I hope you've all been having fun this holiday season too!
My son gave me an interesting toy for Christmas - a Roku. Have you heard of it? It's a little box that connects to my TV and let's me watch YouTube videos, instant Netflix, personalized Pandora radio, Flickr photos, etc. from the comfort of my couch. Lots of fun - and, unfortunately, very addictive!
Oh, and did I tell you that I've been off of work for a whole week? The university where I work decided to give all faculty and staff a paid vacation from December 23 - January 2. What a great Christmas gift!
But now - after a whole week of holiday frivolity and couch-potato bliss - I'm eager to get back to a more responsible, calorie-burning lifestyle.
Well, maybe I'll start after New Year's Eve. I've actually made plans to go to an NYE party this year, which is somewhat unusual for homebody me.
But it's in keeping with one of my New Year's Resolutions...
I've decided that after months of social hibernation that it's time to emerge from my cocoon and...
vintage postcard courtesy of flickr - chicks57
New Year's Resolution #1:
Become a Social Butterfly!
This is a good goal for me because I've been way too caught up with getting my new blog going, selling on eBay/Etsy, helping my kids move out of the house - and I can hardly remember what it's like to spend a night on the town getting crazy with friends...
I'm not exactly a Wallflower type, but Social Butterfly will be a bit of stretch for me.
Hmm, let's see... Who can I turn to for inspiration?
Ah, yes! The dynamic duo, Helga Von Trollop and the Vintage Vixen ...
vintage postcard, postmarked in 1911 - eBay - MrsHavasham
I'll just check out their latest blog posts to see what fun they're having, and then I'll tone it down by about 50% - and it'll be just perfect for me! (Sorry Helga & Vix - you're just too much fun to tease, I couldn't resist...)
Vintage Postcard, ca. 1910 - eBay - Jockriver
Speaking of New Year's Resolutions...do any of you have a tradition of making a list of resolutions at the start of each new year?
I tend to make my lists twice a year - once on my birthday in July, and then again five months later on January 1. I like the idea of wiping the slate clean....making a fresh start....turning the page to a new chapter....being born again.
Obviously the "born again" theme is not a new one. Aren't the babies in these early 1900's New Year's postcards adorable? They're currently up for bid on eBay...
"Unsigned artwork of Samuel Schmucker in conjunction with publisher John Winsch, copyrighted in 1910. Embossed surface with gold accents. Mailed in December, 1910" - eBay - Marbren
vintage 1913 postcard - eBay - Crappie4
vintage "Made in Germany" postcard, postmarked 1909 - eBay - MrsHavasham
Here are a few possible additions to my 2011 list of New Year's Resolutions. This is still just a draft, so please don't hold me to any of it!
#2 - Find some creative ways to bring in extra money so that I can a) manage to pay the mortgage each month, and b) have a little left over to cover my new Social Butterfly expenses.
#3 - List six items a week (four on eBay, two on Etsy) - consistently for one whole year. (Yikes! That might be a bit of a stretch...)
#4 - Lose 10 pounds by March 17, so that I can squeeze nicely into that 1960's green dress with the rhinestone buttons and wear it on St. Patrick's Day.
#5 - Hire someone to get rid of the squirrels that have taken over my bedroom. (Don't ask...it's a nightmare...)
#6 - Stop procrastinating and get that damn oven fixed! - so that I can start baking some of the fun recipes in my vintage cookbook collection.
#7 - Throw a party to celebrate being kid-free for the first time in 27 years!
#8 - Start playing the piano again. (This was a strong suggestion from my musical & mathematically minded son who has noticed that his mother's mind has become a bit foggy lately, and thought that practicing the piano might help sharpen it up a bit.)
#9 - Become a more thoughtful and generous person with those I love.
#10 - Discover the Fountain of Youth. (And if I find it, I promise to fill you in!)
Early 1900's French New Year's Postcard - Etsy - OldeTymeNotions
New Year Greetings Postcard, dated Dec. 29, 1911 - Etsy - Artypharty
Notice that the children in the photos above and below are carrying horseshoes & four leaf clovers, symbols of Good Luck...
Early 1900's "Made In Germany" Postcard - Etsy - Anantiqueaffair
Vintage postcard dated 1/1/13. Published by E.A. Schwerdtieger and Co. London B.C.
As the little boy in the postcard says:
"Be Happy on New Year's Day...
Enjoy yourself wherever you are
'Tis the brightest day on the calendar."
Have a fun (and safe) New Year's Eve - and a Happy New Year!
Oh, and have a Sarsaparilla on me!
Cheers! - Susan
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I first want to say congrats on being kid free. I haven't been kid free in 23 years and I have at least 10 more to go!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I commend your resolution to be more socially active. Trust me when I say THAT is the fountain of youth ;-)
What a fun post. The squirrel infestation must be frustrating, but it makes for a great story. I hope the New Year brings you a new range and social happiness. Cheers! - Michael
ReplyDeleteHa! Thanks for the mention! I love your resolution to be more socially active and the fact that you make resolutions twice a year, totally genius idea!
ReplyDeleteWishing you loads of fun and frolics for 2011 now that you're kiddie-free.
xxxxx
Whew! That is quite a list for 2011 and I believe you can do anything you want to do!! Happy Healthy Social Butterfly New Year to you...
ReplyDeleteDarl, I think I should be toning it down myself,but o well!!
ReplyDeleteHave fun,look forward to reading your wonderful musings in the New Year! XXX
squirrels in the bedroom?! fascinating! What a list! I should do something similar! Anyway, Happy New Year...and thanks for sharing those darling postcard images!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for another delightful post!! Love your resolutions and the wonderful antique images. We have problems with squirrels outside the house. This summer they( during a dry spell) dug up and chewed all my geraniums, impatiens and vinca vines on the patio. They ate through all my beautiful lighting on the patio railings, ate through my wicker chairs, munched on my wicker drink bucket and broke the bird bath!! In the autumn they dug up and ate all my bulbs! I think they are too cold now to eat through the Christmas lights... Why do I put up with it? Two christmases ago, while doing dishes at the kitchen sink, a squirrel ran by the window with a gorgeous fat red velvet bow in his mouth, two long ribbon tails streaming behind him! He jumped into the Norway maple in our backyard, and hung the bow in his nest, with the ribbon tails hanging out!! I try to hate squirrels but honestly how can I hate a creature who decorated for Christmas???...
ReplyDeleteSherrill
Such absolutely delightful pictures my friend. I hope this New Year is filled with many wonderful delights. xxxx
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and congrats on the kid free state! We didn't have children but I can imagine he he!
ReplyDeleteI will be making my resolutions but I usually leave them until the excess of New Year is out of the way, you know about 3rd/4th Jan when you're ready.
Have fun!
I'd definitely move #5 to the top position!
ReplyDeleteA Very Happy New Year to you, and good luck with the list!
Hello all...
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and wishing me luck with my resolutions. The good thing (and the bad thing) about announcing goals publicly is that now I feel obligated to follow through!
Just to clarify - the squirrels aren't actually running around inside my bedroom. But...it certainly sounds that way when I'm trying to sleep at night. How does one get rid of squirrels in the middle of winter? I think that it will be much less expensive for me (money is always a huge issue) to wait it out until springtime when they prefer to be outdoors - and then I'll hire someone to get everything sealed up tight!
Also...I hope you don't think that I'm a horrible parent for being so gleeful about my children moving out! I truly do miss them (and the rent they were paying!) - but I don't miss their messes. And I don't miss the lack of privacy for entertaining "friends." ;-)
I've never made a New Year's resolution - probably couldn't keep them lol. Happy New Year. x
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★ Happy Squirrel Hunting in 2011 ;-) ★
New year resolutions...I always make a lot of them only to fail every single one!
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