1.03.2009

belated

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I meant to stop by sooner and wish everyone health and happiness in the new year but the gods of internet connections had other plans. So please accept a belated happy new year wish from me and many, many thanks for stopping by my blog this year and being such a swell bunch of online pals!

Slide2

So…the new year. We don’t make resolutions around here because that word scares me, but we do make goals for the year. A nosy inquisitive grocery store clerk asked the difference and all I could come up with was – a goal is a gentle, more forgiving resolution…something to work toward rather than feel guilty about breaking come February (for me, at least). She wasn’t convinced and I wanted to scream, “just let me have my goals miss grocery store lady and leave me alone.” But, I didn’t do that because atop my list is “be more patient and kind” (stolen from last year’s list…and the year before…ahem).

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Following "be patient" are all the usual suspects: drink more water, lose 10 lbs, think up more creative bowling names, learn to knit, blah blah blah. But here are some other, fun-ish ones that I’m excited about:

:: Wake up 1 hour before kids get up [ok, it’s not fun but it’s a follow-up item to last year’s “No TV.” I’m not a sadist, just need more me time. And I’ve already blown this one by sleeping until noon on New Year’s day]

:: Make our own soap

:: Improve photography skills

:: Homeschool for 1 year, then re-evaluate

:: Less big box store shopping [we’ve already cut this down a ton but “No big box store shopping” sounded unrealistic as I couldn’t come up with a viable solution for buying our socks & underpants. But avoiding the cutesy woodland creature decorations at Target? That I can do]

:: Take kids yurting

:: Do more canning/bulk buying/freezing/preserving

:: Write down usernames/passwords [OK this one is lame but I’m embarrassed to admit how much time I spend trying to remember this tedious but vital-to-my-blog-existence information when I’m automatically logged out of bloglines]

:: Eat 100% local produce throughout farmer’s market season (and anything else we can eat local without driving ourselves batty)

But first and foremost: to have a happy, healthy, and productive year and I wish you all the same!

16 comments:

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

I agree, "goals" are somehow more achievable as you can be working towards them :) I got up an hour earlier than the rest of the family last year - it was so nice to have the house to myself. Best wishes to you and all the What knot family for 2009 - hope it is a great year for you all!

Julie said...

I think you can do all of them because you are amazing! I am so lame that I wouldn't have even thought about any of them, let alone made them goals of mine. I will help you in anyway you want, just email:)

Simply Stork said...

Happy new year :o)

what a fun list...I said the same thing about homeschooling...and now it's been three years and I would never go back.

hope your having a great day :o)

~simply~

lisa solomon said...

happy new year!
i'm all for goals instead of resolutions! :)

kraftykash said...

Anytime I get up ealier than my kids, they always here me and join in. :) And I ALWAYS forget user names and paswords. Great picturesof the kiddos.

jk said...

Hmmmm...your goals sound very similar to my own. So happy to have found your blog! Happy New Year!

Michelle said...

Your goals sound great! I've been homeschooling for many years now, and it's so worth it! I love every moment I get to spend with my children, and learning with them has been a great adventure! I can tell, just by reading your blog, that you are well-suited to the task! :-)

Unknown said...

I too think in terms of goal! I don't need to think down on myself, I do that plenty . . . Love what you have listed here - can't wait to see the results next year :)

Anonymous said...

You are my hero. Those photos earn you cool mom of the year award! I will be setting up a similar indoor sledding situation in my living room this afternoon and sorry to say, I will be taking all credit for the idea (thus breaking my goalsolution, be more honest and forthright)!

Philigry said...

happy new year.
I don't make resolutions either. i like your 'goals" much better.

stepstep said...

i like the "goal" thing too - it will definitely help me with my self deprecating ways - Goals! so, i also believe you should add "listen to more sufjan stevens" to your goal for the new year, as i'm listening to him right now & am floating on a cloud of mellow happiness!! ;)

Alissa @ Creative With Kids said...

I like goals too. That's exciting that you're trying out homeschooling! My oldest is only 3 1/2 but the plan for now is to homeschool. Good luck with the bowling names.

Anonymous said...

When I saw the "sledding" photo, I thought, "Oh no, they're gonna break that plastic lid!"

Then when I read your goals, I thought, "They're gonna break that plastic lid, and then she's gonna have to go back to the big box store."

But maybe your kids aren't as stocky as mine. ;-)

Woo hoo for the homeschooling goal! Do it! I'm always happy to share the perspective of a seasoned-but-still-learning homeschooler...

Now I have to head out of Blogland and off to my writing. Cause that was one of my goals.

Anonymous said...

love that slide! :^D)

lol re: being more patient and kind .. that's one i have to push from year to year, too. ;^)

happy new year!

Mozi Esme said...

What a creative slide - Esme would love it! And your goals inspire me...

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed with your creativity!! :) Happy New Year!

Amy