My friend, Kerri, over at Damn You Little Rock said it best – New Year’s is like the Friday before opening day of football season: we’re all undefeated. And so are my beloved TCU Horned Frogs, who are Rose Bowl Champs! And if you’re wondering … yes, this was just a cheap move to somehow get my Frogs into this blog post.
Isn’t it appropriate that my first blog post since September will be about things I want to do better? I guess blogging for this website should be somewhere on the list (Editors Karen and Lance would appreciate that). Honestly, I have been meaning to share so many thoughts here over the past few months. I promise, there’s all sorts of great blog posts in my head; I just have to figure out how to make time for them to actually appear on this page!
So I’ll start with this New Year’s Resolution post. Yes, it’s a cliche, but it’s also a great way to get these thoughts on paper and have some accountability for them.
2010 was a good year for me, my family and my business, but we can all strive to be better. Here’s what I’d like to make happen in 2011:
Talk in a softer voice with my kids. I’m pretty positive that the louder my voice gets, the more my kids have no desire to do what I’m asking. As much as I’ll struggle with this, I’m really going to try and kill them with kindness. According to a whole host of books I’ve been reading on parenting, this is a pretty successful way of doing things. I have nothing to lose and only well-behaved kids to gain, so I’m giving it a shot.
Travel, travel, travel. When we have discretionary funds, we choose to spend them on traveling. We’ve been blessed to be able to go to many places over the years, and I hope to continue that. I drive an old Honda Pilot. We have countertops that aren’t the prettiest, but I’m fine with that because we’re sharing many happy memories with our kids. Some of my best memories of growing up were from vacations with my parents. I want the same for my kids.
Spend more alone time with my husband. We have two young kids who have karate classes and birthday parties to attend. We have busy careers and family obligations. But that shouldn’t keep us from finding time for each other. I resolve to institute date night and spend time with just my husband. And I’m going to try really, really hard to not include my iPhone.
Keep my e-mail inbox at less than 50. If you’ve been on my computer at any point in my life, you know that this is one of those resolutions that, if met, will require fireworks, a champagne toast and dancing in the streets. I’m not even going to admit to how many messages are in my inbox right now. If I did, you might faint. But let it be said that I’m going to get this inbox cleaned out, and will keep it cleaned out, even if it kills me, which is highly likely.
Read a book a month. I’m not committing to a book club because I’ve tried that and failed miserably. But I am going to read a book a month. I’ll get to choose them, and I’ll hopefully get some use out of this iPad on which I spent a ridiculous amount of money. I’m already on track. I’m close to finishing a book I started in October. I’m cheating and counting that as my January book.
Play with my kids more. I’ll admit it. This working mom depends much too much on the DVD player. When things are crazy and I need the kids to settle down, in goes the movie. But I think that if I just took even 10 minutes to focus on them and play, they’d get the hang of it, and even do it without me! We did a lot of this over the holiday break, and I think it might work. Lord knows there are enough toys, games and books in the house now to keep them busy for hours.
Get lash extensions. My husband is totally against this, but I’m obsessed with them. I blame Lisa Fischer and her beautiful eyelashes. I have serious eyelash envy. Jason says I don’t need them (that’s sweet), but how can a girl not need lovely, long eyelashes that you never have to coat with mascara?!
Save money. This is going to be another hard one for me. I’m not a good saver, but I need to be. I’d like to be in a position where I can do anything I want. I know it’s possible, but I’ve got to get serious about saving and not spending before that happens. Ann Taylor Loft will be sad to read this.
Print my pictures. It’s a simple resolution, but this digital age has made me lazy. It’s time to replace Nate’s baby pictures framed throughout the house with some kindergarten pictures. Or maybe some of his sister, who is nowhere to be found in printed form.
Blog more. And not just because Karen and Lance want me to! I love writing. I started as a journalist before moving to the public relations profession. Writing makes me happy and keeps me in the loop. So I’m committing to writing more for this blog and for posting things that make people smile, debate and rejoice that someone else is living the crazy life too!
There is more that should be on here, but I think this is a fair list.
Some of my favorite local bloggers shared similar lists that I think deserve a shoutout. I especially like Amy’s one resolution for the year, Be Here Now. I really love that. Not dwelling on past mistakes. Not dreaming about the far-off future. But being here. Now. In the moment. Living!
Check out Kyran’s list … love that she is committing to learning to do a cartwheel. Kyran, don’t ask me for tips.
And here are Kerri’s top resolutions: Finding the empty space in others’ hearts and helping to fill it is an awesome and daunting goal.
Boots is planning a parade.
And Savannah, always the overachiever, has 67 things to do in 2011!
Here’s to a fabulous 2011! Would love to see your resolutions in the comments below!
Email to a Friend
RSS Feeds
