Yesterday I heard someone say that they had set a resolution five years ago to never set another resolution. Given the failure rate of new year's goals, that probably isn't a bad idea. Still, I am of the opinion that even though today is really no different than yesterday, it should be different, or rather, it would be nice if it was different (aside from police case numbers changing from an "08" prefix to an "09" prefix). In light of that, Heather and I came up with our list for the coming year.
- Exercise more and eat better. I would also be happy with "Exercise better so I can eat more". Not coincidentally, this resolution is also our most likely to fail. Dang it, but Heather is just such a good cook.
- Daily scripture study. We actually got pretty good at this near the end of '08. It brought a wonderful spirit to our home and everyone enjoyed the time together. I was surprised at just how much Ella's reading improved as well.
- 100% Home Teaching for me. I picked this because it is one of those things that I get uncomfortable thinking about (always a good indication of where work is needed). First order of business: next time the Elder's quorum president calls for stats, I'm going to ask him which families I'm supposed to be teaching.
- Visit all the parks in our home town. This goal is more like "spend time outdoors as a family", but with a fun mission. Yesterday, I was looking at a map of Bayport (my made-up name) and was surprised to see that we have more than 50 parks here. In the past seven years, the only parks we have frequented are: "The Park by the River", "Far Park", "Yoshi Park", "The Park by the Mailbox", and "The School Park" (the kids' made-up names). That leaves a lot of parks, not to mention a good amount of the town, that we have never seen. I contacted the town office to get a map of all the green spaces, and this year we will start crossing them off the list. We might even take pictures at each park and put together a scrapbook once we've completed our mission.
- Have a family service project. This idea was kindled by our reading of "Christmas Jars", and my memories of dad taking us as kids to "pixie" the church in our home town. On those pixie nights we would drive into town and clean and vacuum the church while trying not to get spotted. The secrecy was what made it fun, kind of like the difference between leaving cookies on someone's doorstep and running away, or just handing it to them. Anonymous service is just as thrilling as vandalism, but you feel even better afterwards. (I made that last line its own sentence so it would be more easily quotable)
Well that's not a bad looking list, if we do even most of that, I will count it as a success. Speaking of which, CHEMT_ wishes all of you a successful new year as well.
- C
9 comments:
I think you are going to have a GREAT 2009 if you do those things. I hope we can be a part of some of that.
I read Christmas Jars this year and enjoyed the thought of future family projects as well.
Happy new year!
Great resolutions. Thanks again for comming and doing Christmas with us...you guys are the best.
P.s. I love this CHEMT_!!
Congrats Congrats. We are excited to see what the stork will bring you this new year.
A worthy list to be sure and a lot of fun to read.
I particularily liked your quotable line "Anonymous service is just as thrilling as vandalism, but you feel even better afterwards."
Your inclusion of the word "even" in that sentence really put it over the top for me. It would have made me smile without it but "even" just raised the whole thing a few notches higher and made me chuckle out loud.
I'll be sure to add this to my list of favorite quotes.
Holy simultaneous comment posting Batman. (Paynes and me both at 1:59 pm.) What are the odds? Actually this happened to me just once before, when Tanis and I posted at the same time on Crystal's blog.
Tanis, I forgot to mention how much I love Heather and Ella's heircuts. You did such a great job and I'm sorry that I was giving you such a hard time. Thinking back, I said some mean things about Katie Homes too.
Crystal,
As soon as we know, you will know (and if you want to tell Jewel, that's up to you).
Lorin,
HahaI'm glad you liked it. From reading your blog, I think that we share the same sence of humor.
And congrats Lorin and Paynes on the similtaneous post... that's like winning a blog lottery.
- C
Nothing mentioned about being extra nice to your big sister this year? Still, lots of great resolutions! Maybe I should set some!
You're right Jewel, that would have been a good resolution; unfortunately it's probably too late to add any more. For sure next year I will commit to being nicer to you.
And, for the record, you are my little sister.
- C
Growing up in Bayport eh?
That must be an awesome place to live, all those mysterious happenings and sleuthing going on. Hey do you run into Frank or Joe much there?
Hahaha. Ever since I was kid I have wanted to live here. It's not the same as I imagined it, but luckily I have frequent contact with members of the Hardy family!
- C
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