Saturday 4 January 2014

New Year's Resolutions?

Photo Copyright: Maggie May


What better way to start the New Year than with a photo of my brother, Eddie and his grandchild, Peter?
Our daughter met up with her two cousins and my grandsons met their new great cousin when Harry and I went to visit just after Christmas. Now that is getting quite complicated...... cousins and great cousins and Peter being our great nephew. Anyway, it was lovely to have the reunion whatever we are all called.

I decided not to make any rash New Years resolutions this time round such as going on a diet and doing more housework as I mightn't be able to keep to the pledge.
However, I do want to get all the jobs that need doing in the house and garden fixed this year. Things that I cannot do and I have started the ball rolling by hiring a friend's husband who does odd jobs. He came today to do a few of them and to at least tell me the things that are too difficult for him.
He will be back again in a fortnight to put some trellis up.
Some of the jobs that I need to do would require a qualified plumber and I'm working on getting somebody to give me a quote but it is good to have an odd job man to do the simpler things. Yes, I think this will be my New Year's Resolution....... to keep the place from falling into total disrepair.
What are the things you have decided to do this year?


19 comments:

Sally Wessely said...

I didn't make resolutions either. I just hope to keep my head above water this year. We have a great handyman that comes in and does things for us. I am so grateful to have him. There are just too many things the two of us can't do.

Have a healthy and happy new year!

Jackie said...

I am going to read the Bible through...and I am going to try and keep a tidier home and yard.
I stuck to my New Year's resolution last year, and that gives me much hope that I can do it again this year.
What a beautiful photo...Eddie with a lap full of sugar. Sweet beyond words.
Happy 2014 to you and those you love, my dear friend.
Jackie

dianefaith said...

Odd job persons are hard to find. You're a lucky woman already this year in having a person like that around!
That's a beautiful picture of your brother and the baby. Babies bring sooo much joy. My youngest grandchild is 5, and I keep hinting, but I will have no luck. Maybe one will show up for a friend, and I can volunteer to hold.
Happy New Year, Maggie! I hope it's a really good one at your house.

Celia said...

Such a dear photo. No resolutions for me unless finishing up last year's projects counts. ;-)

Eddie Bluelights said...

Had a surprise when I saw ME and PETER on your side bar - was totally confused for a while. We had a great day didn't we.

Glad you have found a reliable handyman.

Hugs and Love ~ Eddie x

Expat mum said...

I was just joking the other day that my NY resolutions are more like a house to-do list.

Mimi said...

Lovely pic of Eddie and Peter!
I don't bother with NY resolutions Maggie, I just try to life my life to the best of my ability, not hurt anyone, be kind, and have the maximum amount of fun that I can!
I've had an odd-job man for years, and it's great (my hubby is not a diy'er!): when I see something that needs doing, I put it on a list, and when there are about 10 or 15 jobs on the list, I ring the man. I even make little "tick when finished" boxes!
Best of luck with the new ventures! Happy 2014!

Rose said...

Good to see Eddie again, especially with his grandchild! This reminds me of trying to explain to my granddaughter how she was related to a friend of hers--turned out they were fourth cousins, which got a bit tricky to explain. But all Emily heard was "cousins," and that was good enough for her:)

Glad you found an odd-job man; they're hard to find, but oh so helpful! I'm not making any firm resolutions this year, because I always break them anyway. But I am going to try to be more grateful for what I have and appreciate all the little blessings of life more. Wishing you and Harry all the best in 2014!

Wisewebwoman said...

No resolutions for me. I find them too depressing. I thought instead to make a wish every morning and then make it happen throughout the day. Often simple stuff like a half hour of knitting.
First cousins' children are second cousins to each other and on down. It is the generational thing that confuses a lot of people - like first cousin "once removed" which is the relationship of your first cousin's child to you.
I had to explain this to my granddaughter as the generations overlap a bit in our family and there is a gap of 45 years in my parents' grandchildren's ages.
XO
WWW

Secret Agent Woman said...

Me, either. Especially the very specific sort of resolutions. I don't like them.

Irene said...

I do have a resolution, but for now I am going to keep it to myself. I will be sure to let you know once I achieve it. I hope your handyman turns out to be very handy. xox

Akelamalu said...

I have made the same resolution for the past four years to lose weight and I have to say I have done, slowly and surely, which is great. Hope you get all your jobs done. I'm lucky MWM is great at fixing stuff so he's my odd job man. ;)

Anonymous said...

What a sweet sweet shot!

Ayak said...

I think my resolution list is pretty much the same as yours Maggie. There is always so much to be done to keep our house up to scratch.

MARY G said...

Just one - to be more resolute and not shirk things.
Lovely grandpa and baby photo!

mrsnesbitt said...

Like Pearl I am blessed with a handy husband. Trouble is, if he is busy at work making money he's too busy to do anything once he's home......but at least we can use his well earned money to buy a bottle of wine - and forget the jobs! lol!

Hilary said...

I try not to make resolutions either but this year I'm trying something new (for me). I'll write about it if and when it works out.

Love the photo of Eddie and that sweet little baby Peter.

Wishing you only good things for 2014.

Leilani Schuck Weatherington said...

I don't make resolutions but I am trying this year to get more balance in my life -- working a bit less and spending a bit more time doing things I love; and as corny as it might sound, reading your blog is one of them.

Suburbia said...

Good plan Maggie. I need an odd job man too!