Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

My Take On New Year's Resolutions

Does this look familiar?
     Every year after Christmas I put away the decorations, sweep up the glitter and ribbon remnants from the nooks and crannies where they magically appeared, and clean out the refrigerator preparing for the inevitable diet to begin in the New Year.  As I put the house “back together” I find myself taking stock of what needs to be done in the coming year and what I want to accomplish in my role as wife and mother and grandmother.  That can be a little disturbing when I see that the master bedroom needs painting, the laundry room shelves need organizing, the bathroom cabinets need old medicines tossed, the floors need waxing, and the linen closet needs a solution for overflowing stacks of pillowcases.  Add to that the too tight jeans and I can easily get overwhelmed at the total makeover my life needs!




     I'm one of those bloggers who is in the Winter of her life and I'm going to Celebrate not only this season but also the New Year and my successful completion of the last one!  I hope you join me in that celebration.

     Instead of focusing on the stuff that needs fixing in our lives, the ways we need to improve, the resolutions we need to make – and keep - this year….. let’s focus on all the ways we’ve been successful in 2010 - the things we’ve quilted, stitched, crafted and/or knitted and ways we’ve made a home for our family!  Let’s celebrate our role as the keeper of the home.

     Let’s look around us….certainly we all have beloved decorations we’ve crafted or sewn – things we carefully store away and then drag back out as a holiday approaches.  There are valentines that remind you of your son’s first Valentine’s Day when you couldn’t wait to make him something with hearts on it even though your husband said “that’s too girly!”  

There’s a red, white and blue throw pillow and even a patriotic tea towel for the kitchen.  


Halloween has all kinds of things you’ve made – goody  bags for the kids, costumes that they fell in love with two weeks before Halloween and hated one week later, and ghosts hanging from the chandelier.  




Oh, and Thanksgiving – well autumn leaves make great coasters, pumpkins tumble down the side of a wall hanging, and placemats grace the table.  And that’s not even touching on Christmas when we all seem to go crazy with Santas and snowmen and Angels.

If you’re reading this post you’re probably a quilter so there are likely quilts on all the beds and even hanging from the walls.  There’s a table runner on the dining room table and a candle mat on the coffee table.  

There are potholders in the kitchen and decorated tea towels hanging from the oven handle.  

There’s an apron hanging on the peg waiting for you to cook dinner.  There might be a purse in that little girls room and a crayon bag in the toy box.  

There are burp pads and bibs in the nursery and a pin cushion nearly finished for your sister’s birthday.  

There may be a hooked rug in front of the fireplace and an embroidered throw pillow on the couch.

Now’s the time to celebrate the things you’ve made from that precious fabric you've been hoarding.  Look around.  Take stock.  Don’t look for what’s left to do; look at what you’ve done.  Grab a cup of tea, sit by the fire, and celebrate you – the glue that holds everyone together and makes your house truly a home.  Life is a gift to you.  The way you live your life - and celebrate it - is your gift to those who come after.

blessings, marlene

31 comments:

Julie Fukuda said...

You said it all! As I go off to my bed having put the decorations away and lined up three days of subbing, there is a lot to celebrate. I shall take your words to heart and be glad for what the past year has brought. That includes friends like you!

Lena . . . said...

I love your outlook. I plan to readjust my thinking. Thanks for the post.

BlueRidge Boomer said...

Love it.....Great post..!!

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

AMEN!

Marie said...

Thank you for sharing and reminding us of those beautiful thoughts to live by.

FlourishingPalms said...

Ditto! You've precisely expressed my own sentiments. No need to resolve to DO anything. Instead, revel in blessings, rejoice in accomplishments, and thrive in all the good Lord provides. You said it girl! Thank you for sharing your lovely line-up of quilt-y pieces. It's the stuff of inspiration.

Sparky said...

I have always wondered about these sew called permanent press.There is nothing permanent press about them otherwise I still would not be ironing and starching my DH's boxers...long story..lol
great post there Marlene

Cindy said...

I love this. I didn't make any resolutions for 2011.

Needled Mom said...

I guess it takes us reaching the winter of our lives to look at resoulutions this way. I am in complete agreement with you. Now....where did I leave that teacup?

Tracy P. said...

Ah, Marlene, you are the best. That photo at the top is hilarious! I agree. Time to celebrate and keep plugging away. :-)

Sarcastic Quilter said...

Thank you for the reminder and sharing such lovlies in your own blessings. A great post. Happy New Year.

Elora said...

Thank you, Marlene! You know, women seem to have an affinity for wearing guilt. It's habitual. Your post wipes out guilt with a few easy strokes...strokes for the soul and strokes for the heart.

Elora

Nan said...

Your post has been such a blessing to me this morning. You are so right.....I was hurrying around to "get things done" and forgetting to thank God for the things He has done and allowed me to do in my life. Thank you for reminding me.

Grammy Staffy said...

Great post.... Happy New year in spite of all you've put on the "to do" list. I need to do all the same things....but you are ahead of me. We start home from Utah today and all of my Christmas decorations are up and waiting for me to get home.

Have a great week. Hugs, Lura

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Haven't stitched a darn thing, but I survived 2010 with my faith in tact and my love for Jesus all the more! Considering where I've traveled, I count that a win! Now, onto the hope and promise of 2011.

Beautiful way to celebrate the start of a new year.

peace~elaine

Sharon said...

Amen, Marlene! Think I will have a cup of tea, and reflect on all that has been accomplished, not what needs to be done...hugs to you!

Mad about Craft said...

I think that is a much better way of looking at the New Year & that's what I'm going to do!

Gmama Jane said...

I think I love you Marlene! Your words really touched my heart and reminded me once again that WE truly are the "keepers of the home"..very well stated. I have a regret though...I don't have as many handmade things as you HOWEVER, I'm going to count the ones I have rather than pine over the projects I didn't do. I'm grateful for being in the "winter of my life" even though to all those young moms out there that statement may seem strange. Like you, our grandchildren give us so much joy yet we also like the quiet life of the empty nester. Finding you has been one of the nicest gifts of 2010 and I hope to get to know you better in 2011.
Blessings
Gmama Jane

Arkansas Patti said...

I love that outlook. Just wish all my accomplishments weren't dead or sleeping. That is what I get for being a gardener.

Lindah said...

A great perspective, Marlene! Major in the positives, not denying the things that need work, but embracing (I think that's the current term) the accomplishments also. God's been working on me a lonnnng time, so I know he's done some good things with me. You mentioned winter. Winter has always been my favorite season --and now I'm there. Wayyy there. :-)
Now about that permanent press button. I think they gave up on me, 'cause my new iron doesn't have one. Woe is me.
Blessings!

Love Bears All Things said...

That was great...I don't quite have that much that I've sewn but I treasure even the ones I didn't...I guess I'm in the Winter too...my joints sure are telling me that...I think we need to focus on the positive...
Mama Bear

Carrie P. said...

Marlene,
I really enjoyed reading this post. I just say "Amen"
Happy New Year and thanks for the get well wishes and the compliment on my daughter's work on my new header.

Lea and her Mustangs said...

You know I am not a quilter although I envy you who are. I do crotchet some. I made our granddaughter an afgan for Chriswtmas and am working on Katie's wedding present. Afgans seem appropraite to do at my age. Hope you were not where the birds fell out of the sky. Oh ick.

Adrienne said...

Great words, my friend! Loved your thinking - think I'll fix a cup of tea and celebrate me!
~Adrienne~

em's scrapbag said...

Beautiful spin on the new year. Way to find the good. Thanks!

Purple Pam said...

Yes, I agree that we should take a moment to reflect on what we accomplished in the last year, and it was considerable.

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I like your "take"!

I enjoyed my visit today and I look forward to returning again soon! It was fun to "browse" through your past posts!

Stay Cozy, Carrie

Teresa said...

LOL..it sounded like you have been visiting my house with the description of things to be done. I see so many people making lists of UFO's and being overwhelmed by it all. I have decided to not even think about what is in process - but just enjoy working on what is at hand at the moment.

Mary L. Briggs said...

I love the idea of celebrating what we've accomplished! It's too easy to get caught up in what needs to be done. Thanks for the new way to look at 2011.

Erika Mulvenna said...

What a wonderful post and a lovely sentiment for celebrating the little accomplishments from 2010. When you're ready to tackle sewing in 2011, www.WeAllSew.com has a great list of projects and tutorials guaranteed to get you inspired!

Anonymous said...

Nice. Very nice, and I'm not even a quilter. I've seen your comments on Robert Brault's reader. Just dropped by for a pleasant visit and plan to copy and paste your site address for a friend who lives by a lake in Mississippi. Don't know if she quilts, but I have an idea she'll enjoy your blog. If Sandy Fritz drops by, tell her I said "hi." donkimrey Scripturestudent.wordpress.com