The traditional backwards kinda resos

And by "resos," I mean resolutions.  For all of you people who didn't exactly get it.

And by backwards, I mean the opposite of resolutions.  Like the opposite of a resolution should actually be called an Anti-Resolution.  Or something.

Anyway.  This year, in 2011, I resolve to NOT wear orange or yellow.  As a rule.  I look hideous in those colors.

In 2011, I resolve to NOT look at myself naked in the mirror.  Because that is some scary shit right there.  Not that I do that ever.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.

In 2011, I resolve to NOT ever, in a million years cook lamb.  Or eat it.  It brings me back to a moment in time when Mom tried to save money and feed us Lamb-burgers instead of hamburgers.  Scarred for life.

In 2011, I resolve to NOT make a myspace account.  Hello?  That is so 2008.

In 2011, I resolve to NOT download any Miley Cyrus to my itunes.  Except.  If there is a song she sings that I happen to like or something.  That's my loophole statement.

In 2011, I resolve to NOT spend 6 hours and 23 minutes on the comfy red chair perusing blogs.  Just putting that out there.

In 2011, I resolve to NOT pay one iota of attention to the old biological clock ticking and ticking and ticking madly away.  Four kids is plenty for me.  Plenty, I say.

In 2011, I resolve to NOT ask miscellaneous people for directions because I lost someone crept into my house in the dead of night and stole my GPS.  I hate following directions people tell me out loud.  After the first "turn left at the church corner," I blank.  And then I say "mm hmm, yeah, OK I got it now," and nod like a moron.  And so it's just a waste of breath for the poor direction giver.  You know?

In 2011, I resolve to NOT start a bunch of projects I can't finish.  I really need to be more picky and choosy.  There are only so many hours in my day, you know?

In 2011, I resolve to NOT set myself up for failure by attempting to accomplish unattainable resolutions.  That just happened.

Now those are some pretty impressive anti-resolutions right there.  I'm going to get right on them.  Like today.  Like in a minute.  Like, as soon as I wrap this post up.

Done.

New year, new resolutions

So I did put the bold statement out there a bit ago that I would put my top three resolutions out for all of the world to see on January one, and today is the big day.

I also recall mentioning that I would make monthly progress updates.

Yeah.  I might actually even take it all back and rescind that offer.  Because it was a pretty bold statement.  I guess we will have to wait and see.

But for now, January one - new year, new decade, I will post my top three resolutions.  And I do not take this lightly.  I had to weigh the options -- really decide what the top three should be and of course, be straight up sure I could sort of accomplish them if I really made the effort.  Because even worse than not accomplishing them is knowing that everyone knows I didn't accomplish them.

I'm sure you all are thinking they are going to be exciting, world changing resolutions because let's face it -- the build up has been really excruciating.  Right?  But even though I hate to burst any bubbles, in reality, the resolutions are pretty boringly average and normal.  Nothing world changing.  Nothing super exciting.  Just regular old resolutions.  But, resolutions that are important to me one way or the other.

So here they are in no particular order.  Well.  A particular order I guess, but not really for any particular reason.  I'm being evasive.  And slow in presenting them, aren't I? Sorry.  I just feel a little nervous and naked and forthcoming.

So without further ado, without any pomp or circumstance, without any... well, you get the idea.  Here they are.  Presenting....

MY (top three) big fat 2011 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS:

1.  Cook dinner and eat dinner as a family more regularly. Quit/reduce take-out. Make healthier meals. (That could possibly be considered three resolutions, however, since it is one general theme, I am going with it.)

2.  Organize and transfer all (6000+) old photos to disc & clean up desktop computer of pictures/video.  Organize all photos into photo albums.

3. FIT at forty-one.  Exercise for at least 30 minutes, at least four days a week.  No excuses.

Well.  There you have it.  Now you all can force me to be accountable and make all of these things happen.  I chose those particular three things because those are the three things I say I am going to do every single year, and every single year, something gets in the way of it eventually, and something puts me off course.  I really, truly want/need to do those things up there.  Really.  Truly.

So anyway, wish me luck.

As I wish you on your resolutions.  Here's hoping we all enjoy a great new year.

resolutions already? really?

I try to get the kids to write their goals down each year -- my BIL always does this, and I copied him.  He actually turns his yearly goals into a framed picture, then hangs it in his bathroom so he is forced to look at it every day.

I don't go quite that far, but I do like to get my kids thinking about things they want to accomplish for the year.  Writing them down and seeing them often helps them remember.

Last year, one of my son's goals was to get an armpit hair.

I tried to explain to him that that particular goal wasn't something that he had much control over, but he wrote it down anyway.

One of Brooke's goals last year was to learn how to tie her sneakers, and she kind of has it down!  She gets a little frustrated, but she tries so hard.  Bunny ears.  Aw.

Surprisingly, I pretty much accomplished most of my own goals.  But I will have to re-put some of the things on my list from last year that didn't exactly happen. Like I didn't really get fit at 40 at all.  I really really really need to make that happen this year. 

Maybe if I shorten my list, it will force me to focus.  That's it.  I am going to make only three serious goals for the year 2011.  For reals.  And I am going to make a vow and have progress updates.  It will shame me into accomplishment.

Do you think using shame is a bad method?  I think it is a good method for me.  Because I don't like to publicly fail.  So there you have it.  On Jan 1, I will post my three biggest fattest goals, and I will also make it my mission to post monthly updates on my progress.

That just happened. 

RESOLUTIONS and such...

Resolutions:
(1) Blog a lot more. And a lot more regularly.
(2) Continue working on book. Make a "writing calendar," as proposed by very talented fellow writer niece, Kasey.
(3) Play more games with the kids. Been doing a lot of boggle playing, Old Maid and Memory -- need more stimulation. Eyeballs are throbbing over Spongebob-themed Memory. I flat out refuse Monopoly, but I like Clue and Taboo, UNO is fun. Love boggle and scrabble. I have to work in an 8 year old and a 4 year old. I think I will buy a chess set.
(4) Cook dinner more regularly. Quit/reduce take-out. Make healthier meals. (is that three resolutions, or one general theme?)
(5) Take more time to enjoy the small stuff.
(6) Save more money. Put in place a simple & fool proof savings plan.
(7) Take more time to read.
(8) Get regular exercise plan in place. Yoga would be nice...
(9) Less TV time, more play time.
(10) Swap guest room/Meg's room, set up sewing machine.
(11) Use sewing machine.
(12) Ignore biological clock.
(13) House goals: Crown Mldg, fire place, refinish downstairs floors.
(14) Photography.
(15) Transfer all old photos to disc & clean up old computer.
(16) Send birthday cards/thank you notes on time.
(17) FIT at Forty.
(18) Cash for groceries. Plan grocery shopping - use coupons, less impulse buying.

(19) Down deep and dirty clean/organize one room per week for the next 12 weeks.

(20) Spend more QUALITY time with my husband and kids.
(21) Be as green as possible.

I think I will continue to add to this list.