Before & After

 Starting to take down the tree.

Today I finally managed to think about taking down my Christmas Decorations, which are usually down before New Year.

This process is often a 3-day chore, as I do it by myself or just with Elizabeth, but today everyone helped, so with 5 pairs of hands it went quickly.

Elizabeth put away all the glassware, Sarah took down all the window decorations and Ivan and Matthew did the tree.

It took about 5 hours, but now we have a tidy clean house.

End result, my lounge is back to normal.

A New Year and a special One

New Year's Day and Elizabeth's 21st Celebration Party

As we will be in the USA for Elizabeth's 21st birthday on February 2nd, we decided to celebrate early and give her gifts to her beforehand. We had a Turkey and Salad lunch and champagne to toast her. It was such a lovely day and allowed Granny & Grandad to join in the fun.

A toast from Ivan and I for our special girl.

Now January 2nd, it is time to begin the tidy up.
This morning I woke early - around 4am, managed to stay settled and resting until 6am and then I had to get up. Started taking down the hanging decorations, did 4 loads of washing and tidied up the kitchen. Then Ivan woke and we began the morning with a swim - oh heavenly way to start a day. I did 10 laps of kicking - attempting to remove the Christmas kilograms.

Today I am going to pack away Christmas decorations and tidy up the house. If I achieve that I will be happy.

Then I will make a list for the days to come.

Goals and Dreams for 2011

2011 the first time that I will use the abbreviation. Last year I tended to say Two thousand and ten, but this year it feels right to say Twenty-eleven - what a strange thought.

I have a number of goals for 2011:

• To write Book Three of the Guild Chronicle Series
• To edit and re-write books One and Two
• To continue with my university studies
• To lose 5-10kg in weight and maintain a healthy balance in my life
• To complete my 2010 digital albums
• To be HAPPY

Now for my Dreams:

• The first is to get one if not all of my books published.
• The second to achieve Distinctions in my courses

Two dreams, that hopefully by the end of this year will have turned into goals.

I wonder what your dreams and goals are?