Looking Back, Looking Ahead - Good Things, Goals and a Word for 2021

As we look back on 2020, we know about all the crazy, scary, frustrating and anxiety producing things that happened. There were also a lot of good things that took place this year, so I begin this post remember those things.

• Charly got a really bad case of pneumonia in February.  It lasted into March and now really wonder if he had Covid, since this was before there were any Covid tests. I have read that Covid was actually in the U.S. much earlier than previously thought.  Charly ended up in the E.R. for a few hours, but thankfully he recovered at home, even though it took about six weeks.

• Early in March, I fell while out on a walk, and broke my hand and banged up my face and needed stitches.  Even though three doctors told me I would probably need surgery on my  hand to have a normal range of movement, a new doctor looks at the x-rays and said "no surgery!"  I was in a cast for about six weeks, but ultimately healed up well and my hand is as good as it ever was before the fall. 

• The week after I fell and broke my hand, COVID was declared a pandemic and schools almost everywhere were closed and lessons went online.  I am thankful that both Charly and I could work from home and that Josh could finish his college classes online.  Interestingly, we had just purchased a new computer in December and we had upgraded our internet in February, right before COVID became a that would mean we would be using our home technology. 

• On March 18 after being on stay-at-home orders for only a few days, there was a pretty significant earthquake here along the Wasatch Front.  Although there was some damage to buildings west of here, and we definitely felt the shaking, nothing even slide off a shelf here at our home.  

• Beginning in April, I got out my sewing machine and began making masks.  At that time, it was virtually impossible to find masks, so I used fabric and elastic on hand and began sewing masks, first for friends and family and then for pretty much anyone who wanted or needed them.  Before the end of the summer, I had made and given away or donated over 350 masks to friends, family, total strangers, the Navajo Nation and home patrons of the 4th Street Clinic in Salt Lake City. 

• In May, we wrapped up the school year, and Charly and I made the decision that this would be his final year as a classroom.  Teaching during COVID just presents too many risks for Charly because of his age and health condition.   I am grateful that we are in a financial position to have him retire. 

• In June, Charly and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary. Josh celebrated his birthday. We walked and hiked a lot.

• In July, after cancelling two vacation due to COVID, we took a road trip to Yellowstone National Park and had a delightful, mostly outside, socially-distanced, mask wearing National Park vacation.

• In August it was back to school for me.  Charly officially begin his life as a retiree.  While going back to school created some anxiety, returning teachers got a raise and several unexpected COVID bonuses.  Charly has help down the fort here at home, doing all the things he usually did and more.  He does a good part of the cleaning and almost all of the grocery shopping

• In October, Charly and celebrated our birthdays, and went on a long weekend trip to Southern Utah where we visited Cedar Breaks National Monument and the Kolob Canyon Section of Zion National Park. It was really a nice trip.  I am grateful we could make it.  The school where I teach has its first COVID closure.

• In November, Joe Biden won the presidential election, and the school went on another COVID online only closure. at the end of the month. We had a nice Thanksgiving - just the three of us.

• December brought the Electoral College confirmation of Joe Biden's victory, and a nice Christmas holiday and break.

As I think back over the 2020, I realized that these are some of the most important lessons I learned.  I hope to remember these things, as we move forward into what will hopefully be a better year - 2021.

• Things can change EXTREMELY quickly and in a major way. 
• Never assume that you know what is going to happen next - you don't!
• Health is a precious thing - don't ever take it for granted. Do whatever is necessary to preserve it!
• Having a lot more time at home is not necessarily a bad thing!
• Going shopping is NOT fun, and money can be saved by shopping online and avoiding impulse purchases.  This is especially true of gift giving.
• I can treat others good, even when I don't feel good!
• Listening, validating and having empathy is important and the key to good communication!
• Moms are NOT responsible for all choices - good and bad- that their children make. 
• Democracy is a precious and fragile thing.
• Every vote DOES really count!
• Having a spouse you actually enjoy spending time with is a great blessing!

Now on to my goals. Here are my goals for 2020 and a quick look at how I did at achieving them:

• Read the scriptures every day - While I did miss a few days of reading, I would guess that I probably read the scriptures about 75% of the days during the past year.  I also finished my Come Follow Me study. 
• Make a gratitude list every day - I would estimate that I made a gratitude list first thing every morning about 90% of days during 2020.
• Post on my blog at least once every week - Yes, I did this. Most weeks, I have posted twice.
• Read at least 25 books - I read 47 books in 2020 - a new yearly reading personal best for me. 
• Go to the temple at least 15 times - Temples were closed in March because of the pandemic, so sadly, I could not complete this goal.
• Index at least 500 records - I indexed over 1200 records this year.  Being home on lockdown during the spring and summer allowed me to spend much more time than usual doing this. 
• Lose 10 lbs. - Nope.  I lost five pound at the beginning of lockdown, but promptly gained it back.  I weight about the same I did last year at this time. 
• Eat fish at least 1-2 times per week - Nope.  I simply don't like fish, so I quit trying.  Charly has been eating a lot more fish though and he is eating it at least 1-2 times a week. 
• Have weekly positive communication (talk, text, email or one-on-one time) with at least one family member other than Charly - Yes, I have done this - I think, but honestly, I will say that I didn't really keep track. 

After giving it a lot of thought, these are the goals I decided on for this year (in no particular order).  You will notice that many of the same as last year.

• Read the scriptures every day.
• Complete the 2021 Come Follow Me Scripture Study.
• Index at least 500 records
• Reach out in a positive way to a family member who does not live with me every week.  This can be different family members - including siblings, cousins, aunts, children and grandchildren.   This can including calling, texting, emailing, or sending a card, gift or letter.
• Continue to post on my blog at once every week.
• Reach out to a friend (other than work associates) once a week - call, text, email, card or letter.
• Eat healthy - fruits and vegetables with every meal. Limit sugar.
• Continue to count calories - strive for 1500 or less.
• Exercise every day.
• Limit time on social media - FaceBook and Twitter to 15 minutes a day. 
• Read at least 30 books this year - 15 of those books from personal existing "to read" book stash.  Aim for 30-60 minutes of reading time each day.

That brings me to my word, my focus, for 2021. My word for this year is STRONG!

I will admit that sometimes, I do not feel strong. Sometimes, I feel like I am a weak, hot mess.  Still, I know that I am strong, that I have been strong, and that I can be strong when that is needed.  I want to continue to be strong and get stronger physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have done hard things in the past and I can do hard things again. 

This past year has been hard, but I got through it.  I learned new things.  I did things I never imagined I would have to do. When I felt at my weakest, I prayed and relied on the strength of God. 

With Him, I am STRONG and getting STRONGER with each passing year.  

Prayers for 2021 to be a good year for all of us, that we can all stay strong, and look to the light and hope of the world when we feel weak. 

Happy New Year to all!

My 2020 Year in Books

 

These are the books I read this past year, 2020.  For each book, I have listed whether it is Fiction (F) or Nonfiction (NF) and the number of stars I gave it, based on how much I liked the book.  Five stars ***** means it was amazing and life-changing.  One star * means probably don't bother with this one.  I don't think I gave any book I read this year one star.  Favorite books of the year are in bold type. I chose my favorite books based on how much I enjoyed them, how memorable they were and the impact they had on my life. 

1. **** (F) The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

2. **** (F) The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

3. **** (NF) Option B by Sheryl Sandberg

4. **** (NF) The Road to Character by David Brooks

5. ** (F) Failsafe by Traci Hunter Abramson

6. ***** (NF) I Can Choose Joy With God by Ganel-Lyn Condie

7. **** (NF) The Big Short by Michael Lewis

8. *** (NF) Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott

9. **** (NF) Failure to Thrive by Julie Ann Toomey

10. *** (NF) Negative Self-Talk and How to Change It

11. *****(F) The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

12. **** (NF) The Vanishing American Adult by Ben Sasse

13. *** (F) The Call of the Wild by Jack London

14. **** (NF) I Thought It was Just Me, (But it Isn't) by B. Brown

15. **** (F) The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg

16. **** (NF) Carry on, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

17. *** (F) Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

18. ***** (NF) The Book of Mormon - Journal Edition

19. **** (F) The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

20. **** (NF) Nomadland: Surviving America... by J. Bruder

21. *** (NF) Prodependence by Robert Weiss

22. ***** (NF) Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

23. **** (NF) Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump

24. **** (NF) Done With the Crying by Sheri McGregor 

25. **** (F) Here to Stay by Mark Edwards

26. **** (NF) Moroni's Guide to Surviving Turbulent Times 

27. ***** (NF) Coca Cola, Hot Pants, Cancer...by Nancy Foote

28. **** (NF) City of Endless Night by Preston and Child

29. ***** (NF) How the Right Lost Its Mind by Charles Sykes

30. ***** (NF) The Rational Bible - Exodus by Dennis Prager

31. **** (F) Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

32. ***** (F) The Girls With No Names by Serena Burdick

33. **** (NF) Healing Family Relationships by Rob Rienow

34. **** (F) The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor

35. *** (NF) How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps 

36. ***** (NF) Estrangement of Parents by Their Adult Children

37. **** (NF) Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl 

38. **** (NF) All the President's Women by Levine and El-Faizy

39. *** (NF) Three Years in a Walmart Parking Lot by S. Waters

40. *** (F) Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans 

41. **** (NF) Estranged:  Finding Hope... by J. Plagens

42. ** (F) The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans

43. ***** (NF) Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families

44. ***** (NF) Joyful Union:  A Better and Stronger Marriage...

45. ***** (F) A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

46. **** (NF) For You Mom, Finally by Ruth Reichl

47. *** (NF) When Your Child Breaks Your Heart by B. Johnson

For me, 47 books was a new personal best in yearly reading. Of course, stay-at-home orders gave me more time to read than normal, but I would like to continue reading at this pace, if possible.  I have set my reading goal for 2021 at 30 books, but hope to exceed that. 

About 67% of the books I read in 2020 were nonfiction.  That left 33% fiction.  Of the nonfiction books I read, 12 were biographies/memoirs, 6 were religious, 6 dealt with the subject of relationships, 5 were of the self-improvement genre and 5 were political in nature.  Of those that were political, 2 were could also biographical.  In the coming year, I don't have any particular goal about the kinds of books I will read, but I would like to read a significant number of books that I already own.  It felt like I purchased a lot of books this year (most from Amazon), and I do have a significant "to read" shelf all comprised of books that I really do want to read.  Here are some other things I learned about my reading habits and preferences in 2020:

• I prefer paperbacks to hardbound books.  They aren't so heavy to hold when reading. 
• I like to mark meaningful passages and annotate in books - especially non-fiction.
• I prefer to have my own copy of book, rather than to use the library.  There always seem to be long hold lists for the books I want to read and when the book is available, I am already reading something else I don't want to interrupt.
• I use the library mostly for books I am  not sure I want to purchase.
• I am more likely to purchase a nonfiction book than a fiction book.  
• I am reading more and more books on my Kindle, but I so far, I still prefer paper and ink books.
• I tend to read faster when I am reading on my Kindle.

For those blog friends who post about books, I am looking forward to reading about your 2020 year in books! 

Christmas Weekend

We had a nice Christmas at home - Just the three of us - Charly, Josh and I.  Here are some of the highlights of Christmas and our weekend.

This is our Christmas Tree with all of our gifts Christmas morning before we opened gifts.

We opened our gifts late Christmas morning.  We all slept in a bit, and then Charly and I took a morning walk before opening gifts.  In our immediate family, gone are the days of getting up at the crack of dawn to see what Santa brought.  

I got an Apple Watch. 

Josh gave me a couple of DVDs I had been wanting.  Charly and I have been watching episodes of The Chosen, which is a series about Jesus Christ. It is excellent.  I highly recommend it.

Charly also gave me these DVDs of a police/crime series I used to watch many years ago when I was a teenager. 

Charly also gave me this T-shirt from Four Seasons Total Landscaping, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Charly and I had a good chuckle over this.

Here are some of Charly's gifts - He got games, books, movies and cherry chocolates - all of his favorite things. Josh got some things he needed and wanted - some clothes, a gift card for more clothes, some video games and a DVD of a movie he wanted to see.  Everyone liked all the gifts we exchanged.

We walked four miles on Christmas, which was a sunny but cold day. 

Saturday was cold and cloudy, and we even got a little snow. We had to go to a couple of stores, but spent the rest of the day at home. Sunday was a mix of clouds and sunshine.  We went to church, then I did my scripture reading and Come Follow Me study and indexing. 

No big Sunday dinner this week - too many leftovers in the fridge - so it was everyone for him or herself come dinner time.  We are still watching at least one or two episodes of The Crown almost every day, and Sunday was no exception.  I am finding this series quite fascinating and I am learning a lot about modern British history that I never knew.  

The highlight of my Sunday was getting a Marco Polo message from my second oldest daughter, Tiffany, and her family.  Here are some frames from the Merry Christmas message they sent.  I haven't seen my daughter and her children (who live only 40 miles away from me) for over a year and a half, and I will tell you that the situation breaks my heart.  I have tried and am still trying to make the situation better and I won't lie, I get pretty discouraged and even depressed about it. Perhaps things are getting a bit better, at least I hope and pray they are. I did get a Christmas card from this daughter with a picture of her kids on it, and we exchanged text messages on Christmas Day. Charly and I made a Merry Christmas Marco Polo for them, and ask them to send us a message, so we could see them all, and this is the message that arrived this afternoon.  The kids are so cute and they are growing so fast.  I hope we can see them in person this year, once the virus is more under control and we have vaccinations.  Being a parent is more complicated and heartbreaking than I ever imagined.  So is being a human being. 

Thanks for stopping by to share our holiday.  Even though Christmas is over, I will share this quote about our Savior who is the reason for and essence of the Christmas season. 

 

Christmas Eve Favorites

Merry Christmas!  I hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday.  I decided that rather than taking a holiday blog break, I would take the opportunity to look back and remember the best parts of the past week.  I am linking again with Susanne and others over at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five, a day early on Christmas Eve. 

The Christmas Star - Because this year has been so challenging, I think it is fitting that we see brightness and hope where we can find it. I know this is not much of picture, but the bright spot in the middle of the dark sky is the Christmas star, which we saw on Monday night.  I was glad that the sky was clear so we could witness this phenomenon that hasn't been seen for 800 years.  

Thoughtful Christmas gift - My older sister sent me this gift - a recipe box filled with her favorite recipes, painstakingly handwritten on 3x5 cards.  I made one of the recipes for dinner.  

This is the recipe I made - Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef.

Here is the recipe - page 1.  The recipe calls specifically for flank steak.  I don't even know what kind of steak I had - just pulled it out of the freezer, but I don't think that flank steak is an essential part of the recipe. The beef I used was delicious and tender. I always put a date that I try a new recipe and also give it a number of stars - 1-5, depending on how well we like it.  You can see that this one got five stars. *****

Here is page 2 of the recipe. Notice my note to double the sauce.  That is because we enjoy a lot of sauce on our rice.  

A new electric heater - we had a heater similar to this for several years, but it finally quit working.   I got a rather generous gift card as a gift from an extended family member, so we decided to use some of it to buy a new heater, which we have in our dining room.  It takes the chill off in the morning.  

Cold and windy walks - Charly and I took our daily walks, even though this week has been cold and often windy.  A few minutes walking, even in the cloudy cold, does much to brighten the day. 

When we walked on the morning of Christmas Eve, it was still cold, but the sky there was bright sunshine and a beautiful blue sky.  No white Christmas for us.

New water bottle - one of my goals for the new year, is to drink more water.  I have noticed that when I wear a mask all day, especially at school, I don't drink enough water, and sometimes get dehydrated.  

I did some research on how much I should be drinking each day (about 64 ounces or half a gallon) and then bought this really cool water bottler which is marked to help me keep on track and drink enough.  I started using it today, but will also be taking it to school with me after Christmas break, so I can be sure to drink enough water each day. 

Another good podcast - If you have been reading this blog very long, you know that I am a podcast listener.  I found this podcast quite a while ago, but have recently rediscovered it, and am finding it very positive and helpful.  It is called Living and Loving Your Life with Chantel Allen.  If you like uplifting podcasts, give this one a listen. 

Christmas movies and Netflix - we watched this Christmas movie which was enjoyable.  We shut off another Netflix Christmas movie because it just wasn't to our tastes.  We are still enjoying The Crown, which we both find quite fascinating and "binge worthy." 

Gift arrivals - All gifts ordered from Amazon, even a couple I ordered earlier on Christmas week - after the official Amazon order Christmas deadline,  arrived on time to be wrapped and placed under the tree. 

Christmas ornaments - since I haven't posted these before, I decided to show you some of our family's favorite and most meaningful Christmas ornaments.  

Christmas cards - We have loved sending and receiving Christmas cards since our very first Christmas as husband and wife. We haven't missed a year. The cards always go up on the back of our front door, and they are the last part of Christmas to be taken down in January. We also love and appreciate all of those who care enough to stay in touch. Each card and letter is treasured. Thank you and Merry Christmas to our friends who keep in touch!

Thanks for coming around for a Christmas visit!

Merry Christmas all!

 

The Weekend Before Christmas

Friday I went back to school, after a wellness "sick" day to catch up on my sleep on Thursday.  No students were at school Friday because it was every Friday is "online learning" only this year.  I gave scented candles to the other teachers in my department as a small Christmas remembrance.   After staff meeting, a Christmas concert by some of our students and a luncheon (which I did not attend), our principal let us go home to get started  on our Christmas break. 

When I got home, I got a text and an email from our school district with a link to let all district employees sign up to receive the Covid vaccination.  My time for the vaccine is Friday, January 15, 2021 at 8:50 a.m.. I am getting the vaccine for my own health as well as for the health and safety of those near and dear to me. By getting the vaccine, I feel like I am also helping my community and our nation achieve eventual herd immunity, which will stop COVID dead in its tracks. In my personal view, getting the vaccine is something I am doing for myself and others.

Charly and I watched another episode of The Crown, and then later The Life and Death of Princess Diana on Dateline.

Saturday morning, I slept in a bit, then after our morning walk, I spent quite a while shredding some old records and documents that we had been keeping for years. Time to clean up for the coming new year.

Saturday was a mostly at home day. The only time we went out was to get some take-n-bake pizza for dinner.

After dinner, I wrapped a few presents, finished up a load of laundry, and we watched a little TV, including two episodes The Crown. We have now made it to season 2 and we are still enjoying it.

After the second episode of The Crown, I decided to stay up and finish this book, which I didn't love. It is my second Richard Paul Evans Christmas book of the season and I think I need a break from this author until next year.

Sunday morning, we got up and went to our main church service in person, then I watched Sunday School on Zoom while indexing cemetery records. Charly took a little nap and later we went for a mid-afternoon walk. No pictures, but it was a gray and cold December day.

This year, I have not done any Christmas baking, and decided instead to give Orange Sticks to friends and neighbors as Christmas gifts, instead of homemade cookies or candy. If you have never had Sweets Candy Orange Sticks, you are missing out. My mom used to work at Sweets Candy Company here in Salt Lake City long before I was born, and she made these orange sticks. We always had them at Christmas time when I was a child, and so for me, Orange Sticks are Christmas and I love to share them with others. I took a box to our bishop (pastor) and several other special families from our church congregation.

Later, I started reading this book, which I am looking forward to finishing before Christmas.

For Sunday dinner, we had country fried steak, mashed potatoes and country gravy and buttered carrots. This is one of our favorite Sunday meals.

I baked some chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

The cookies were delicious and a nice Sunday night treat. As soon as I post this, Charly and I are off to the living room for a little date watching either a Christmas movie of an episode of The Crown.

Christmastime Favorites

Happy Friday!  I hope everyone is having a good week.  It's time for thinking back over the week about the good things that happened, and link up with other bloggers over at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five.

Snowy sick day - I took a sick day and stayed home on Thursday - no I don't have COVID, but I haven't been feeling or sleeping well and I just needed to take a day to rest and try to catch up on sleep.  I turned off my alarm and ended up sleeping in until almost 9 a.m..  That is super late for me.  I haven't slept in that late for years, but it really helped me feel better and more rested.  It was a cloudy and snowy Thursday, although I know our snow didn't amount to anywhere near who some of my blog friends in the Northeast got.  

I felt good enough to take a walk with Charly in the late afternoon.  The clouds were low on the mountains all day.

More Christmas cards - More Christmas cards have been coming this week, including many from blog friends.  I love each one and enjoy looking at them on the back of the door.   I so appreciate everyone who still sends Christmas cards!

Presents bought and wrapped - I did almost all of the Christmas shopping online this year, which was super convenient.  I did have to get a couple of gifts at the store after the deadline to order from Amazon, and I am still waiting for a few items that are expected this weekend.  I had a goal to get at least some of the gifts wrapped this week, and I did get a lot of them ready and under the tree.  

Josh - No this is not a picture of Josh, but this is the time that he often leaves for work in the morning. His classes for the semester are over this week, but when school is on, Josh works and takes a full-load of classes.  I am grateful to have a smart, hard-working son with a great work ethic.  

Good memories - A friend is a photographer and took some pictures of our family when the kids were little, sent me the originals in her Christmas card. When this picture was taken, our oldest daughter, Amber, was away at college.  That's our second oldest daughter Tiffany in the middle, surrounded by her little brothers - Alex on the left and little Josh on the right.  We lived in Southern California when this picture was taken. 

This picture was taken a couple of years later when we lived in Arizona. That's Charly, Alex, Josh, Me and Tiffany. Again, Amber was still away at college in New York.  I loved getting these pictures.  I love the happy memories attached to them.  They were a great Christmas gift from my friend.

I hope that all of your Christmas preparations of going well.  Have a good weekend and I will see you again soon!