I’m Going to Love This Year

Two-thousand eleven was a good year. And as much as I’m sad to see it go (maybe or maybe not because that means I have to face 26 this year), I’m looking forward to 2012 and what adventures I’ll encounter. It’s going to be another good one. I can just feel it.

Now, I love making lists. I don’t, however, love having lists that never end up with lines all through it (or with other people’s handwriting, but that’s another blog). In past years, I’ve made Resolutions lists that look something like this:

-          Blog every. Single. Day. Without. Fail.

-          Read 4,867 books.

-          Lose enough pounds to equal another person.

Needless to say, my Resolutions lists have rarely made it to the “cross-off” stage. They just aren’t practical.

While it’s good to have specific goals and to challenge yourself, I’ve decided this New Year’s that I do want to compile a list of things I’d like to accomplish in the next 365 366 days, but I don’t want boundaries. I want this year to be about growth, love, fun and family. And if that means I take 14 pictures or 1,400, lose 10 pounds or just getting healthy. Whatever happens, as long as my family and I are happy, the particulars aren’t that important.

So. Here’s my 2012 Flexible Resolutions List.

Write.
On my blog. In my journal. On little pieces of paper to put in my kids’ lunches. I miss being creative with words and learning new words. I miss telling stories. I’ve thought about venturing back into reporting, but, let’s face it, the hours suck and the pay is ridiculous. Regardless of where my nonexistent career takes me, I want to put words on paper (or into the Interwebs). I have a lot to say, and I just know you want to read it.

Read.
I have a couple stacks of books on my nightstand that I’ve started to read and just became too bored with to really even care. Those? Are going into the closet until I have a library to showcase them. I’m over finishing books just because I’ve started them. Too much time is wasted on a bad book. A good book? Worth every minute (which ends up being hours because I just can’t put it down).

Take pictures.
While I don’t consider myself a photographer by ANY means, I do love taking pictures. (Having two adorable Mini Adult models doesn’t hurt, either.) Last Christmas – as in 2010 -, my parents got me a Canon Rebel, and I still have no idea how to do anything other than push the button that makes it go ‘snap.’ This past Christmas, Evan bought me a new lens. I couldn’t even tell you what kind. This is how horrible I am. BUT. I want to learn this year. I want to know every button, every setting. I might even start posting pictures on my blog instead of pages and pages of words.

Learn to sew.
I mean, I can reattach a missing button. I could even make an apron by hand if I had 12 years to finish it. But my parents gave me a sewing machine for Christmas, and I’m dying to learn how to use it. And I will.

Make our house apartment a home.
Renting, in no uncertain terms, sucks. Not only is it throwing away money each month just to be sheltered, but I’m not entirely interested in spending money to remodel, redecorate or beautify a place that I’ll never get anything out of. That being said, there’s a good chance we’ll be renting for a little while longer, and I’m desperate for a home. I want to do little things that will make our place – wherever we are – feel like it’s ours. Like it’s where you go to be comfortable. And loved. Thank God for Pinterest.

Love myself.
Although I do have a number in my head that I’d like to lose, I’m not going to let that be my boundary. Most of all, I want to be comfortable in my body and not feel like a lump of fatty disaster. If that means taking a walk with my dogs every day, running at the park on a snowy day, actually going to the gym that I pay monthly for – and just feeling better, then that’s good for me.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.
I stress. Easily. I get aggravated. Irritated. Mad. Easily. If Christian wants to hop around the house howling because he’s a wolf today – that should be okay. Even if I’m trying desperately to hear Ryan Seacrest tell me why Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphreys got a divorce. Sometimes … okay, most of the time, it’s just not worth it.

Hold family close.
I told you about how I was thisclose to losing my Mom (or at least thought I was), and how I did lose my Aunt Jessie last year. I’m not taking that for granted. When visiting family over Christmas, I literally hugged each and every one tighter. You never know when it will be the last time you’ll have the chance.

Budget.
I really hate this one. Honestly. I love to spend money. But we are in a position where we can live comfortably and still get ourselves back on track financially, and we have to take this opportunity while we have it. If you have a good budget plan, please, please share. I’m going to need serious help (and therapy?) with this.

Be a good wife.
What? Wife? Yeah, more on that later. (giggle)

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