New Year’s Resolutions cause why not….

So I said the other day I’d post my 2017 New Year Resolutions, and my biggest goal is to accomplish the things I say I will do so here goes. Before I begin let me say, these all sound more important then they really are actually cause typically after I post this I forget all about it and nothing happens cause frankly…. I’m lazy. Like insanely lazy, and truth be told it isn’t that I’m lazy so much as I have other things to “deal with” ha!

For instance, my New Year’s Resolutions for 2016 included …. Seeing more movies. Which I did not. Spending more time actually talking to Golden. Which we did not stupid contradicting schedules. Visiting Golden more often, which I did accomplish, kinda. I visited her for her birthday then we had a relaxing trip in Atlanta for DragonCon … well until I took a nose dive after giving blood and came back home with busted glasses, a fat lip, and a massive headache. Losing weight … which I think has to be on the list for me but I did not really accomplish this year. Exercise more is another one I didn’t do, obviously. Having work not be all consuming of my energy, this one I semi-accomplished. We expanded our department and while my work load didn’t really change it felt like it wasn’t all on my shoulders so that helped in the stress department. I also wanted to go out into the world more and be around people, but then remembered I don’t like people so I really didn’t do this. Tho a friend and I did spend a lovely weekend listening to some great music at the Flora Bama which got me a little out of my comfort zone. So I’m counting that one as a success. I sadly didn’t finish my Haley and Michaels story … I started to several times but it sounded stupid so I deleted it. I think I’ve finally figured out an angle that will allow me to finish it and finally get Shannon and Ryan out of the airport. So let’s see three out of ten isn’t horrible…. Ok it is … shut up!

So what’s this year’s resolutions you may ask …… I’m not really sure. I mean last year’s were such a success it’s going to be hard to top those but ok fine I’ll try. Think of these as more of a 2017 guideline.

1.       I want to write more. Not just on this blog but that’s a huge goal too but write the things in my head no matter if it think it sounds good. I can’t tell you the number of times I wrote something in my head, went to write it out only to delete it cause it sounded “dumb.” I want to write creative things, stories and plays as well as items for this blog. I want to be able to type #AmWriting on twitter and it be something I not only finish but that I’m also proud to share. Mostly I want to finish my Haley and Michael’s story if only so I can move on to another.
 ** UPDATE ** I finished my Haley and Michael's story .... check it out if you are interested ... A Royal Musical Journey-conclusion

2.       I would like to exercise and lose some weight. Not because I feel I should but because I think it will make me feel better in general. I’ll be honest my mom isn’t in the best health and part of it is her weight and if she had done anything even 10 years ago she’d be better off. I don’t want to be in the same boat one day, mostly cause I’m not going to have a Marcy to help me out like she does. Plus who knows if I pull it off maybe she’ll follow suit.

3.       I want to travel more. Golden and I used to go on trips a few times a year. There’s a new cruise company here in town, I think I’d like to do that, mostly to say I’ve done it. I’d like to look up an artist tour schedule and instead of thinking that’s like 7 hours away think wow that’s only 7 hours away and then go. I’d like to make a list of placed I’d like to visit then start a plan to make those trips happen.

4.       I’d like to get more involved in church. We recently joined a new church, our old one folded and closed the doors around Thanksgiving. It was sad but about 2 years overdue really. WE have found a new church home and I think I’d like to get more involved. I’m not sure how to do that yet, but I think I’ll figure it out. I’d like for church to be something I’m a part of not just a place I visit once a week.

5.       I want to spend more time with friends. Not in the yeah we will totally get together then never do way but in an actual sitting across from a friend laughing/drinking adult beverages over some good food. I want to call up a friend and say let’s do ….whatever and then we do … whatever. Or be the friend where they feel they can call me and say let’s do whatever and know that I won’t call the day of and say I have to work (sometimes I really did have to work).

6.       I’d like to not die in 2017. This one I’m overly concerned about with all the changes coming about but I’ve also come to peace with some of those changes. I wish the rest of the world would calm down and let’s just see how things shake out. If every generation rolled over and died when they thought something awful had happened well the next generation wouldn’t exist. We are a strong nation, we will get through this, it might not be easy, it won’t be fun, it will be interesting and it will not be boring. So let’s do this 2017, bring it. WE got this.

So that’s my plan for 2017, we’ll see if I make it happen. Wish me luck.

So what about you guys …. What’s 2017 got in store for you ?!

Marcy (@beaslma)

Giving Back and Learning from the Past

So Golden is kicking Lent’s butt and doing all kinds of awesome for other people. I’m crazy proud of her. She’s always been a super awesome person that does very thoughtful amazing things for other people. Like when we went to DragonCon she not only did her “Geek Drops” which were themed back of geeky fun for random people to find she also made a personalized bag for the people in our crew. Each bag had something that would make the DragonCon experience more fun. She loved watching us go through our bags and be all excited about this or that and truly had as much fun watching us as we did going through the bags. That’s the kind of person she is. She’d literally give you the shirt off her back, unless it’s her Goonies Never Die shirt cause well that’s just you being selfish trying to take her stuff at that point.
 

While I’m not actively participating in Lent on in 40 Acts I did spend my day helping out at the church for what we call Safe Haven. Basically several churches in our area take a Saturday and host a group of homeless ladies who can’t stay at the facility they sleep in during the day. For most of the week these ladies have jobs or other activities during the day but during the weekend many of them had no where to go and would end up just “hanging out” downtown. During this downtime some of them would get into trouble or encounter other problems. These ladies literally travel with everything they own so safety was definitely a problem for them as they wandered around downtown. So several churches in the area were contacted so that if each church took a Saturday once every 3 or 4 months then these ladies would have somewhere safe to go. Today was our day.

Many of these ladies just want a safe place to sleep, others want someone to talk to, and the rest are happy just to not be outside, especially when it’s cold or on the other side of that table crazy hot as summers in the South can sometimes be. They arrive around 7:30, and then have breakfast, a devotional, then we play bingo (where they win prizes (jewelry mostly)), visit the boutique (a room where they visit and pick clothing of their choice donated or bought by the congregation), then we have quiet time until lunch. This is usually my favorite time cause we get to sit around and really talk to the ladies and learn about them, their situation, and it always amazes me that they are really the happiest, smartest, and aware ladies you’ll ever meet.

After lunch they have a bible study led by one of the leaders of our church, sometimes our pastor, other times a Sunday school teacher. Then usually they join our choir director for some music, which seems to be their favorite part (except for the Bingo), then they watch a movie or two for the afternoon. Often times they will read instead of watching the movie, especially if it’s a movie they aren’t interested in.

They usually leave around 4:30 or 5 depending on when the bus comes and picks them up. These ladies give everyone a hug, and thank us for our time. It’s fascinating to me how upbeat and happy they are and how positive they are about life. Yes there are a couple that definitely don’t fit that description but the majority of them definitely do. It also fascinates me to realize that a lot of them are not much older than me, which also kind of freaks me out.

I’m glad the churches in our area do this and I’m even more grateful that I was asked to participate. It really makes you think that yeah it sucks that you don’t get to go to lunch some days, but at least you get a good dinner that night. It really puts your little problems in perspective but none of these ladies want your pitty they really want you to learn from their experiences. Lord knows I have been a good student.

Marcy