My New Year's Resolutions

I hope your 2012 is off to wonderful start!  I'm not really the best at making resolutions.  Which is weird because I love making lists.  I know written goals give you a clear direction and allow you to measure your progress.  But, the perfectionist in me feels like a failure if everything is not accomplished!  To take the pressure off, I refer to my resolutions as "aspirations".  Things I hope to aspire to in the New Year, but won't feel guilty about if I fall short of the mark.  Any change for the positive is a good thing.  Even if everything on the list isn't checked off at the end of the year!

So, here are my "aspirations" for 2012:

* I want to learn or increase my knowledge in the following 4 homecaring areas:

• Gardening - I want to learn how to make my vegetable garden more productive and grow more fresh herbs
• Sewing - I want to finally use the sewing machine Dave's grandmother gave me as a wedding present 11 years ago!  I'd love to sew something (maybe an apron) from a vintage pattern.
• Breadmaking - I want to move beyond homemade pizza crusts and homemade cinnamon rolls!
• Cake Decorating - Just looks fun and cute!

*I want to make a Home Binder to keep my calendar, homecaring list, menu plan, grocery list and contact information all in one place.

*Organize kid-related paperwork

*Practice yoga and deep breathing for relaxation

*Observe a day of rest for prayer and gratitude journaling.

*Focus on the positive - "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

*Take a day off from work each month to focus on homecaring projects.

*Fill the empty shelf space in the living room and family room without making those areas look cluttered.

*Re-read The Surrendered Wife (Laura Doyle), The Complete Tightwad Gazette and Simple Abundance.


I also have some home projects in mind for the coming year.  But since those will require Dave's approval and assistance, I'll hold off on committing to those for right now!

What are your resolutions (or aspirations) for the New Year?

Mary Ellen

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