Happy New Year 2018!

It’s hard to believe that the new year is upon us. My mom used to say that time flies as a person gets older and it sure does. It also means I seldom see the ball drop on New Year’s Eve - sleep gets priority.

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? I do, but mine seldom change. Lose weight, take better care of health, if I don’t use something in a year’s time it needs to be donated and that includes my craft room. This year I will add: Become more efficient at bookkeeping and record keeping.

If you aren’t one to change batteries and filters when the daylight savings time changes, now is a great time to do it. Think of the first day in the year and July 1. I want to do at the beginning and the middle of the year.

Here are some things I try to keep track of on a daily, weekly, monthly, half-yearly, and yearly basis:

Daily

• Keep track of what you eat and do make sure you eat. Nutrition and exercise are so very important to your overall health.
• Take your medications as scheduled. It’s easy to miss a dose. Set an alarm. I use the one on my phone.
• Have masks handy, in case you go out and there is coughing and sneezing going on. Even where there is something that you might breathe in that isn’t safe. Here we have a lot of wood burning stoves in our town. Masks do get used here.

Weekly

• Make out your grocery list. It's so much easier when you go to the store or send someone else. I make my list in the Notes app on my phone. Or you can use whatever works for you. I add items to mine up as I see things are needed, then I don’t forget to put it on the list and have to make a separate trip or go without.

Monthly

• Wash oxygen concentrator filter (unless yours gets replaced).
• Replace furnace filter.
• Update your medical records, including prescription records.
• Do something for you and your family, make a date night or time to get together.
• Do you have pets that need grooming, need heartworm medication or flea, tick, or other medication. These medications are to be done regularly, depending on the type that you get. My pups get haircuts about every 6 weeks or so and bathing more often.

Every six months

• Have a photo taken with your family members and individually. Maybe monthly or yearly would be best, but do take whatever time you can - this helps to build memories, so make sure too that you are in the photo. Selfies can be amazing! This is one that you should do at every opportunity.
• Share photos.
• Oil changes, filters and other car maintenance. Some may need oil changes every 3 months, some less depending on your use. The same with car filters. Do your tires need to be changed for winter or even rotated?

Yearly

• This is when my oxygen supplier comes by to evaluate my concentrator and liquid oxygen. We also go over supplies. If I need anything in the meantime, I can call to make sure they have the supplies in stock, before we pick up. If needed they will drop off as a special favor. I live in a town of less than 3,000 people. It’s important that you know where to go for supplies, I know that for some they don’t know, because some suppliers have closed, products change, etc. and insurance and Medicare changes have affected them as well.
• Do you have pets that have yearly check-ups? Be sure to schedule that. I’m fortunate because our vet sends notice when appointments need to be scheduled etc.
• If I haven’t used something in a year I will let it go: by donating it or give it to a family member. I’m not talking about keepsakes or things you used or my treasures, I’m talking about the clothes in your closet, jars and other craft supplies that a person hangs onto. Even rummage sales or online rummage sales do work and gives you additional funds.

I told my husband one day that I feel like a hoarder, though I’m not. But I do have jars and other things that I hang onto just because I have seen cute craft ideas with these - maybe I’ll try the small recipes for canning or maybe I’ll just need something. Okay, maybe just a little bit of hoarding. My mom used to call me a pack rat. Recently I shocked my hubby when I had him take a bunch of jars to the garbage. There are 2 boxes of things that need to be donated. Just seeing the surprised look on his face is enough to make me do it again.

So, what isn’t used, will go right after the first of the year. A better one yet is holding onto those skinnier clothes. They have probably been in and out of style twice since they have fit and I tucked them away. I told my hubby that “when” not if, as he shrugs and shakes his head, that when I lose my weight, he’ll just have to buy me new outfits. He agreed with that!

If you are unable to do something yourself, invite a family member or a friend over and have them help. Tell them you’ll put on the coffee pot. Often people are wanting to help, but they don’t know how.

Take stock of what is important for you, as a goal or just something that you want to do. By setting up somewhat of a schedule you may find more peace, because you don’t have to think about it. You will know when it’s planned and can feel good with things that have been done.

I hope you and yours have a very Happy New Year! Remember, you have living to do!