Dear HH,

The answer is yes, if you don't count the ice cream, the lemon cake, the hot chocolate with whipped cream. Should I go on? I discovered a charming little tea room nearby that is very Victorian with chandeliers and roses. I had to experience the tea cakes, didn't I? What is high tea without some cake? So now I've been found out. Well, other than that, I've been pretty good. Tonight, it's salmon and broccoli. Grapefruit for dessert. Good food combining. I have one big vice and it is an ice cream addiction. But I'm getting better. Haven't touched the stuff in a week. Sometimes that's the way it goes, one week, then two, then a month, then two months. You really shouldn't completely cut out the things you love. If you do, then where's the fun? My mom used to say "everything in moderation". Yeah, right. HH, how are you doing? What are your resolutions? Gotcha!

Hello once again dear friends,

It's a new year, and I am so optimistic. Don't know why. Just have a good feeling about 2008. I feel something positive and constructive in the air, good things will be happening as a result of what we do this year. This just might be the year we all get it together as a nation, as a world, and in our personal lives. I'm pretty intuitive most of the time. Usually "feel" it right and I sure hope I'm right this year. It's the first time in years I have been awake for the ball dropping. I start my days early, sometimes 4:00 A.M., so by midnight, I'm sawing wood. New Year's Eve to me has been traditionally boring, a time to eat a good dinner and fall asleep early, grateful that I am not part of the crowd at Times Square. Sounds dull? Of course and it's delicious! My sister and I participated in a world meditation that was initiated by our good friend Becky, who distributed a prayer that was coordinated to be read by people all over the world at the same time for the purpose of peace and health throughout the planet. Powerful! It's a great thing to do every year.

This is a year of new beginnings, the year of the rat. I'm sure you all have made New Year's resolutions. I sure have. The usual stuff like dropping weight, exercising more, eating healthy food, being more disciplined, spending more quality time with family and friends, clearing out the cobwebs in your brains, getting rid of the clutter in the attic and garage, filing those papers, and shredding the obsolete files, painting the den. Also learning something new, and carrying through on someting you already started but put aside because you are too busy. Sound familiar? Ambitious too. I usually screw up on January 2nd. My commitment lasts 24 hours. Decided the reason I don't succeed is because I try to take it all on at once. Most people make the same mistake. It's overwhelming to do that. You have to pace yourself. After all, you have a full year to accomplish your goals. Start by giving up dessert and cleaning a closet. The sense of accomplishment will inspire you to take on the next task and so on and so forth. I'll let you know every month how I am doing. Please write me too and let me know how you are doing with your plans for 2008. If you have tips that will help me to accomplish my goals, please help me out. I love to hear from you. Happy New Year! Wish you all your heart's desire. As ever, Joan