New Year, Not So New Resolutions

January 4, 2010

Here we go again with New Year's Resolutions. Those of you who are observant will notice that they're awfully close to last year's. That's because I think last year's were pretty good, even though I didn't quite accomplish them all. I'm taking them and modifying, based on my starting point as of now.

1. First and foremost, I want to continue to try to be the best mom and wife I can be. It is my goal to continue to be at my kids' activities and events whenever humanly possible, and to really be a good listener and teacher for my kids, while at the same time loving and laughing and enjoying all of the wonderful qualities that make them unique individuals. I also want to be a true support for Doug and continue to work to keep our partnership and friendship at the forefront of our priorities.

2. I also want to maintain the consistency I've set with the chores and expectations I have for the kids. We started out sweet and simple last year, but there are more tasks that my kids can take on in order to help them gain confidence and self-sufficiency.

3. I want to plan at least one family trip and at least one adults-only trip this year.

4. I'm going to keep my goal of watching at least 10 classic movies that I haven't seen, and reading at least 5 classic novels I haven't gotten under my belt yet. I didn't quite manage this one in the past year, but I'm going to endeavor to pace myself a little better this year.

5. I plan to undertake the immense project of scanning all of my old photos into digital form. Since I am a picture-taking fiend, this will be a massive undertaking. I'll be able to do some during the school year, but I imagine the bulk of it will take place during the summer time, when I have no essays to grade. (I got a start on this one last summer, but now realize that if I manage to scan even half of the pictures I have, that will be a major success.)

6. Like most everyone else I know, I'm going to try to eat better, exercise more (find a work-out partner who suits my style, or figure out a way Lisa and I can be long-distance workout partners), focus a little bit more on my writing (try to get something published, either in print form or on-line), and be more organized (get all of the closets and drawers organized, and tackle the garage). I'm a work in progress, and these are the areas I'll continue to focus on in my life. These goals are less about a number, and more about a general improvement in quality of life. I doubt seriously that these goals in particular will ever be fully attained; they are on-going. As long as I make strides, I'm happy.