A Bowl of Cherries

Cherries are one of the joys of Christmas in Australia.

They are only in season for a few short weeks. 

Believe it or not, this bowl was heaped high with cherries
just yesterday evening. (Not so high now!)

It sits in the middle of the table, right next to where I am reading all of your lovely messages and blog posts.

Meanwhile my left hand keeps dipping into the cherry bowl of its own accord.  
How is one supposed to type replies with a handful of cherries?  The automatic solution is for that distracted left hand to pop those burdensome cherries into my mouth! There! Problem solved. 

Not quite: I need to stop that left hand from straying too often otherwise there will be no cherries left for New Year's Eve celebrations tonight.

What do you do on New Year's Eve?  Do you make plans way in advance? 

I find that my variable health makes planning difficult. I never know how I am going to be from day to day or from hour to hour.  Will I be able to stay awake until midnight?  With my fragile health status: do I even want to?   Evening events (well, any major events or changes in routine) take such a long recovery time that I ask myself, "Is staying up until midnight even worth the trouble?"

What a Party Pooper!  

Yet it doesn't need to be that way!  I will still celebrate New Year's Eve except nowadays I make it easy on myself by staying at home where I can sneak off for a nap if necessary without interrupting proceedings for anyone else.  

Actually, I have a confession. I have never been a big New Year's Eve planner. When it comes to New Year partying, I've always been impulsive.  

My friends, family and I were often called to work on New Year's Eve so could never rely on long term plans.  Every year, we would wait until the very evening and then decide what to do. Sometimes there were personal party invitations or organised events and other times, we just went out to random places to see what was happening.  Usually we had impromptu meetings with other friends and associates along the way; often we made new friends but invariably we would find ourselves with a bunch of happy people, having a great time.  We ALWAYS had FUN.

Now that my health problems have forced a slow-down, the fun part doesn't need to change. It's just slower fun!  Whatever happens, I'm ready to 'go with the flow' and it is still enjoyable.

New Year's Eve, for me,  is a time to rest, recharge and reflect.  It's a more sedate party where I like to savour my favourite foods and drinks, spoil myself with little luxuries and consider the year ahead, or, if not the year, plan the next thing to look forward to!

It's so important to look forward to special things in life.  No matter what difficulty you may be facing, having happy future plans can give you the hope and perseverence to overcome feelings of fear, worry or sadness and get past the problems of the current moment–a little bit of mental respite from the stress of this instant. It could be a big plan like a holiday away or something little like 10 minutes with a crochet hook at the end of the day.

Looking forward … looking back … what I am looking at again is that bowl of cherries.

Are you thinking what I am thinking? That expression: 

"If life is a bowl of cherries, then this is the pits!"

Yeah, life has felt like that in 2017 and, I won't lie, I expect more of the same in 2018 (that's life); but there have been some pretty amazing experiences and achievements too.  There is much for which to be thankful. Now that I think about it some more, I realise there are so many good things in life, including the many wonderful people whom I love and cherish; for some unfathomable reason, they also love me back!  

Lupey Loops and the blogosphere have been great sources of connection and friendship for me. It is always a joy to meet people with similar interests.  It has also been a source of personal growth to meet people with differing and new ideas that challenge my own or bring a new perspective to the daily struggle of life.    

Thank you for sharing so much of your lives, loves and creativity!

Watch out! That hand is reaching for the cherries again; except this time, with every bite, I will make sure to acknowledge the pit so that I don't choke and come to harm; I will also make a special effort to truly savour the juicy, sweet flesh of the cherry.  If I can remember to have the same outlook on life, then maybe 2018 won't be so bad.

How was 2017 for you?

What do you do on New Year's Eve
(or perhaps you will celebrate the Lunar New Year–16 February)?

Are you a planner, procrastinator or impulsive party person?

2017  

According to Cherries

Let's start with the pits so we can end on
a joyful note with the scrumptious cherries!

THE PITS

Hospital in May: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/mayday-mayday-rah-rah-rah.html

Sad news from A Little Box of Crochet: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/a-melancholy-mothers-day.html  

Grand Final disappointment & disability discrimination: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/10/crows-family-day.html

More issues with equitable access for people with disabilities putting a dampener on outings. It is disappointing that in this modern day and age, access issues are still treated as afterthoughts:

• Out to Lunch: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/out-to-lunch.html 
• Making Waves: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/access-all-areas-making-waves.html

The worst events of all this year have been the need to fight for basic supports in my community such as keeping therapy services open and access to public transport in addition to the burden of new disability schemes. The stress and energy required is pushing me past my limits and making me ill.  My well being and independence are at stake:

• Battling Bureaucracy: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/battling-bureaucracy.html
• Petition Power: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/access-all-areas-petition-power-part-1.html

THE DELICIOUS CHERRIES

Being well enough to attend events:

Tour Down Under

• http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/tour-down-under-2017-peoples-choice.html 
• http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/ready-set.html 
• http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/tour-down-under-2017-at-marvellous.html  

AVCon: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/07/crochet-at-avcon.html 

Disability Pride Parade: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/access-all-areas-disability-pride-parade.html 

Lobethal Lights & Christmas Smiles: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/christmas-smiles.html

Plus all the stuff related to makers and craft:

An ETSY market close to home: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/etsy-adelaide-community-market.html

Volunteering at Maker Faire Adelaide: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/10/volunteering-at-maker-faire-adelaide.html

The Beanies to Berets Exhibition & Sale

• http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/fun-at-beanies-to-berets-exhibition-and.html 
• http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/fun-at-beanies-to-berets-exhibition-and.html

My own crochet activities:

• Receipt of crafty gifts: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/an-awesome-craft-bag.html 

• First time entries to Royal Adelaide Show: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/10/royal-adelaide-show-results-2017.html

And the most exciting and beautiful news of all has been the welcoming of gorgeous little people into the world:

• http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/new-baby-new-blanket.html 
• http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/happy-photos.html 

Thank you for visiting Lupey Loops during the year.  I love reading your comments and knowing that you have visited.  Your thoughts and support are appreciated very much.  Wishing you all the best for a fun and fortunate 2018.

Good bye 2017!

 Happy New Year!