I did ok on keeping last year's resolutions. I tried to get my engagement ring fixed last week, but the jeweler I want to use is not taking new "cases" until after the holidays. (Totally understandable.) 2011 was pretty good to us. This year challenged us by making us consider some things we didn't think we'd be considering, but it also reinforced the fact that we're doing just fine on the path we're on. Dean started school and has blossomed into this amazing little person with an imagination as big as the sky. Marcus and I celebrated 5 years of marriage and 13 years (OMG) of knowing each other and dating and stuff. We counted our blessings, as well as our losses, and most of all, we loved each other. Our home is more comfortable now that we have a kitty of our very own. Our kitchen, though not always tidy, is never without tasty smells or creative concoctions, and our little boy goes to bed each night with the knowledge that he's warm, safe, loved and cherished.
2012 will be a big year for us no matter what. We'll have a four-year-old (hold me), Marcus will go up for tenure, and I got a KitchenAid stand mixer for Christmas, so there's no telling what's going to come flying out of our kitchen. On to the next adventure, my friends.
Here's my list of goals for the year:
- Have the time of my life at Type-A Parent Conference in June.
- Visit NYC with Marcus to see the Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.
- See my best friend and spend no less than 4 hours sitting on her couch watching certain episodes of West Wing, Sports Night, and that classic film Coal Miner's Daughter.
- Visit my undergrad alma mater and finally see my brick. (They give each graduate a brick on the Centinneal Plaza. I graduated in 1999, but have never seen my brick.)
- Use every single piece of baking paraphenalia I received for Christmas. There's a LOT, y'all.
- Put down roots, either here or elsewhere. And I mean DEEP roots.
- Talk to my friends on the phone or Skype or Facetime or Google+ Hangout more. Email and Facebook are great, but nothing compares to hearing your friends' voices.
- Take Dean to a play. Or 3 or 4.
- Play the Kinect with Marcus at least twice a week. Look as dorky as possible.
- Find some boots to fit my annoyingly tiny feet.
- Eat less salt.
- Continue to volunteer at Dean's school.
- Push harder for the people who live here to help me keep the house neater.
- Have a real Christmas tree.
- Meet my fellow Food Lushes.
- Celebrate my 35th birthday with a day out with Dean and a night out with Marcus.
- Get my stupid tooth filled. (I haz a cavity.)
- Get my car detailed, then keep it cleaner.
- Go to the outlet mall.
- Send more letters.
- Teach Dean to read, at least a little.
- Cook for and host the holidays. I did Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, now I'm hooked.
Happy New Year, everyone!
One of MY goals is to make it a priority to figure out the whole webcam thing. I can't wait for the day I can join you, Eva, and Christy for a Google+ hangout!!
Oh, and I love your goals, especially the one about laying down roots. That is the one thing I feel like Luke and I haven't been able to do successfully all these years we've lived in Indy. Not sure what that means for us yet, but I am ready to explore the possibilities.
All the best to you, Marcus, and the amazing Dean in 2012!
Posted by: Frema | December 31, 2011 at 09:22 PM
Happy new year Jen! Thanks for sharing - great list! I liked the goal of making the people you live with help to tidy the house - gotta get on that one myself for sure. And about roots. So important, wherever you are, especially when you have kids.
Also: how jealous am I that you got a kitchen aid stand mixer???? I have always wanted one!! Today Megan and I baked and there we were with the wimpy little beater, and I dreamily told her about the stand mixer that we will have someday:)
Get your cavity fixed pronto. I tell you this as a survivor of several root canals - enough that I have two bridges and a pile of gold and silver in my mouth. DO IT!
I'm hoping Brad's out of town as planned a bit this winter so I have more time for online friend chats/hangouts/skypes/whatevers:)
xoxo Eva
Posted by: eva | January 01, 2012 at 01:49 AM
Happy New Year! How I would love to be able to include some TV watching, a chat, a coffee and a big hug with you in my list of 2012 plans!!
One day, my darling, one day. Until then, know I heart you, you wonderful, amazing gal, you!!!
xoxoxo
Posted by: Elisa | January 01, 2012 at 05:49 PM
Having a blast at Type-A. YES!
And...um...Baltimore sounds like a nice place to put DEEP roots, no?
Posted by: Alissa | January 05, 2012 at 11:16 PM