It’s the New Year, y’all!

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors,
and let every new year find you a better man.” – Benjamin Franklin

I don’t necessarily make resolutions for the new year; I’m more of a make-changes-as-needed sort of girl. But the new year does feel like a clean slate, and I like that. It’s like a big version of the delight I get from a tidy desk and a brand new calendar.

great links from around the web:

• Why discomfort is good for you :: Do comfort and ease = happiness?
• 2015 Manifesto :: This is great. I was going to pick a favorite point but I really like every one of them.
• Your year in review: 50 questions to help you reflect on last year, and get excited about the new year.
• Photography Project Ideas :: Inspiration to pick up your camera, whether phone or fancy. I especially love the idea of a gratitude project.
• Resolve to get a different (& better) marriage :: Self-improvement goals are great, but consider adding some marriage-improvement goals, too.

highlights from here at home:

Lindsey wasn’t able to come the same day Diane and Brandon came, so we celebrated Christmas with her on Sunday. Since that was the last of the year’s Christmasing, I took down the tree and put away all our Christmas decor later than evening. Some years — like this year — I’m just ready to move on. Goodbye Christmas; Hello, New Year!

After feeling like a slug from last week’s dietary indulgences, I am making a point of getting back to my usual healthier fare. And (prepare to cheer, y’all!), I’ve completed five weeks of PiYo and I’m happy to be continuing on, getting a little bit stronger every day.

You know you’re a cleaning nerd when you get super excited about a new vacuum cleaner. My Dyson has been a dutiful friend for nine years. Bought reconditioned, we definitely got our money’s worth out if it — but now it’s held together with duct tape and not working like it used to. So, I bought myself a Shark Navigator, and of course took it for a test drive as soon as it arrived. Although I’ll have to get used to how it handles, it sucked up more dog hair than the old one has in years. And it’s only about 1/3 the price of a new Dyson. Happy New Year to me!

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Thank you to everyone who has already taken my 2015 Reader Survey; if you haven’t yet, please take a few minutes to do so. Your input is important to me!

Jamie

Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »