The Art of Beginning a New Year - Part II

Much of my inspiration comes from Ernie.

 

I wrote 12 resolutions this year.  I intentionally set out to write a dozen because I like the number 12.   There are  - -

• 12 days of Christmas
• 12  months in the year
• 12 people who have walked on the moon
• 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet & I remember really liking turning and being 12 years old.

 

I know you are thinking 12 is really ambitious and I should probably reread my post titled, "The Art of Beginning a New Year - Part I."  I want to set myself up for success and be a proud, card carrying member of the 15%  of people who actually keep their New Year's resolutions.  I made sure my resolutions were obtainable, valuable, and somewhat measurable.  I keep track of progress with tally marks on a rustic (i.e. not cute) chart I zipped up on my lunch hour.

 

Here are some of my resolutions:

 

I will work out two times a week.  Workouts can be 30 minutes and walking counts.  ("Old Me" would have insisted on working out for an hour, four to five times a week with an intimidating, unlikeable personal trainer thrown in.  "New Me" is mature enough to realize exercising twice a week is better than my current zero times a week.)

 

 

 

I will let my kids invite friends over at least once a month.  (This one is painful for me.  Let's face it.  I had kids later in life, I teach middle school, and am somewhat of an introvert.  This all adds up to me wanting to escape children during my free time, despite liking my kids' friends.  But I swear "New Me" can rally.  I figure all the friends can come over on the same day.  It will be like ripping off the Band-Aid in one quick yank.)

 

 

 

I will cook "Real Food" dinner at least three times a week.  This will piggyback on teaching my kids both manners and how to cook.  (Several weeks ago I ordered 100 Days of Real Food - Real Fast.  I have periodic panic attacks about not teaching my kids how to cook and not springing for organic milk.  Then I have  anger attacks because I have to do all the cooking and buy all the milk.  Rather than continuing my panic and anger attacks, I decided to be proactive and start cooking dinner with my family.  So far, the kids have liked all the recipes from 100 Days of Real Food and haven't whined about helping in the kitchen.  Wait, Lulu was repulsed by the beef chili and made herself a stack of delish, buttered carbs, I mean tortillas, instead.  There is always room for improvement.) 

 

 

 

We will have family game night twice a month and it has to last for at least an hour.  (I like playing games with the kids, especially since they have passed the Chutes and Ladder and Candy Land phase.  My oldest requested that I update our board game collection since he has been playing the same games for most of his life.  I found myself on Amazon ordering questionable games like: Betrayal at House on the Hill, Exploding Kittens, and Killer Bunnies.  This Saturday my parents are coming over for a game afternoon.  I am particularly thrilled because this allows me to meet yet another resolution - I will visit my parents, with my kids, at least one time a month.  Check and Check.)

 

 

In a brilliant move, I taped the resolutions to my bedroom door so I will remember them.  In past years I have written resolutions in notebooks, closed the notebook, and that was the end of those resolutions.  Accountability is very important with resolutions.  And, who better to keep me accountable than my own children?  I enjoy getting nagged about "Game Night" while brushing my teeth. 

 

I would LOVE to hear about your plans for 2017.

 

Prairie Eydie

 

P.S.  My 12 resolutions have all been approved by my friend, Ellen.  I can now safely say I will be among the 15% who are still working on their resolutions in March.  Not so sure about June.