Friday, January 1, 2010

What lies ahead?

Well, 2010 is here and I think back to the many NYE moments over years past. Many nights where I pulled out a random spiral notebook and jotted down my typical goals for the year ahead:

LOSE WEIGHT
LOSE MORE WEIGHT
Did I mention I'd like to lose weight?
EXERCISE

Ehem. Notice a pattern there?

So, yes, when you ask me ('cause I know you will) if I'd like to lose weight in the coming year, my answer will, of course, be an astounding YES. Absolutely. How many people do you know who actually would say no to that question? Because if you know any I want to meet them!

Anyway, of course I'd love to lose weight this year. I actually have to say, I did lose a little bit of poundage over 2009. Not nearly as much as I'd like to have recorded myself as dropping, but hey, a few pounds down is a few pounds down, no?

My Mommies' group did a Biggest Loser competition. And so I tried it out. I lost 10 lbs from January through April-ish. And kept most of that off, and put it back on, and on, and off again. Ultimately I did wind up maintaining that 10 lb loss by year's end. So that's a good thing. I had dropped a few extras here and there, but they came back and said they were sticking around to cushion me through the winter. And if I'm being honest, I haven't weighed myself since before the holidays, so I'm not 100% sure on what the scale will say.

But I hope that 2010 can let me rid myself of at least another 10 lbs. Heck, I'll go as far as to say it'd be nice to drop 20. I can't give myself unrealistic goals, or I'll just get depressed when / if they don't happen, ya know? So while I could stand to lose half my body weight, it's probably not smart to decide I want to do that for the year ahead, unless I am planning on a medical procedure (I'm not) and even then, one never knows.

As for the rest of my life, there are so many plans I'd love to make and things I'd love to say I WILL DO in the coming year. But I will try to take it easy on myself and just set somewhat realistic goals. Let's see what comes out:

#1. I'd like to keep my kitchen (breakfast nook) table clear at all times.


I mentioned this to hubby this morning and he said, 'That's 365 days.' I thought I heard an evil laugh escape his lips, but I hadn't given him breakfast yet, so he may have tried to stifle it. I should add that this is the table we usually do our crafts on during the day, but hey, is it too much to ask for me and the wee one to remove them and put them elsewhere before hubby gets home from work or before she and I sit down to eat some dinner? I think not!

#2. I'd like to eventually cut my hair. 


As you may have seen in an older post (or not, no biggie) my hair defines me in many ways. I have been growing it out again to donate to Locks of Love (for the 3rd/4th time? I forget.) And yet, here I am, all extra 12 inches and then some hanging tight to my scalp. No wonder I have headaches. I think that I am too attached to my hair ... punny, I know ... and I hope to have the cojones to chop it off again by the end of February. Maybe sooner. Stay tuned!


#3. I'd like to turn our "office" into a playroom, and thereby end up clearing out our "dining room," and quite possibly some of our "living room," as well. 


Let's see, prior to Thanksgiving 2008 I decided to make our non-existent dining room a playroom for our daughter. "That's it!" I declared, "I just can't take these toys in the living room much longer!" T-Day '08. Read = The holiday my ILs brought us a fancy (read = old) dining room set. Dining room now consists of table, hutch (?) and, well, that was much of it. Eventually (read = we got a new couch passed on from hubby's boss, and I DO mean new!) we moved the old couch/loveseat set into the dining room and turned it into 1/2 a playroom. Said hutch is against one wall, table is squashed into a corner and so it goes. Can you tell I want the extras outta there?


#4. Have I mentioned I'd like to lose some weight? ;)


But seriously, I know that in order to do that I need to get my a$$ in gear and start moving. And I mean really moving. So maybe I dust off those old Walk Away The Pounds and Bellydancing DVDs and get my butt in gear? It couldn't hurt, right? It can only help. My little one can do it, too. She can use the workouts to burn off all that extra energy she seems to have - every - single - day. Care to join us?

#5. I'd like to actually start teaching my daughter some stuff.


I mean, I guess I DO teach her things, but I'd like to really try to get her on a "curriculum," kind of. Now, I pretty sure I'm not going to turn into an actual homeschooling moms, although I guess I kind of already am. But I doubt I'll ever be as organized as many of them are. (Yes, I'm jealous. You should hear me b!tch about how unorganized I am, but then I remind myself she isn't even three yet. I should cut myself [and her!] some slack. Right?)

#6. I'd like to earn some money.


Short of selling my body on a street corner and taking the pennies I'd get for it, I really would love to start earning some money. I'm actually going to be doing some bidness w. some friends, so we'll see how that turns out. In the meantime, I've become a sucker for those money-making websites. I can't help it. Every penny makes me smile. I'm such a loser that way.


#7. Get my a$$ in gear and take those CEUs to help me maintain my NC Social Work license. 


I need 40 (you read it right, FORTY!) of them to get me renewed some the end of this year. 20 can be online. My goal is to start the online ones ASAP and move ahead with researching the rest soon after. Move, mama. Move. Don't let that 3-4 hr exam you took last November be for nothing, ey? MOVE IT.


#8. Find some time to spend with my husband. 


Should it be that hard to make plans with my own husband without our daughter present? I mean other than watching all of our DVR-d shows? And driving around while I sit in the backseat next to her? Seriously. Make a date night, find the time. I did buy him tickets to see a comedian for Christmas. He's taking me. I should have given him one ticket. The show is in March. I'd love to see him before then, but at least we have a date set already. Ha. So not funny.


#9. Get my driver's license. 


OK, let's get real here. At least start off with a learner's permit, right? The test can't be THAT hard. After all, I've taken it several times in NY already. I should be golden. Right?


#10. Meet some bloggy friends in real life.


I wonder if that is too unrealistic? I think it'd be kind of cool. I'm so lame-O that way, though. I just think it'd be fun. Who is up for a road trip?


#11. Speaking of, take a TRIP with my husband and daughter. 


I'd like for us to go somewhere that is NOT New York or Maine. 'Nuff said.


#12. Girls' weekend away.


Much needed Mommy time is a requirement. I have learned this from the past 2-3 weekends away I have taken over the last two years. MUST DO.


#13. Uhm, for Lucky 13, I'm having a hard time choosing. After all, I totally want to lose weight (you're surprised? Really?) so I should also focus on healthier eating. Which means healthier cooking. Which means healthier grocery shopping. Oy.


How about if I say that we'll be sure to at least have vegetables with every dinner? And a fruit or two with breakfast/snack? I know myself too well, though, and when groceries are low, those are the last things I tend to think about. I mean, milk/soymilk and bread and frozen pizzas (or Walmart pizzas, I tell you, those things are laced!) can last me so much longer than a bunch of bananas that only my daughter eats and avocadoes that turn on a dime and cost me way more than that! But I can resolve to try, right? Hey, it's worth a shot!


So, what do you think? Have I gone too far? I mean it's not like I made a goal to meet George Clooney, kidnap him and run off to a desert island with the guy. Right? These are way more feasible. And George, if you're out there ... call me!


13 comments:

  1. Your resolutions are inspiring me! I really need to get my act together.

    BTW, I love the name of your blog. I have family from Arkansas and Texas (I was born in Texas), so I have an appreciation for Good Girls Gone Redneck. LOL! Thanks for stopping by my blog and Happy New Year!

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  2. I made a few of those same "resolutions" to myself...we'll see how it goes!

    ~WM

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  3. Good luck with all your goals. Sorry I've already planned to kidnap George. Better luck next year.

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  4. I'm sorry. My husband George Clooney says he's too busy to call you tonight....



    Good luck fulfilling your goals for 2010! Happy New Year!

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  5. great list! I had to narrow mine down to a couple because I always over-resolve and then accomplish nothing! Losing weight is high on my list, too.
    As far as meeting some bloggy friends in real life, I am moving to NC this year...maybe we'll be neighbors!

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  6. Okay, so you should come to Kansas so we can meet. Or we can meet 1/2 between there and here. That would be so much fun!!!
    ;-)

    I am too ambitious with my resolutions which I think is why they don't work out. I need to choose 1 or 2 things and go from there.

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  7. Good luck with your goals!!! Its a great list. And a parting shot of Clooney never hurt anyone. lol.

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  8. Good luck with your goals!

    I need 3 more CEU's by Jan. 31st or I'm going to lose my license and my job. Nothing like waiting till the last minute.....,

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  9. #1 is something I aspire to as well. I just bought a cabinet with doors and put it in my kitchen this weekend. It now has all the kids' crafts stuff in it. Now I just have to figure out what to do with all the finished artwork!

    I hope I can join you again for #12. :-)

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  10. BTW, I have another award for you on my blog: http://just-playin-around.blogspot.com/2010/01/lemonade-stand-award.html

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  11. Happy New Year!
    I'm finally catching up on blogs...ah the holidays! Hope yours were good :)

    Great resolutions! I'm right there with you on the weight loss so if you need a support buddy! I'm it :)

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  12. Love the resolutions! I see a couple on there that NEED to be on my list. :)

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  13. You can do #10 its easier then you think just map them out so everytime you need to travel you say well they live here...

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