Last year I came up with a few resolutions. Today I had fun looking back and seeing which ones I accomplished (yay!) and the ones I'm still working on (at least I haven't totally given up), and which ones I can carry over to 2012. And now it's time to come up with some more!
2011 New Year's Resolutions
1. Receive representation for my book
Hasn't happened yet. Sigh.
But. i. will. not. give. up.
I have learned so much about my writing and have been fortunate so many agents have liked my story and have taken the time to offer personal feedback. It's rare for me to get form rejections. Every time I get a rejection, I also get a list or paragraph of ways to improve my book. To me, that's not rejection, it's opportunity. Currently, I'm revising once again! A work in progress, I suppose. But someday I will have my book in my hands. I will be bouncing all over shouting "I DID IT! I DID THIS!" all the while smelling the pages. Ahhh.
2. Travel somewhere new
That would have been Riviera Maya, Mexico, in February with Karl's family. So much fun!
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| My new destination in 2011 - Riviera Maya, Mexico! |
3. Start a family
That happened in August...yay!
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| Pregnant! |
4. Start a recipe portfolio/blog
I'm surprised I stuck with this and now I really enjoy my recipe blog! I simply enjoy blogging! I could do this full time. Ha! Will be continuing this into 2012 for sure.
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| Kicked off Food Blog in 2011! |
5. Get an article in a big magazine
I tried, but no dice. I want to focus on this more in 2012. I love reading articles in magazines. I think it would be so cool if I saw an article written by me published in one of those magazines I so often read! I'll keep trying and see what happens.
6. Say "no" more and do things for me
Once I found out I was preg, I was definitely saying "no" more and I'm totally OK with it now! I love having more free time. I'm doing things I WANT TO DO! And that makes me happy! Isn't that what we all want - to be happy? Who the heck was I trying to impress this whole time?
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| Playing Kubb in Kansas...just because! |
I think we've had Lupus and the Vets and some other donation places come to our house at least six times this year. We have donated so much stuff. Remember we turned two town homes into one, so there were lots of goodies. We keep purging and I hope to do this more and more! Stuff be gone! Now my next step is to get rid of the clutter so baby doesn't have to worry about knocking things over, or I don't have to worry about baby getting knocked over by stuff... We continue to watch Hoarders to help with this.
8. Stop biting my nails
Yeah, right...dream on!
9. Flush out the bad with the good
I did a metal detox before I became pregnant to get out all the heavy metals that might have been in my system. Who knows if it worked, but all I know is I did get pregnant right away!
And now...drum roll....
2012 New Year's Resolutions
1. Keep working on my book and receive representation
I am NOT giving up on this dream. Sorry. I started on book number two as well. But my focus is on getting book number one to perfection and into the right agent's hands. If not, I might start reading more about self-publishing.
Bigger goal - write full time (sometimes in coffee shops) and be able to focus on family more. Have book signings...maybe even one at the Mall of America:)
2. Publish an article in a magazine
I think a lot about stuff. Life. Death. Relationships. Chasing after dreams. I also realized something about myself this past year...I'm very observant when it comes to people, how they were brought up and how they handle situations and how it effects them and those around them. Then I analyze. I don't know if this observation thing is something that comes with age, but I see things I realize others don't. And then I like to write about them.
3. Be the best mom I can be
I'm not sure how I can measure this, but I'm going to gauge it on happiness. Am I waking up most every morning with happiness bubbling over in my heart? Are those around me super happy too? If so, then I'm doing my job. Am I constantly worrying, trying to keep up, stressing out, beating myself down? Then I am NOT doing my job. Babies can pick up on anxiety and all that negative crap. I figure all baby really needs is love and attention (well food and clothes too). That's it. And that's what I plan to give him/her.
Bigger goal: Be able to hire a cleaning service, freeing up time to have more fun!
4. Set up special date nights with my sweetheart at least once a month
As I was revamping my blog, I was going through pictures of all the trips and adventures Karl and I have been on together, and I thought to myself..."Dang, we have a pretty sweet relationship. We do such awesome things! Will those things have to end now?"
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| At Mount St Helens |
AND, I also know we're in for a treat with a baby. This is going to be a huge (and I mean HUGE) adjustment for us - financially, emotionally and mentally. And I don't want to lose that special bond we have. I want to keep things fun and exciting...and adventurous. So I want to make sure we carve out time for Christie and Karl, even if it's somewhere silly. Just the two of us.
5. Travel somewhere new
I want to do this every year. I don't know how we're going to do it [financially], but I'm putting it down anyway. This is a big world and there is so much beauty to see. I don't want to miss any of it!
Bigger goal: Get on The Amazing Race with Karl. I dream big!
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| Kind of always had a soft spot for Tahiti and Bora Bora.... |
6. Be in the best shape I can be
The weight is pouring on right now and it's hard for me. It's hard for me to find the time and energy to get to the gym. I could be better about it, but I haven't been. And once baby comes and I'm back working, how could I possibly go to the gym too? I don't know what my plan is to get back into shape, but I want to at least get some physical activity in three to four times a week as a family. I know I'm probably going to have to lose my trainer and maybe even my gym membership to pay for daycare, but nothing is more important than health. Without it, life...well...doesn't really exist.
7. Do something kind for someone once a month
I know...once a month sounds terrible. I should be kind all the time! But I'm talking about doing something out of the blue for a friend, or maybe even a stranger. Just reaching out to that person who's struggling or going through a rough time....or even celebrating a huge success. I want to take a moment to write them a note and do something that will make them realize they aren't alone, they can do anything they put their mind to and nothing - setbacks, heartbreak, loss - can stand in the way. Or even invite them over for dinner or something just to talk and have some sense of community.
Bigger goal: Eventually get into a business of designing and writing inspirational greeting cards for people.
8. Get Photos in Photobooks
I want to create those Snapfish, Kodak Gallery (etc) photobook albums of our trips. I have pictures saved on my portable hard drive, but no albums. I especially want to keep up with creating photo books of baby and his/her milestones and keeping both grandparents involved so they have something tangible to hang on too as well.
9. Blog about our Fun Trips and Adventures
Karl and I have been on so many great trips. I have all of them down in journals all over our room, but I wanted to get them up on this blog with pictures to go with them. I think this could be a fun project I could possibly do when I'm on maternity leave, but we will see!
10. Start Working on my Middle Grade Book Series
I have a pretty cool idea for a Middle Grade book series. I need to get this down on paper and outline each book. I'm assuming I won't be able to start writing these books this year, but I want to begin thinking about moving this forward. I need to read more Middle Grade books first, but I'm getting excited about this!
11. 'Blast off' in my Career
It is time. If I have to work and sit behind a desk all day, I want to be happy. Why can't I? And that means doing what I love. I deserve to love what I do. I want to shine. I want to make a difference. I want to knock my own socks off in 2012.
What are some of your New Year's Resolutions?
"If we celebrate the years behind us, they become stepping stones of strength and joy for the years ahead."
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