Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Hello, 2013!


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Happy New Year and welcome, 2013!!

We celebrated the new year by gathering in the lounge at midnight to watch the London firework display, so I could do my annual "Let's take photos of the TV to keep" thing. We have a lovely view here in the warm house, although I have to say, I would love to be there one day to see it all for myself. In real life. The theme was a celebration of the Jubilee and the Olympics and Paralympics. London shone. The city was at its very finest last summer, and they did the whole country proud. There were so many smiles and it made such a wonderful difference. And their fireworks last night/this morning were spectacular. 

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So we ooh-ed and aah-ed and I took the photos. And then everyone crawled into bed.

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See? I can take photos of the TV screen. Getting close enough, without kneeling and without getting the reflection of the lights on the tree was a mathematical moment of brilliance. And without blocking the screen from the others.

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Oh, London, I do love your skyline!

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I have decided to keep my word as "JOY" for this year. I am reading a wonderful book called "Do you know who I AM?" by Angela Thomas, and that, coupled with Ann's story today confirmed the decision. I am going in pursuit of joy each and every day and I will find it, no matter where it hides from me, and then there will be the laughter which follows and the sense of peace I know will come.

So JOY it is. Falling forward, not backwards. Looking ahead, not behind. Using the mistakes of yesterday to keep plodding onward. And this so suits my nature, which has always been positive. Not an hour ago, I was looking in the fridge, at all the scraps of left overs for something to make for lunch. I heated some sausage rolls, and saw the packet of blueberries in a back corner, so I hauled out all the ingredients and made that wonderful Pinterest cake. 

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We have just eaten a third of it. AND it is delicious. A triumph. That makes me smile.

I must say that having no transport over the holiday period is not great. There are places my daughter would love to be and people she is so keen to see and the car has to be fixed first. Public transport is not great around here during holidays either. I am having to practice patience too. I hate being without a working car.

 However, she did do all the dusting and polishing this morning - the sun shows up all the dust and the grubby windows and.......... I can't see it on the grey days, of course! Did I mention that 2013 has started with the most beautiful sunny day? The skies are blue and it cheers the spirits immensely. A really good start to the new year. 

2013............. I wonder what you will be bringing. Anticipation. I am waiting in anticipation of adventures, and laughter, and resolutions and fun. 

8 comments:

Susan said...

Hello, me again - your reader in Zurich. I just left a "p.s." on yesterday's post ... but wanted to say again that I love your word "Joy" - and hope that this New Year brings much joy and blessing for you.

Linds said...

Susan, I got it - thanks so much. Can you send me an email so I can reply directly to you? lal50at btinternet.com (using the proper @ sign of course!) So often I would love to reply but can only do so here. And thanks so much for your lovely words. I just read the Romans verse and have highlighted it. Happy New Year again!

Needled Mom said...

What a spectacular show of fireworks from your comfy chair!!! I like that idea. Like you, I always thought it would be fun to be in NYC to bring the new year in, but not sure I would enjoy all the crowds now. I rather like to watch the activity and then go crawl into my warm bed.

The blueberry cake looks delicious.

Happy new year to you and your family.

Vee said...

Ahhh, then, JOY it is! So glad for your beautiful day and those amazing fireworks of last evening. We, too, are having a beautiful, if howling, day. The wind is howling. No living creature...just thought you'd like to know that bit. Ha! Off to follow your link...

Vee said...

Ohhh...that was wonderful. Wonderful doesn't quite cut what that was. Ahhh...fall forward...press on...getting it...slowly...

Barbara said...

Looks delicious. Vee told me you had posted on the fireworks so popped over as I did not get to see them or remember to record them.

Linda said...

I love your word Linds! I am hopeful that my word will somehow incorporate all of these wonderful words.
I am very impressed with both your photographic genius and that blueberry cake. I can almost taste it from here!

Susan said...

Hi Linds, I fired off an email yesterday - hope it finds you well :-)

Mmmm I keep wishing for blueberry cake when scrolling through the above. I might have to act on it today :-)