January - New Beginnings

January – New Beginnings

This is always the month for fresh starts. I know I am not alone in thinking that now is the time to look after my health more, or to begin or attempt new things. And so I look to the start of this year with fresh hopes for the future.

It is also a time to look back. The past twelve months have been very special. Since my nose operation in January, things have definitely improved. Alan has said many times throughout 2012 that he has never known a year where we have been able to pack so much into it. I understand what he means. It was the first year with both of us not working and in reasonable health. Work was done in the garden, which is still looking so lovely, even now. We were also able to improve on the fabric of our home. I had a new computer. We purchased a new carpet for the hall and lounge; the study got a makeover; a new cooker was bought; and I think we really felt the benefit of our move to Seaford.

2013 appears for me to be the time to build on the work of 2012. We have both lost weight since Alan’s high cholesterol result (Alan having lost over a stone in two months and myself, 7lbs). We have both felt the benefits. Clothes don’t feel quite so tight and walking is not such an effort. This work I know we will continue.

I have signed up for a creative writing course with The Writers Bureau. The time has come to see whether my writing is worth publishing and whether it is possible to earn any money from it. I have been thinking about this for so long, but now I will be doing something about it. And it feels good. I sent the first assignment off this Monday (14^th) and am now going into the next book on the course.

One thing I have realised is that this is going to take an awful lot of organisation and perseverance to follow through, together with a bit of sacrifice. I know that in order to do this course, other things are going to have to go by the board. The trouble is, I’m not sure what. Alan feels that my card making should stop, but that is something that I enjoy. I am aware of just how long I spend on the computer doing computer games. I know that should stop, because just at the moment, I can see that there are no benefits to  the games, apart from me seeing those flashing lights and noises and the voices telling me how good I am.

Television is also under consideration. It is one of those habits that I have been in since childhood really – watching television every night. But why? Especially when some of the things that we watch aren’t even entertaining. It’s just something we do.

One thing I am resolved to do is to write down my experiences in this blog. I wanted to do it last year and got completely sidetracked. I want this year to be different and for writing to be a priority in my life.

Finally, just to compare, I leave you with a winter photo of our garden.