Shades of Warm?

It's a good day when its not raining and you can knock off all your outdoor chores by 1pm, leaving about 3.5 hours of daylight to enjoy!
Commuting to and from work  in the dark this time of year takes its toll on your vitamin D stash, and your happy quotient.  When you have a day or weekend like the one we are having, well you just gotta make the most of the sun, and for me, the beach calls.

Hey, its January and the winter sun is shining, and the beach doesn't get any better.   You have to make the most of the day, and for me, the ocean waves roll in gently like a friend.  It feels like summer never left me, because the ocean breezes and smells bring it back again.  2 hours of sitting in the winter sun and I am ready to face the work week now!

Winter Walks

To me there is nothing better than an early morning walk with Jake, when the sun is shining in winter.  At this time of year, with the short days and lack of daylight (particularly when you are working), I treasure my weekends, especially the sunny ones.  My favorite winter walk with Jake on weekends, rain or shine, is a new development area on the south east side of Bowen. 

Lots of new roads being put in and spots being cleared for building, but not alot happening and nobody around.  Peace and tranquility.... and, of course, its along the ocean.   I have a special rock along the way that I sit on, smile at the morning sun, and contemplate life.

 This is my rock.

Shades of Cold

Hello winter, I thought you'd forgotten us! 

After weeks of above normal temperatures in December, we finally got a wee taste of chill here on Bowen as the new year started.  Our pond frozen with a dusting of snow, and Jake loving the first snow, we just simply had to go for a walk.

 

Our morning stroll at the golf course offered lovely shades of cold, and a wonderful spot for Jake to romp.

 

 

 

 Hot coffee at home and a click on of iTunes, we warmed up listing to Dean Martin's "Baby It's Cold Outside".

New Year Thoughts for 2016

I'm feeling good about 2016 so far.  You know from previous years that I am not a fan of resolutions but I am a big fan of setting goals.  I don't like 'resolutions' because I believe you can make changes to your life on any day you want to, so you don't need to wait until January.

What I like about January is there's always a lot of positive energy around because people are excited about making positive changes in their lives including at work.  So while I ponder what my goals will be for 2016, I am also reflecting on what I want to leave in 2015 and not bring with me into the new year. 

I made great steps towards being physically healthy in 2015 and I want to step up my gym visits this year by a day or two a week.   At the same time I'm also aware that I need to make time for my emotional and mental health too. I find more gym activity  helps this, as it's very much "me" time, but I also want to take the time to have weekends away to refresh and relax.

I want to keep in touch with friends more than I have been and generally just spend more time with the people that mean the most to me. 

I spend a lot of time worrying, mostly about things I have no control over so I will try to let my worry-thoughts go, or leave them in 2015.

I want to be more organized and work smarter, and to separate work from life.  I spend 7 days a week on office related issues, and this needs to get back to 5.  

I want to laugh more and be less angry.  I need to find an effective way to release the happy chemicals in my brain so that I can see the humour in most of life’s situations.  Laughter, after all, is the best medicine.  Exercise and the gym should help me with this.

I wonder what your goals will be?   Here’s to a great 2016.