Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year!



Yowza! Yet another year has gone by the wayside, and here we are, starting a new one. But this post ain't gonna be a new one. (Sorry.) Another re-run. Next week... next week... I'll have something new for ya. Maybe...

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Thought for the day:  Cheers to a new year and another chance to get it right.  Oprah Winfrey

Janus  [Wikipedia]
This is the time of year I usually get a little two-faced. Like Janus, I find myself looking both backward and forward each time a new year begins. There's a certain sadness in closing the book on another year. A sense of loss for the people who've passed from our lives, nostalgia for joyous events now over and done with, and perhaps even a touch of regret for decisions made and opportunities missed. But, you know what? It's a BRAND NEW YEAR, people! It's okay to think about the past year, or even about all our past years, but let's not forget to look forward, too. If we spend too much time staring into the rear view mirror, how can we possibly appreciate the wide open road in front of us, and all the beautiful sights along the way?  Sure, we're all a year older, but doggone it, we're STILL Born to Be Wild. (sorta)



Okay, so we're not as young and fresh-faced as we used to be. Big whoop. We all have a brand new, soft-as-a-baby's-butt year ahead of us, and the possibilities are endless. We're all been given a clean slate, and it's up to us to grab the chalk and start scribbling.

I suppose the notion of a clean slate explains the age-old tradition of starting each new year with a long list of resolutions, and a determination to get it right. As Mark Twain said, Now is the time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.

Do you make resolutions? Not me. The only resolution I make is not to make any resolutions. I mean, why set myself up for failure? This would be me: Dear Lord, so far this year, I've done really well. I haven't overeatensaid anything stupid, forgotten anything important, skipped my daily exercise, or forgotten to floss. I'm very thankful for that, but in a few minutes, I have to actually get out of bed, and from then on, I'm probably gonna need a lot of help.

Oscar Wilde said, Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account. And, well, golly, I sure don't want to do that, now, do I? Better to make plans or set goals, but for me? Never, never, never call it a resolution.

[Morguefile image]


An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in; a pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.  Bill Vaughn

Whether you consider yourself an optimist or pessimist, 2014 is kaput. It's a clear case of in one year and out the other. Perhaps the champagne bottle is empty, and the candles extinguished, but there will be other bottles, and hope can always light the way, if you let it.

And, you know what? If you think about it, what lies behind us doesn't really matter all that much, and neither does what lies before us. When you get right down to it, the most important thing is what lies within us.





HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! [Morguefile image]

In the new year, may your right hand be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.

Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

60 comments:

  1. I forgot all about that video. I've run it before & I'll probably run it again!!

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    1. I think that video is a hoot, and have probably run it three or four times before. Maybe more. (And I'll probably run it again, too!)

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  2. Not only is 2014 kaput, its baby brother 2015 has joined it.
    Love the video. Not bored, but certainly tubby and mild. Ish.
    Happy New Year. And Happy each new day.

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    1. Yeah, boy, those years go faster and faster... HA!

      However, I don't think you're mild; I believe you're nicely seasoned with a satisfying bit of spice. :)

      Happy New Year to you, too.

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  3. Have a fantastic new year, Susan. Almost impossible to believe it's 2016. Sounds like something out of science fiction.
    A great time to celebrate the wealth of future possibilities.

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    1. Happy New Year to you, too, Jon. We saw it in with our friends in Tennessee, so we were practically your neighbors for a few days. :)

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  4. Have always envied Janus because he never had to deal with combing the back of his hair. All my best wishes to you and this brave new world.

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    1. HA! Good reason to envy Janus. I'm not much for "styling" my hair, either.

      Happy New Year to you, too.

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  5. Happy New Year to you and your family!
    I've always said I don't do resolutions, but this year I've found one that can't fail.
    I resolve to get older.
    Wiser is optional.

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    1. OY, that one about getting older is unfortunately one none of us can escape. (But we don't have to ACT it!)

      Happy New Year to you, too.

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    1. Same to you! (Only, um, I won't call you Susan... make that Marcy...)

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  7. Never call it a resolution is a good way to be indeed, pffft to those. Goals are fine though. Happy New Year!

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    1. Yep, there's a different perception between "breaking" resolutions and meeting or not meeting goals. It's the difference between breaking a promise, and doing the best you can. Happy New Year!

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  8. Bored, tubby, mild, that about sums me up after the Christmas festivities. The only resolution I have, is to resolve that our chocolate stash never runs low.

    Happy New Year Susan! Hope it's a beautiful year ahead for you and your family.

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    1. I'm a teensy bit tubby and semi-mild, maybe, but never ever bored. Keeping a stash of chocolate sounds like an ideal resolution. Easier to keep than most, eh?

      A very Happy New Year to you and Spawn, too.

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  9. Hi Susan - yeah - happy New Year to the spry youngies ... I'm not bored, sadly probably some degree of tubbiness is around! So here's to a year of song and dance, lots of life, with plenty of laughter and always smiling (well nearly!) ... I love River's thoughts .. I too resolve to get older and mine starts in 2 weeks - it's a bit unfair! But then I could be a year older if I'd been a December babe.

    Cheers and a very happy year ahead to you and Smarticus and the family ... Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary. No, I'm not bored, either. There's still too many things left for us to learn. :) Oh yeah, I'll drink to your year of song and dance, lots of life, with plenty of laughter and smiling... cheers! And a very happy new year and an early happy birthday wish to you, too.

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  10. Dear Lord, I'm sorry about last year and just to keep ahead of the game, I'm sorry for this year too. Nuff said.

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  11. Happy New Year Susan... the years do go by fast but I wouldn't trade the younger years for the knowledge I have gained. I too do not make resolutions... I just make changes whenever... it's not about a day for me xox. Have a really great year ♡

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    1. Happy New Year to you, too, Launna. You're right. Change isn't about one "special" day of the year; it's more of a lifetime commitment that can start whenever we're ready. :)

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  12. A happy new, soft-as-a-baby's-butt year to you! I like the idea of calling them "goals" instead of "resolutions." My goals are similar to Lily Jo's: eat more chocolate.

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    1. The same to you! Eating more chocolate is an admirable goal, because we stand a good chance of meeting it. :)

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  13. I swear this year went by so fast ! I loss it right around July !
    We all need a better year,
    Happy Happy New Year. I have loved and enjoyed your blog this year very much.

    cheers, parsnip and thehamish

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    1. I still think it's a conspiracy. I swear, each year goes even faster than the one before. (At least we get one extra day this year, though.)

      Happy New Year to you and your adorable little square dogs. May you all be healthy and happy this year.

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  14. I never cared for New Year's - I leaned toward the depressing side. Maybe that's from being in sales for a long time when everything went back to zero and it was "what have you done for me lately?". However, I try to reflect on how fortunate I am in so many ways, so I shall look forward and smile. Your blog has been fun. I wish you an awesome 2016.

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    1. Yes, yes, yes! Look forward and smile, Joanne! Phooey on any customers who gave you a hard time in the past. Tell ya what... let's ALL have an awesome 2016, shall we? Ready... set... GO! Happy New Year!

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  15. Your posts are absolutely rerun worthy--I love this one. Happy New Year! May 2016 be good to you and yours. :)

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    1. Thanks, kiddo. You always know just what to say. Hmmm, maybe you should consider writing books that can make every reader feel good... oh wait! You already DO! Happy New Year!

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  16. Hey Susan,

    Born to be Mild! Anyway, I'm more fresh-faced than I thought possible. I have fresh cracks showing up on my face on a regular basis.

    Nice recollection, Susan, of which, as per usual, I thoroughly skimmed through! Although, I reckon the past year was 2015 and it went kaput :) Yes, thanks for the rerun post. Sounds like a theme for yet another one of those ridiculous blog hops. The rerun post blog hop.

    Have a peaceful, positive 2016, Susan, your loved ones and of course, your zillions of adoring, starstruck fans.

    I'm outta' here...um, let me OUT!!!!

    Gary :)

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    1. Hey, Gary.

      Happy New Year to you and Penny. May 2016 be a bright and shining year for you and all of YOUR starstruck fans. :)

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  17. Loved this post. Hope you had great holidays. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks! I hope your holidays were fabulous, too. And a very happy new year to you.

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  18. No resolutions for me. But this year, even though I am a northern girl, I made "Hoppin John" on New Years for good luck and prosperity. Hope it works. Happy New year to you, Susan.

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    1. Hoppin' John sounds GREAT! I hope it does the trick for you. :) Happy New Year!

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  19. I hope 2016 is a great year for you! :-D

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    1. I hope it's a great one for you, too, Mischa. (With a successful book launch!)

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  20. Happy New Year!
    I set goals, which I guess could be resolutions - I love setting goals, love achieving them even more. And I love the beginning of a New Year - more to achieve, dreams to make real. My cup runneth over! Too optimistic? Probably, but why not? I'm just not ready to throw in the towel, yet, despite the political shenanigans currently taking place and about to get worse. :)
    God save us all!

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    1. Happy New Year to you, too!

      Too optimistic??? There's no such thing. (Remember? I'm a pathological optimist...)

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  21. Great post, Susan! I like your idea of making plans and setting goals. Just because we fail one day, it does not mean we won't be successful the next. Wishing you all the best in the new year!

    Thank you so much for your reviews of my book on Amazon and Goodreads! I'm very grateful for your kind words. :)

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    1. Thanks, Connie! Plans and goals are a much better "fit" for me. Resolutions are a little too tight.

      'Twas my pleasure. Thank YOU for writing such an enjoyable book of poetry. :)

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  22. Happy New Year! Hope 2016 treats you well... :)

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  23. Happy New Year and may it be good. I also don't tend to make resolutions, but I do set goals, just not at the end of the year.

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    1. Happy new year to you, too, Sage! Yeah, I know what you mean. Goal-setting is kind of an all-year-round kinda venture.

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  24. Happy New Year, Susan! I don’t make resolutions. I try for goals, but I’m behind this year. In fact I just ordered a calendar for 2016 after realizing December 2015 was still up on the fridge. I’ll catch up eventually.

    That video never gets old (pun intended).

    May your 2016 shine!

    VR Barkowski

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    1. Happy New Year! I have new calendars, but I haven't even opened them up yet. I still need to add all of the birthdays, anniversaries, etc. so I don't forget any of them.

      May the new year shine brightly for all of us. :)

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  25. Happy New Year.

    I look back on the good and the bad and look forward to the good. I focus on doable goals.

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    1. Happy New Year to you, too, Medeia.

      You are the queen of making and meeting goals, hands down. :)

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  26. Happy New Year! It's going to be the most epic one thus far, right?

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    1. Happy New Year to you and your family, too, Crystal. Yep. Epic. I like the sound of that. :)

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  27. O que nos faz amigos é essa capacidade de sermos muitos, mesmo quando somos dois.
    Pe. Fábio de Melo
    Obrigada querida por compartilhar comigo 3 anos do Algodão Tão Doce!!!
    Um doce abraço, Marie.

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    1. Congratulations on three years of blogging! May you continue for many more years to come. :)

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  28. Wishing you much joy with this New Year!

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  29. Happy New Year and all the best for 2016!

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  30. Happy New Year and all the best for 2016!

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