December 31, 2003

Hello and Happy New Year's Eve!

I just have a quick entry into my online journal today. Right now as I write, I am on the beach in Juno Beach, FL celebrating the coming of the New Year!

My husband, Doug, and I are spending the winter in Florida this year thanks to the flexibility of our home-based business (Our permanent home is in Newport, Rhode Island). The weather has been absolutely gorgeous for the last few days, and we have spent most of our holiday time sight-seeing, beaching, and enjoying time with friends who are down from RI on vacation. My Mom also arrived here on Christmas day for a two-week visit.

I've included a few pictures below including our trip to Universal Studios on Christmas Eve!

My husband and I have a New Year's tradition that I want to share with you. We have had a ton of fun with it, and it really makes the new year special for us.

On New Year's Day, we sit down together and "think" ourselves ahead one year. We write letters to ourselves describing our current situation and where we hope to be one year from now. We then seal the letters and put them in a safe place until New Year's Eve the following year!

On New Year's Eve, we always have some sort of special event to open the letters. One year, we went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. Another year, we made lunch at home and sat in front of our fireplace. Last year, we opened the letters on New Year's Day in our car on Ocean Drive in Newport, RI after watching the annual Polar Bear Plunge into the ocean! (It was certainly too cold to sit outside, but the view was still amazing!)

We always start our letters by describing our life as it is at that moment. What is the status of our business? Our personal life? Our mental state? Where do we live? What is a typical day like? We then go into what we hope to accomplish by this time next year. We talk about personal goals, business plans, our hopes for improved health and well-being, and whatever else comes to mind.

Doug and I actually opened our letters a little early this year in preparation for our visitors from the North. I don't want to disclose everything from my own letter, but I will quote two lines:

"... I would L-O-V-E to spend the winter in south Florida next year. I'm not sure exactly where, but maybe Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, or somewhere on the East Coast! ..."

"... My book, my book, my book. Will I ever finish it? I've started on a good solid outline and chapter summaries, but it is a slow process. It is my MAIN goal for this year to finish my book and start getting it out there ..."

Last year at this time, spending the winter in Florida was just a thought, a DREAM in fact! Also, one year ago, my book didn't even have a title, and was just starting to come together as an expanded outline.

It was so fun for Doug and I to read those excerpts from our letters while at a restaurant in Florida where we will spend a total of 6 months this winter! It was also exhilarating to think of my book, "Zero To Six Figures," which is completed and for sale at this website!

Of course we didn't accomplish everything we set out to do and of course we suffered disappointments and missed opportunities as well. But, this activity really helps us to put things in perspective, see life clearly as time goes on, and gets us excited about the year ahead of us.

It's also a fabulous thing to do with your kids. It gives them something exciting to look forward to, and also teaches them about goal setting and working hard towards something that they hope to achieve.

Doug and I wish you a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I won't enter another journal until January 5 because my Mom and I are leaving on Friday for a cruise to the Bahamas! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and will post them here when we return. Bon Voyage!

"Warm"ly,

Jennifer

PS - My holiday sale for Zero To Six Figures is coming to an end at midnight tomorrow. Click Here to read all about it!

Doug and I at the Breakers in Palm Beach

The Breakers of Palm Beach

Riding "with the top down" with my cousin John

Boat trip leaving from Singer Island

Seawall Aquarium at Sailfish Marina on Singer Island

Swimming in Ft. Lauderdale!

The Marriot at Beach Place in Ft. Lauderdale!

Having a blast at a dueling piano show in Jupiter

My baby Belle helping with the Christmas presents

I love the Grinch! Welcome to "Whoville" and Universal Studios

The Hulk rollercoaster - yes, that's us upside down!

Gotta love the Grinch!

Getting WET in Jurassic Park

Looking over to the Lost World

The Macy's Parade at Universal Studios

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