Skating Uphill - January 2022

“Get fresh! It’s the New Year!”
– The Uphill Skater –

Fresh fish, fresh produce, fresh face, refresh and on and on. What we are talking about here is fresh! To me, fresh has mostly food meanings. I love to farmer’s market shop for crunchy veggies, and I always do “pick your own” fruits in season whenever I can. However, fresh also makes us think of renewal and rejuvenation—basically, freshening up. To freshen up ourselves or our surroundings can be daunting and frustrating. Sometimes we can’t even see what needs refreshening or just don’t know where to start. The New Year is the perfect time to revisit some goals that may have failed in the past. Now is the time for forgiving ourselves and giving whatever it is a fresh try.

How about we start with remodeling the bathroom? Oh, can’t afford the contractor or the architect? Well, here is an idea for a fresh start. Begin by just cleaning the hell out of everything. Scrub everything out, wash the walls, and whatever else needs to be done. Stand back and look, then look at your budget. Start by adding colorful or crisp white towels and move on to a bright, cheerful shower curtain. If you don’t have a medicine cabinet buy a new mirror. Do all of this, and then see how you feel. No tile or paint or sink. Just that. I promise you will see your old bathroom in a fresh light! 

Now that you’ve been successful with the bathroom, let’s do the fridge. Start by taking everything out; I mean everything. Look at your stuff, check dates and toss everything old. Wipe down what you have left and then wipe down the inside and outside of the fridge. Put fruit in front. Arrange labels so the colorful side shows. Use your imagination. Make your fridge cheerful. Don’t think this is stupid. Just take half an hour, and try it. When you are done, give your kitchen a great big clean and buy some grocery store flowers and a basil plant and be happy. Oh, finally, replace old dish towels and check out that old fringe curtain above the kitchen sink window. Really, its days are past.

These few bouts of cleaning may inspire you so much you will clean the rest of the house while looking for new places to add a pop of color
and brightness.  

Last but not least, and most important of all, refresh yourself. Read a good self help book, take a long, hot shower in your new bathroom, shave your legs, put a rinse on your hair, and put on an amazing outfit that makes you feel great. As the new you walks out the door to buy those flowers and herb plants, think good thoughts about what you’ve accomplished and having a really fresh outlook on 2022.

Visit www.skatinguphill.com blog for new recipes, daily thoughts and décor ideas. Also find reprints of Pink articles and shared comments. Blogging is fun and easy.

Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and girls Club. Judith is also a long time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her BLOG www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.