New Year's Resolutions Revisited

Last year I made a New Year's resolution to fill an empty jar with notes reminding myself of the good things that happened to me.  I was checking out the jar today and here are some of the events that were special.

~ I have been placed in a prayer note on the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem by C.

~ K called to let us know that Ricky's $5000-plus hospital bill has been cancelled!

~ Ricky has been walking without his cane or brace today.

~ A sent papers for me to correct.

~ I fell in the street at church but didn't break anything!

~ Wonderful trip to see the grandkids.

~ I sold over $130 worth of jewelry to one customer today!

~ I found the church keys!  Whew!

~ David survived a serious low blood sugar event.  Thank you Lord.

~ Someone complimented me AGAIN about how well organized my book shop is!

~ Ricky got his disability approved!  Thank you Lord.


These constituted about 6 months worth of notes.  I didn't finish the year as I had hoped but will begin again this year.  You should try it!  All you need is an empty jar, placed where you can see it as a reminder to write a little note to yourself.

Aaaaahhhhh! Clever!

I saw this cartoon on Facebook the other day and I knew I had to put it on my blog.  I guess this is one way to entice kids to start reading again.  Notice I said "again"... this is rather hopeful, I guess.

I doubt if it's news to anyone reading this blog that I love to read.  Another year has gone by and my list of books reached 45 books for the year; not quite as good as my all-time high as an adult, of 61 books the previous year.  But no matter, the important thing is to keep reading.

At my age, I'm not too hung up on the fact that I forget most of the books I read, since I read just for the pleasure of the moment.  What my reading does, is to keep my mind active; and believe me, at 77 I can use a clear brain!  Not in the sense of a brain that is drained; but a brain that still functions for most of the things that I need to know and want to do.  Hey, I run a vintage and collectible shop!  I at least have to remember how to add and subtract; without using a calculator either!  I don't make too many mistakes since I'm still in business after 11 or 12 years!

Actually, I do more than read books.  I also read our daily newspaper and work the crossword puzzle.  I also read a lot online... and I still "tsk, tsk" to myself about all the misspellings I see there... One of the things I have enjoyed over the years is to proofread other people's writings for publication or for important mailings.  It's very interesting to do and I catch a lot of grammar or spelling errors that need correcting.  We all make mistakes at times but if something is going out to the world, one hopes it will be right!

What do you think about reading books, newspapers and periodicals online?  For my own sake, I need to have these things in my hands... to feel the paper and turn the pages...  To put the book down when I feel like it...  take it up again wherever I am.  I can't imagine taking a laptop, Kindle or other contraption to bed with me.  It's gotta be a BOOK!

Things I've Learned!

This was sent to me in a bulk mailing from a friend.  It's worth passing on to you.  Supposedly it was written by Andy Rooney...  You know that lovable curmudgeon who was such an important part of the TV show, Sixty Minutes.  Here is what he learned:


I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of
an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my
day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of
the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have
the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to
be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold
and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on
summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer
it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything
we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life
so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants
to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are
only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to
surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a
smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with
them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take
the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock
elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her
one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender,
because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your
looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little
finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain,
but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more
things I get done.

Forgiveness: Something to meditate on...

How easy is it to forgive?  Not very, eh...  When you've been badly hurt by someone; and that knife twists and turns in your mind and heart...  anger and a desire to strike back is often the first response you want to make.

But wait! Stop!

The Lord knows that this anger and desire for revenge is a normal reaction to what has happened.  What is important though is what happens next.

For now you have a choice.  Do I strike back?  Or do I subdue that anger and hurt as best I can at that immediate moment and remember...

Remember what we are called to do and be...  Despite the hurt and desire to inflict the same on the other, we must try to forgive.

We can't do this on our own, because inside we are at battle with our desire to hurt the other person, and our desire to do what the Lord desires of us.  We must believe and trust that God's grace is there for us if we can just ask for it at that moment.  That moment when you give this pain and hurt over to the One who heals hearts.

It doesn't mean we will forget what has happened... It may be that we will have to give it over to the Lord again and again in order to finally be at peace...

I really liked the words by Max Lucado.  There is much wisdom there.  Who wants to live with a heart distorted by anger and hatred of another person.  It will affect every action and interaction we have with others.  Anger and hatred can alienate us from God, others and ourselves.  It will never bring us peace.  But God can...  

Don'cha know? This just hit the spot!

I love books!  Who would ever have guessed that one day I would  have a book shop!  I sure didn't.  People give me their unwanted books for free; or I buy their books; or I trade three of theirs for one of mine.  No matter how I acquire them, I end up with a huge choice of things to read.

My cup runneth over!

This is sooooo ME!!!

Reading is also one of the reasons I haven't written a blog post in a long time!  As you know I have a bookshop as well as a collectible shop.  The bookshop is my favorite...  Many interesting titles come my way so I have an opportunity to indulge my reading habit... actually my cup runneth over!

I keep track of what I read so I don't read the same book over again too many times.  After all, my brain already has information overload which means I often forget what I have read in the past.

Here is the list of books I have read so far this year.

http://photographsfromthepast.com/booklist/booklist13.html

You'll find some links for books read in other years on the same page.  They might be of interest to you...

Done did my taxes!!!!!

I finished my taxes!!!  A week early!!!  I am usually a last minute person when it comes to filling out all the forms.  I actually start early by taking inventory of my book shop sometime in February every year so it's not like I'm being a slouch...  But there is so much to figure up and my energy level is lagging a bit.  Anyhow, it's done and ready to mail out tomorrow.  I can heave a sigh of relief!

I still have my State taxes to fill out but that is a piece of cake compared to the federal.

Jimmy is always advising me to have a professional do my taxes, but I would rather do them myself because I understand my bookkeeping methods.  Maybe when I am old and decrepit and my brain is mush, I will take his advice. But for now...


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