Dear Abby's Jan 1 column

(saved so I can refer to it)

Published: January 1, 2012 12:01 AM EST
Updated: December 31, 2011 6:32 PM EST

Dear Abby: New year offers chance to start anew






Dear Abby

Jeanne Phillips

Dear Readers: Welcome to 2012! While the last year has been tumultuous for many of us, a new one is here, bringing with it our chance for a fresh start.


Today is the day we discard destructive old habits for healthy new ones, and with that in mind, I will share Dear Abby's often-requested list of New Year's Resolutions, which were adapted by my mother, Pauline Phillips, from the original credo of Al-Anon:


Just for today: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.


I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.


Just for today: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.


Just for today: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.


Just for today: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.


Just for today: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.


Just for today: I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.


Just for today: I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully -- if only for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.


Just for today: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take the responsibility for my own actions.


And now, Dear Readers, I would like to share an item that was sent to me by I.J. Bhatia, a reader who lives in New Delhi, India:





Dear Abby: This year, no resolutions, only some guidelines. The Holy Vedas say: "Man has subjected himself to thousands of self-inflicted bandages. Wisdom comes to a man who lives according to the true eternal laws of nature."


The prayer of St. Francis (of which there are several versions) contains a powerful message:


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;


Where there is hatred, let me sow love;


Where there is injury, pardon;


Where there is doubt, faith;


Where there is despair, hope;


Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;


To be understood, as to understand;


To be loved, as to love;


For it is in giving that we receive,


It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,


And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.


And so, Dear Readers, may this new year bring with it good health, peace and joy to all of you. -- Love, Abby


Write to Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

New Year's Eve

We went to Bill Miller's Restaurant this morning and had what they call the cowboy breakfast - biscuits and gravy with ham, sausage or bacon. I had sausage with mine. We had coffee with it too.

It got up to nearly 80 degrees this afternoon. People are already beginning to set off fireworks in the neighborhoods around here. At midnight it will really be noisy for a few minutes. I don't expect to be able to stay awake that long. I don't usually.

Christmas Day 2011

We had a chilly day, but no rain or snow. Yesterday was rainy.

Sis's church didn't have a service this morning, but mine did. We had a small group - 24, but it was a nice service.

This afternoon we had Christmas dinner with friends who live about 13 miles from here. It was a nice drive out through the countryside to their home. There were six of us there and in addition to all the delicious food, we had a nice visit.

Of course we now feel like we need to diet for a few days. All the different foods at a holiday meal make a person feel totally "stuffed" even if you only try a little bit of each thing.

I don't have to work tomorrow, but on Tuesday it is business as usual.

Christmas Eve

It rained off and on today and didn't get out of the 40's.

Sis went to a Christmas Eve service at her church tonight.

We got several Christmas cards and letters, including a gift card to IHOP from our brother and his wife.

Our cousin called about 5 p.m. and said they had just arrived home.

We had a visit from a first cousin the last few days. It was the first time we had met and we really enjoyed the visit.

I made another loaf of whole wheat bread in the bread machine last night. This time I added 1/2 cup of almonds and 1/2 cup of dried cranberries. It turned out good, but was a little denser than the last loaf. This morning I sliced the loaf and put all but two slices in zip-lock bags in the refrigerator - 2 slices to a bag. Part of the last loaf got moldy before we got it all used and I don't want that to happen again.

It has been raining for the last several days - not a heavy rain but off and on light rain. That is the kind that helps us the most. It is 46 degrees right now and not expected to get out of the 50's today.

I think I will see if the beautician has time to cut my hair today when I go in for my weekly appointment. My hair grows very fast and is heavy and thick.

Yesterday afternoon when I left work, I discovered one of my tires was nearly flat, so I drove slowly to the gas station around the corner and put some air in it. This morning I took it to a nearby tire shop and had all the tires checked and air put in. The man didn't find a leak, so maybe it had just gradually lost the air. I need to remember to have it checked more often.

We had breakfast at Wendy's this morning, then went to Wal-Mart and did our weekly shopping.

It rained all afternoon and evening - not a hard rain, but a cold drizzling rain.

We went to the soup supper at the Aldersgate church and it was well attended in spite of the weather. There were at least 15 crockpots of different kinds of soup and corn muffins and French bread, a fruit salad, bunuellos, and cake and cupcakes, It was fun trying some of the different kinds of soup. I especially liked the creamy soups, like potato soup, Canadian cheese soup, and one that had potatoes, cheese and ham in it. There was to be Christmas carol singing afterward, but Sis's back was hurting her so bad that we didn't stay for that. She has been having severe back problems the last few days. We had both done a lot of house cleaning today, so that probably aggravated it even more.

I drove on the way home, something I wouldn't have been able to do before I had my cataract surgery, but had no problem at all with tonight.

I feel like I could sleep pretty good tonight, but I'm trying to stay awake until after the news so that maybe I won't wake up in the middle of the night unable to get back to sleep.