The REAL 2015 Resolutions :o)

Similar to my public proclamation of signing up for a half-marathon in the hopes all my friends would hold me accountable to training, I would like to lay out my real resolutions for the next year on electronic paper.  I am hopeful it will at the very least give me some good fodder to poke fun of as 2015 closes???  So here's the completely random things that have been fluttering around in my brain as must-do this next year.   I've also listed some nice-to-do options here as well, we'll call those "stretch goals" ;o)

First up?  I'm looking to hold all the gains I made health-wise in 2014.   Along this vein, I'd like to add regular weight lifting into my current all-cardio routine.  I'm at an age where muscle mass begins a steady decline and as I'd like to be active for a good while longer, I think i'm going to have to bite the bullet and actually start pumping some iron.  UGH (you can see how excited I am about this one??)  Goal is 2x a week, double UGH.  On more enjoyable news? I also plan to sign up for another half marathon, let me know if you want to join in the fun!

Next on the list?  Dedicating time to meditate each morning.  With my bible, with an inspirational quote, with just my own thoughts...  I want to be more consistent in spending those first few minutes of my day focusing my intentions so that I spend the day the way I choose.

My education goal this year?  I would like to rededicate myself to learning the piano.  I've taken lessons a few times as an adult now and sadly the area I fall down in is actually practicing.  My goal this year is 10 minutes a day, on days I'm in town.  Given my travel schedule this past year, that may only amount to half-time training?  But hey, that's 50% more than I've been doing!  My desire is that next Christmas, I can sit down and play the piano as my own accompaniment for all those Christmas carols I love to sing!

Family goal for this year?  Making and eating home-cooked meals more often.  I find with having kids only 2 week nights each week, I have easily fallen into the takeout trap.  Its "easy" and "fast" and  the kids get to eat something I know they like...  But the reality is its no faster or easier than a home cooked meal, I'm just not usually prepared in advance.  And more often than not, I'm wiped out by the time I get home and just can't convince myself to make the effort.  As for the kids eating stuff they like?  Well just because they like it, doesn't mean its healthy....  This falls into that "sometimes being a parent is hard" realm and I just need to stop catering and start educating.  :o)    Cooking has always been something I've enjoyed, and I think a year off is long enough on the sidelines.  2015 is time to get back in the kitchen for me, my goal is cooking at home Monday and Tuesday evenings, with a stretch goal of cooking at least one meal on weekends with kids.  I think both my pocketbook AND my waistline will thank me for this one!

Now we get into weird and random bucket list items I want to cover next year.  Top of this list?  Camping by myself.  :o)  And why would I want to camp by myself you might ask?  This was the one hobby/passion my ex and I did together with any regularity.  I think this bucket list item is really one of those "making memories to overwrite memories" kinds of things?   Luckily, I won't be completely alone.... I'll have my trusty watch dog Zipper!  Be careful, he will bark your ears off... and then lick you to death!  You've been warned.  :o)

Stretch goals?

Hmmm....

Ballroom dancing lessons!  Yes, I watch too much Dancing With The Stars, HA!  I'd prefer a partner for this stretch goal, does anyone have any willing and single male friends?  Otherwise, I'll just pay for private lessons (this is a last resort, maybe the instructor will be cute??)

Roller derby....  Looks like I just missed December tryouts, next round is in May...  I need to review my insurance policy for this one and perhaps update my will?  LOL

But in all seriousness...  My ultimate goal for 2015?  To be able to look back at the end of this next year and feel similarly to how I feel closing out 2014:  "DAMN!  This year has been an amazing ride, I am so glad I got to experience it!!!"

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me,
And I shall spend my pension
on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals,
and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired,
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells,
And run my stick along the public railings,
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens,
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat,
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go,
Or only bread and pickle for a week,
And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats
and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry,
And pay our rent and not swear in the street,
And set a good example for the children.
We will have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me
are not too shocked and surprised,
When suddenly I am old
and start to wear purple! 
Jenny Joseph