2008 has been a rough year for us here at Nothing'severcalm House. It's been a working year - a year to just get through the insanity that comes with having 3 boys aged 3 and under and the insanity that comes with a husband who travels around the globe for a living. Nothing much got done this year...I'm counting it as more of a transitional period - I've been a caretaker, a nose-wiper, a diaper changer. I cook and clean and fold and feed and drive this one here and go to a doctor there and this goes on day after day. Even our bathroom - you know, the one we started renovating into two bathrooms in October 2007? - that's still not even halfway finished, courtesy of my husband's job demands. Yes, there are things to be thankful for - there always is and I am always grateful for the blessings bestowed upon us. There have been victories, such as the twins walking early and us finding Claudia. There have been good times, including a visit from KT and her bunch and vacation at the beach. There's Soliris and the PNH Walk. There's Obama. But I'll be glad to bid this year adieu. There's the PTSD. Grandma died. And then Smacky's issues bombed out and there's that. There's the economy, which walloped us with huge, huge losses in our savings, leaving me feeling vulnerable and sleepless. 2008 hasn't really felt that good, and I'm certain that I've allowed myself to lapse into a routine which isn't suited for productivity nor proactiveness. I think I can do better making my little world here a much calmer, happier place. I'm looking forward to being done with the current state of affairs - to be rid of any negative emotions and move forward a new attitude and better things for the new year:
Resolution #1: Going to sleep early. No, I mean it. My days are so hectic with the boys that when I finally get some me downtime I love to dawdle and read or play word games on the internet until some stupid hour in the morning...it's like I don't know when to quit. It starts a bad cycle - me waking a little later than I should, a little more tired and a little more stressed because of it. Early to bed means earlier waking which means I can shower and be ready for the day before three little boys begin demanding my attention. I think we'd all win with that one.
Resolution #2: Better eating. I'm not going to be silly and deny myself cookies because that just won't happen and there's no need to set myself up for failure. But for now, at least once a day I'm going to consciously choose a healthier thing to eat. When I reach for a cookie, at least once I'll chomp on an apple instead. If I'm craving some Coke, I'll go for iced tea - that sort of thing. Cumulatively, this behavior should lead to incremental improvements in my overall health and weight...I don't necessarily need to lose weight at this point, but....
Resolution #3: Yoga. Twice a week, at least. Mental, emotional, physical health. Period.
Resolution #4: Find a local book club and join and get back to reading all the time, like I used to.
Resolution #5: Get creative in getting this house to look the way I want it to. The money isn't there for new furniture or major overhauls, but I can paint and sew curtains and make pillows to give things a fresh look. 2009 is the year I need to finally commit to a style and begin the process of transforming this currently very bland and tired interior into what I need it to be: comfortable and functional for my active family yet interesting and beautiful.
Resolution #6: Reconnect with my hubby. We are both so tired. We need to start dating each other again.
Resolution #7: Get all the boys into the pool for lessons this year, including Smacky. Even if it takes one hundred tries, I'm getting that kid into the water.
Resolution #8: Get Smacky into special ed. Period.
Resolution #9: Begin tradition of hosting annual New Year's Eve party at our house, to include kids.
I think that's good enough for now.
It's going to snow on us tomorrow, so we'll be doing our usual hunker-down, eat some fun food and cuddle in bed tomorrow night.
Happy New Year everyone!
Hey! I'm doing number 9 too!
I hope 2009 is a great year for you and your family!
Posted by: wavybrains | December 31, 2008 at 03:30 AM
They all sound wonderful, but I'm a bit nervous you're signing up for too much - are there 2 or 3 of those that you REALLY want to do, and the others where it will be ok if they take a bit longer?
Posted by: Thalia | December 31, 2008 at 05:21 PM
But, apologies for hitting post too early, Happy New Year. I wish you much joy and happiness - all five of you.
Posted by: Thalia | December 31, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Happy 2009 Day!
Your list looks a lot like mine on many points. As far as I'm concerned, 2008 can't get the heck out of dodge fast enough.
Bring on the new year! May it be much more healthy, happy, and prosperous than this past one has been :-)
Posted by: dee | December 31, 2008 at 11:27 PM