2012

It’s New Year’s weekend. I know this because I have seen countless commercials for eHarmony and the new season of The Bachelor. Yes, I have seen way too many of these commercials. Between that and the emails I keep receiving from dating sites, I am ready to go back to work. I had plans for this long weekend,consisting of organization and cleaning. Not much of this took place, but at least the laundry is done. I have been avoiding taking down the Christmas tree as well. Many of my friends and family are way ahead of me. This avoidance is not because I am sad to say goodbye to the Christmas season, but because right now, I live in an apartment with little storage. Taking down the tree and putting all the decorations away will cause significant rearranging of the closet! Oddly, the arrival of 2012 is causing me to think about what I would like to accomplish this year. I don’t know about you, but 2011 was a whirlwind. It seems to have passed by so quickly. When I think of 2011, I wish I had been more active, gone to the farmer’s market a few more times, and read a few more books. I wish I had saved more money and started my diet in the spring rather than the fall. No matter my regrets, there is no denying that it is a new year with new opportunities and new choices.

So here are some of my new choices for 2012……

My first choice for this year is to watch less TV. It is so easy living alone to have the television on all the time. It is company. The noise of conversation on the TV makes me feel like I am not alone. Between having the TV on when I am home and then while I am at work for my dog Weezie, the TV is on at least 14 hours a day. I am at work at least 8 of these hours, but on the weekends, oh my goodness!!!! I hate to even admit this to myself much less to the blogging world! Very little on television is edifying, so I am going to do my very best to watch a minimal amount. This will be hard. Silence can be tough to take.

My second choice is to make a list of books I want to read this year and read them! At one time in my life I read quite a bit, but not much lately. I think I am just lazy. It is much easier to escape with television than allow my imagination to visualize words on a page.  There are several books I want to read this year and I am determined to do it. The majority of the books I read in 2011 were cook books. This is not a bad thing I guess. I love to cook and I was able to learn some new recipes, but I certainly didn’t use them all. Do you know how long it takes one person to eat a 3lb chuck roast or chicken spaghetti casserole? Yes, I should only read cook books when I am cooking for several people.  I also read a couple of dating books. I have not done this since my 20’s so believe me when I tell you, it was a low moment.

The reading list for 2012:

“Dear and Glorious Physician” by Taylor Caldwell

“The Weight of Glory” by C.S. Lewis

“One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully right Where you Are” by Ann Voskamp

“Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus” by Elyse Fitzpatrick

"Miss you Most of All" by Elizabeth Bass

I hope I will have more to add as the year goes by but I wanted to take this one step at a time. I know you are wondering why I plan to read a book on child rearing, but why not? I want to adopt children one day and I consider it preparation.

My third choice is to start jogging. I am making no promises. It is not that I hate exercise. I love to workout. Spinning class or boot camp class, I love, but running is just hard for me. I am committed to begin the c25k program tomorrow after work. (Couch Potato to 5k) I would continue this year with a gym class, but I have canceled my membership to save the money. We shall see. It is something I really want to do. I doubt I will end up running a marathon. I just don’t know what I would think about for 26 miles, but I would feel so accomplished if I could start of regimen of running at least 3-4 miles a few days a week.

I will keep you posted……