Aussie Susie's 2011 Wish List

A "resolution" is a decree, declaration, decision, motion or ruling - according to my computer's Thesaurus.

A "wish" is a desire, aspiration, hope, yearning or craving - according to the same source.

It is clear that the former is something that has a stronger flavor than the latter. I don't make New Year Resolutions. I do compile a list of "wishes" for the year ahead. Here is mine for what it is worth.

My 2011 Wish List

1 Spend more time with close friends

During 2009, I saw one of my closest friends for one day while she visited her daughter who was living not too far from where I live. This was the only time I had seen Dianne for 10 years. Distance and my commitment to looking after my aging mother were the reasons for this situation from my side. From Dianne's side, she has a diabetic husband who goes against his Doctor's orders, her second daughter battled ovarian cancer, two of her four childrens' marriages broke up and one other is still shaky. She suffered a heart attack apparently brought on by stress. We had a long phone chat just before Christmas and it was as if no time had passed. It is easier for me to go visit Di and her family, so some time early in 2011, I will make the trip down south of Sydney to spend a week with Di and her family. This long overdue holiday will be so enjoyable as we will see all four of Di's adult children and all of her grandchildren. She is fortunate to have them all around her in the same district.

I already spend a significant amount of time with childhood friends who live fairly close to where I live. We have quarterly get-togethers for our Junior High (Year 10) school friends group. These are great events and provide a friendship base for all of us. My Mum is a welcome addition to our ranks as most of our group do not have their parents alive at this point in their lives.

Renewing some worthwhile and jaded friendships is also on my wish list. There are a few people who have slipped through the cracks and I don't want them to think I don't care about them anymore.

2 Make some new friends

It is always nice to welcome new friends into your circle. These days it is more difficult to achieve this with most young women working to survive the rising cost of living and the ever widening gap between family members located in places far from their loved ones. I started on 31 December and made one new friend. Marianne lives in our neighborhood and walks her gorgeous 7 month old baby Felicity several times a week. As she passes our place, we have a chat and fuss over the baby. I suggested Marianne come with Mum and I to a local craft group that meets fortnightly. This was a positive step to forming a new friendship with a young Mum who has only her husband for support. I think she will find it easier to attend in company with my Mum and I. Conversely, I need to get out more with my Mum because I am starting to become a "couch potato".

I also want to reconnect with Gayle and Peter who live just over the rise in our street. Gayle has had Multiple Sclerosis for 34 years and her Paramedic husband Peter retired early to devote his time to looking after Gayle, a former nurse. These two people are an inspiration and I want to encourage Gayle with her fiction writing.

3 Go camping

I have decided that it is time to get out and about on short holidays and weekend trips. To do this in the most economic way, camping is the obvious solution. We have most of the things needed except the tent and two air beds. As soon as the weather fines, I want to be off into the countryside to relax and work more on my major writing projects.

Australia has some excellent tourist parks for campers, caravanners and those who want to stay in cabins. The cabins are great but cost three times the price of a powered camp site. We can go camping more often and get back to absolute basics in doing so.

4 Do more sewing

I have a lovely new sewing machine that needs to be put into service. Some of the projects I have on my plate are new curtains for my home, cushions, and some new clothes for Mum and I. Mum is only a size 8 now and it is so hard to find store-bought items that suit a 91 year old and that fit her. I am a difficult size with my waist four and a half inches longer than it should be. Nothing fits except separates. I can sew very well and have a cache of beautiful fabrics bought over time. I need to convert them to wardrobe items. I also want to start making simple patchwork items - table runners etc. to extend my craft knowledge.

5 Continue my "scarves for friends" scheme

Over the last eighteen months or so, I have been knitting scarves for my friends. This activity keeps me occupied when I have spare time watching TV with Mum. I can't just sit and do nothing. So far the friends who have received a scarf are absolutely delighted. I have many more to knit this year.

6 Set and achieve some realistic goals for my internet writing on AC and other sites

A New Year wish list would not be complete without extending my modest success on AC from Yahoo and venturing into an additional on-line writing site. On paper, my AC goals look reasonable and unless I apply myself more often, they will disappear into that "didn't achieve bin".

A happy, healthy and successful year to all my fans and followers

I wish all my wonderful AC fans and followers a happy, healthy and successful year in 2011. Stay safe and I look forward to reading lots of your interesting content each day.

Source:

Personal experience

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