Here are my 9 Steps for a Happy New Year:
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- Health – This is an ongoing struggle for me. I need to just walk more and eat healthier foods. My DH has been very successful on the Keto diet (lost 40 lbs). I need to get back to my Trim Healthy Mama (THM) cookbook. THM is on Facebook and Pinterest. I must do better from now on!!! It’s time to get my rear in gear! Together now: Get Our Rears in Gear!
- Family – What can you do to improve family relationships? This topic is something that I am constantly working on. In the process, I have learned that family may not get better, but I get better. I get better at handling them; better at letting the criticisms roll off my back; better at loving them and forgiving them. Dr. Laura has been an inspiration to me as well as Lifepointe Church. This book: Toxic In-Laws by Susan Forward, PhD was a great help. Trey (DH) and I attended Marriage Bootcamp when we were having some difficulties.
- Travel – Where do you want to travel this year? It can be local (driving within a 4-hour radius). Or, international. Go get your passport. I am surprised by the number of people that I know that DO NOT have a passport. We are a family of divers, so Belize is on our list. But, I’d also like to see Indonesia. Sounds exotic, scary, and thrilling all at the same time, right? I say GO FOR IT! Let this be the year, we move out of our comfort zone.
- Learn a New Skill – I started this blog in August of 2018. It has kicked my butt and then some. I have had to learn WordPress and learn more about Instagram, Vlogging (YouTube), and Twitter. I was current on Facebook and Pinterest. Interested in becoming a blogger? Sign up today for the 5 Day Start a Money Making Blog Crash Course. It’s Free!
- Choose Happiness – Every day you can wake up and be grumpy. Or, you can wake up and choose happiness. I wake up and give thanks to God that he has allowed me another day on this earth to feel the sunshine on my face, to be able to hug my kids (for some have lost one of their arms), and be able to stand and kiss my husband (for some have lost their legs). What blessings I have! Everything else in a day is lagniappe.
- Short Term Goals – What do I want to accomplish in the next 12 months? How many books am I going to read this year? What new skill(s) do I want to learn?
- Long Term Goals – How much time do you have before retirement? How long is it going to take you to pay off your mortgage? Are you putting enough away for retirement?
- Manage Debt – Pay off those credit cards! Pay off your car loans earlier than your contractual term! Open up an Index Fund. Mr. Money Mustache is a great reference. (shhh . . . he retired at the age of 30!).
- Surround Ourselves With Beauty – Adding a simple Pothos Ivy (most forgiving indoor plant) to my desk makes me happy. Opening up the blinds at work and at home. I have to have my blinds open or I feel like a caged animal. Hang or place pictures of items that you love. For me: It’s beloved beach scenes, graceful gardens, and my funny family.
In surrounding ourselves with happiness and beauty, I have to show you my New Year’s tablescape. For this year would not be complete for me without it. 2021 is going to be our best year yet!!!
Enjoy . . .
New Wave White Dinner plates are from Villeroy & Boch.
Gold Flatware - similar here
Mirrored Place Mats - similar here
Shop my Tablescape
Gold Flatware – similar here
The gold chargers are from Tuesday Morning. Hobby Lobby currently has all different colored chargers for $2 each. The Paper plates w/clock face are from Amazon. The clear, square, acrylic napkin rings are from ZGallerie.
The black and white checkered cloth napkins are from Amazon.
The gold and silver beads are from our Mardi Gras party a few years back. The round confetti pieces I picked up last year. I found similar ones here and here.
Riedel Wine Glasses - Lovely wine glasses. They feel fragile but are actually quite sturdy. We have used these many times in the last year.
Antique Wine Glasses – These have been handed down by at least three generations. These glasses are well over 100 years old. DH gets nervous every time I use them, but I love to show them off. They are far too special to be hidden in a cabinet far, far away.
The single, large wine glass as the centerpiece is from the “at home” store when it was still called “Garden Ridge”. They were purchased for Trey’s 40th Mardi Gras Birthday Bash.
For more Tablescape inspiration, please take a look at Between Naps on the Porch.
Ladies and Gentlemen, going into the new year remember to count your blessings, be happy, and may you have convulsive merriment throughout the entire year!
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