New Year, New You

I can't explain it, but I've always gotten giddy when a new year roles around. Thoughts of resolutions, change, and bettering myself fill my mind, and I am in love with the idea of a fresh start! 2011 has some big shoes to fill, so I'll share some of my new years resolutions designed to help make this another fabulous year in the life of Lu!


2011 will be great because I plan to...


1. Shop less and Save more-- This is a serious subject matter for me because I love Love LOVE to shop. The thrill of leaving a store with new clothes, accessories, shoes, you name it is so enticing to me, that I've run into a little problemo--I am running out of closet space! It's bad enough that I have my own walk-in closet separate from Kyle. And that he let me have all the drawers in our dresser AND the drawers under the TV. And that he let me put my coats and outerwear in the guest closet. And that he let me put the storage bins under our bed. And that he let me have the drawers in the guest bedroom. And that we've pretty much bought out Bed Bath and Beyond's space saving supply. And that I pretty much went 2 years without handwashing/dry-cleaning clothes that have piled up in a laundry basket without even missing them. And that I still have clothes in my closet with price tags on. Need I say more? The shopping has got to go! Please say a prayer for me...and Kyle...because his closet is one trip to Loft away from being invaded by moi!


2. Shop for a Church Instead!-- Another touchy subject for me. What happens when a Baptist marries the son of an Episcopalian priest? Their ideas of what they want in a church completely clash! He turns his nose up at the "kibbles and bits" communion served at my church whereas I feel like I'm in an aerobics class with all of the up and down, kneeling, standing, sitting that takes place at his church. I need to feel connected to the preacher's message, and that's not as high on his priority list. The only blessing is that we're not living in our hometowns and at least aren't having to choose between our 2 churches! The good news is that we've agreed on what is most important to us about our future church home...we want a great church family where we can have fellowship with friends! 


3. Focus on a Healthy Lifestyle-- I've given up on the perfect body. I will probably never be a size 2 again. What I'm hoping 2011 will bring about for me is a commitment to my health. As a teacher, I come home most days exhausted. The thought of exercising pains me. The thought of cooking a healthy meal, or cooking period, exhausts me further. But, the thought of the toll it is taking on my body to not do either is worse. I am a very cautious person. I play it safe in almost every area of my life. And, in almost everything I do in my life I succeed because I am a person who will work so hard to achieve a goal. Why this has never carried over to my health is beyond me, but I making this a priority for no other reason than the fact that I want to live a long, healthy and happy life....and the fact that the little shopping that I do plan to do this year will be much more fun if I feel good in the clothes!


4. Put Myself Out There More When it Comes to Making Friends-- I have always had lots of friends growing up because I was always in situations where making friends was easy. Sports teams, clubs, church youth groups in high school...dorms and campus groups in college. But now that I'm in the real world away from my hometown and spend my days with 8 and 9 year olds, I find myself craving that core group of friends that I've always had (who aren't currently living in other cities/states like most of my HS and college friends!). And is it too much to ask for some quality couple friends that Kyle and I can hang out with together!? But, what I've learned from my dear friend, Mojzi, is that to have friends, you have to put yourself out there! She will befriend anyone in a heartbeat, and that's because she is friendly and open to everyone she meets! I am very friendly, but on the shy side at first, so my goal is to work on putting myself out there more! After all, what do I have to lose?


So, there you have it! 4 goals. 4 chances for a better me!


And, I'll leave you with a Funny New Year's Memory...


New Years Day, January 1st 2008. Mom and I did what we do best! Shop! We headed into a cute store called Swoozies and were stoked about all the adorable Xmas decorations on sale! My dear mother picks up a hand made, hand painted, very expensive looking cookie jar and almost drops it. Luckily, it didn't break! That is until she tried to pick up the item beside it and proceeded to knock the cookie jar off. All $89 dollars worth of the cookie jar! Shattered to pieces! She left very concerned about what this could all mean for the rest of her year!