We have finally said goodbye to 2020. Most of us aren't even bothering to wave. So now it's on to a new year, with new hopes and dreams and plans. Some of us will be making resolutions, some of us gave up on that a long time ago.
I've often heard people say that new year's resolutions never work. Maybe not, but I still like to set goals every year. Somehow that doesn't seen as intimidating as making a resolution. (Although, when it comes right down to it, you need resolution in order to pursue those goals.)
If you're one of those who shy away from new year's resolutions, let me encourage you to take time to set some goals. Why? Because having a goal is like keeping the horizon in sight when you're on a boat, or consulting your navigational instruments. It helps you reach your destination. Goals, unlike a simple resolution, require a plan to help you meet them. And with a plan, you have a better chance to doing that.
This year, I need to take off that ten (okay, fifteen) pounds I've been hauling around. That's the goal. To meet it I need a plan. My plan is to start with my shopping list and not bring home anything that will tempt me. Carbs are going to be pretty much off-limits (something I will be keeping in mind as I shop.) That's the first part of the plan. The second part is exercise every day. We're in sunny California for the winter so I have no excuse not to get out and walk. (In fact, I've already started doing that. Yay me!) The third part of my plan circles back to my eating habits. No after-dinner snacking!  I'd pretty much broken myself of this but sneaky little bites of chocolate are sneaking back into my evenings. Gotta nip that in the bud. If I get with the program and lose that ten (okay, fifteen) pounds in January, then maybe I can indulge in a yummy dessert on Valentine's Day.
So there's one goal and the plan to make it happen.
I have a couple others as well. One is to get back to studying German. This will actually be harder than losing weight as I'm becoming mentally lazy in my old age. I'm married to a German professor, for crying out loud, and we have friends in Germany. You'd think that would be enough to motivate me. Alas, it's not. So I'm just going to have to build this into my daily routine. My plan for that is to designate a "class time" for myself every day, first thing in the morning for a half hour after my Bible study and brain games. It has to happen before I start working because if I put it off until "later" later will never come. So, I have goals and I have plans for executing them. Here's hoping!
And how about you? I hope you have some exciting plans and goals as we move toward what we all hope will be a brighter year. Now's the time to start making things happen. (And, by the way, hop on over to the contest page and share your hopes and dreams and goals for the new year. We have a cool prize waiting for someone.)

Christmas Eve is normally when my extended family gathers to celebrate the joy of Christmas. Carols get sung, the Bible gets read, a ton of food is consumed, and there are games. Always games.
In the picture above I'm in the process of running the Sheila version of musical chairs. The classic game got a twist. Each round I slipped a prize under a chair, so my players were not only competing for a seat, they were also competing for a goody. Oh, my, did this get crazy at the end. Wish I'd gotten a video. One of the players was actually carrying her chair with her as she made the loop!
This year our big gathering will be on Zoom. (Maybe yours will be as well.) But I'm determined that we all have a good time, so we will be playing a guessing game I made up. This is one that I played with my friend Brenda Novak on the Facebook holiday page that she and my other buddy Debbie Macomber hosted. (If you were part of that fun, you might have already played it.) This is easy to do with your family online. All the players will need is a pencil and a piece of paper. (And an internet connection!)
This is a Christmas song riddle game. If you guess the riddle you'll know the name of the song. Sooo, here are the riddles with the answers in parenthesis. I hope you get a chance to play it. Have fun!
GUESS THE CHRISTMAS SONG
1. He's a cold dude (Frosty the Snowman)
2. I think Santa's going to get lucky tonight because ... (I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus)
3. All I want is these (All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth)
4. Wow, it's so quiet. It is a ...(Silent Night)
5. If it snows December 25th we'll have a ... (White Christmas)
6. We are a trio of rulers (We Three Kings)
7. Mr. and Mrs. Claus's infant is called... (Santa Baby)
8. They do this all the way (Jingle Bells)
9. No pouting, no crying. How come? (Santa Claus is Coming to Town)
10. He has a colorful proboscis (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)
11. Everybody celebrate! (Joy to the World)
12. Wait. What Do I Hear? (Silver Bells)