New Years Resolutions

 

This week’s prompt from Mama Kat is to, of course, write your New Year’s Resolutions. I really was NOT going to do it this year, but then I thought that the important part of resolutions is to try to meet them, thus making your life a little bit better everyday. So here goes…

1. Be good to myself.

In the past I have always written specific weight-loss goals, and usually fail miserably. I have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, on top of a rare, chronic disorder called Relapsing Polychondritis. With the two combined, exercise is often difficult, if not impossible, so while I HOPE to loose weight, I vow not to beat myself up about it. Instead, I will focus on BEING GOOD to myself. Not overeating is being good to myself. Going for a walk is being good to myself. Resting when I need it is being good to myself. Taking all my medicine is being good to myself. And so on!

2. Think of three good things.

I recently read “Family Tree” by Barbara Delinsky, and one of her characters advised that when you are mad or upset with someone, think of three good things about them. This seems a practical way to change negative thoughts, and I believe my attitude about my job and my marriage will be the better for it. My husband is a very good man, but often is the brunt of my frustration with other things. Thinking three good things will keep the reasons I married him at the front of my mind!

3. Complete Project 365.

Just because I am looking forward to this one does not mean it will be easy! I realize that taking a picture a day for a whole year is a huge undertaking, but I have been mulling it over since October, so I’m going for it! Check my blog on Mondays for the previous week’s shots.

4. Send cards out on time.

I am a card maker, and have everyone’s birthday and anniversary already on my 2010 calendar. I will try harder to get them in the mail on time this coming year!

5. Spend more one-on-one time with each of my daughters.

This one is a repeat from last year, but one worth working on some more. They are such fun kids, but often I am so tired, or busy, or distracted, that I fail to appreciate their unique personalities and needs. And let’s face it, sometimes siblings together just don’t make for a fun time. So I want to take a little time each week, or month, or whatever, just to be with each girl. I’m sure they will love it as much as I will!

P.S. As I am reading back over my goals, editing and so forth, I realize that I really want to do these things! So how about I make myself accountable and give myself a grade at the end of the month on my blog? Check back to see how I am doing!

Last Random Dozen of 2009!

1. Do you find it gross to share drinks with family? Friends?

I find it most gross to drink after my kids. Cute little petrie dishes of germs! Tasting someone else’s drink, I am ok with that.

2. What have you learned this year? (You didn't see a question of that weight coming, did you? At least not for #2.)
I have learned to be more appreciative of the little blessings in my life. I did a “week in the life” album that contained three gratitudes for each day, and it really changed my perspective. See this blog post for a list from that album.

3. When do you dismantle the Christmas decorations?
Usually not until after January 1, but I was sick of them all this year so they came down on the 27th!

4. Something you wish to accomplish before the end of 2009 is:
I want to start the year fresh with a really clean house. During the holidays mail, laundry, and dust seem to pile up everywhere. The bathroom was thoroughly scrubbed yesterday, the mail pile sorted through today, and all the decorations are put away. I am halfway there!

5. How do you feel about winter (after Christmas)?
I liked winter much better when I was a stay-at-home mom. Especially the stay-at-home part. I love seeing the kids play in the snow, they just get so excited! But cold does not feel good to me, and I HATE driving in it.

Photo taken Jan. 2009

6. Have you participated in after-Christmas sales?
Not this year. I have had enough of shopping and crowds for a while!

7. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve?
Every year my brother and his wife go out to dinner with myself and hubs, then back to one of our houses for an all-night party, sans children. This year we are opting for a more family-centered celebration. Just a nice dinner at our house, some good music, and letting the cousins play together. I am looking forward to the more relaxed plans!

New Year's Eve 2008

8. Is there anything special awaiting you in January?
One friend just had a baby on the 26th, a cousin had a baby in November, and one more friend is due soon. So I hope to get to meet some new little people!

9. If your life this year was a movie, what category or genre would it be? (Romance, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Farcical, etc.)
With two little girls in the house, one who has the nickname “Drama Mama”, it is definitely DRAMA around here! Then we had hub’s layoff, my illnesses, and practically every major appliance in the house going ka-put this past year. Good riddance, 2009!

10. How much time per day do you spend blogging? Please do not lie. I will know.
Actually blogging? Not much, maybe 45 minutes or so, and I don’t update my blog every single day. Now blog reading, I could do that for hours, and sometimes do!

11. Who runs your household?
Me. Me. Me. But don’t tell the 4-year old!

12. Share one hope/dream for 2010.
2009 has not been very kind to me in terms of my health. I really really hope to get my issues under control and be able to function without pain.

"Love to Sing" Layout

Finally getting around to a little bit of scrapping! These pictures are from last May, when my daughter had her spring concert at school. She had a solo bit, and never even told us! I was very surprised when I read the program and saw her name. She did a great job, and we were very proud of her!

Here are close-ups of some of the details:

I used the last sketch of the year, #52, from
52 Sketches...52 Weeks.





Supplies:
paper- CM and misc.
ink- Staz On Black, Tim Hotlz Peeled Paint and Broken China, SU Craft White
stamps- Unity Frame this Alpha; Whispers
tools- CM cutting system & heart punch
other- acrylic paint, colorbok chipboard button, thread, jewels, foam adhesive

Sundays in My City: Kickin' it Old School

We are traveling the world together with the Unknown Mami.

Click on the button to follow our photographic journey!

I am joining you from Middletown, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati.

Perhaps a better title for this post would be,

"Kickin' DOWN the Old School".

Today's photos are of our neighborhood elementary school,

both past and present.

Mayfield Elementary was first built in 1939. (Photo retrieved from oldohioschools.com)

A few years ago the city demolished and rebuilt several elementary schools. One day I stopped and took a few pictures during the demolition. I had no idea why at the time, but I'm glad I did!

Here is the new building, erected in 2006:

I'm sure the new building has great air conditioning and is wired for new technology,

but I am a sucker for old buildings. I kinda miss the old one.

Some last Christmas thoughts...and photos!

Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.

- Margaret Thatcher

Christmas, Christmas, time is near, time for toys and time for cheer.

- The Chipmunk Song

In the eyes of children we find the joy of Christmas. In their hearts we find its meaning.

- Leland Thomas

What a blessed place the world would be if we had that Christmas feeling all year.

- from "That Christmas Feeling" by Benjamin & Weiss

"Maybe Christmas", he thought, "doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

- The Grinch

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

- Ebenezer Scrooge

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.

- Peg Bracken

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

- Burton Hillis

Sundays in My City: Light Up Middletown

We are traveling the world together with the Unknown Mami.

Click on the button to follow our photographic journey!

I am joining you from Middletown, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati.

One of my very favorite things to do in my town during the holidays... it's fun, it's festive, it's free.

It's Light Up Middletown, my city's drive-through light display!!

This one's for you, Bug!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Huge Blog Giveaway from my friend Emily

My blogging and in-real-life friend Emily is having a HUGE giveaway on her blog!! She is very talented and this is a generous package, I must say. Check it out:

For a chance to win all this awesomeness, visit her blog and become a follower!