tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post1286940447508234355..comments2024-03-28T16:20:57.446-07:00Comments on The Gardener's Cottage: resolutionsthe gardener's cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-83107900639055923992014-01-10T00:06:03.199-08:002014-01-10T00:06:03.199-08:00You're both so nice. Thanks. I, too, was lat...You're both so nice. Thanks. I, too, was late to discover the blog world. Online journaling...I didn't really know what that meant. Sure glad I found out. Your blogs aren't just helping yourselves, they're helping the rest of us, too!Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-8573716514974687562014-01-07T08:44:17.184-08:002014-01-07T08:44:17.184-08:00i agree christa. my blog helps me through the har...i agree christa. my blog helps me through the hardest parts of my life.the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-88436284445484072942014-01-07T04:31:13.104-08:002014-01-07T04:31:13.104-08:00Vicki, you are amazingly strong! You have gone th...Vicki, you are amazingly strong! You have gone through a lot yet you are still able to figure out how to reorganize your life. Do you have a blog? A blog can be a good way to help you keep your focus. I have only been part of this community for just over one year. It's a great and caring community. We can be with you on your journey to reach your goals. Christacedarmerefarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16884226522131587799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-12031055073271511152014-01-01T20:53:51.809-08:002014-01-01T20:53:51.809-08:00When I started my change to a vegan wardrobe I rea...When I started my change to a vegan wardrobe I realized when it comes to shoes, I need more. Man made material shoes wear out too fast so having at least 7 comfortable pairs (for 7 days of the week lol) PLUS...1 pair of nice boots, 1 pair of clogs, 3 pair of canvas sneakers (converse and jack purcells) and 3 pair of wedge flip flops, 2 pair of flat flip flops...and all these shoes are black…is helping me to not wear any pair out too soon. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-372803735379539572014-01-01T09:13:30.307-08:002014-01-01T09:13:30.307-08:00I think your resolutions, and your posts about the...I think your resolutions, and your posts about them, will help me. Just your voice talking helps me.<br /><br />Thanks, and a very happy new year,<br /><br />LisaLPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-80255807049619737892014-01-01T00:45:36.841-08:002014-01-01T00:45:36.841-08:00I think that's just about perfect right there!...I think that's just about perfect right there!Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-40393546267550470322014-01-01T00:28:17.153-08:002014-01-01T00:28:17.153-08:00Thank you, Janet and Anon for your kind comments a...Thank you, Janet and Anon for your kind comments and encouragement. I never had thought I could turn my life around; so many mistakes and wrong turns. It's taken a lot of thinking, praying, crying, planning. The blog world...certain blogs like this one, Janet, where readers and you share helpful tips and stories...has had a huge influence on me; given me guidance on how smart people are living and getting along. And somehow, finally, how I grew up...with frugal parents who still gave us a full life...came around full circle and hit 'home' with me. Living with a few boundaries feels 'right' now. Balance. Forethought. All good!<br /><br />Anon, I am so sorry for your loss. I do have a lot to be grateful for; I had a Stage I cancer and my prognosis is positive. Major surgery took the wind out of my sails and I'm still trying to rebuild strength but at least I have the chance. Cancer was never part of my vocabulary; it's not in my family. So, it was a real shock...but I find I actually don't dwell on it as much as I'd thought I would; I'm more interested in moving forward. Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-38415881087505404422013-12-31T23:55:25.244-08:002013-12-31T23:55:25.244-08:00I have to agree about the vegetable garden. My hu...I have to agree about the vegetable garden. My husband likes to grow the veggies. It's a lot of work. It's always too much and even the neighbors get sick of the zuchini. I spend a lot of time washing, trimming, dicing, freezing...and then the stuff sits in the freezer and doesn't get used during the year. If you do it, keep it small; that's my advice. I am very happy with one tomato plant. I do love to go out and pick a warm tomato if I can get to it before the birds do. I have supported local farms and received the weekly boxes of seasonal veggies but my dream would be to be near a farmers' market; as it is, I have to travel too far to one which is contrary to being mindful of the carbon footprint. If I had a farmers' market. I'd just pick out what I knew I'd actually eat and a reasonable quantity. Give me a farmers' market and a tomato plant in the backyard, and I'd be a happy girl.Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-31571652384939566922013-12-31T17:00:44.276-08:002013-12-31T17:00:44.276-08:00I have a huge resolutions list.
But at the top of ...I have a huge resolutions list.<br />But at the top of it is to Be Quiet, and listen to my Heart.<br />To Be Grateful.<br />and to just be Happy.Cindi Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-55145517723953646512013-12-31T16:54:10.496-08:002013-12-31T16:54:10.496-08:00Sorry, I didn't reference my comment (above) t...Sorry, I didn't reference my comment (above) that I was replying to Vicki @3:11 PM.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-5064057403362334872013-12-31T16:52:37.999-08:002013-12-31T16:52:37.999-08:00You are a survivor, not a "big fat failure.&q...You are a survivor, not a "big fat failure." Look at all you have accomplished. I am greatly inspired by you. You have gone through A LOT and you are still pressing on. I am confident you will accomplish your financial goals, I hear it in your voice (so to speak!). Just the fact that you overcame cancer, you are a very fortunate human being, I lost a dear friend this year to it and she was only in her early 50's - she left a 12 yr. old daughter…it is heartbreaking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-89270362804161415632013-12-31T16:39:07.404-08:002013-12-31T16:39:07.404-08:00you really have had a lot on your shoulders this y...you really have had a lot on your shoulders this year. i wish you good health and happiness this year vicki. :)the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-25165234172165333152013-12-31T15:19:01.673-08:002013-12-31T15:19:01.673-08:00ha! #6 was a typo. i just fixed it...thanks!ha! #6 was a typo. i just fixed it...thanks!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-19294049063038801942013-12-31T15:11:25.317-08:002013-12-31T15:11:25.317-08:00I sold my house and just paid off every single cre...I sold my house and just paid off every single credit card. For a brief moment in time, I have no mortgage debt, no rental expense, no credit cards, no car payments...but I do have now a modest savings account. If you knew me, you would know this has not been my life for about 30 years. My biggest priority for 2014 is to repurpose and reuse almost everything I have but pare down what is excess...and try not to buy much of anything. I will go back to mortgage debt in February but it's more reasonable debt than what I'd had...and we've got a lot of remodeling to do; however, the big diff is that we will save for each project and not start it til we have the money collected for it. I will never borrow against my home ever again to fix it up...I will not bleed that equity. We were under-water for years with the Recession/Depression and, at one time, I figured I'd die an old lady with credit card debt and a huge house payment. We lived in fear of home maintenance problems with a 90-year-old property and inadequate cash reserves to pay for them. Last year, it was a $3000 plumbing repair, just about the same time that the dog was sick and vet bills were mounting. I mourn and miss my house I just sold; I loved it; it was a beloved home in my family for 70 years before it was mine, and I have felt like a big-fat-failure for having to give it up but practicality and good sense have to take over as we age and face retirement. <br /><br />I have shopped because I was empty or bored; needing to shore myself up with something gratifying or pleasing. Instant reward. Spontaneous, temporary uplift. My mother would always recall a saying, "Feeling low? Go out and buy a new hat." Well, I have thousands of hats and one head. I don't do Goodwill or estate sales, but I do home decor shops and antique stores. I can NEVER go in without buying something. I am not a window shopper; I am a shopper with my hand on the wallet, ready to go. I don't save for a rainy day; I buy for a rainy day. So, I have to find ways to get out and do something without a pocketbook attached to my arm. But that's my mantra for 2014...DON'T BUY ANYTHING. I don't know if I can do it. I love to buy stuff. I love to accumulate. But my accumulations are burying me. <br /><br />So, stop the spending. Manage money wisely. Create a new home out of my sea of packing boxes. Organize myself. And that includes cooking-in and eating as healthy as I can, watching portions, watching ingredients. And my husband and I have decided we are bickering too much and need to ditch The Bickersons. We HAVE had a hard 2013, with family caregiving/parent death; probate complications; my cancer; emptying two houses and endless moving/relocating. I just want to feel quiet, settled, rested, fed mindfully and energized physically with a lot of walking (and a new thing for me, working out with weights...I'm looking forward, Janet, to your exercise regimen you said you'll be detailing later on in the blog). If I can get that far, maybe I can then look toward a little less 'me' and reach out more to others and my community. Unfortunately, I'm not a good multi-tasker. I admire people who can juggle career, volunteerism, family, church, etc. But I just can't. It's a real deficit.<br /><br />And then there's the rest, such as..."Is 2014 finally going to be the year for laser hair removal?" (Sorry; felt I had to lighten the tone here...)Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-43165491738948970042013-12-31T14:27:57.145-08:002013-12-31T14:27:57.145-08:00What a perfect way to word it. We're human. ...What a perfect way to word it. We're human. We can say, "I resolve to..." and then we don't do it because it's hard or we get distracted, thrown off course. I like the idea of planning better. I like the idea of defined priorities. Defined priorities. Yeah, I definitely like those two words.Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-56692042932771012222013-12-31T10:29:36.952-08:002013-12-31T10:29:36.952-08:00My resolution I am not going to call a resolution ...My resolution I am not going to call a resolution because if I do I know I will fail! I've only succeeded in one resolution and that was when I was a teenager - I am 48 now, enough said… For 2014, I am going to do my best at saving money and quit being so wasteful. After all, I am going to have to start saving for retirement eventually. Yikes!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-35217481196609221302013-12-31T09:47:40.949-08:002013-12-31T09:47:40.949-08:00The best advice I was given when I became a new mo...The best advice I was given when I became a new mother was, "Nap whenever you get a chance." When the baby slept, so did I, at least for the first few weeks.seablueleehttp://seabluelens.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-48131873197711221552013-12-31T08:23:29.776-08:002013-12-31T08:23:29.776-08:00I plan to use my good stuff more often. Eat in th...I plan to use my good stuff more often. Eat in the dining room off of the china and use the silver, even when it's just the two of us. Watch less TV. I get plenty of cardio but I'm going to try to find time for Yoga or strength training too. Drink less Coke Zero. Try to waste less food. I always feel guilty when I throw away food.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-38386463033011057562013-12-31T07:59:06.089-08:002013-12-31T07:59:06.089-08:00Janet, resolutions are great because they give you...Janet, resolutions are great because they give you a roadmap and goals to accomplish. BUT, be kind to yourself. You don't have to accomplish everything on your roadmap; deviating from it might even lead you to a better destination. Roadmaps are to help you, not to stress you. Speaking of stress, growing a vegetable garden (especially an organic one) can be more stressful than it's worth. As you can see from my blog, I only grow flowers (we tried growing vegetables for 2 seasons and realized it wasn't for us). Flowers are much easier and very rewarding. They also help me relax and be surrounded by nature. With these beautiful flowers, I also feel I am contributing to the world by providing food and shelter to our pollinators. One of my goals this year is to help the monarch butterfly population. Their habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate. I am giving myself 2-3 years before my first visitor arrives (this way I won't give up too soon). Your goals are realistic. Be kind to yourself as you set out to accomplish them. With your creativity and positive attitude, I am sure you will find fun ways to accomplish your goals. BIG HUG. Christacedarmerefarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16884226522131587799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-44435929106165869402013-12-31T07:34:57.616-08:002013-12-31T07:34:57.616-08:00Janet our resolutions are very similar as I am so ...Janet our resolutions are very similar as I am so determined to pay my mortgage off by 2015. I felt like I didn't make much progress on it this year but yesterday I looked at the numbers and it was astounding... we didn't travel as much in 2013 and anything extra I slapped down on the principal, if I am more mindful of spending in 2014 think of the progress I could make. So I'll be watching my spendy ways and thinking of new areas to save... I also want to continue my volunteer work with social justice and environmental awareness, that has been really rewarding though a bit tough at times, just the challenge I've needed and a new perspective as well. It helps me with my silly side. <br />I'm also determined to donate absolutely everything I don't need or use in my home, someone else should have it!!<br />Happy New Year to you, Larry and the whole family!DaniBPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02633155240779845497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-91425919319053132792013-12-31T02:20:49.895-08:002013-12-31T02:20:49.895-08:00Good to find personal honesty, it can be a rare co...Good to find personal honesty, it can be a rare commodity. I have broken every resolution I have ever made, so have stopped making them, well, writing them down anyway. It is a good time of year for self reflection and starting afresh, and there is time to stare into the fire and think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-52364373771108169242013-12-31T01:11:00.196-08:002013-12-31T01:11:00.196-08:00Happy Birthday Baby!!! I never got a text from y...Happy Birthday Baby!!! I never got a text from you so I thought I would connect thru here. I love you and hope you had an amazing day. <br /><br />MargotAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-81571814320384413632013-12-30T21:13:35.384-08:002013-12-30T21:13:35.384-08:00I too set goals on my birthday-but NYE is a good t...I too set goals on my birthday-but NYE is a good time to check in on those; we made our move to San Diego, and we couldn't be happier, even if we have a zillion boxes to yet unpack...<br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10611804776552043084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-89683641721320408962013-12-30T18:00:45.395-08:002013-12-30T18:00:45.395-08:00i know it does sound sad but i'm not giving th...i know it does sound sad but i'm not giving them up completely. :)<br />also, i really want to keep my eye on the prize of paying off my house which would more than make up for any estate sales i missed. it will take discipline but i know it will be worth it.<br /><br />i know 4 yrs!!!the gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191490968189022599.post-74248177096863431932013-12-30T17:51:40.188-08:002013-12-30T17:51:40.188-08:00I love making resolutions, though I rarely end up ...I love making resolutions, though I rarely end up keeping them. Like you I love the thought of a fresh start. I've always liked to purge unused stuff, but your blog has really inspired me to pare down this past year. My big resolutions for 2014 have to be around health. I had back sugary in late 2012 and it didn't go so well so I can't walk normal and I know I've also lost a lot of flexibility. My goal for this year is to really work on that and lose weight. Oh, and stop drinking frappuchinos!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058762474046780110noreply@blogger.com