Wednesday 1 January 2020

Soul Sweet Words, Futuristic Year, My Limited Goal Making

If only everyone on Twitter and some of my Facebook stitching groups too(!!) would heed these words...
                                            Image result for Pleasant words are a honeycomb
The property has become slippery with freezing rain, a daytime thaw and overnight freezing pattern. A layer of snow that fell in between has turned the world icy white.
 I've had to resort to the elliptical trainer for a little workout.  I am determined to keep my legs moving one way or another and this will continue to be a goal for the new year (as long as I am able).  Exercise and Jocelyn~ a curious thing...some days I feel like I can go on forever and other times it seems like an effort just to put on my socks and running shoes.
Window View of Snow and Ice Covered Trees
Kitchen window view of an icy wonderland
I ended 2019 with my health on my mind and the notion that I need to start paying more attention (but this is a yearly recurring theme for me). To that end I have a checkup in a couple of weeks and I will be requesting the Shingles vaccine. Any of you had it? This was a hot topic at the old folks table at one of our family get togethers over the holiday. Who had had the pneumonia shot, flu shot, took D3 drops, B12, etc., etc.  I don't do any of them because I've thoroughly confused myself with reading too much about all of it. Any of these on your must get list?

Other general goals will be to keep this blog going.
Read more books.
Watch fewer True Crime videos( truthfully, I'm a little addicted, that's why I need to back off).
Cook more interesting meals for us. I'm realizing with eating more vegetables, I'm not really cooking like I used to.  Not as many casseroles for sure. The most cooking as such I've done lately is make a large veggie frittata which was basically cutting and stirring.  It was good though and the kale and cranberry salad was good too.
Cheese Melted Frittata with Blue and Pink Plates
In the Sewing Room goals
I'm enrolled in finishing school which I do every January.  Two major projects are on my mind...the baskets quilt...yes I do cut out the extra fabric on the back; mostly to lighten the overall quilt load.
One Appliqued Basket and One with Back Fabric Removed

 and the Dresdens.

Three Multi Coloured Quarter Dresden Blocks
 I'm now back to thinking of doing a center medallion piece for the baskets to surround. So I've been looking through my books for a design featuring a large basket.  You know what I mean?
I hope to have both of these sorted this month.
I worked on the Dresdens last night and will just continue to finish more blocks. Pointless to say a number because I never stick to it.  Just will get as many done as I can.
I'm so thankful my hands still work and my fingers can still stitch. Hope that continues!

Murphy is thankful too. I think, being such a diva, she enjoys having us all to herself. She covered her ears when she heard Hubby say something about getting another rescue dog.
Black Labrador Dog in the Very White Snow

I'm enjoying these last few days with the Christmas lights ( and my tiny computer tree.)

Tiny Lit Christmas Tree and Large Smiling Snowman Mug
2020 has a neat sound to it; futuristic to my old ears.  Hope yours will be wonderful in all the ways possible!
Happy to join these link parties... Not Afraid of ColorElm Street Quilts,  Clever Chameleon QuiltsBrian's Home BlogNeedle and Thread Network,  Quilt FabricationIt's a Small Town Life and Home Sewn By Us.









39 comments :

Linda said...

Your winter wonderland view is so pretty. I laughed at "old folks table"! My doctor had told me for 3 years that I need to get a flu vaccine, and last summer I had pneumonia, so he renewed his lecturing. He calls me "doctor" when I start telling him the negatives I've read on Google.
Have a happy and healthy 2020!

Brian's Home Blog said...

It sure looks cold up your way but it is very pretty. Happy New Year from all of us!!!

Naaidooz said...

Sweet Jocelyn, best wishes for 2020 and thank you for your kind words!! I also enjoy your blog very much!! kind regards Femke (Naaidooz)

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

there is more good to getting the shots from bad. By getting the flu shot you help to NOT spread it by not getting sick. The pneumonia shot is very good for those that are over 60 as we are more likely to get it if we get sick. I got the shingles vaccine last year and glad I did. Anything that can help your immune system as we get older should be taken advantage of in my opinion no matter how healthy you think you are - the side effects are minimal in fact the only side effect I ever got was a sore arm from the pneumonia and shingles shots and it went away in days.
I would do inside exercise too if I had ice on the ground

LA Paylor said...

yes, variable energy levels. If you get shingles vaccine, wait around after to make sure there is no reaction. I love the tiny computer tree. Good plans for this year, may it bring you the comfort and stimulation you need, and remember we love you. LeeAnna

Julierose said...

Loving both of your finishing projects--those baskets are so charming and I love the dresden corner one, too.
I have been using our recumbent bike as our roads tend to be slippery, too..some days, like you, I could go on forever, others..ooof-dah--not so good--it helps to watch tv to keep me going...

I have reached a sort of dead end in my sewing room--nothing seems to be working out well (esp that Red/Pink horror story!! lol)
Am doing more reading than anything else...hope your New Year is a Healthy and a Happy one --hugs, Julierose

Jenny said...

It may be cold outside, but what a glorious photo of the inter wonderland outside your window.
We get the annual flu shot, and had a shingles vaccine earlier last year. I was surprised when the nurse told us she had suffered shingles several times! And the chances of contracting I increases greatly as you get older.
Happy New Year to you both and Murphy too, stay safe, happy and warm.

Out To Pasture said...

Happy New Year, Jocelyn. Lots of pretty things at your house! I did get the shingles vaccine a few years ago but my 89 year-old sister and I (73 yrs) have never gotten a flu shot. Side note: I got in trouble with my pharmacist this week for cutting my blood pressure pills in half. (Sigh) I monitor my pressure and so far, it's good. Free thinkers are not appreciated in the medical community.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Happy New Year to you. That view out your kitchen window looks like it could be a postcard. Whenever I see 2020, it makes me think of Barbara Walters and her news show 20/20. I can hear her voice pronouncing it. Murphy may be enjoying you both all to yourself, but he may just welcome a new buddy to chum around with. Thanks so much for linking up today. ~smile~ Roseanne

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

If I were a person that set goals I would probably be thinking along the same lines as you. Maybe it's our mutual generation. I can't add more except that I have always believed that since dog are pack animals they should have a friend to wrestle with. I say this as my two rescue Min Pins are rolling around on the floor together.

Happy New Year
xx, Carol

Jenn Jilks said...

Happy new year! Good luck with all your projects! It's such a mess out there, good to be indoors.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Our doctor insisted that we get the shingles shot and we have the flu shot every year. I was't aware of the 'enhanced' flu shots that are available now and just got ours at the drugstore. I'm sure, had we been at the doctors office, she would have insisted on the 'better' version. And I think your goals are good ones - better to phrase them as being goals as opposed to resolutions which are bound to be broken!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

oops - meant to wish you and yours a very happy 2020!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I must admit that do not set any goals, as I never keep them. The one thing I hope to work towards is to see God in everything around me. I have had the pneumonia shot and take a combination of the B vitamins. I also get the flu shot every year.AM I in perfect health? by no means, but I think I'm doing fairly well for a senior aged woman.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

You are such a clever writer, Jocelyn! I shall now think of myself as also "enrolling in finishing school!" I do get a flu shot and try to remember my multivitamin, and walk everyday. I'm never sure about all the rest of what "experts" think we should do! Sometimes it's just too much to wrap my head around!

MissPat said...

Happy New Year. I'm in the not setting goals camp. I liked what Preeti said in her post "No pressure, no stress". I know I would never keep up with one of those pick a UFO to finish each month schedules. I prefer to just do what interests me at the time, unless, of course, I need a baby quilt or something. As far as vaccines go, yes, I've gotten the pneumonia shot (two of them actually) and I get the flu shot every year. Had to settle for the regular one, not the senior one, because there was a shortage. Same thing for the new Shingles shot. Every time I ask at the pharmacy they are out of it. Good luck with your exercise plan. I know I should do more and I'm supposed to drink more water. It will be fun to see what you decide for the basket quilt.
Pat

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I love those Dresden's--so adorable! I'm afraid I'm addicted to true crime shows too--my TV pretty much stays on the ID channel--it's a true addiction, I think! Our melting snow froze into thick ice too and it is treacherous. I need to walk my dog twice a day and can't leave the house without ice grips on my boots. It's pretty out there, but I'm already looking forward to spring!

Cathy said...

Happy New Year. I agree 2020 does have a lovely ring to it, and I like that here in the UK at least we are calling it the Roaring twenties, just like the 1920's. Good to have some goals for the year, I am thinking I need some this year, last year I had a lot of aimless drifting. Love your quilting goals.

Louise said...

I'm so glad you left a comment on my blog so I could find you! I couldn't agree more with the need for more pleasant words and generally more kindness online. Looking forward to following along with you in 2020 :)

Sharon said...

Great goals for 2020! I just finished with the shingles shot, and I get a flu shot every year. Easy to do, and you're protected from the nasty viruses.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with the comment about more pleasant words and more kindness both online and in life in general. I don't understand why people think they can say and do whatever they want without any consequences. Did the digital age change things for the worse?
I have had the shingles shots--the two-part one, a pneumonia shot and any other shot that the doctor feels would be of benefit to an older person. I take vitamin D3 daily as prescribed by the doctor. Most Canadians are vitamin D deficient.
Like so many others I look forward to reading what you are doing. Have a productive 2020!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop, we're glad you hopped in!

Glapha Cox said...

Great goals. I got the shingles vaccine after I got the shingles at age 58. It was a mild case but I heard of other more severe cases and I didn't want that. I got the flu vaccine for the first time in late 2019 when my youngest daughter and her family got the flu and were sick for a week. I didn't want that. Now the flu is going around at work so I am glad that I did.

Catscue Cat Mom said...

Good goals all! Best to you in 2020.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's nice to look ahead and think of things you want to do and how to improve what you enjoy already. I would like to do more sewing but I think I'll concentrate on hiking while our weather is so nice. Love your beautiful dog! Happy New year!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Your yard looks like a winter wonderland. Murphy must not mind the snow, cute dog. I was going to ask my doc about the new shingles vaccine. Moving more is good and healthy for us. I wish you a great day and a happy weekend ahead.

Michelle said...

I don't get a flu shot, but my doctor wants me to. *sigh* Not time for a shingles shot yet, but will likely take one when the time comes. Thanks for linking up and have a great new year!

Susan said...

Great goals for 2020 - Happy New Year!

Tanya Breese said...

Happy New Year! My daughter had shingles a couple of months ago and she's only 25!....I need to have her check out that vaccine....I've got to go get some checkups as well this year... Drs worry me but that's because I'm a natural worrier...here's to a great 2020!

PaintedThread said...

Good goals. Like your Dresdens. Stay warm! (and dry)

Raewyn said...

Your winter wonderland photos are so beautiful. Good luck and have fun with your goals and plans for the month and the year :-)

Snickelfritz said...

I don't get flu shots anymore after the last one I got made me feel so horrible. A friend talked me into having the shingles shot after she went through a spell of having the shingles and she said it was awful. My mother also suffered with shingles so I decided to get it and then after I did, I read that getting the shot could cause you to get them. You can't win. My goal is to stay as healthy as possible and enjoy this brand new year as much as I'm able. Happy New Year!

Michele McLaughlin said...

Perfect phrase for quilters: Finishing school! Love that! I do recommend the shingles shot because my husband has had it and so did a friend (and almost lost her sight because it was in her eyes). My mom and neighbor get the pneumonia shot every year. They both have asthma and it seems to help them get throught the winter. Can't wait to see the sewing projects you do in 2020! Have a wonderful day and Happy New Year dear Jocelyn!

Rosemary Dickinson said...

I'm sure your primary care physician can tell you when you should get your vaccines. I get the flu vaccine annually because I work in a hospital. Love your Dresden blocks! Looks like Murphy is enjoying the snow. Enjoy the New Year!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Wow your world is gorgeous. Mine is gray, damp, and muddy. We had some snow today, but it was too warm to do anything but make dirt into mud. Love the baskets, I keep thinking I want to make a basket quilt. The Dresdens are coming along nicely too. I have thought about the shingles shot. But I can't commit. :D

QuiltGranma said...

I have NOT heard good things about the shingles shot... the people I know who have had the shot have also gotten bad case of shingles! Warning!

Kate said...

A reasonable set of goals. Health concerns seem to become more prevalent when you realize it's not a given yours will be good. We've had some of that due to My Guy's health issues last year. Good luck with all your goals in 2020.

Patty said...

Lovely! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and good luck with your project.

Sharon Wayne said...
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