HAPPY NEW BEER...I MEAN YEAR!

I hope that this post finds everyone safe, happy and relatively recovered from last night's festivities - whether it be alcohol induced coma's or just a late night of playing trivial pursuit with good friends (I have done both on New Years). Last night was alcohol induced for myself and the hubby, and a few good friends.

I was going to resolve not to make any resolutions, but I decided that they can't be all that bad. Resolutions, as a rule, are a plan to better yourself. And there's nothing wrong with that.

With that being said - I give to you, my friends, my resolutions for the year 2009:

1. I resolve that by my friend B's wedding, in which I am her maid of honor, in July, I will have lost an additional fourty pounds. I plan on doing this by increasing my cardio workouts and decreasing the amount of times I use the drive thru at fast food restaurants.

2. I resolve that by June of this year, I will have saved a minimum of $3000 in order to fulfill my dream of moving out of the suburbs and into the city. I have an area where I'd like to live all picked out, and it will then be a matter of finding a reasonably priced dwelling. I plan on accomplishing this by putting a portion of my paycheck into savings, plus maximizing my coupon usage, which I didn't this past year, taking more security shifts, and by cutting down on my "entertainment" costs. I also plan on renting a small storage unit and finding deals on furniture on craigslist and kijiji.

3. I resolve that I will finally finish the novella that I started. I plan on doing this by spending less time surfing the net, and watching tv, and more time writing and concentrating on my project.

4. I resolve to be a more generous person with my time and limited resources. I plan on doing this by juggling my schedule to work volunteering at a shelter or the animal shelter at least once a month. *This one I hope to accomplish, but I do have to remember to take care of myself*

5. I resolve to take better care of myself, not just my physical well being (see resolution #1) but my mental health as well. I plan to do this by deep breathing exersizes, and by not letting what I can't control stress me out. I plan to try to remember that I cannot control the actions or feelings of others, all I can control is myself. I don't need extra stress, I don't want extra stress.

6. I resolve to be a better friend. I plan to do this by making sure I touch base with all my friends at least once a week, whether it be through email or a phone call. I will listen more, give less advice - unless asked - and in general, will be the shoulder that they need, whether it's to laugh or cry on.

7. I resolve to read more. But not just the trashy romance novels that have overtaken my bookshelves. I plan on reading more classics and intelligent offerings. I plan to do this at night, before bed, and in the bathtub.

8. I resolve to keep a more organized house. I plan to do this by taking one day and just overhauling my closet, and by re-reading the how-to book on this subject that I have read once before, thought brilliant, and then discarded into the "already done" pile.


I'm sure there's more. But these are the ones that I can think of, and for the first time ever, I think I can keep them, because I have a plan of attack. Before, it was always just - I resolve to lose weight - but never a HOW I can accomplish it.

Putting it in writing makes it seem possible.

So tell me, what, if any, are YOUR resolutions? What can you do for your life that will make 2009 a better year than 2008?

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.