Resolutions.

I know this isn't cheapskate related really, but I have so many things that I want to change/accomplish/work on/try that it’s ridiculous.  I thought I'd share them with you and show you that this is what happens when an uncontrollable list maker tries to re-organize her life.   Here’s what I have so far:

The Year of the New & Improved Laura:  (in no particular order)

be a better wife:

• take iniative to cook more    (I've been all over this one already!)
• seek out interesting “date” activities to do with husband    (gotta do the next one first)
• find a trusted/reliable babysitter
• listen better
• learn to not ALWAYS be right   (I'm hoping that some day I might actually have the opportunity to BE wrong) :)
• be more patient
• be more understanding
• be more generous

be a better mother:    (mostly, don't be boring)

• take more time to PLAY
• find new snacks/recipes that Cole will eat
• encourage craft/create time with Cole
• find ways to spend time with extended family
• keep up with older kids’ schedules better  (they don't live with us- I'm not just "neglecting" them)
• keep lists of gift ideas for all kids for Christmas/Birthdays
• create a sibling for Cole
• spend more QUALITY time with Tom, Cole & “the kids"
• be IN more pictures (for memories for children)
•  create Cole’s 1^st year scrapbook    (yeah- I'm a little behind)
•  start a book of holiday traditions to add to and hand down
•  start a book of Cole-isms    (really-- it will be HILARIOUS!)

eat better:

• no eating in the car
• no fast food  (except when necessary like when traveling)
• pack a lunch every day
• when traveling, pack food whenever possible
• drink lots more water
• have a vegetable at every dinner  (should be a no brainer but    sometimes my brain just doesn't think vegetable)
• find new healthy recipes
• start ‘Fat Smash Diet’ again to lose 40 lbs.  (see how I snuck 'lose weight' in here)
• wean self off Diet Coke addiction
• introduce my son (and myself) to new foods

exercise more:

• make it a point to sweat at least once a day
• dance and run around with Cole more
• stretch every day

present myself better:  (I know these sound CRAZY but they are for real- I swear!)

• update wardrobe
• find pajamas to wear at night (not sweats)
• no sweatpants before 8pm
• take more pride in my appearance
• accessorize every day (jewelry, shoes, bag etc.)
• get a haircut
• get eyebrows waxed (I haven’t had them waxed in years and my home maintenance is not cutting it these days—they need a refresher.  Bad.)

be better with money:

• no fast food (hmmm… here it is agin)
• when traveling, pack food whenever possible
• pack a lunch everyday
• no more “décor” purchases unless I get rid of something else
• begin a grocery store comparison list and use whenever possible
• find items to sell via craigslist/ebay—and actually sell them
• use what we already have before buying new (I tend to hoard the weirdest stuff—like stationary, candles and scrapbooking supplies)
• look at bank rates/features/ratings etc. and consider moving money

be less lazy:

• make it a point to clean at least one thing every day (not that I was a DIRTY person, but…)        
• wake up earlier
• turn the t.v. off more
• STOP PROCRASTINATING
• get rid of clutter quicker—ie. mail etc.
• help others more- ie. moving etc.

have more fun:

• take more time to PLAY (twice)
• look for “date” activites to do with husband
• entertain guests more often
• look for family fun activities to do outside of the house
• work through '50 Great Things to See and Do in Connecticut' as well as travel books—museums, historical sites etc.
• look for a dance outlet
• plan a family vacation
• take advantage of all the library has to offer more
• make new friends
• take advantage of more LEGO activities
• learn more about photography
• buy a new camera
• work to create stronger relationships with current friends and extended family
• take more pictures (but don’t forget to be in the moment as well)
• read more

be content with who I am and what I have:

• use what we already have instead of waiting for a “special occasion”.
• purge items that are not being used or that look cheap
• think less about saying/doing the RIGHT thing and be “real”
• share imperfections with others so as to see I’m not alone
• embrace ‘trial and error’
• trust more (trust others, trust myself, trust God etc.)

misc:

• Start and maintain a personal blog with posts AT LEAST 3  times a week
• find a job
• take on more DIY projects and crafts
• take better care of myself and my family (vitamins/doctor/dentist)
• buy a new car
• prospect and research homes in our area
• get back to church on Sundays
• learn more about photo editing
• edit/organize photos

Phew!  I think I’d better get started