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I love resolutions. And in case you can’t tell, I like to take my time making them. It’s like looking at model homes just above my price range before settling into the comfortable, nice home I’ll live in. I like to dream before I commit. But I think I’m finally ready for you, 2011. And here are my plans, big and little.
Make extras. I’ve always admired a person who can handle last minute house or dinner guests. Some people just know how to make things stretch. I want to do that with my time. I want to have enough fat in my schedule that it is easier to drop everything to help a friend or go on a last minute road trip. I have to find new places to simplify, but I think it will be worth it.
Get my hands dirty. It’s been way too long since I forgot myself to just spend an entire day with my kids, to read a book the size of a brick, to try a really involved recipe, or to just be there for someone else. With my baby growing up this year, I think some of these may be possible, even if I only fit them in on rare occasions.
Organize all my photos and video. I fantasize about having all my photos tagged.
Get my ears pierced for the third time and keep them that way. I’m a woman and should dress like one, right? I am seriously the worst at making time to be hot. I picked up this set of earrings already this year. Do you like them? Now I just need to be able to wear them.
Get better at getting stains out my kids clothes. This is definitely a weak spot. Tips, anyone?
Do my best work. Even as I am trying to keep things super simple for my first goal, occasionally I need a project where I can do my best work. I’d like that to happen on this blog. I think it’s going to get a little overhaul. I have some new ideas that make me grin every time I think of them. This year, my posts may not all follow one theme. And you will probably hear from me less often, maybe once or twice a week instead of daily. But when you do hear from me it will be a little closer to the best this girl has to offer.
Listen & read more, talk less. Simple enough.
Do what works. Do you have certain things in your life that you have to do or you just aren’t you? Things that regenerate you? What are yours? I’ve been surprised to discover what mine are. But I really think I need to make time at least once a week to journal, organize, read, and do something wild and fun with my kids or husband. More picnics, more family dance parties, more one-afternoon adventures.
I also want to do the things I know are rewarding and worth the investment for my family. Taking time to let kids help with chores, bedtime, family nights. We may not get to them every week or every night, but I’m okay with that.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Ha! I had to laugh at the stain remover resolution. That was one of mine. I thought I was a wierdo, but it looks like I’m in good company. I’ve got three very rowdy boys under the age of six and a six week old baby girl, so you can bet that we’ve got some serious stain issues at our house. The Oxiclean gel stick has been amazing for us. It’s even taken out some old stains that had been through the dryer multiple times.
One thing that’s made a difference, though, is keeping track of stained items so I can check and see if they need to be treated/washed again before they go in the dryer. I put all my pretreated items in a large mesh lingerie bag and throw ‘em in with my regular wash. That way, I don’t forget which items needed to be checked for retained stains. This might be obvious to more adept launderers, but it’s been revolutionary for me.
P.S. I love the earrings!
These are amazing resolutions and I can tell, like you said that you have seriously spent time thinking and conjugating about them!
I am glad I am not the only one who fantasises over organised photos though!
xx
Hah! These are great resolutions!
As for the pierced ears, I recommend getting it done at a regular piercing parlor, one where they do tattooing as well. I’ve found that they tend to be MUCH more infection-transmission-aware than the mall places with piercing guns. (Yes, it sounds a bit odd, but I’m a big fan of autoclaves and clean tools for anything that goes into my body! Or through it.)
I fantasize about having my pictures all tagged and organized as well. I have, erm, more than 10 years of digital pictures that need the work. I’ve got Picasa, so I can search by people, sort of, but somehow I’m not finding Picasa to be the solution I want. Maybe I’m just not using it well enough. (I know I’m not dedicating enough time to that project. I’ll put that on my list!)
Good Luck!
SongBird
Oxyclean, oxyclean, oxyclean.
And deal with it now, not later.
I also have book called Talking Dirty Laundry with the Queen of Clean. I keep it in my laundry room for those “other” stains like nail polish (daughter), paint (son) and grease (husband). You’d be amazed what you can get out with WD-40.
Your resolutions are inspiring. I like how they are a little open-ended, so you have room to move and grow with them. I think I’ll adapt a couple myself. I particularly like getting your hands dirty, doing your best work, and doing what works. I’m going to ponder those a little more to decide what they mean for me! As for having all my photos tagged, maybe I’ll put that on my husband’s list. :) That would be nice!
Quick stain tips: prewash stains in cold water before a regular wash. Vinegar and lemon juice are great weak bleaches. Martha had a great stain chart several years ago…I bet it’s still on her website.
I’m an oxyclean fan as well. I’ve got 3 boys and they are constantly a mess. I have a bucket that I dump oxyclean and water in and that let it soak. Sometimes it takes me 3 days to get to it again but I at least soak it 24hours.
Listen and read more, talk less. I need to do that. I also need to record my thoughts. I am terrible at remembering that great idea I had or that great thing that someone told me. I need to get a nice journal and write it down!
Thanks for a beautiful list of things to ponder!
Love it! We’re resolving a lot of similar things (and I feel you too about posting them publicly….now I HAVE to do them!). :-)
Melaleuca stain remover is THE best stain remover I have ever used. They have two that you can even use together — Prespot and Solumel. I love the ear piercing resolution because I have had mine repierced twice now — I seem to have the same problem. I think you are brave to post all of your resolutions publicly — braver than me! :)
For stains, you can not Stain Devils. Until i was 25 I took my stains to my mom b/c she was such a wiz at getting them out, and i finally figured out it’s because she has a full set!! http://www.carbona.com/staindevils.aspx
love these, we will miss you at Alt, maybe next year?
I’ve been reading through your blog and just came across your list. My recommendation for stain treatment is lye soap. (I make it myself.) Wet the stain with water, rub the bar over the stain, scrub with a toothbrush or nailbrush. I’ve gotten permanent black magic marker out, and it’s great on grass stains.
Lorrie,
Wow, black magic marker? Thanks for taking a moment to share this! and for your note. Lye soap is now on my shopping list.