Top Ten: New Year's Resolutions

That’s right, I am putting my personal goals out there for the world to see, judge, and criticize. But, you never know, that may be exactly what I need to see these through to 2009.

10. Write. I have always enjoyed writing just to get thoughts out of my mind, which always seems to be reeling. I am not so much the “creative writer” who aspires to penning the great American novel of the 21st century, but I would like my name to appear with the likes of Christopher Hitchens (you gotta love him, even when you hate him). His social and political commentary, infuriating and often right on target, is precisely the kind of professional standard to which I aspire.

9. Continue to Read Literature and Daily News. Although another baby threatens to disrupt my perfectly scheduled two hour addiction (aka, Ruby’s nap time) of “checking the headlines” or reading the latest recommended novel, I would hate to see myself fall into the bottomless pit, already crowded as it is, of the uninformed, apathetic masses we call the American public.

8. Actively Seek Opportunities to Serve. The people I respect and admire the most always seem to have their plates full, but are nonetheless always available to do the most needful things. I feel those who know how to serve are more capable of keeping their lives in the proper perspective.

7. Always Dye My Hair Before the Gray Streak Returns! Embarrassingly enough, this only happens about 20% of the time. Right now, I have about a half-inch growth. Can we all say, House-Marm together please?

6. Organize, organize, organize!! Clean, clean, clean!! My bedroom doesn’t look much different then it did when I was in high school or college. The bed is made just before I climb into it. I hate putting on a top sheet. I don’t always load the dishwasher before I go to bed. I often have five loads of laundry to do in one day just to catch up. Don’t even talk to me about the chaos that is my hair and make-up supplies on the bathroom vanity. Some boxes from our move are still unopened in Ruby’s bedroom. A few frames are resting against the wall where I have intended for them to be placed for 18 months. I would like to turn into the "naturally" organized person everyone secretly hates and openly aspires to become.

5. Finish Ruby’s Baby Book. This needs to happen before number 2 arrives in April. I don’t want to put this off until her 18th birthday!

4.Complete a Marathon. This is the one I hate to admit to openly. It has been on my New Year’s Resolutions lists since I can remember and I have never once come close to preparing for it. I can’t imagine the mental and physical empowerment that would come with knowing you had the diligence, patience, and stamina necessary to prepare for and complete a 26-mile run.

3. Make One Meal Each Week From the Julia Child’s Cookbook, “ Master the Art of French Cooking” I claim constantly to dislike cooking, but this really just isn’t true. I didn’t like it as a kid because it was a chore, something you were banished to do while the rest of the family watched a re-run of Little House on the Prairie. In college I hated it because the kitchen was never clean and there were always too many women telling you how you should do it differently. I would just like to be able to really enjoy the time I spend in the process of cooking, something French cooking is designed to provide.

2. Write Down One Experience With Ruby Every Day. It will be nice to give to her far, far down the road.

1. Take More Pictures. We just don’t take enough of all the great family memories we are making. It is especially sad since we do some incredibly unordinary things.