No one does new year’s resolutions around here, unless you count Tessa’s resolution to continue her tradition to be grumpy and trying to get into someone else’s feeder bowl. Or Quint’s resolution to continue to be cute and as comforting as possible.
While Mom refuses to call them resolutions, she firmly believes in challenging herself every year by doing something to improve herself. Five years ago, she took a year of French taught at a local community college followed by almost a year of French on her own. One day she realized French wasn’t a language she could put to use anywhere, particularly at her job where ninety percent of her coworkers spoke Spanish. Was that improving herself, really? Hmm . . .
Three years ago, she took one year and ten days of Spanish, using Duolingo, and while she could only speak one or two words on her own, she understood quite a bit and boy, did she quickly learn she didn’t really want to know everything her Spanish-speaking coworkers talked about.
Two years ago, Mom dabbled with learning the play electronic drums (on the set Dad bought her years before he was laid off), but she didn’t take it seriously. Last year, she vowed to pick up French again (because she always wanted to learn it and did not enjoy learning Spanish) and to take drumming seriously. She was well on her way when that main bathroom shower leak put an end to all that nonsense. At least the drum set was rescued, barely in the nick of time, from water damage when the spare room flooded.
She’s having a hard time coming up with an idea for this year. She wants to take up drumming again, seriously this time, learning for free from YouTube where one can learn how to do most anything! At the same time, she feels her brain is full after our past tough year and the upcoming major department change with her job beginning next week. Does she need a year’s break? How will she deal with the thought of not improving herself during that time? She does tend to beat herself up often over these kinds of things.
Viola came up with a suggestion.
Tell you what, Mom. You do what your heart tells you and I’ll listen to mine when it warns I really shouldn’t figure out how to get into Tessa’s messy feeder bowl. Even though she deserves a payback.
Sounds like all Mom needs is to listen to the cats more often. What do you say?
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Quint may be off to the vet today after a few days of feeling under the weather. We thought perhaps the New Year’s Eve fireworks were too much for him, and that’s still possible (it was SO loud here that night), but he’s behaving similarly to his pancreatitis scare early last year. The poor boy accidently peed our bed yesterday, something he’s never done, and we could tell he was embarrassed over that. If you have good thoughts to share, we’d sure appreciate any you could send his way!
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A Colehaus Cats flashback:
2021 – Never Say Never
2020 – No post
2019 – No post
2018 – No post
2017 – Wordless Wednesday
2016 – Snow Day!
2015 – No post
2014 – No post
2013 – Smitten
2012 – No post
Oh oh OH!
Purring for Quint, dear boy…feel better!
Viola, as gorgeous as you are, you need to keep your girlish figure, so lay off the other food bowls that you aren’t supposed to be in.
(Yeah, like that’s going to help!…hahaha)
As for a resolution or stretch goal, why not make a book list to read this year?
Prayers and purrs for dear Quint.
I am praying for Quint. I like the youtube videos for learning anything so why not do the drums. XO
YouTube videos are the best for learning new things! Purrs for Quint…
Maybe you could learn the drums in French? Kidding, of course. We like Viola’s advice of just listening to your heart. We are purring and praying for Quint. XO
Oh Quint, we’re sorry you’re not feeling well and hope you’re better very soon.
TBT: I don’t make New Year Resolutions myself (you can do that just as well any day of the year). But one thing I heard on the radio by a psychological behavioralist made a lot of sense.
It was basically “Don’t focus on the end goal. Deciding to “lose 20 pounds” won’t get you there. Decide on the specific actions you can take, instead”. Like, walk a mile every odd-numbered day, eat a piece of fruit after dinner instead of ice cream, dance to some music for 10 minutes once a day. Those are things you KNOW you did and they create positive reinforcement to continue.
Wow, that’s great advice! That’s very understandable and do-able. Thanks!
Sending good thoughts for Quint and hope he is soon feeling better.