By Nick Pedley
News Editor 

Pedley's Ponderings

Catch ya on the flip side, 2020

 

December 31, 2020



New Year’s is my favorite holiday. There’s no real point to it and I get the day off, plus the football is great.

This year brings a bit of dread. I look forward to the change from ’20 to ’21, but I’m not necessarily sure things will get better. Coronavirus is king and I’m not one to speculate on how it will affect our lives in the New Year.

Nonetheless, I am looking forward to some things in 2021. They aren’t resolutions, per se, but they will be watermarks.

• Marriage

Most folks around these parts think Kaity and I are married. We are not, but we do have two kids, a mortgage, car payments and a bank account together. I finally got her a ring in August and our wedding is planned for Labor Day weekend of 2021.

She’s been doing the planning while I sit back and say, “OK.” I’m not sure married life will be much different than what we’ve been doing for the past three years, but we’ll be official.


• Losing 20 pounds

I’m gonna do it this year, I swear. My pudge has become much more pudgier following the arrival of our two children, and with the Lord as my witness, I’m going to be healthier this year. I need to be.

• Going to a football game

Prior to 2020, I had attended at least one Iowa Hawkeye football game every year (exception: 2015) since 2001. I think I’ll go to three next season to make up for my absence this year.

• A painted house

Just like losing weight, this needs to happen in 2021.

I’ve lamented about our ancient home on this page in the past. Faithful readers already know the 103-year-old siding is in dire shape, and that situation isn’t going to improve with more neglect.


I started this project in July. My procrastination and complaining left it uncompleted – it’s such a monumental task – come snowfall. But I need to find the gumption to get back on that horse this spring and get on with it. Otherwise, I’ll have to keep staring at my failure each morning I leave and each evening I arrive.

• Caring less about things that don’t matter

Like a lot of folks, the pandemic has made me evaluate many things in my life.

I don’t care as much about politics, sports or people that annoy me anymore. I plan to carry that into the New Year. You can’t control the things you have no control over, so what’s the point of wasting your emotions?

It is what it is.

• Getting vaccinated

As soon as my number is called, you better believe I’m getting those shots.

• Being better

The transition to the New Year is an arbitrary number change, but I’ve always held it in high regard.

I don’t know why. Personally, it represents a clean slate and fresh start. I used to really try to achieve resolutions, but always fell flat – that’s why I need to dump 20 pounds in 2021.

I turn 30 this year, and if there was as good a time as any, now is it to try to turn bad habits into good. I want to be better all around this year, and since I need arbitrary markers to make changes, I think Jan. 1 will be a good starting point.

Good luck in the New Year.

Nick Pedley is the news editor of The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly-Royal News.

 
 

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