I found this interesting take on new years resolutions. You decide for yourself, but now is a great time to take a short look back and a big look forward. Patti

Plan for a Successful New Year by Looking BackPat Heydlauff With 2008 fast approaching have you started thinking about what’s ahead? Will your new year be better than 2007 or at least as good? Will your relationships, health and income improve or at minimum, not get worse? And, can you do anything to make it better? Or, do you find one year melting into the other and nothing changes?If nothing changes in your life for the better year after year, this article is for you. Positive change comes not only from using Feng Shui in your surroundings but also with your thinking. This year, rather than looking forward to the new year and wondering just what you should do about resolutions and changes in your life, take a look back first.Have you resolved the issues you wanted to resolve in the past twelve months such as relationships that are not working or a job that is not fulfilling or paying you what you deserve? Have you made decisions or completed things you’ve been working on that should have been done several years ago, or at least completed by the end of this year? Do you have a pattern of holding over one decision or another year after year?Resolve Unfinished Things FirstBefore you look forward to the new year, look back over the past year to see what has been left unfinished. When there are many unfinished projects, issues or decisions left at the end of the year, you will take their energy into the new year as clutter. And, that clutter will prevent you from having a new year that begins with new energy, new thinking, new ideas and new results.The first step to creating positive new energy in the new year is to eliminate as much old stagnant energy as possible. Review and evaluate the past twelve months to see what needs to be resolved – then try some of the following positive energy solutions.Positive Energy Solutions to Resolve Unfinished Issues• If you are agonizing over making a long term investment, come to a decision and get on with your life. If you don’t, you will transfer that same agonizing energy into the new year and it will reside there as clutter until you finally make your decision.• If you are in a relationship that simply is not working, make a decision today to move on and then do it. It does not serve you or the other person well to continue a relationship that is not what you want or is not going anywhere. This type of negative energy can be very suffocating and even result in poor health over a long period of time.• If you are looking for a new long-term relationship then quit talking about it but rather do something about it. If you have been unsuccessful in finding the right person to share your life with in the places you’ve been looking – find other activities to participate in that would provide you new opportunities to meet people. You will find the relationship you are looking for only when you completely focus positive energy on finding an appropriate relationship for you. • If your health is an issue and you used to feel better when you worked out or did Yoga on a weekly basis but quit because of a time crunch or an emotional setback – make a decision to get back into the habit of participating in weekly physical activity. Don’t just think about it, if physical activity makes you feel better, do it – your spirits and health will both improve.• If you hate going to work because you are underappreciated and underpaid, research what your options are. Find all the possible opportunities available that will pay you or can lead you to the income you want and will also provide you a sense of accomplishment and recognition. If you do not find many options in your field, look into other fields of work that can use your talents. Staying indefinitely at a job you hate is very stressful. Once you find all of your options take action so you can be in-control of your life, not your current employer.Plan now for a successful 2008. Eliminate as much unfinished business clutter as possible before the end of this year so new energy will be your only companion as you transition into the new year. The most successful new beginnings are ones where the old energy has been shifted out of your life making room for positive new energy that is supportive of the new future you are creating. If you plan for a better new year, you will have a better new year. © Pat Heydlauff, all rights reserved 2007 

Quick and Dirty Decorating for the Holidays

1.       If you have a real tree, use some stray branches and gather in a big bucket, or even a round wastepaper bin decorated with stripes of last years’ holiday ribbon, or duct tape… it’s silver.

2.       Place a few candles on a Christmas plate or a ‘silver’ tray from the dollar store. When lit, you can’t beat the glow! Sprinkle sugar around the bottom on the plate… looks like snow!

3.       Place a bowl of oranges pegged with cloves in a clear glass or wooden bowl. Form the cloves as a Christmas bow, or bell, or with initials.

4.       I have 3 little red votive holders from the dollar store on display them on my white kitchen shelf, and that’s it on the shelf. It looks bright and homey. Of course the wine rack is just above it.

5.       Fill a clear glass vase, bowl, or jar with shiny Christmas tree ornaments in the same colour, or different colours. Looks good in the bathroom and kitchen too.

6.       As a place- card, string a small tag made out of old Christmas card to a Christmas ball, and let the guest take it home.

7.       Pour about ½ lb of sugar into two bowls.  Add enough red food colouring to one of the bowls and pour into vase in candy cane stripe fashion, alternating colours. Cute! And a great way to use the sugar that you thought you’d be baking with but don’t have time to bother.

8.       Replace a few light bulbs in your lamps with coloured bulbs. Red lends a cheery glow, while blue or green is very mellow.

9.       Have the youngest child tell the Christmas story.

Subject: Humorous Home Remedies

10. The holidays are about drinking: If you’re choking on an ice cube simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.
11. The holidays are about food: Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.
12. The holidays are about love and relationships: Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.
13. The holidays are about peace: For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.
14. The holidays are about partying: A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.
15. The holidays are about health: If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives; then you’ll be afraid to cough.
16. The holidays are about simplicity: You only need two tools in life – WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn’t move and does, use the duct tape.
17. The holidays are about friends: Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

Here are 7 Tips for Trimming Down at Christmas 1. Change your gifting strategy. The most fun I have at Christmas is when we play the gift stealing game. We each bring a $10 wrapped gift suitable for an adult. We use dice and go around the room, each rolling for doubles. If you get doubles, you can pick a gift or swap. It goes on until all the gifts are gone from the pile. Lots of fun, and it’s interesting to see which gifts are the most popular and with whom.2. Send cards on another day. We all get lots of cards at Christmas time, so your card is lost in the melee. Why not send people birthday cards. It’s more of an individual thought. This goes for clients also. They’ll stand out from the crowd and be more memorable then. 3. Make your own cards. I stick my photos to card. People love them. You can also use old cards to make your own. Anything you’ve put your creativity into will be more fun for you, and more appreciated by others.4. Create a budget for gifts and stick to it – I know you’ve probably heard this one before, but I keep meeting people who think they ’should’ wrack up their credit cards. That doesn’t prove you love someone. All it proves is that you’re spending money you don’t have and you’re willing to pay high interest rates to the Credit Card companies. It’s not worth it folks! 5. Trim the waistline – Christmas is a great time for parties and get togethers and they all seem to involve chocolates and all kinds of things that don’t automatically appear at other times of the year. If you start watching your diet now, you won’t have that extra 5-10 lbs to worry about in January. Even just tracking what you eat, makes you aware and cuts you down on the temptation. That’s why Weight Watchers works so well. You are tracking all your calories in the form of points.6. Simplify the season and distill it down to what’s really important to you - and then create some simple ways to express that. Is it really the ‘things’ you buy that are important or would giving someone an experience they’ll remember be more heartfelt? For example a glass blowing class for a loved one who’s always wanted to try that. And maybe for next year when you can start earlier, how about a book of memories for a loved one. I know what I wouldn’t give to the local charity shop after Christmas! 7. Take this opportunity to express gratitude for your abundance. The very fact that you’re reading about trimming down Christmas on your computer means you’re abundant and prosperous. How can you create joy for others by donating time or gifts to charities and families in need? You could even do that in the name of a loved one. Most of us have grown up with the commercialism of Christmas and often just carry on without thinking. But, while all around us are losing their heads, Christmas is a great opportunity to be intentional about how you’re living and align your values with who you are. Be the change you wish to see!