Catching Up

New Year's Resolution:
13. Start a pre-school curriculum with Riley.
We decided that we aren't going to send Riley to pre-school. We work with him a lot at home and he gets the interaction with other kids at daycare regularly. We just feel, for our family, it would be an unneeded expense and hassle. So I wanted to find something we could do at home so he'd still be prepared for Kindergarten. I found a great starter curriculum at www.letteroftheweek.com. We've been going through bits and pieces, just trying to introduce him to everything without making it seem like "work".

14. Read More.
This one seems to make my resolution list every year. I've re-visited the library and currently have three books going: "If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have To Get Out of the Boat, "It's All Too Much" and "Eclipse".

15. Wear Jewelry
The only jewelry I've ever really worn are my wedding rings. I'm wanting to build up my jewelry collection - starting with my new favorite necklace my sis-in-law Jen got me for Christmas! Looking forward to my friend Val's Lia Sophia party later this month...saving my pennies!

16. Don't Leave the House Without Makeup.
This one has been a tough one because I now feel comfortable with a bare face (Thanks to my awesome Mary Kay skin care!) and I'm always running out the door - and regularly doing my makeup in the parking lot before going to work. But I've found you feel better - and people treat you differently - when you have your 'face' on.

17. Watch Movies.
We have a great collection of movies - things I want to see, but never make the time. I finally saw Talledega Nights. Funny stuff!

18. Less 'screen' time.
This kind of contradicts #17, but not really. I"ve really been trying to make an effort to stay off of the computer while the kids are up. Which is clearly getting in the way of my blogging. :-) I'm also trying to only watch shows I really enjoy - so I've been using the DVR a lot. Lots of Daily Show, The Office, Clean House and JK+8.

19. Be in bed before ten.
HA! Hasn't happened yet.

20. Keep My Sink Clean and Shiny.
Another hard one. I am a firm believer in Flylady and her routines. I just can't seem to make mine stick. This is the year my morning and evening routines become routine!

21. Keep Up With Laundry.
See above resolution. Trying to conquer Mt. Washmore.

22. Change Coffee Habits.
I drink coffee regularly. I've tried giving it up, I just really don't want to! So in an effort to make it a little healthier, I've swapped my full fat/sugar Toffee Nut Coffeemate for sugar free Vanilla Caramel. So far so good. I refuse to use Splenda instead of sugar - makes my coffee taste nasty! I also mix it up with a Cafe Au Lait every now and then (using my fancy schmancy lingo from my Starbucks Barista days! It's just half coffee and half skim milk)

23. Be a Team Leader for Mary Kay.
I never would have imagined that I would be a Mary Kay consultant. I didn't know much about makeup, in fact I'm still learning. But I love this company. I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall, for something to happen and pull the wool out from over my eyes - and it just doesn't happen. I love being around women who truly want me to succeed, give my family choices in our life, and will help get me there. This will be my career. It's so much more than lipstick. I"m 1/5 of the way to this goal.

24. Set Goals w/ "Road Maps".
I tend to just wander aimlessly wondering why I don't achieve the things I want. Mary Kay has really helped me focus and realize people don't succeed by accident. They work hard and plan their path.

25. Get Hair Done Professionally.
After too many botched do-it-myself haircuts, I'm breaking down and realizing that I need to get it done by a pro. I'm worth it. Luckily I have a friend who is great with hair...and she made me look awesome as a red head!

26. Give More.
I donate to the American Cancer Society and Reading is Fundamental through my paycheck at work. But I still feel like I need to do more. I'm hoping to pledge this year to our local NPR station, WVPE and find other causes or organizations I feel compelled to give to.

27. Listen to All David Sedaris' Audio Books.
I heard him first on This American Life. Reading his books are okay, but nothing beats hearing him read them aloud. It literally makes me LOL. Who knew I would feel so connected to a gay man from North Carolina whom now lives in Paris? Here he is on Letterman - not his funniest work, but it was the cleanest I could find! Keeping the blog family friendly!