I’m usually pretty quick with a comeback, but last week when a man asked me what my plans for 2016 were, I was tongue-tied. A new year already? was all I could think.
I realized 2016 was quickly descending upon me, but I’d been too busy to contemplate it. Or a classic case of denial? How could an entire year lapse so quickly? I’m not ready for 2015 to end. Once again, my brain will flounder as I pause before I write the number 2016 on checks and documents.
Then there’s the question of New Year’s resolutions. As far as I recall, I’ve never made one. Maybe I did when younger and got no results so I discarded that tradition.
I used to come here to work out, but decided I enjoyed walking and exercising in my basement more.
Common New Year’s resolutions, such as losing weight or paying off credit card debt, seem negative and without direction or a clear-cut strategy. But if you have a strategy and are able to get what you need together for your credit card debt with sites like SoFi, then it can be turned into a positive. Getting in better shape sounds more positive but is too nebulous, as opposed to the concrete decision to walk or exercise 30 minutes a day. I actually did give up most sugar many years ago after a visit to the doctor and reading a book called Sugar Blues. I’m not recommending the book, but it seized me with the scare-factor of diabetes and general poor health. Since cutting out sugar, I have noticed that my oral health has improved. My teeth seem to be in much better shape and even my gums are less sensitive. If you are considering giving up sugar, you might want to speak to a Dentist in Valencia or a dentist closer to home to learn about the potential benefits, as you can book dental consultation pretty easily now a days. Contact an emergency dentist denver if you have urgent concerns about your dental health. You must visit a dental clinic like this; it will help you maintain healthy oral hygiene. For a family-friendly dentist, check out Artemis Smiles in Sandy Springs area. And if you need other dental services like dental crowns, then make sure to visit a dental crown expert.
It’s hard to cut down on chocolate when you know where it’s stashed.
As 2015 draws to a close, these next few days could be a time to pause and reflect over the upcoming year. Are you planning to make a New Year’s resolution? Have you made them in the past? Do New Year’s resolutions work? Do you have a better strategy for making positive changes over the next year?
Leave a comment and enter to win this lovely Amish-made zippered purse from Lancaster County, PA. (approx. size: 14″ X 8″ X 6″ ) plus a book from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: either Leaving Lancaster, it’s sequel Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish!
Amish-made zippered purse from Lancaster County, PA
In case you haven’t heard, all three are on sale as e-books until January 8, 2016! Available at ALL the major retailers. Don’t miss this great opportunity to purchase each one for 99¢. (Click on the book cover below to buy from Amazon.)
Happy upcoming 2016 to you and yours Kate. I’ve enjoyed following you and have read the first two books of the series…don’t know why I haven’t gotten to the third yet as I LOVED the first two. I’ve actually, this year, been working on my TBR stack and made good progress with it. 2016 is a new year and I want to catch up on some books that I’ve missed and read current coming out. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks for writing, Loretta! I hope you do read Forever Amish, which in some ways is my favorite from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. Only $.99 as an e-book for another week or so. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My new years resolution is to get healthy and fit Enjoy your books.
Excellent choices, Alisa! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
My New Years Resolution is to eat more Dark Chocolate. A girl can never have too much chocolate.
I can’t argue with you, Robin! Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
To work more on “me” this upcoming year. To get healthier, to be a better ‘mommy’ grandma. Just be happy.
Those sound like excellent goals, Sharon! I wish you the best in achieving them and also good luck in this giveaway exhalation Mark
Kate
I’d love to loose about 10-15 lbs.
get more exercise. And get healthy. I would love to slow down a bit and spent more time with all my family.
I hope you do lose those extra pounds through exercise and a healthy lifestyle, Sandi! Also spend more time with all your family. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My number 1 resolution this year is to take care of me. Number 2 is to eat right and get back to exercising.
I believe everyone needs to take care of themselves. No, it’s not selfish, if you can’t take care of yourself, how can you take care of others. YOU are important too.
Have a blessed 2016.
Thanks for your sage comment, Tammy! You know how passengers in aircraft are instructed to use their oxygen masks first, and then take care of their children? Hope you have a blessed 2016 too. good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I would love to lose 60 more pounds and then I would be down to my ideal weight. I’ve already lost 150 pounds. I want to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR. HAVE A BLESSED DAY.
Congratulations, Deb! if you’ve already lost that much you must have a system that works. Wishing you a blessed day and New Year too. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Happy 2016 Kate!!
I make what I call- life changes each year.
My husband and I make some together and individually, we keep each other accountable ( lol we try).
This purse is adorable!! I miss living near Amish country and it’s peacefulness!
God Bless You!
Rachael
Thanks for writing, Rachel! You and your husband must have a good marriage if you can keep each other accountable without resentment. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
the purse is so pretty. would love to win one.i hope to visit amish country soon. love the books.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Brenda! Good luck!
Kate
Happy New Year, Kate! My resolution this year is to exercise more & lose some weight – my wedding is in August, and I want to be nice and fit by then! Hope I can win this time, as it would mean so much to me! God bless & thanks!
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding Mallory!
Have you ever heard of Sparkpeople.com? It’s a free weight loss website. I’ve lost 50 lbs. My Username is RYDERSAUNT14 if you decide to join.
Thanks for writing, Mallory! When you get married in August I hope you will post pics for us to see. How exciting! Happy New Year to you and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t make resolutions any more, I just strive to be and do the best that I can. Love all of your books.
An excellent way to live your life, Rachel! Thanks for your kind words about my books. And thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
Happy New Year! I am not one for resolutions, so one year I resolved not to make resolutions anymore and I have been very successful in that one!
A clever answer, Tracie! I’m glad you’ve been successful. Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
The one thing I hope to happen this year is to PRAY more. With 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, it takes time to remember them all, but it my prayer to pray more.
I have never read your books, but plan to get my kindle out and put some on it.
Thanks for writing, Marilyn! There is nothing more powerful than prayer. Through it, you are blessing your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Sounds like a marvelous family. Good luck in the giveaway and happy reading!
Kate
I think faith based resolutions work. I plan on trusting more this coming year, looking for the good in what ever may come our way. Happy New Year !
Thanks for writing, Sparkle! I think you’re right about faith-based resolutions, although even those falter. Even overnight, my commitments sometimes fade away. Happy New Year and good luck in the giveaway!\ Kate’s
I am going to try and save money
Every year I say exercise more and that never works out so I am changing this year
Good for you, Lois! I hope you adopt an effective strategy and stick to it. Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I make the same one every year to lose weight. It worked one year but have slowly gained some back. This year I am starting again with more exercise. My other resolution is to have a better,more positive outlook on life.
Both sound like excellent resolutions, Barb! I’m afraid exercise is a must, for strong bones and heart muscles too. As for positive outlooks on life, I wonder what changes a person could make. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions but for 2016, I plan to take more time to read my Bible and pray and to be the best Christian wife, mother and grandmother that I can be.
Also, I plan to really work on doing the right things to lose about 20 pounds!
Thank you for the opportunity to win this lovely Amish bag.
Happy New Year to you – may it be a very good year for all.
Your plans sound terrific, Sharrie! I wish you good luck in achieving them and also in this giveaway! May 2016 be the best year yet.
Kate
I resolve to eat smaller portions, fast once a week, and resist buying anything unless needed as gifts, and household supplies.
Thanks for leaving a comment, Heather! Eating smaller portions seems smart, but fasting would be torture for me. However, friend and noted songwriter Marty Nystrom said he fasted before he wrote his well-known praise song, “As the deer.” Good luck with your resolutions and in this giveaway!
Kate
I normally don’t make resolutions for the new year, I just enjoy my time at home,watching television or reading a good book. I do tho have my cabbage every year,and my grandson has his black eyed peas. I don’t party and I don’t leave my home,it’s just a quiet evening at home. I do want to read the whole Bible in a year, it would be nice to get that done.
Have a Happy New Year.
I hope you have a happy New Year too, Diana! I have never been able to read through the Bible in a year because I like to ponder Scripture, and other excuses like getting distracted. But I admire your desire to do it. Best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t make resolutions usually. I pick keywords to remember throughout the year. This year is simplicity, relaxation and healthier habits. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Happy New Year to you, Vicki! I love your idea of picking out keywords. Terrific. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
New Year’s Resolution:
To have joy in the Lord regardless of my circumstances.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Thanks for writing, Susan! To find joy in the Lord regardless of your circumstances is a marvelous goal. I wish you success and good luck in this giveaway!
Kate
Have a Very Special & Blessed HAPPY New Year. I want to get Closer to God an do more in Our Church….
A brilliant goal, Sandi! I hope you have a special and blessed new year too. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Every year I make a resolution to lose weight — I actually did it one year but, alas, the weight came back. So again this year I want to lose 20 pounds and I am going to join Weight Watchers to help me do it and keep it off this time. I have 5 grand kids and 5 great grandkids, and I have one more grandchild due in February and I want to be healthy and live long enough to at least see him grow up — I will be 65 in April. I live with my father who is 91 and he likes to cook but he fries everything either in lard or bacon grease — very unhealthy — so that makes it hard for me to eat healthy but I am going to try.
You have much to live for, Colleen! What a fabulous family. Isn’t it interesting how your father at 91 eats bacon. My aunt lived until age 99, and she loved doughnuts and chocolates. Some people can get away with it. Weight Watchers is a terrific organization. Good luck with you there and in this giveaway!
Kate
Eat better, save money and read the Bible daily.
All three are terrific goals, Fern! I wish you the best in attaining them and in this giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I never seem to follow through with resolutions. Just be happy and enjoy life. The purse is beautiful and would love to win. I love your books. Thanks for the chance to win. Happy New Year and have a blessed day.
Thank you for your lovely note, Debbie! If you know you don’t follow through with resolutions, might as well save yourself the trouble and guilt. Happy New Year to you and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love your books and I am planning on finding my family on my daddy’s side in 2016.one of my nephews I haven’t seen since he was a little boy found me on Facebook and we are going to get together after the first of the year.God bless you thanks houswife@gmail.com
Thanks for writing, Ida! How exciting that your nephew tracked you down and wants to get together. Why, that makes me want to write a book based on that premise. So many wonderful possibilities. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I suppose making a New a Year’ s Resolution is to challenge yourself and try to improve on something you aren’t satisfied about. My resolution for 2016 is quite simple and east to achieve. I want to read and review more books this than last year to bless authors for their hard work. Have a blessed New Year everyone.
Deana
A fabulous resolution, Deana! Reading and reviewing books is a priceless gift to authors. Thank you and wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I resolve to pick back up where I left off, eating and living healthier, and to stay in touch with my support and accountability partners, doing it as unto the Lord.
Excellent, Marie! If you have support and accountability partners you’re way ahead of the game. Wishing you the best in your endeavor to eat and live healthier. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
depends on how hard you work on them.
As with all things, Angela! A year is a mighty long time for most people to stick to their goals unless they’re concrete, reasonable, and within our control. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
The two big things I need to work on is getting more exercise and – even more important – spend more time in God’s word. Happy 2016!
Both are admirable goals, Pat! I wish you success with your exercise and studying His word. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I use to make them, once I did achieve, eating healthy, lose weight, had a goal and reached it and more…..10 years later I was back to my fluffy weight! I gave up on resolutions for the New Year. Instead I pray for peace, for all those who need prayers…..health, happiness and guidance to all those who are in the medical, police, fire and political offices. That is what I do instead.
Praying is our most powerful weapon, Linda, in all areas of our life! Whenever I hear a siren or see something dismal on TV I take a moment to pray, both for the responders and the victims. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love the bag. Favorite color also. I don’t do New a Year’ s Resolution,s. I just ry to be me. Not what everyone else wants me to be. After all these years trying to be what everyone else wants, I am standing just to be who Diana wants to be. Some how in life i think we loose ourselves to be what others expect. Well I decided I am just going to be me Diana Lynn and a follower of Christ. my biggest thing to do this last year was to find me. I am trying to live as less tress in my life as I can as the doctors say it needs to go. So it has been a lot better. No negativity. Well hope you all have a Happy New Years!!
Blessings
Diana
Thanks for your excellent comment, Diana! I’ve heard stress is incredibly injurious to our body and brains, and I also try to reduce it. Not always possible, but I do keep a blood pressure cuff nearby to test myself on days that I feel “stressed out.” Also, I watch less TV news and repeat a loose version of the Serenity Prayer. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
The Amish handmade purse got my attention. Yes the books did too!
I stopped committing to doing New Year’s Resolutions on paper, however mentally I do think about changes I’d like to make.
This is a nice giveaway, thank you.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment, Sally! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I’m resolved to eat better and take better care of myself. I like several of the other ladies resolutions, especially more dark chocolate!
I think I may have the first of this trilogy on my wish list.
I like their ideas about dark chocolate too, Shellie! Less sugar and apparently some health benefits. Of course, eating the whole bar at once would not fit into your eating better goal. I hope you do take better care of yourself this next year and get a chance to read the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, on sale for .99 right now in e-book form across all major retailers. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
My prayer is to put others first more and to be more kind.
If everyone strove to put others first and attempt to be more kind, the world would be a better place, Mary Ann! Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
My 2016 New Years resolution is to stay on track with Homeschooling and to eat better with the whole family
If you’re a homeschooling mom, you’re a busy woman, Andrea! Good luck to you with your desire to eat better with your whole family and in this giveaway!
Kate
So ok, every single year I make a New Year’s resolution…which I don’t usually keep 🙁 SOOOOO, this time I resolve to keep the resolutions I have not kept in the past. Which, incidentally are to eat healthier and exercise (we all know the drill) Sigh…
Yes, that is the plan and the resolutions and now that I have posted that publicy…I guess I need to follow through!!!
Important public announcement: Sonja plans to eat healthier and exercise in 2016! LOL You make me want to do some arm exercises right now. Thanks for your enjoyable comment. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t really make resolutions because I fail. I just want to be a better person to those I love.
Thanks for leaving your comment, Linda! The fact that you wish to be a better person to those you love makes me think you are a kind woman. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I will strive to be a nicer person. I’m nice now, but I think I can be even nicer.
I bet you are a nice person now, Teresa! Thanks for visiting my blog and entering to give away. Good luck!
Kate
To find a heart Dr that can help fix my husbands heart. 8 surgery’s and still not fixed.
I wish you the best on your quest to find a brilliant heart Dr. to help your husband, Susan! Wow, eight surgeries is amazing. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I do no make New Year’s Resolutions anymore. I did when I was younger. But, I never stuck to them. Now, I’m too old to worry about resolutions.
Happy New Year, Kate, to you and your family!!
Sometime you get to Lancaster, I would love to meet you. I am only about an hour away.
No New Year’s resolutions, no worries, Elaine! I’m taking the same attitude, unless something comes to mind before midnight. Thanks for the lovely invitation to meet you. It seems when my husband and I are there we never fit in all our friends and family, but I will keep you in mind and appreciate the thought. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Love the Amish stories, simplistic way of life & the recipes for their cooking! My husband & I like to go to Holmes County, Ohio for our anniversary weekend & a few times during the year just to recharge. Thanks again for the stories!
My husband and I love to go to Lancaster County, PA, for our anniversary too, Traci! You and I are fortunate to have husbands who enjoy Amish country. I imagine, not all men would enjoy driving their wife up and down every possible road and stopping often for scenic photo ops. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t make new year’s resolutions. I think improvements can be made every day, but it just makes me feel bad to break a resolution. And it WILL happen.
I like your thought that improvements can be made every day, Stephanie! You know what works well for you and it isn’t a resolution. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t make them because I always break them
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Betty! Good luck!
Kate
I plan on getting closer to the Lord. I want to read the Bible through again.
Will also read more Amish books.
Excellent choices, Lynn! I’m a slowpoke reader when it comes to reading the Bible because I look up references and use a commentary. But always worth digging deeper. Glad you like Amish books. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t make the because I always break them
Get fit for health reasons. My dad had a heart attack in August and I don’t want to go through that. Also, I am visiting Lancaster in April and hope to learn more about the Amish. Happy New Year!!!
Very sorry to hear about your father’s heart attack, Sherry! I don’t want you to go through that either. If you visit Lancaster County, hope you have a fabulous time. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
My resolution is to spend more time with family and some time for me. I hope to spend more time working on my sewing.
Spending time with family and working on your sewing both sound like worthwhile goals, Annette! Best of luck to you in the new year, and in this giveaway!
Kate
I don’t always make New Year’s resolutions. A dear friend and I are being accountable to each other to eat only healthy foods. We just started this week. I do challenge myself to read the Bible through during the year plus lots of other books. I’m leaving more reviews than ever on the books I read. I want to support all my favorite authors and others. I loved reading The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. I have them on my kindle but want to add the paperback books to my library. The purse are the colors I love.
Happy New Year to you Kate! May 2016 be a wonderful year filled with blessings from God. I’m looking forward to more great books from you.
Happy New Year, Marilyn! Having a friend to hold you accountable is a wonderful idea. Fortunately, God is always with us. (Too bad He gave us free will.) I’d delighted you enjoyed The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy and appreciate your good reviews. A huge gift to any author. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My New Years Resolution is to take better care of myself and spend more time with God. Thank you and God Bless You.
Happy New Year, Melissa! Thanks for writing. I hope you’ve already started taking better care of yourself and spending more time with God. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t normally make resolutions as such but want to live my life serving God by serving others!
Happy New Year, Rhonda! I imagine you serve others by being God’s ambassador on Earth on a daily basis. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate