Reflections & Resolutions

It's New Year's Eve and a perfect opportunity to reflect on 2012. This past year was an interesting year of firsts, lasts and adventures for myself and my family. I visited Ireland for the third time. I attended my first Steelers game at Heinz Field. My husband shot his first deer during a hunting expedition (calm down, bambi-lovers). Celebrated my last Christmas in my childhood home (Mom is moving to NC).    

A resolution is defined as "the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure." Such a formal definition, but I am determined to do the following in 2013:

1. Exercise more  --  this compared to absolutely no exercise now. I cannot afford to add Spanx as a regular wardrobe accessory.
2. Cuss less  --  I'm not perfect, I do have an occasional potty-mouth.
3. Learn two new skills  --  I plan to take a knitting class with friends (a very popular activity in Hendersonville/Asheville) and pick up the fiddle again. Tapping into my inner-folksy persona - there is a scarf yearning to be made and some ear drums to shatter out there.
4. Commit to writing more in my blog  --  I have slacked off in my posting in recent months.
5. Finish reading the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy  --  I yearn to learn what happens with Christian and Anastasia  --  I've been a very bad girl slacking in the reading department.
6. Finish reading The Hunger Games trilogy  --  I miss reading about Katniss' adventures in archery, politics and love/hate/love.
7. Be more patient as a mother. I have a tendency to over-react if my "mom-antennas" are feeling ultra-sensitive. My children are getting older (15 and 11) and I need to learn to trust their instincts to give them growing room.
8. Find a church that the whole family can benefit from. 

That's it, I came up with eight resolutions. May seem like a lot to tackle, but I have 12 months to accomplish this. I didn't indicate that they have to be perfected - we'll see how I do. 

Here's to a healthier, educated and calmer 2013!