Welcome back to Debbie-Dabble Blog!!!
Once again, a New Year has begun and that means it is time to pick my One Little Word for 2018!!!
What this means is choosing One Little Word to focus on for the upcoming New Year......
Last year, My One Little Word was HOPE!!!!!
I chose this word right after our National Election results were in.........
You can read last year's post HERE
My greatest HOPE was that the Stock Market would not take a dive after the election and I would not lose my hard earned investments that will allow me to retire early and that allowed Joe to retire early!!!
So in case the Stock Market turns around and takes that dive, I will not lose a lot of money......
I had other things that I HOPED to achieve this year.......
And again, it goes back to the Aspirations that I have had for the past few years..
I HOPED to achieve a Healthy Lifestyle with weight balance, exercise, good eating habits and sleep......
Weight loss is always an Aspiration for me but now as I age, I realize I need to lose weight to maintain my Health.
In the beginning of last year, I did lose weight and was able to keep it off and not gain weight over this past Holiday Season......Because of my need for Knee Replacement Surgery in the future, I realize that it is imperative for me to lose even more weight.
As I get closer to my Knee Replacement Surgery, which I hope to put off for another 1 1/2 years, I do need to lose more weight so it will be easier for me after I do have the surgery as far as mobility is concerned.
I had HOPED to take care of some dental issues that I had before I have my Surgery and I am proud to say that I now have a clean bill of Dental Health and all those issues are now a thing of the past.
Exercise is always an issue for me because of my physical issues like a bad back and arthritis but I did adhere much better than the previous year to my schedule of riding my stationary bike which is again to preparation for my Knee surgery.
I also HOPED to improve my Sleep habits as I have worked night shift for over 35 years and I still do work night shift but only part time now.
I am no longer sleeping only 4-5 hours a day and now I am getting at least 7 hours of sleep when I am not working.
However, since I have gotten used to sleeping more normally than not, I am more tired when I do have to work...
I also needed to have an eye exam done and get new glasses which I did do. However, I did learn that I have the beginning of bilateral cataracts but can do without surgery for another 1 1/2 - 2 years....
I HOPED to continue achieving balance in our home through purging and organization......
I continued purging of things that I did not need, want or love around the house.
I did do a lot more organizing inside the house and I am satisfied with the outcome of making it a lot easier to find things!!
I HOPED to find the time to read more, craft more, relax more and enjoy the things I love to do and stop and "Smell the Roses"
Honestly, I failed miserably at this.... So I do need to create more time for me to do just that.....
I HOPED to craft more and that I definitely did.
However, I have realized that I need to do the crafting that I want to do for Christmas in the Summer or I will never get it done which is exactly what happened this past Holiday Season...
I HOPED to spend more time with those that I love ......
I also am thrilled to say that I reconnected with an old friend at the end of this past year and I also made a few new friends....
What I learned is that Joe being home all the time was not such a good thing for both of us..
After working different shifts for 39 years, I was used to my "Space" and time alone and after a year of retirement, Joe was getting bored and did not know what to do with himself...
So he went and got himself a part time job at Wegman's, working 15-18 hours a week.
Just having that time away from each other has greatly improved our time when we are together.....
2 years ago, I took a step back and bowed out of running several major Fund Raising events at our church, taking an "Out of sight, out of mind" attitude.
I was HOPING to attend church more in the past year and we did do that.
Our church at Christmas
I even returned as a Hostess for our church's annual Harvest Tea and reconnected with the many friends that we have at our parish.
Okay, so all in all, I think I did not do too badly in achieving what I aspired to do last year!!
SO.........
What is My One Little Word for this year.........
It became quite apparent to me a few weeks before the end of 2017 what word I would choose.....
My One Little Word for 2018 is PEACE!!!!!
I will honestly admit that most of my early life had a lot of Drama, Conflict and Stress in it
About 13 years ago, all that Drama and Conflict that caused me so much stress was gone.....
My most peaceful years have been the last 13.....
My most peaceful years have been the last 13.....
I will not go into it but in the past on this blog, I have freely written several times about a Love/Hate relationship with a family member that caused all that Drama and Conflict in my life.....
Near the end of this past year, Drama and Conflict reared it's ugly head once again and burst back on the scene......
I was not used to this after having been without it for close to 13 years.......
So I acted swiftly and removed the elements that were causing all the Drama and Conflict....
And once again, PEACE was restored and all is well.......
So that is why I am choosing PEACE as my One Little Word for this year.......
I realized how much the value of a peaceful life is to me.....
I truly plan to focus on 2 aspects of PEACE.....
PEACE of MIND......
And PEACE of HEART AND SOUL.....
To have PEACE of Mind, I will again work on those Aspirations that I have had for the past few years......
Physical Wellness and Financial Wellness.....
I found this online and I feel that these are good steps to take to maintain PEACE in your life....
Ways to maintain peace of mind in tough times:
- Learn to trust yourself. ...
- Focus on what you're learning. ...
- Ease your expectations. ...
- Open up to someone you trust. ...
- Use hope to drive positive action. ...
- Move TOWARDS something instead of AWAY. ...
- Take a few steps back. ...
- Give yourself time
As far as Peace of Heart and Soul.......
I think I need to practice Gratitude......
There are so many things that I have to be Grateful for and those will bring me PEACE......
I am SO grateful that my children get along and there is no bickering between them.....
I am SO grateful that my children get along and there is no bickering between them.....
Peace means listening to your heart and doing what is right for you.....
I also found this online.....
12 Steps of Self Care
1. If it feels wrong, don't do it!!
2. Say exactly what you mean
3. Trust your Instincts
4. Don't be a People Teaser
5. Never Speak Bad about yourself
6. Never give up on your dreams
7. Don't be afraid to say No!
8. Don't be afraid to say Yes!
9. Be Kind to yourself
10. Let go of what you can't control
11. Stay away from drama and negativity
12. Love
Number 11- Stay away from Drama and Negativity
As I mentioned before, I took steps to rid my life of what was causing Drama, Conflict and Negativity but what I have to do is remember to keep eliminating any elements that steal my PEACE away......
Whether it be situations or people....
Whether it be situations or people....
I need to practice removing myself from these types of situations at work and at home.......
There is a LOT of Drama that goes on at the change of my shift at work.....
I will start to physically remove myself from the area where it occurs until it is time to give shift report and not get drawn up in things that do not even involve or affect me....
At home, Joe and I have 2 very different Political views with me being an Independent and not subscribing to the Philosophies of any one party.....
The past Presidential Election has caused a lot of Conflict in my own house
We have remedied that by not listening to World News, muting the volume when presidential matters are being discussed on TV and trying, and I do say trying, not to talk Politics at home.
This is not easy when all of our immediate family members share my views and not Joe's...
A long time ago, I leaned not to sweat the "Small Stuff"
As a cancer survivor, you learn to do that........
So my goal this year is to live a life full of PEACE......At home, Joe and I have 2 very different Political views with me being an Independent and not subscribing to the Philosophies of any one party.....
The past Presidential Election has caused a lot of Conflict in my own house
We have remedied that by not listening to World News, muting the volume when presidential matters are being discussed on TV and trying, and I do say trying, not to talk Politics at home.
This is not easy when all of our immediate family members share my views and not Joe's...
A long time ago, I leaned not to sweat the "Small Stuff"
As a cancer survivor, you learn to do that........
And to focus on Maintaining PEACE of Mind and PEACE in my Heart and Soul.........
I am always on a time schedule and I need to loosen up a bit......
I need to surround myself with the people who are good for me .....
So there you have it.......
My One Little Word for 2018....
PEACE!!!!
One more thing.....
I thought I would share my updated Profile photo that I took after getting my new glasses.......
Have you chosen One Little Word for 2018?????
If you have, you can share it The 2018 One Word Blog Hop, hosted by the authors of Create With Joy!!
I will close by wishing .........
A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND THOSE THAT ARE DEAR TO YOU!!!!!!
I am still posting over on my Christmas Blog, A Debbie-Dabble Christmas, finishing up the Holiday Season, but will be returning here to my regular blog soon......
My annual Christmas Home Tour, sharing each room in our townhouse decorated for Christmas
is posted on my side bar if you missed them!!
So I hope you will be back to visit again soon.......
And thanks to those who took the time out of their busy day to spend a little bit of time with me!!
If you do not have a blog, PLEASE give me some way to reply to your comment, maybe by including your email in your comment. If I can not find a way to reach you, I will reply on the post where you commented so please check back......
2018 One Word Blog Hop
WEDNESDAY
Ducks in a Row Wonderful Wednesdays Blog Hop
Wow Us Wednesday
Sizzle into Summer Party
Talk of the Town Party
Party in Your PJ's
Dream Create Inspire Link
Dagmar's Home Linky Party
Waste Not Wednesday
THURSDAY
Home and Garden Party Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Share Your Style Thursday Link Up Party
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
Inspired Creations Linky Party
Vintage Charm
Grace at Home Party
The Homemaking Party
Create and Celebrate Blog Party
FRIDAY
Friday Features Linky Party
Foodie Friday and Everything Else
Funtastic Friday
Friday Favorites
Feathered Nest Friday
Home Matters Linky Party
What To Do Weekends
Flaunt It Fridays
Sweet Inspirations Link Party
Awesome Life Friday
SATURDAY
Pink Saturday-Anything Goes!!
Best of the Weekend Party
Simple Saturdays Blog Hop
Saturday Sparks
Share It One More Time Inspiration Party
SUNDAY
Snickerdoodle Sunday
Bouquet of Talent Linky Party
Sundays at Home
Silver Pennies Sunday
Happiness is Homemade Linky Party
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
MONDAY
Inspire Me Monday
Inspiration Mondays
Dishing It and Digging It Link Party
Busy Monday
Amaze Me Mondays
Creative Mondays
Celebrate Your Story Monday Night Link Party!
Over the Moon Linky Party
Merry Monday Linky Party
You Are The Star Blog Hop
What'd You Do This Weekend? Creative Mondays
Celebrate Your Story Monday Night Link Party!
Over the Moon Linky Party
Merry Monday Linky Party
You Are The Star Blog Hop
Cooking and Crafting with J & J
Metamorphosis Monday
Lou Lou Girl's Linky Party
Make It Pretty Monday
TUESDAY
Show and Share Party
Tuesdays At Our Home
Inspire Me Tuesdays
Reader Tip Tuesday Party
Keep in Touch Party
Please take some time to visit these terrific hosts and all those joining in on the fun!
Debbie this is such an amazing post I needed to read right now! I have been stewing over silly things the last few days and have lost more than 60 seconds of peace that's for sure! I hope you will link this up over at Thursday Favorite Things on Thursday. Leave me a comment with the number of your link because I would like to feature it at next week's party. Also, I posted my final Christmas home tour that I think you will love. I didn't show too much of the doll house but you will get to see a few shots of it at least. Happy New Year!https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/holiday-grand-finale-christmas-home-tour-2017/
ReplyDeleteDebbie that's quiet a post. Love your word, and I love all the pictures and the quotes. I've lost some peace a few times lately after a phone call from my doctor's office, but staying busy waiting for more tests.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! May we all achieve our "one word" goals this year.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment! I could not find any other way to get in touch with you but here so I am returning your comment here.
DeleteHugs,
Deb
Peace is such a GREAT one little word! I hope you have much peace throughout this new year! Peace is so important to have in our life! I haven't thought about a one little word, but I might choose happiness, if I were to choose a word!
ReplyDeleteThank you for inviting me over. PEACE is a great word and I wish you a peaceful year! I also enjoyed your word for 2017, HOPE and all the things you had been hopeful for.
ReplyDeleteHi Gurl! I started to read this post and then I had to go back and check the post for your ONE LITTLE WORD for 2017 - hope, and it was profoundly moving to me. I too experienced horror, shock and just outright terror at the results of the 2016 election. It was an awful campaign season and it certainly did not fill me with hope, only increasing dread. It took me several months to pull myself out of a very dark place and I joined THE RESISTANCE - never thought I'd get this politically active - I always figured that was for young and energetic folks, not a tired out woman like me who just wants to putter around in her garden, then use lots of bleaching cream trying to get rid of the brown marks on my skin from the Sun (ACH!), and sit around sipping cheap pink wine with my feet up and a good book under the shade of my Shezebo in the afternoons. Summer can't get here soon enough, LOL. Like you say, writing about such things can upset people but sometimes I just have to say something and express my true feelings and legitimate fears. Peace takes work - and it can also be painful if you have to do certain things to get it back into your life. I walked away from some friends I never thought such a thing could ever ever happen, but it did happen - some over politics, some over other things. It certainly is true that the older I get, the less conflict and negativity in my life I am willing to tolerate. In whatever time I have left, I want positive energy around me, not life-sucking emotional vampires. Working with lots of other women as a political volunteer - it's turned out to be a real hoot. Women of all sizes, shapes, colors, religions, backgrounds, ages - but all with common goals and aspirations. This is what our country SHOULD BE and CAN BE once again. Guess that's hope, not peace. I'm a year behind Deb, LOL! But I do feel much more at peace now, although it took reading your post for me to realize that. When I get upset by the continuing madness and negativity coming out of the White House, I switch on my "long view" glasses and realize that this will be ending sooner than anybody thinks it will, I sincerely believe that. Then the peace returns. I am sure my peace will be tested many times as we work our way toward mid-term elections in November. I just must keep my eyes on the prize, and stay focused. The best things in life don't often come easily!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie....I loved seeing all your Christmas decor and, epecially, Nelson's Crest. As you know, I also LOVE dollhouses and dollhouse miniatures. Debbie, I have a question for you. I love the wallpaper in one of the rooms, particularly. It is shown behind a little tree. It looks like roses and the border at the top is cascades of roses. Debbie, could you tell me if you remember the name of that wallpaper and where to order it? I am in need of wallpaper in ALL of the rooms of my big dollhouse which I got for Christmas in 2016. Let me know, would you? And Debbie, I wish you LOTS of peace in 2018. If I were to choose a word for the year, I think it would be ORGANIZE or DE-CLUTTER because I'd like every drawer, closet and cabinet in this house to be organized. Good goal. Sincerely, Susan (My email is writingstraightfromtheheart@gmail.com).
ReplyDeleteP.S. Debbie, it's the parlor.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I loved this post. Enjoyed reading about last year word and what it meant and what you accomplished. And your new word being peace. That was my word one year and little did I know that that year I would experience the peace of God as I never thought possible. I have my word for the new year too. HOPE! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your post very much. Loved your new picture; you look serene and happy in it; I scrolled back and forth to compare it to your mother's picture and thought I could see the resemblance. I found a little framed saying I love, "Don't count sheep, talk to the Shepherd." I sometimes calm myself to sleep making an alphabetical gratitude list; i.e., everything (and everyone) I am grateful for that starts with A, B, C...I don't think I've ever made it to M! MYOB (Mind Your Own Business) is usually said snarkily, but if said to yourself and you figure out what is truly YOURS (like shift change gossip), it is very freeing to let others mind their own business and not invest in their drama. Happy 2018!
ReplyDeleteKathy,
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment! I could not find any other way to get in touch with you but here so I am returning your comment here. I do look like my Mother! LOL!! I had to "let go" of a people that were not what I thought they were and I learned the hard way that they were not the people that I wanted in my life. And I am practicing distancing myself from drama that I do not need to be a part of. The tension on the day shift wee I work is so thick, you can cut it with a knife and people wonder why I have stayed on night shift all these years!! Well, that is why!! LOL!! Happy New year to you!!!
Hugs,
Deb
Hello Debbie! I loved this post!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!!
Sweet greetings!
hugs:)))
xxBasia
I love your new glasses! I would like to pin them so I can remember next time I get new ones.
ReplyDeleteMy One Word for 2018 is MERCY.
*Smiles*
well! I like you and your words. I like your clarity and drive to make life good for yourself. I have not felt comfortable since the election, and because of trauma growing up have a difficult time accepting the person chosen by the electoral college. He who must not be named.
ReplyDeleteSo I am a recovering social worker, a sister of caring to you. Lots of my friends are nurses. You all have a way about you... I wish you peace and the joy that holds it's hand this year. I know from experience choosing a word is dangerous! You must accept the lessons the universe sends! It's never simple as you pointed out... multi layered and many ways to view it. Please won't you consider doing a weekly update on your lessons, and joining my little "I LIke" group on Thursdays?? It's a small but mighty set of women keeping their eyes on what they liked that week, and what kept them positive despite the challenges of life. No real rules, if you do an I Like post let me know by email (listed on my blog) or in comments, and I'll add you in. Easy peasy.
Love, LeeAnna at Not afraid of color lapaylor.blogspot.com
Great new photo Debbie! I haven't done the one little word for each year, but I think Peace is a fabulous one! We all need peace in our life to help us feel God's spirit and enjoy life. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Wonderful post. I enjoyed the way you explored your word from last year and exactly what you hoped to get from your word this year. Peace is such a wonderful word. Hoping you have a wonderful and peaceful 2018.
ReplyDeleteWow, great word for this year (especially since we share it)! You had a great word for last year, too! I love all the reasons behind your words. They're clearly chosen with a purpose and with a clear intent on how to reach that goal! I'm glad you got to experience peace for 13 yrs and I'm sure you'll achieve it again. I can't say as I've ever really had peace on a continuous basis. I'm hoping to see glimmers of it throughout the year. Here's to us working to our word for the year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post!Your new photo is very beautiful.Blessings to you in the New Year!Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, your new photo is beautiful. I think that you are a very special lady and you did a fantastic job at fulfilling your aspirations last year. May this new year be full of peace! Thank you for sharing your story with us at Party in Your PJ's. I pinned to my Thoughts on Life board.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great recap Debbie and great new glasses! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Debbie :) Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays, hope to see you on Wednesday for our next blog hop :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Debbie. Your word for 2018 is a great word and one that the world leaders should pay attention to. If only! Wishing you a great year ahead.
ReplyDeletePeace is a wonderful choice for your one little word, Debbie. I haven't ever chosen a word for the year, but I love the idea. I hope your 2018 is filled with peace! Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle! We appreciate having you link up each week!
ReplyDeleteDeb, I love your 12 steps of self care. Thanks for sharing. Sylvia D.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie. Peace is a good word. I love that you recapped how you faired with last year's word. Thanks for linking up to Keep In Touch.
ReplyDeleteDearest Debbie, I don't get to visit Blog Land as often as I would like lately so I try to make sure your posts are high on my list of ones to read. I'm late reading this one(your word for the year), but I'm so glad I did as I think it's one of your best ever!
ReplyDeleteI came back to your blog after you left a comment on our blog. I loved reading this post. I would love to see your little Victorian House (and actually did see some of it through your blog). I noticed that as I was looking at your pictures that you have the exact same picture as one of the pictures that I have on my wall. It is of a lighthouse with a little ship in the lower corner. I loved the idea of choosing one little word for the year. Hope is a great word and we all need to have that no matter what our political beliefs are. It is interesting how you were talking about taking your 401-K out and how that at least now if the market crashed you wouldn't get hurt so much by that. It is a nice feeling to have that sense of security isn't it. I am a little younger than 59 1/2 and have been so pleased since the election that my retirement in the stock market has gone up. Things do tend to work out if we have hope and exercise the discipline that we need to. And peace is such a great word for 2018. I like that we can have peace within ourselves even when the world is not full of peace. And yes there again we have to work for it, but it is definitely worth it in the end. Thank you so much for sharing this blog post. I've bookmarked it as I'm pretty sure that I need to read it at least a few more times. Wishing Peace to you!
ReplyDelete