Resolutions

I am one of those people who actually make "resolutions" for the new year. I like the idea of new beginnings. I know that each and every day is a new beginning, but I especially enjoy that one year is over and a new one is beginning. I love (and fear) the mystery of a new year and the joys (and possibly griefs) it will bring with it.

This year I have quite a few "resolutions". I don't know that I will accomplish each one successfully, but there is something about putting them in writing that makes me at least think about them once in a while. If we don't set some types of goals for ourselves and reach for them, we will never go anywhere.

1. I resolve to be more aware of my health. (this is the easy way to say I should be watching what I eat, exercising, ending bad habits that contribute to poor health, etc.)
2. I resolve to be a better mom. (I'm not bad now, but there is always room for improvement)
3. I resolve to TRY to be more organized. (I can organize a party or activity...but if you look at my desk at school and the PILES of papers, books, etc on the floor surrounding my desk, you would never believe that I can even spell "organize")
4. I resolve to "not sweat the small stuff". (This one also covers a magnitude of issues. )
5. I resolve to love unconditionally.
6. I resolve to live daily in a way that people recognize Christ in me without my having to actually say so. (There's really something to be said when you tell someone you're a Christian and they look at you with a surprised look on their face. )
7. I resolve to be more positive. (I come from a long line of complainers, whiners and "the glass is half empty" kind of people. It's REALLY NOT hereditary!)
8. I resolve to not be broke a week before payday. (I resolved that as I looked at my EMPTY bank account and wallet this morning.)
9. I resolve to think about myself once in a while. (I have a tendency to take care of everyone around me, expecting the same in return...sometimes, you just have to think about yourself.)
10. I resolve to do something this year that I've never done before. (don't know what that will be, but can't wait to find out)


OK, there are a few dozen more goals that I would like to achieve, but I'll stop there.

Happy New Year!

Where Have I Been?

I am going to assume that all of my faithful readers (at least 3 of them) have completely given up on me and will not even be checking anymore to see if I EVER continue blogging again. I've been "gone" quite a while.

I need to get back to it. Blogging is cathartic in so many ways. So, here I am...two days left in the year...but still so much to do.

December was a CRAZY month! That's all I can truly say. We were supposed to move on Dec. 1, then December 8 and finally we actually DID move on December 15. Can you imagine what that did to my December schedule? Well, let me just say that my Christmas cards and annual Christmas letter are still sitting in a bag, the cards not even opened. I still plan on sending them out. I figure it will be a treat for those who thought the holidays were finally over.

My Christmas decorations are all up (and beautiful, if I say so myself)...but we still don't know where the box is with clean socks. I keep thinking I'm going to get to that "room" with all the boxes...but just keep walking past it. School break is almost over and I still have about 45 research papers to grade AND lesson plans to plan. Zack has spent most of the break with his Dad...wish I could say that went well...but it is Ex's purpose in life to make sure that everyone is just as miserable as he is. I know Zack is glad to be home right now.

Now that it's all over (except for the 'taking down of the decorations'), I realize that once again I got too caught up in all the trimmings of Christmas and didn't take enough time to think fully about the true purpose of the season. I have this wonderful son and wonderful friends and a new "old" house to live in...I am teaching full time for the first time in many years, etc. I have so much to be thankful for and to reflect on. Yet, I know that I have put God on the backburner once again.

I hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday and I wish the new year to bring you all of the joy and peace you can handle.

Merry Christmas!