A New Year!

For some reason the older I get the more the holiday season tends to stress me out.  I'm not sure why that is but once it's all said and done I'm usually pretty anxious to get the decorations torn down and put away and get my house back to normal. I will say that I do miss the glow of the lights a little bit but for the most part I wasn't sad to see any of it go.  It also took me twice as long to put things away this year because my special helper kept unloading the totes every time I put something away.

Harv's being wrangled by Brad so I can finish cleaning up. Sweet little piggies.

It's also always refreshing to have that new year ahead of you to change things or start anew in different areas of your life.  I've never really written down anything before because it's always been to eat better or exercise more. While that stuff is always on my mind I thought I would try more specific goals.  Here we go:

- Outdoor concert date with Brad - 

One of Brad and I's favorite past times is enjoying music together and I am making it a point this year to hit at least one outdoor concert with him.  Nothing better than a warm summer night under the stars, good music and your best friend. 

- Take a Ballet class - 

I'll admit that I have a strange obsession with ballet dancing. There is an absolutely terrible show on ABC family called "Bun Heads" that I love to watch and it has gotten me motivated to do something about it.  So, I'm going to put my pride aside and take a beginner adult ballet class. (I have no idea if these even exists)  I'm guessing I'll last for one class and throw in the towel due to me having zero grace and the fact that I can barley touch my toes.  

- Memorize the book of James - 

My most recent bible study challenged us to memorize the book of James.  I know this one will be tough but I think a year is long enough to truly meet that goal. 

- Learn how to grow flowers - 

My endeavors as a gardener over the past few years have been less than successful.  Sure, I can grow tomatoes, strawberries annnnnnd that's about it but the crop really never turned out all that well.  I'm hoping that just maybe I'll find my niche and really do well at this.  

- Put the kitchen towel back where it belongs - 

While this one sounds completely silly I think it's more of a reminder for me to put EVERYTHING back where it belongs.  While I love organizing things to make my life easier I'm terrible when it comes to putting things back in their place after I'm done.  Such as:

-  At least twice a week I'm searching in a frenzy for my wedding/sister rings.  You would think the jewelry box would be the home for these but the kitchen counter is usually where they end up. 

-  My phone very rarely gets answered because it's constantly on silent and found either between the couch cushions, wrapped up in my bedding or left in the car.  

-  The kitchen hand towel (which Brad absolutely hates and reminds me of constantly) is any where other than where it should be.  The couch, under dirty dishes or by the computer. Or we'll have 5 different towels floating around because I'm too lazy to look for the last four that I have pulled out. 

Time for change and to take the time to walk the 20 feet or 2 feet in most cases and put things back in their home.  My cleaning time could easily be cut in half if I stick to this rule.

I guess the majority of these really aren't resolutions to change anything but hopefully just to keep

me motivated to try new things or start doing some of the old things I used to enjoy.  I'm excited to read this list next year and see how things went.