time to time.  Just one of those things, I guess.

So today looks like being similar.  They're coming in the afternoon but might not stay overnight - I have asked and will get a reply at some point this morning.  Everything's ready so that's good - no bed making needed today.  I have a bit of ironing that I can do this morning and the weather forecast looks quite nice so I might very well go for a short walk as well.

This is today's  Twelve Days gift to myself.  It's a box with nine little soaps inside, bought, like the lemon soaps, in the Peaks while on holiday.

I dearly love a nice soap and these are gorgeous.  They're small, just right for hand basins or, as I like to do, putting out on top of the guest towels if I have a friend to stay.  It feels such a nice, welcoming thing to do, don't you think?  

So that's today's gift, a sort of repeat but also quite different.

Do you have resolutions or 'words for the year', challenges, goals or similar at the start of a new year?  I expect I will read about some of them when I go a-Blog exploring shortly.

Have a lovely first day of the New Year, whatever your plans.  Stay safe and well . . . xx