Late, as always...

Long ago, my mother used to say, "Carolyn is always late for everything, except for every meal." Alas, she nailed it, 100%. So there's no surprise in the fact that I am just now thinking about 2009, a year that is already a week old. Considering that I started this blog under the broad general heading of "beginning life anew," it seems that some thought is called for as a new year unfolds. So here goes.

1. Pray. Meditate. Listen. Help. No year that incorporates the big four can fail to be a good year.
   
2.  Exercise at least a little. Sofas do not improve anyone's fitness level. Walk five or six days each week. No exceptions for anything other than ice and snow. Figure out where I hid the dumbbells from myself and use the darn things. (People with replacement knees need strong arm muscles to get up off the beach in summer!)
   
3. Pay attention to my own "fuel" intake. Dessert is not a required part of any meal. Neither is wine, darn it. Remember this!
   
4.  Read more; watch less TV. Tivo is seductive, but also lures me back to the sofa. Refer to #2 above.
   
5.  Finish at least three projects already underway before starting anything new.
   
6.  Figure out exactly what income I need to retire altogether -- or how to live on  less and retire now.
   
7. Learn a new technique to add to my jewelry designs. 
   
8. Tune the hammered dulcimer and, this time, learn the location of all the notes before I get carried away with trying to play. After all, there is a reason why I can still play the piano after 20 years but cannot remember how to play the dulcimer after 1 year.  :-(
   
9. Take nothing for granted. Appreciate kind friends, good health and a loving family. Enjoying any part of what we have been given does not come with an unlimited guarantee. Don't put off getting in touch with friends whose health is not what it was, or traveling to see them. Memories last long after those we care about are gone. So does guilt.
   

OK, so that's only nine parts of a plan for 2009 rather than the traditional ten resolutions. Call it a 10% penalty for habitual lateness.