Wednesday, December 31, 2008

I Hereby Resolve

I never make New Year's resolutions because like every other person on the planet, I don't keep them. So what I'm about to list shouldn't be considered resolutions but merely things I should be doing anyway and I resolve to really try to do them.

My 2009 "To Do" List


1. Get my paper work under control.

This is my current filing system for paperwork. Really? Really, really. (Sorry, watching Shrek with the kids) I know, I know, this is bad. I'm really going to be up a creek when I start my taxes in a few weeks.

See this beautiful filing cabinet? I haven't found the keys to it since I've moved and I put all my paperwork in this laundry basket until I found them. However, after 6 months I think I can kiss any hope of finding them goodbye.

I hereby resolve to get my paperwork under control and filed in actual files, alphabetized even.

{See I TOLD you that these were things I should be doing!}

2. Keep my house picked up and looking beautiful.


All right! You all can stop laughing now! Look at this:

And look at this:

Yeah, who's laughing now??? So I pick up all the live long day to keep it looking like this, so what? My house should be in a magazine. Or I should win some kind of award or something!

Oh, and by the way, these pictures were taken TONIGHT, not back on Christmas when all my company was here. So there!

3. Fold my laundry and put it away the same day it emerges from the dryer.


What? You think that goes with #2? One would think but this photo was also taken tonight:

See why I need #3? This laundry has been here 2 days. I think the key to keeping this resolution is to never take my laundry out of the dryer. (This is in the upstairs landing. Does that fact that my laundry is laying around the upstairs landing mean that I've already broken #2?)

4. Lose about 50 pounds and get in better shape.

Not that 50 pounds! And not even 50 pounds, more like 30. I suppose if I'm going to do that I better stop eating these Ruffle potato chips and French Onion Dip. Seriously, I'm literally eating them as I type, which isn't easy, I might add. I'm that talented.

What I really want to get is one of these:

Good luck with that! They were sold out everywhere before Christmas, believe me, I looked. But maybe after the Christmas excitement dies down I'll find one.

Does that mean that I don't have to work on this resolution until then?

5. Write and finish my book and actually get it published.
I'm working on this one! I'm currently taking a creative writing class online and the instructor read what I have posted here on my book blog and loved it. She told me it has real potential and encouraged me to take a Memoir Writing class online that works with you and your actual manuscript and helps you prepared it for submission.

6. Watch Lost.

That's really hard for me but I'll try really hard to do it. It shouldn't be too hard when I can see this:
Sorry, I've joined Team Sawyer. Sawyer had me at his line to Locke "You hurt one curly hair on his hair and I'll kill you." in regards to Locke forcing Hurley to stay with him at gun point. I already knew Sawyer had changed and was no longer the self centered guy he was 102 days earlier when he crashed on the island but this proved it. Plus, Jack's just gone wacko. Who needs that? I got bushel baskets full of wacko in this house. Not to mention that while Sawyer's beard looks sexy (sorry kids, I know you'll gag when you read this) Jack's looks plain nasty.

Even I have standards. I'm desperate but not that desperate.

7. Be a better Mommy.


Perhaps a good place to start is to actually feed my children real food instead of forcing them to scavenge for plastic grapes at Hobby Lobby. Or maybe even wash their face before I take a picture of them. (Example photo of Ryan #4 above) Perhaps actually read the books that I allow them to check out of the library. Or stop embarrassing them in front of their friends by singing High School Musical songs in the car.

Or not.

8. Redevelop a closer relationship with God.


I used to have a closer relationship with God, especially while Darrell was in the hospital. I was sure that God was telling me that Darrell would be healed. I now realize He was telling me that Darrell would be healed in Heaven. But the days and months after Darrell's death I felt betrayed and I didn't trust what I read in my bible. So I put it away. I've taken some Beth Moore bible study's since but with the babies and avoiding church nurseries, I haven't regularly attended church in almost a year and half. And I miss it. I need it. So I plan to find a church home and regularly attend and start daily devotions again. Because the first seven resolutions don't mean anything without this one.

I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year! I appreciate every single one of you. You make my life so much better!

Now, what are you all resolving to do?

25 comments:

momma said...

i don't see any reason to improve upon your laundry situation. looks normal to me!

i'm with you on the other things though (and stuff i need to do). it's the stuff i should be doing every day, but just don't find or make the time to do it.

happy new year and good luck!!

Kristin said...

I'm with you on the going to church. That's my biggest thing that I have to do this year. My 2 older ones will be fine, but my 2 year old has major separation anxiety.
As for laundry, my new system is just to fold it in the basket and leave it in the laundry room. My kids know to go get their clothes out of their basket and then it all ends back up in there anyways! LOL I hate carrying their baskets upstairs to put them up!

Jesse, James and Lindsey's mom said...

Happy New Year Denise
You are very normal..my laundry is sitting out..and my tax stuff is in a huggies diaper box!

Jesse, James and Lindsey's mom said...

One more thing..I got a wii fit...it is fun! Totally worth it. My mom got it for us. It is a reality check that is for sure. My resolution was to do it daily..I cant tonight. Jesse is not having it. He is feeling it from his surgery..Tomorrow is another day..Happy New Year again!

Lori said...

Happy New Year!♥
I love your list!
I have to start one of those :)

Kristin said...

I have many of those same changes that need to be made. I am making up my list now.

Carey-Life in the Carpool Lane said...

Great list! That comment about the plastic grapes made me laugh out loud.
My only "resolution" is to find some me time. I currently have none and I'm hoping that if I actually manage to get some, other things will fall into place...exercise, being a more patient mama, etc.
Happy New Year!

Becky said...

The Wii fit is awesome! I hope you are able to find one.

Who needs to put laundry away? Let's look at it as a decorative addition to the home.

Happy New Year!

Kristin said...

Oh wow. I am like the third Kristin to reply. How confusing! I had to check to be sure I hadn't already posted something. Now that's old age for you. :-)

I love your list. I am with you on the laundry thing. I finally folded about 7 loads yesterday that were living in my room all over the floor.

Paperwork? It's everywhere in my house. All in piles. Not good.

Losing weight? With you there on that one! Even just 10 pounds would be a good start. I really need to get in shape too.

And you know how well church goes with me and my kids. EEK!

Ah, it's going to be a long year....

The Johnson 5 said...

your house is as normal as anyone else's!!

One trick I started doing to myself with my laundry is I fold it on my bed, so I have to put it up before I go to bed. I have to admit, I have cursed myself some nights for doing this but it least I get the job done this way....

And you can NEVER EVER stop singing! One day they will miss our singing, at least that's what I tell my kids everyday :)

HAppy New Year!!

Rick said...

Your last resolution was very touching. Please follow up on that one. It would make God very happy.

Please forgive my boldness Denise, but I'm just doing some surfing and inviting people to come over to my blog and be a part of my annual giveaway. There are no gimmicks. It's just my way of celebrating two years of blogging. I'm giving away a free caricature drawn by me. I'd be honored if you came over and sign up.

Shell in your Pocket said...

What a great list! I want to the #3 and #6 and some of the others!
Happy New Year to you!
-sandy toes

Unknown said...

These are great resolutions. I had some of my own which were pretty much things that I already do I just resolved to do them better.

Happy New Year!

Sheri_n_Ben said...

Hi! I saw your post on the Loving China's Children group. Thought I'd check out your blog. You have a beautiful family. You are truly blessed. Good luck in your "next" pursuit. I will keep you in my prayers. You are such a wonderful Mommy!

Sheri (Leilah Di's Mommy)
http://journeytoleilahgrace.blogspot.com

RamblingMother said...

number 9 is a goal on my list too~! Happy new Year!

Inspiration CAN be found EVERYWHERE said...

Great list, but I will say - you are already a great mom, your house looks fine to me and laundry?? oh heck that just multiplies in the basket so don't be sweating that one!

I no longer do resolutions - makes me feel bad when I start breaking them in January .... oops

I do want to wish you a very Happy New Year filled with love, happiness and good fortune.

Jodi said...

Happy New Year! Your house looks great! I don't really do resolutions either, just more like goals. I need to lose some weight, try to simplify my life (easier said than done) and try to be an even better mom and wife.

Upstatemamma said...

We must be sharing a brain. You wrote it better and more interesting than I did but your list is pretty much the same as mine. Happy New Year!!

Jewelz said...

Oh my gosh mom that is disgusting!!!!
No offense but you have horrible taste in guys!!!!!




Totally disgusted daughter,
Jewelz

meggie (: said...

ahhhh! tell my mom to buy us a wii! and that wii fit will help the whole weight loss situation!(: hahaha, happy new year! maybe my mom and i will have to come visit you soon?

Brandy said...

It's cliche but I really need to get healthier. I don't want to be thin, I want to be healthy and after the little scare I had I figure this is the perfect time. So on Monday we chuck the chips and start eating more veggies...fun times.

Kristy said...

Denise I feel your pain about the paperwork, I am sitting here looking at an office floor full of paperwork , but yet I am blogging!!! And there really is no excuse, I am a very organized person that has an entire closet dedicated to office, craft, photography organization, but yet the MAIL never stops!!!! I too want to lose about 25 lbs and I am determined to read more of the bible everyday!! So good luck with all of your WANTS for the upcoming year! And just a little extra...I think you are MOTHER OF THE YEAR!!

Love and blessings, Kristy

Sarah said...

You have a beautiful house! And the laundry situation looks quite normal to me. I washed a lot of clothes yesterday, but didn't get around to folding...so my pile is currently about double yours! Eek!

Good luck with finding a church home. I've been very blessed with mine.

Livin' out loud said...

Wow! I cannot believe how closely your resolutions are to what mine SHOULD be lol!! The laundry one is the SAME for me!!!
Hugs and blessings for a happy and healthy New Year!!
Susan

AndreaLeigh said...

what lovely resolutions. i have to confess I have a laundry bed - namely the spare bedroom bed, which is covered in laundry 90% of the time. it is where laundry goes to die.