I can't believe that it is almost the end of January already. Where has the time gone? We have had an unusual Winter so far, weather wise. It has gone from being overcast and dull, to sunny and mild, back to freezing and snowy. You don't know what to expect from one day to another. One thing that helps me through the cold season is remembering my New Year's resolutions. Everybody I know seems to make them. They might not tell anybody else about them, but they make them nonetheless. Some people will decide to lose weight, or exercise more, perhaps eat more vegetables, or take up a new hobby. Apparently, lots of people now practice Sudoku to improve their memories, or they do yoga to reduce stress. These all sound like wonderful goals to have. The key, I think, is being consistent. Plan something that is not too overwhelming, something doable, then put it into your daily or weekly routine so it is easy to accomplish. One of my New Year's resolutions is to get toned by lifting weights. For some reason, I like the feeling of that kind of workout. I also know that it is great for your bones and your mood. Well, last week I went to the YMCA with great enthusiasm and had a thorough workout. I felt very proud of myself. A day or two later, my elbows started to ache. A couple of days after that they felt even worse. When I drank tea, I had to bring the cup up to my mouth with my elbows sticking out in a very abnormal way, otherwise they would hurt. You can say that I had overdone my workout. My achy muscles are better now, but I'm still determined to stick to my New Year's resolutions. But I think I'll have to be kinder to myself and use lighter weights. Grammar notes. Related vocabulary: overcast, hobby, enthusiasm, workout. 1. The sky has been so overcast that we haven't seen the sun for nine days. 2. I love my new hobby. It's pottery! I can make all kinds of cups, bowls, and plates out of clay. 3. The newly elected govenor greeted the voters with enthusiasm. 4. Moving our furniture around was a real workout.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.