New Year's Resolutions 2016

Same old, same old

Happy New Year! We're still recovering from last night's festivities, but I have been thinking about my New Year's resolutions a bit. It's not difficult. One thing about my New Year's resolutions, I'm consistent. I always resolve to do the same things and I rarely accomplish them. Take a look at my 2015 resolutions, for instance, four simple items …

Resolved for 2015 ...

1. Lose some weight by eating healthier (and less!) and avoiding junk food
2. Exercise regularly … especially back exercises
3. Finish and publish another book … a cookbook, maybe?
4. Be kinder and better-natured – I have the propensity to be more cranky the older I get

Sad to report, these resolutions look suspiciously the same as 2014, 2013 and 2012. Had I resolved to gain 10 pounds this year, not finish a book and exercise irregularly or not at all, I'd be happily resolved and totally pleased with myself. I'd still be working on the kinder, better-natured item.

So for 2016, I'm really getting down to business and the list is a little longer. Resolved …

1. Lose weight … eat less, eat healthy, less alcohol, blah, blah, blah
2. Exercise … walk, floor exercises, blah, blah, blah
3. Finish a book … I have four started. You'd think with a whole year before me, I could get one finished, huh?
4. Work on the new website. I have a mental block using the new software. I need to get past it. I was thinking if I promised myself a tasty snack every time I finished a page, that would be a good incentive, but then resolution #1 goes out the window again. An unresolved conundrum!
5. Continue writing a daily blog … this one's easy that's why I included it.
6. Be kinder, gentler and better natured … one can only accomplish so much in a year's time, but I plan to keep trying.

This year, David added his own resolutions …

1. Eat healthy and smaller portions
2. Write a blog once a week
3. Finish a book
4. Quit smoking

“But, David, you haven't smoked since 1980.”

“Yeah, I figured I needed a ringer.”

Check back in about a year...we'll see how we did.

Please resolve to travel with us in 2016.

Happy New Year everyone!

First Snow, Last Day

New Year's Eve 2015

It was 70F on Christmas Eve, unseasonably warm for New England at the end of December. In fact several local temperature records for warmest December on record have been broken here in Massachusetts. Well, that's all over. The last days of the year are living up to expectation. We've just had our first snow of the season … an inch or so … and the temps have dipped below freezing. It's pretty, but we forgot how much we dislike the cold.

The roads have been slippery and there's lots of black ice. The Massachusetts DOT reminded us to drive carefully. Good Lord, if they only knew we've been driving on the left side of the road for the past couple of years on dry pavement, they'd probably suspend our licenses. We haven't mentioned it to anyone.

We have plans for New Year's Eve. We're heading north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire for their First Night celebration. That means that we'll be outside walking in 30F temps, trying to stay warm for the last few minutes of 2015. Lin had points for free Marriott rooms, so there's no driving involved and the festivities occur within a few blocks of the hotel. There's a street dance, ice sculptures, stargazing and fireworks to keep us amused.

We have reservations for a late night dinner at Martingale Wharf where we intend to thaw out, dine in elegant style and ring in the New Year.

Hoping your New Year's Eve

is warm and wonderful.

Boxing Day 2015

Boxing Day, December 26th, is a national holiday in many British Commonwealth countries. It's not celebrated very much in the USA although my sister, Lin, celebrates it in fine fashion visiting or hosting friends. The tradition stems from “Christmas boxes” or presents given to servants the day after Christmas (because, of course, they had to work on Christmas Day). Many servants also had the day after Christmas off to spend time with their own families.

Boxing Day allows an extension of the Christmas holiday and some recovery time before the New Year's celebrations. With Christmas on a Friday this year, everyone gets a long, long Christmas weekend. Time to get away on a holiday or spend more time with friends and family. If you're in the UK, perhaps you might go on a fox hunt. Here, sports and after- Christmas-sales shopping seem to be high on the activities list.

It's also the start of the Sydney-Hobart race. A few years ago, we were at Sydney Heads on a friend's boat as the race participants flew past on their way to Hobart. The following year, we were in Hobart to watch the racers arrive. This year, we'll have to be content to see the results on the Internet.

As for us, we'll be busy entertaining more family and friends at Lin's house. The festivities are never-ending. We'll cook some more, eat some more and drink some more and then contemplate our plans for New Year's Eve … and beyond.