Not Resolutions, Maybe " To Do"

I have a huge mind block when it comes to resolutions. Even just hearing the word is anxiety producing for me. So, until I find a way to overcome this mind block, I'm going to call this list a "To Do" list for 2011, not resolutions. Then, just maybe I'll succeed.

1. Grow my hair out, once and for all. I've had my hair short for years now but recently the boys have asked on several occasions "Why do you have boy hair?" and have made statements to the effect that I look like a boy. I always respond with, "I like my hair short". But, now they've got me wondering...so I'd like to grow it out and it just might take me all of 2011 since my hair grows so slow.

2. Declutter and get organized. This seems to be on the list every year, just goes to show you how deep that mental block runs. The truth is I'm a bit of a hoarder, I just have a hard time parting with stuff. You know, you just might need it later. Gotta learn to let go.

3. Embrace "green" living. We do plenty around here to live green but I don't feel like we've fully embraced it. I'm positive there's a lot more we can do to decrease our carbon footprint and reduce our consumption.

4. Keep up with date nights. Daddy and I have been so absorbed with parenting and just keeping up with the day to day living that we've been guilty of not setting time aside for us and honestly just not having the "get up and go" that we use to have. With the boys getting older and being a bit more self reliant we've got a bit more energy now. Most recently we've established some regular baby sitters so there's no excuse not to have more date nights.

2011, I'm not asking for much. So show me what you've got and please be kind to me.

Boogied on into the New Year

We boogied on down, gettin' into the groove at a 70's celebration this new years eve. Yes that's me in a 70's bridesmaid dress, what a find at our local thrift store. We sure had lots of fun ringing in the new year, here's hoping to lots more fun in 2011. Hope you all enjoyed ringing in the New Year as well.

Ringing in 2010

Thinking about 2009 brings fond memories and a few not so good memories but they are all my memories to keep and learn by. Now that it's time to say good bye to 2009, I'm welcoming 2010 with wide open arms. 2010 began with a freshness and beauty of the blue moon and I do hope this is a marker of what 2010 holds ahead for us. Some thoughts for 2010...

1. 2009 was a year of friendships for me. Old friendships flourished while new ones blossomed as well as, my relationship with my siblings. We became much better friends this past year. In 2010 I hope to keep nurturing those relationships that bring joy and fulfillment into my life and let the rest just be.

2. Although there were many moments of creativity with the boys this past year there were fewer moments of self-expression for myself than I would have liked. I would like to continue to enrich the boys learning with plenty of opportunities for creativity and also plan on focusing on more opportunities for me as well.

3. I definitely want to continue to document all those cherished family moments we have as well as the things that I enjoy so that my boys will one day be able to look back at their documented history and remember who we were.

4. I did manage to get plenty of de-cluttering done this past year. The goal for 2010 is to continue to streamline our belongings and live as green a life as possible.

5. I'm fortunate to be able to stay at home, this really helps with us being able to slow down and live life at a steady speed and allows for us to spend time together enjoying simple pleasures in life. In 2010 I hope to keep our family's focus on this. Life is what we make it, ours is enjoyed taking in the surroundings, respecting nature, and appreciating our community and what we have.

6. In 2010 I'm living life for myself, my kids, my hubby. Life is too short to take on toxic energy.

Welcome 2010, I embrace you with wide open arms!

A 2009 Review

As I review the 2009 list of goals I had for myself I'm pretty content with my accomplishments. Of course there's room for improvement and there's a couple that went completely to the waste side (#4 with the boys and #7 with myself) but overall I've done a fairly good job of putting my goals to practice.

2009 List:
With the boys
1. Do more arts and crafts with the boys
2. Visit the library regularly
3. Less TV (even if it is only educational dvd's they watch, I still feel it's gotten out of hand.
4. Have the boys work on clean up every night before bedtime
5. Speak Spanish more often
6. take more walks

myself
1. explore more artistic activities for myself
2. focus more time on my etsy shop
3. shop less
4. declutter our home
5. eat healthier, eat less meat
6. stay in touch more often with friends and family
7. stop letting the mail pile up ( a huge source of stress for me, I know it sounds crazy)
8. and of course keep up with my blog :)

With Christmas over and New Year's just around the corner, it's time to really think about what I want to accomplish for 2010. I'll be continuing some of 2009 but I'm also certain there will be some new goals to add to the list.