We're keeping it simple this year - seems that the other day we found the exercise dvd and ropes I had bought last year on New Year's Day - totally had forgotten about them and the need to try it out. I did open them up for this year!
Cricket and I had a conversation and this is what we came up with:
Cricket's list:
She is going to resolve to not get 'quite' so excited when someone comes to the door. She can still show her enthusiasm and wag her tail and greet them but not quite plow them over (okay, gdb, that's a bit of an exaggeration but she does get more excited than I know is acceptable). While blogging about this, we just had an opportunity to practice, the doorbell rang, asked cricket to be in a sit position, while I answered the door - good it was someone she didn't recognize so I was able to talk to them - shut the door and give her a kibble.
We couldn't think of anything else she needed to work on the rest fell on me!
I really liked the article in the Costco Connection "Improve your life in 10 minutes or less" (maybe I can remember to do it if I commit to that amount of time. Some great ideas it listed:
Get organized - Leave everything just a little better than you find it - straighten each drawer you open, hang up one item from your closet floor, delete use-less computer files when you come across them. I can commit to 10 minutes in the morning, tidying up before leaving for work.
Save money - Take 10 minutes to pack a lunch instead of eating out. Busycooks.com has yummy brown-bag ideas. I'm making an effort to try this one on the days I don't leave the office for lunch with friends. Sounds like a great plan to save a little and also eat healthier.
Stay in touch - Set aside 10 minutes twice a week to jot a note or dash off an e-mail to someone you love. Cultive reaching out. I think I do this one fairly well but love it and can always do more.
Go green. Walk to a destination. Keep this one up ... Cricket and I love (and often out of necessity) do this one.
Be socially responsible. Schedule 10 minutes a month to do something that contributes to society, whether its writing a letter to elected officials about an important issue or making a few calls on behalf of your favorite charity. I want to resolve to send a note acknowledging the good that occurs -- I think often I appreciate something but don't take that next step of letting the group, individual know my appreciation. Those acts of kindness that happen each day that I can be better about acknowledging and appreciating.
Perhaps you've seen the site: almost giving.com
I resolve to live in the moment - love and appreciate each day and the joy that is there. (Crickers is so good at that - being in the moment!)
The journeys of Becky, blind from retinitis pigmentosa, and her beauitiful guide dogs.
5 comments:
Dear Cricket,
My mom says I have to practice being a better puppy when the doorbell rings too! I get so excited I can hardly contain myself. When the doorbell rings, I am supposed to sit quietly on the carpet in a "sit/stay" until mom tells me "ok" - my release word. Usually what happens is a series of physical and verbal corrections (mom dragging me back to the carpet whille I am jumping arounf like a banshee and then putting me in my "down" command) before I am released. Only you could understand...sometimes, it is just hard not to get so excited...mom says that at seven I should know better, but I just can't help it.
Love,
The Chelsie Belle
I absolutely loved that video clip. It was so touching. Thanks for sharing it.
Becky:
Loved your musings. I have a scrapbook that Trudi made of all the e-mails that I sent her from "Shiloh" regarding his days and the trouble he would get into. It is a treasured book for me. Reminds me on his bad days how cute he can be.
Thanks for giving me things to think about for this new year. I have been so busy since coming back home, I haven't had a minute to relax or even think of the new year 2009.
Thanks for your friendship Becky.
Hi Cricket,
Looks like I have to work on the same thing! I do OK most of the time except when Sue & John (my doggie-sitting, fabulous grandparents) comes over! One time, I rushed out the door with my leach on... Had to suffer the consequence though... Nikki made me go through the obedience and heeling back and forth in front of them...
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