Wistful Wednesday

Holiday Hangover

So we remembered what we were thankful for over an overstuffed turkey and too many side dishes to be consumed in one sitting. We celebrated the birth of one of the most popular men in biblical history by giving gifts we couldn't afford, thereby setting up a debt that will ring us into the new year, which we welcomed with the world's oldest teenager and a large crystal ball. Now all that remains is remnants of the holidays in the form of turkey soup mom made and froze for later consumption, a Christmas tree that needs to come down but you lost the ambition half-way through the ball dropping in Times Square, and the total let-down when you realize the holiday season is over. 

I call this the Holiday Hangover. That lull between New Year's and the next excuse to buy something for someone you love because nothing says "I love you," like a gift they really don't need - you might recognize it as Valentine's Day. Do you get restless during that time? Bored? Listless? And what is it about us that makes us want to celebrate Every Little Thing with an expensive gift, a ton of food, and excessive drinking? Whatever happened to just Being Together?

I don't know about anyone else, but for me, this lull between holidays always gives me time to think and reflect upon the year just past, the holidays just celebrated, and makes me wonder if they were all worth it. Did I really have to make that huge turkey for five people? Did I really need the stress of worrying that I couldn't afford to buy gifts, or that I'd ring in the new year alone? In a word: No. But I did it anyway. Do I have any regrets? Only that I stressed so much about the gift thing. Turns out, everyone loved the gifts I made them. Will I do it all again? You bet.

Same time, next year.

Wistful Wednesday

In With the New

It's really hard to believe that we are just days away from the start of a new year. But I am trying to take a positive view of this, starting with how I worded that sentence. I could easily have written "the end of the year," but that has some negative aspects to it and I want to send a more positive message. And what could be more positive than new beginnings?

I used to dread this time of year because it's a time when you take stock of the things you did - or didn't do - in the previous twelve months and focus all of your attention on the things you want to accomplish in the coming year. That's a lot of pressure. What if you didn't do what you set out to do the previous year? Does that make you a failure? Worse, what if you did - how do you top that in the new year? And whose great idea was it to make New Year's Resolutions anyway? We are just setting ourselves up for failure because we often choose goals that are grander than our capacity to meet them. Yeah, what's not to love about that?

Well, a few years back, I made my final resolution and I'm happy to say that I've kept it every year since. That resolution is...to not make a resolution. Why say I'm going to do something that I'll only abandon six weeks into the new year because I set my standards way too high? Why start the new year off with a failure? I'd rather make realistic, attainable goals. So that's what I've been doing for the past five years or so. Setting out New Year's Goals for myself. The goals may be altered or postponed, according to circumstance, but never truly abandoned. Why? Because I don't put pressure on myself to achieve them like people tend to do with resolutions. Drop 40 pounds by bikini season? But there's still that big party on New Year's Eve, then the Super Bowl - what if my team makes it in, got to have a snack fest. And then there's Valentine's Day - chocolate! - St.Patrick's Day - love that corned beef - and Easter, all that ham and the pea soup that follows and, oh my gosh, I couldn't possibly start a diet until...May. Think I can drop 40 pounds in a month? Oh, why bother? June is the beginning of barbecue season, then there's the big 4th of July feast, and the next thing you know, it's Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas and you're making a resolution you're not going to keep for a new year you're beginning to dread because you didn't accomplish anything the previous year!

So that's why I don't make resolutions anymore. Are you with me? Let's start a revolution - the No Resolutions for the New Year Revolution! Let's start by ringing in the new year with no added pressure on ourselves - just enjoy it. Enjoy the people you're spending it with, remember the people you wish you were still able to spend it with, and be grateful you're still here to see another year ticked off the calendar of life.

Wishing you the very best in the new year, Margay

Twilight Thursday

No matter where you are or how you celebrate it,

have fun ringing in the new year!

While many of you will be
cracking open champagne,

sparkling cider, or sparkling grape juice,

I will be sharing some tasty Unibroue Quelque Chose

and some other tasty craft beer at home with my husband. 

Now matter who you're with, where you are or what you drink tonight,

Please be safe and think before you leave - Take a bus, a cab or have a
designated driver who stays sober.

Remember, it's not just you on the road,
but someone else's parent, child or sibling too.

Thank you, have fun and be safe!!!

I've told you my plans, so what are yours???