The New Year is On

Happy New Year to You All

This is it…2010

Lying back and ready to take on 2010

What wonderful things have you lined up for yourself this year? We always hope that a good year is coming right our way, but you know, we have to help ourselves to achieve these dreams.

Have you made your New Years Resolutions and are passionately resolute to carry them out?

I have and this year I have promised myself not to waste time!!! For me this is easier said than done. Call me ‘last minute Harriett’ if you will…...I am the Queen of 'last minute pressure'.

Are you a person that uses every single second to the MAX? Do you plan things and carry them out each to the last zilch. I admire and worship you!

So this year I am going to try and change my whole work practises by planning and organising ahead of time. Now this is scary for me but, the resolution is set and I will let you know how I go…

What have you decided for yourself this year? Have you decided this is:

the get fit year,
the learn a new skill year
the have a brilliant holiday year

Or have you decided on something completely different.

Get your plan in operation now so that you have a rewarding and satisfied feeling as 2010 closes.

Write in and let us know what your New Year’s Resolutions are?

gigi@wisewomensworld.com

CHRISTMAS DAY

We take our places at the head of the table

What a wonderful day? Did you have a really special one too? Lana and I enjoyed our first Christmas Day together at our children’s home. Lana’s daughter is married to my son and they decided to put on the family Christmas do.

Our hosts

They took on the supreme act of Christmas kindness by giving Lana and I the day off. Now that really was a gift!

Lana and I were in charge cooking a turkey each. Mine was overcooked in the BBQ and Lana’s story re her turkey, oh well; she can share that with you!!!

I made sure we hauled along plenty of bottles of bubbly. A bottle of Moet slipped to the floor at one point and half a bottle was lost……NOOOOOO…. but we all laughed and said things like

“Now the house is christened”, and

“Doesn’t everyone wash their floors with champagne?”

We'd obviously had too much to drink at that point!

The tables were beautifully set with special name cards complete with our photos. We ate the lavish main course banquet with gusto. Dessert was provided by my other daughter in law, Beautiful. Brandy butter, and custards were poured over the brandy soddened pudding…bliss.

Candles were lit for loved ones who were not able to be with us, and a tray of brightly glowing candles was there to remind us what Christmas is all about, family….

Present opening took place when Father Christmas arrived. The honour was bestowed on Lana’s son this year but Miss Charli had him all sussed out…she doesn’t miss a trick. His own son was utterly petrified of him!!!! Everyone seemed to receive lots of treasures and Miss Charli and Bam Bam were the stars of the show.

Singstar was revved up on the TV and the singing began. Sadly I never get any better, only improving my score when teamed up with my daughter who actually knows the songs.

My kids: the Doh, Pot & Bri and the MIL behind them

What fun it was and I hope every single one of you enjoyed your Christmas Day as much as we did. May all the blessing of Christmas stay with you all year.

For all of those who were unable to enjoy Christmas Day the way they would have liked, our Christmas wishes and prayers go especially to you….

THE HOLIDAYS

Mr G and I have been on holidays and apart from doing home maintenance, reading, visiting friends and family, we have been to a couple of movies.

We saw Broken Embraces which was very enjoyable but paled into insignificance when compared to Avatar 3D. What brilliant entertainment and stunning music.

I read The Lovely Bones, also out at the Movies. This is a story about a young girl, murdered and then sticks around in limbo watching the lives of her family and her killer. I must get to the movie. Mr G had his head ensconced in Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol and I was unable to communicate with him for the four days he took to read the thing!!! My turn coming up….

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Did you have the best New Year Ever!!!! Did you have a Blast! As the clocked ticked over 12.00am in my home, I was sitting on my lounge watching the fireworks on the TV. That’s right, party animal Gigi was not out on the town. Mr G had not been well during the day and he was in bed by 11pm.

We did venture to the end of our street to watch the 9pm fireworks over Sydney so that was special. I wish I had been under the Harbour Bridge though. The fireworks this year look beyond spectacular. Each year they seem to be able to improve upon the last. Maybe I will talk Mr G into going into the city next year.

FAMILY FIRST

I'm with my sisterinlaw - Monica

My brother, sister-in-law and three kids came to stay for five days and Mr G and I have really enjoyed their company. Catching up a years worth of living has been fun.

Grand get-togethers with all the families has been a joy. Well, this is what life is all about.

My Dad and brother Paul'

As my dear old dad looked out across two very large tables of his family he was a very proud old man.

My neice and Miss Charli

And at the end of the day, family is who you can count on to love and hold.

ROSLYN MOTTER

Our wonderful and hilarious Wise Women is taking us on adventure. She is setting off to Kerala in India to an Ayurvedic clinic seeking health improvements.

These health clinics in India are big business and make promises to restore or at least improve any ailments. Roslyn has kindly written the Prelude to an Adventure to put us in the picture and gets us set and ready for her journey. So buckle up and enjoy the ride…..

Already I am on tenterhooks as we await the next instalment…

ALCATRAZ

Oh what a picturesque and gorgeous little island, but what a dark history. Superbly situated in the middle of San Francisco bay it really is a priceless tourist attraction. You leave famous bustling Fisherman’s Wharf by ferry and take a 30 minute harbour cruise to the Alcatraz wharf.

I felt sad the island has such a terrible past. It just didn’t seem fair. But I must say it didn’t feel eerie or creepy to me. Maybe that was because I wasn’t a prisoner!

So check out a little bit of history.

LET’S GET FIT

Oh boy, Christmas, the food, the food, and the drink!!!!! Well, it is coming at you from all angles and keeping in control is not that easy for some!!! Sorry I should have said me! I ate the festive food like there was no tomorrow…

But the truth is I have been attending the gym. I dragged my over fed and watered body into the building so there was no turning back. Body pump and body attack have been my best friends and I feel fantastic, I just need to make an effort with the reduction of the food or maybe I should say ‘the sort of food’.

Now that the holidays are over, I am really going to try not to buy chips and dips, chocolates and biscuits. See if I eliminate those I should be slim in no time! Well, I know, a woman of my age shouldn't be buying them in the first place!!!

Lana on the other hand has been on a real health kick as she readied herself for hospital. I had to admire her resolve on Christmas Day as she ate sparingly and kept her alcohol to a minimum. Looking ever slim and exquisitely dressed, I felt the need to find control for myself. I have waited until now (after the Christmas feasting) to dig in my heels.

Why not try a bit of control yourself? Try to eat only what you need to give you energy and vitality. Say no to alcohol during the week.

Cherries might help! Cherries are available in Australia at the moment and yes, cherries are perfect snack food as they have a low GI and GL rating. My research tells me they contain ellagic acid, a super nutrient that fights cancer and are full of Vitamin C, beta carotene, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and flavonoids. Apart from that, they are utterly delicious.

LANA’S WISE WEEK

You simply must visit Lana and say hello. She has been in hospital this week and will need all the good wishes and prayers you can send her way.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

New Year’s Resolutions are ready to roll and while you are mulling over whether to really carry them out think of Brenden Francis’s quote:

"No yesterdays are ever wasted for those who give themselves to today"

There is no time like to day to make your life wonderful.

Until next week, shine