Resolutions? OK, if I must.

I am a committed list keeper, it’s the only way I get anything accomplished, but I am not generally one for making an annual introspective list of goals. I have never seen much point. But, being that I am starting this New Year with a new blog, something I never aspired to do, I am thinking a quick review of my personal aspirations, goals and “to dos” for the coming year might be in order.

So here I go, committing myself to accomplishing, or least giving an honest effort to, the following: 

Feed the New Baby

I will post to Fortuitous Housewife at least three days a week.

I never explored this world of blogging before because I didn’t want the commitment. Websites, blogs, even Facebook pages all need regular tending, otherwise they stagnate, wither and die, but structure and deadlines are good for this procrastinating writer with ADD.

Get Back to My Journal 

I have kept a journal for YEARS, but a couple of years ago I streamlined my nightly jottings to three simple queries: 1) what am I thankful for; 2) what was the happiest/best moment of my day; and, 3) what do I REALLY want. Some days the answers are short and superficial, other days they are lengthy and meaningful, but everyday they help me to focus on what is important and to let go of the superfluous.

Streamline, Slow Down, and Play 

I will make time in each day to give my children my undivided attention and put myself at the whims of their imaginations.

As Ferris Bueller wisely said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” I am amazed on a daily basis how quickly these two creatures are growing, soon they won’t be my little men, curled up in my lap, and I am determined to savor these days, including the mind-numbingly boring trips to the all-too-familiar playground around the corner or the local Y pool, or the hours of reading the same book, over and over again.

As any Mother can attest to, it’s all to easy to let the multitude of daily tasks overwhelm and stress us out, leaving little time to focus on these adorable creatures we brought into our lives. So I am going to make a conscious effort to let a few things slide now and again and give myself the gift of time to enjoy these amazing boys wrecking havoc on my once ordered life.

Quiet My “Mom Voice” 

I HATE yelling. It hurts my head, my throat, and my heart, and I know the professionals say my childrens’ hearts too, but sometimes the frustrations of raising two active boys, that are suffer from selective hearing and perpetually distractedness, gets the better of me. I know there are times when yelling is the only, and maybe even, best options, like when they’re running full speed after a soccer ball rolling toward the street, but most of the time it is simply a symptom of my own frustration. So I’m resolving to take a deep breath when I feel my kettle whistle about to blow and find my sweet Mom voice.

De-Crumb 

Ok, bear with me on this one, but I simply must take the time to empty and clean out the accumulated crumbs in my kitchen utensil drawers. I know this sounds silly, but it’s driving me nuts every time I open the drawer to grab a fork or peeler, but I never seem to find time to dump out the contents, de-crumb, and then put it all back together.

I am happy to report that I have already managed to accomplish one resolution I made to myself before I even started this blog!

Last year the Christmas decorations and ornaments migrated down to the basement in an assortment of baskets, but I never managed to actually put them away in the two carefully organized trunks they normally reside in. 

My first excuse was that the basement was too cold, I would get to it when spring warmth returned, but by then there was always something more pressing to be done, like going outside to play with the boys. 

With each passing month, I watched them collect dust, and then it was fall and, well, why bother. But every time the boys followed me downstairs, I’d fret over them getting near the baskets full of lovely, colorful and delicate ornaments. 

So, I am happy to report, all the Christmas pretties are safely tucked in their off-season beds, while visions of next year’s sugarplums dance in their heads. 

Join me Thursday for some Wii fun!