Resolutions....or lack there of

Yes, I know they're all over the web right now. People making promises to themselves as to how they'll "better" themselves this year. What they can do "differently", or "better". *DISCLAIMER* I do not like, nor participate in, such New Years Resolutions. My feeling is you can make resolutions at any point in the year. Going to loose all that weight magically starting Jan. 1st? Really? I don't think I'm aware of one person I know who is able to keep a resolution they make for a full 12 months. I have things I want to do, but WILL do, instead of "resolve" to do. Some I may get to, some I may not. But these ideas were in this small brain of mine plenty before Dick Clark (bless his heart) counted down the last 17 seconds of 2011, all be it 1 second behind thanks to his previous stroke. For your visual entertainment:

1. As stated earlier, participate in Blog365. My sister in law laid down the challenge, I accepted..so here we are

2. Travel. While there are places on the "long term" bucket list that will remain, a couple of places I'd REALLY like to aim for this year. They include: the Oregon Coast (as is tradition with me and the husband on our anniversary come July), Montana? (the in laws live there), maybe Victoria, BC? Note to self: must now have passport.

3. Keep those close, closer. (aka: try to be a more improved friend) Make time, go out of my way, etc.

4. Put more money away. People always want to do this, and I'm pretty good at it for the most part...but I could def. do better (and this would help with number 2)

5. Take more time to enjoy the "little" things. Also, something I think people/me should be doing all of the time. While pregnant with Amelia, I HATED hearing "it goes by so fast". Sadly, it's true. I need to be a more patient parent, and laugh a little more about being dead smack in the middle of the "trying 4's"

So there you have it. I hope to be able to post, at some point throughout the year, about checking any/all of these off. It would make me feel like I'm doing something with myself, other then just "being".

"With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bucket List.....

You hear of these more and more these days. While I've never really thought about a true "list", I've always had things on my mind that I'd like to do before I leave the earth. Sometimes, sadly, you're reminded that that time can come quicker then you'd like.

3 days before my 30th birthday, I received word that one of the women I've played Bunko with for almost 10 years passed away of cancer. She was 40. She had 2 kids, ages 12 and 10, her oldest being her daughter. This hit close to home. Not only was I so close in age with her, she was a healthy person who was fighting cancer for a second time in her life. But now, she'll never see her daughter get her license, go to prom, graduate or get married. My greatest fear, and probably any parents fear, was right in front of me. I took some time to plant flowers and think, therapy if you will. Thinking about how short life is. How I may worry about things that shouldn't be taking away energy from my family and friends. I start coming up with a mental Bucket List. Things I want to do, or start re-focusing on, as life is going much faster then I'd like it to. Some things I can start working on immediatly, others are more long term goals. While I won't bore with the entire list (it keeps growing...) some thing are worth mentioning:

-In the face of my 30th birthday, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with some friends I haven't seen in over 10 years. While the wonders of Facebook have brought us together, it never replaces physically sitting and talking, laughing and enjoying that persons company. These people showed me their commitment to continue a friendship outside of the "internet" world, and I will make it mine to be a great friend to them, to see them more and to laugh with them often.

-make stronger the current friendship/relationships I have. I'll need these people more then I can imagine one day.

-Go to Europe. Specifically France, Italy and Ireland.

-Go to New York, in the winter. (and if possible, stay at the Plaza, splurge at one expensive store I'd never be able to shop at on a normal basis, and skate at Central Park)

-Teach Amelia as much as I can. About Life, love and all that comes in between.

-Laugh at the small stuff.

-Laugh more often, period.

-Get a hold of my health. Walk/run more. Eat better.

-Make sure I have "me" time. Get back into scrapbooking, learn more about gardening/flowers. Maybe find a new hobby. (I'm looking into making personalized invitations?)

-Be there when Nick first goes to Disneyland. Take in every second of seeing his face light up like a 5 year old.

-Get more into cooking. Try new things, techniques.

-Be debt free (HA....it IS possible).

-Get involved again (This I plan on more as Amelia gets older. Coaching soccer, PTA, etc. everything with an acronym).

-Be a better blogger and grow my site!

While all of these things are attainable, some may take longer then others. I recognize this and accept it. In the mean time, I will work on what I can now...and realize that life is short, we should play hard, and enjoy what we can. There will be good times, and bad..but to make the most of what I have and who I have around me. That will be my legacy.