Hello 2007!

Happy New Year!

Ah, the start of a new year. A clean slate. A brand new calendar just itching to be filled up with all sorts of activities and adventures. I can't wait!

Today is the day for making these so called resolutions. I usually suck at keeping any resolutions that I make, so this year I thought I'd do something a little different. Perhaps my resolutions are too restricting in the fact that if I mess up well then it's all over. Or maybe they are too deep. I mean...am I really going to change the world or leave a lasting mark in one year? So, while I'm resolving to battle those pesky pounds on my hips, not grumble when I'm exercising (at least not as much), and work on leaving that mark I'm going to make some "fluff" resolutions too.

1. Scrapbook more! I think I've completed three things since I moved. That was six months ago people...I love to scrapbook. I love staring at a blank 12X12 and knowing that something creatively great is going to be the result. Plus, I've made quite a few friendships through scrapbooking. Look out paper, trimmer, and herma fix...here I come!

2. Make my bed every day...every other day...okay fine...at least twice a week. My mom used to stressed the importance of making one's bed. I think my favorite example was what if you lived in an efficiency and your bed was in the living room. A made bed can bring a calming sense of organization...or at least that is what I tell myself. I never know who might pop in so I'll keep my sheets untangled and my pajamas folded under the pillows.

3. Send more mail happiness. I love sending snail mail. I get this happy for no reason feeling when I get a card or piece of mail that isn't some sort of bill or junk. Besides, who wouldn't enjoy getting a little something that says someone was thinking of you and wanted you to know it? Anyway, I used to do it all the time. Greeting cards are kind of a weakness of mine. But, lately I've been too busy to sign my name to a card. So, cards check. Stamps check. Address book check.

4. Organize...everything....everywhere. I'm starting small with my scrapbooking room. Well, come to think of it that might actually be a big one. Anyway, life has to be simpler when things are where they should be....right? I like to think I'm organized but yeah...not so much. So, baby steps.

5. Take more time for just me. I have a pretty busy social calendar and I can find myself stretched to my limits. I've never wanted to be a person who stayed home every night watching tv and being a hermit, but when your energy tank is running on empty more than full...well staying at home and vegging in front of the tv doesn't sound all that bad. I'll find my TV Guide and the remote and I'll be all set.

6. Read. Trashy romance novels are my weakness and recently my buying habits are still up there, but the reading is going down. I have two shelves of books just waiting to be read. I start a book and then I put it down because I need to grade papers or I need to do laundry. Well, I'm picking up those books and I'm going to read at least two books a month. Maybe more...but no less!

7. Cook...something...every week. I like to cook. I like to watch those cooking shows and I always think "I could do that!" Well, maybe I can't always do that, but I've got a few cookbooks and cooking magazines and a willing spirit. I'm going to try a new recipe every week. Someone told me that practice makes perfect...even in cooking. I hope the smoke alarms don't disturb my neighbors!

So, there you go. My list of year long goals. Sure, they aren't mind stretching or peace creating things, but I think they'll all make me a more well rounded person. And that's what resolutions are all about right? It's not just about denying yourself something or forcing yourself to do something. It's about making you a better individual. And I'm all for that!