Sunday 1 January 2023

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





30 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to you and yours too Joy! Hope Beth has recovered.
    Many thanks for another year of your lovely blog and looking forward to many more ... you are so right, positive thinking is the key, although it can get quite hard at times! xx

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    1. She has. A message has just pinged through saying they'll be over this afternoon and can stay the night. I'm glad about that!
      It's not always easy, I agree. Sometimes it takes an act of will to make it so.
      xx

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  2. Happy 2023 and hope your visitors manage to come today. We slept undisturbed by fireworks last night-maybe a sign of the times that people don’t have money to waste! Another quiet day at home for us as the weather is dreich again but plenty to keep us both busy. Catriona

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    1. Yes, they're coming and staying overnight as planned yesterday - I'm so happy about that.
      Fireworks never bother me - one of the advantages of being pretty deaf without my wonderful hearing aids.
      We have semi-sunshine here today which is really nice.
      xx

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    1. Thank you, Brenda - and right back at you too. xx

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  4. Happy New Year to everyone. My plans for this year are to enjoy my garden as much as I can. Since September I have had so much to do, that only now can I look at it with fresh eyes. Already this morning I have watched 3 blackbirds tossing leaves over, a robin on my planters, 2 blue tits investigating my bird boxes not to mention the many pigeon visitors to my garden. A blue sky, birds and bulbs poking through - a great way to start the new year with the hope of brighter times to come.
    Suze x

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    1. That's beautiful - what a great plan. xx

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  5. Happy New Year Joy!! I hope it's a good one for you and your family :-) Positivity is a great 'word of the year' something I was definitely lacking towards the end of 2022 xxx

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    1. Thanks, Ali. It has helped considerably when things have been tougher. xx

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  6. Happy New Year. I love reading your blog because it is so positive. I often save it until last so I end my morning blog reading on a cheerful note. Jane

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    1. What a lovely thing to say, many thanks, Jane. xx

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  7. Happy New year Joy. Thank you so much for all the tasty meals you post on your other blog. I'll be watching that one closely while I aim to shed a stone by Easter.

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    1. Well, good for you, Cherie! Please do post comments too, if you would like to. I'd love to get a few comments on there.
      Good luck with your aim. xx

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  8. Happy New Year, Joy! I like your positivity word and being positive is so important, especially in these times. I am feeling better each day as I heal from Covid and today my husband and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary which is a milestone for sure. Hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful day together!

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    1. Many, many congratulations to you, Debbie. Very much a milestone and such a wonderful one too. Here's to the next forty!! xx

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  9. In common with lots of folk I'd like to be a little fitter - this year I really have no excuse as the puppy is now old enough to take on decent walks.
    I don't have a word for the Year but now that I'm emerging from the fug that is grief following loss of my mum I'll be trying to focus on kindness - both to self and others
    Happy New Year
    Alison in Wales x

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    1. They say a regular walk is one of the best exercises there is (that doesn't sounds correct, grammatically) so lucky puppy!

      Kindness is a great one - I think it must be very difficult to be kind to others if you're not kind to yourself - and the other way round too.
      I know that fug and send you understanding hugs and caring vibes xx

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  10. Enjoy that box of soap, sounds lovely! Happy New Year. Hoping 2023 is a good one for you.

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    1. Thanks - they do smell lovely. The same to you too. xx

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  11. Hello dear friend. Well another year has started and I know we will both look for the silver linings of life. Not always easy to find but not impossible.
    Look forward to sharing your blogging world this year.
    Love Beverley x

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    1. It can be hard but I think it pays dividends. xx

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  12. I think you already discovered mine on your blog travels - I have every intention of becoming as contented with life and my 'stuff' as both my grandmas. They had very little but loved their lives and lived them to the full. Looking forward to hearing how you get on with your positivity. Happy New Year xx

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    1. Yes, I have, and I love it so much. It doesn't have to be linked solely to New Year and, as I said, I think mine and yours rather go hand in hand with that third - positivity, contentment and consistency - oh and kindness as well. They're related, like pieces of a jigsaw, to build a picture. xx

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  13. Happy New Year Joy, and hope you are enjoying your rescheduled celebrations with Beth and Alex as I write this.

    I haven't found a one little word for this year yet. Something may become apparent as the year progresses but I have already worked out what I want to achieve this year so I'm not worried. I have found it extremely helpful in previous year and I hope your chosen word , 'positivity' helps you. It's a good choice. I've certainly found that actively looking for the positive and trying to rethink my attitude has helped me enormously and hope you also find the level of contentment that I have found. xx

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    1. When you catch it, you will know . . .
      Thanks, Eileen - yes, we had a lovely evening. xx

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  14. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, Joy!

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    1. And the same back to you, Nil - thank you very much. xx

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  15. Happy 2023...it is here. Thank you for your blog...for the fact that you do not whine, argue, complain...just upbeat...positive...so interesting...thank you again. I enjoy it so much.

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    1. It is. New Year at last.
      I'm glad you like my blog and thank you for all your comments. xx

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