Cheers! Here's to fresh starts.

2010-01-12T11:26:00.007-06:00

Hello and welcome to the place where I'll try to create Martha like skills more than likely ending in complete and utter failure! However, this is a new year so I have faith in my ninja baking, cooking and crafting skills. Now, if only I stick to my resolutions.

This year, I promised myself to stay obedient to the following:

- Take pride in myself once again. Becoming a mommy has kicked my ass - royally. From now on I will be showered daily, make-up ready, teeth brushed and smelling delightful with one of my many perfumes I hardly get the chance to use because of my mommy scheduled duties.

- Take a photograph daily. Whether it's an old fashioned family photo, an insect or something awe-inspiring that makes me stop dead in my tracks.

- Try something new each week. Could be an activity or a food. Lord knows I'm picky enough that I'll find plenty of food to try so I can officially say, "I dislike ____" - instead of just looking at it and saying that. I tend to do that. If something isn't visually appealing to me, I toss it aside as if it's poison.

- Read different books that aren't vampire related. Maybe a biography or two.

- Try to give a donation each month to an organization I believe in. I found a really great one called Skip1. Basically, you skip something: a meal, car wash or that magazine on the shelf at the check out line - and you give what you would have spent on that item/meal to a good cause. Every bit helps. I think the concept is nifty.

- Try to get out each day. Sunshine does a body good.

- Learn to knit so I can make fabulous projects.

- Give up my addiction that probably flows in my veins by now... Good-bye, Dr. Pepper. I shall miss you.

- Have my daughter potty trained by her 3rd birthday in April.

- Go to church. I need spiritual guidance and healing.

- Not to allow my anxiety and depression get the better of me.

Yes, so those shouldn't be that hard to stick to. Right? They all seem resenable!

While blog-surfing I came to this really awesome site called All & Sundry. She had this great idea for New Years. A few questions, if you will. I decided to give them a whirl.

1.) What did you do in 2009 that you've never done before?

Haha you know, I don't really have an answer for this one. My life was pretty boring in '09!

2.) Did you keep your New Year's resolution, and will you make more for the next year?

Before this year, I never really made resolutions. I always figured if you wanted to make a change, any time of the year is as good as any time to make that change. I only did it this year because maybe it'll motivate me more. I gave myself a few challenges and hopefully they'll stick.

3.) Did anyone close to you give birth?
Close to me? No. But a few acquaintances.

4.) Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully. I don't do death well.

5.) What countries did you visit?

None outside the one I live in. I'd give anything to travel to Europe.

6.) What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Inner peace, really. Maybe a kid that will sleep throughout the night. Just saying. Sleep is good!

7.) What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

No specific dates stand out. It was a pretty laid back year. Hopefully this one will be more fulfilling.

8.) What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Besides raising Hayden into a well manored young lady? Nothing else. Hence me making resolutions this year. I'd like to better myself and push myself to a limit that I've never tried before.

9.) What was your biggest failure?

I'll have to go with her answer: being less of a mother [and especially a wife] I'd like to be.

10.) Did you suffer an illness or injury?

The kiddo and I are always sick so of course. Our immune system sucks major.. you know what.

11.) What was the best thing you bought?

Oi, anything and everything that put a smile on my daughter or husbands face.

12.) Whose behavior merited celebration?

Certainly not mine. No one comes to mind.

13.) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My own. I made mistakes, that I've learned from and will never ever make again.

14.) Where did most of your money go?

Aside from bills? Probably the spoiled kiddo.

15.) What did you get really excited about?

Hayden's 2nd birthday. That's about it really. Oh yeah, and also seeing Fall Out Boy.

16.) What song will always remind you of 2009?

Probably the hits that came towards the end of '09. Such as Jay Sean - Down and that one some.. The Replay song.

17.) Compared to this time last year, are you?

- Happier or sadder? Happier, for sure.

- Thinner or fatter? Fatter. Damn you delicious food!

- Richer or poorer? Eh, about the same. Can't complain but can't gloat either.

18.) What do you wish you'd done more of?

Probably physical activity and a lot less television. Also, maybe a bit more bonding time with Hayden that benefited her intelligence. Maybe stuck to the whole potty training thing. Oh, cooking too.

19.) What do you wish you'd done less of?

Yelling and negative thinking.

20.) How did you spend Christmas?

We spent the morning with my dad and his puppy Kate at our apartment watching Hayden go crazy over her gifts. Then we spent the afternoon at Louis' family's house and ate Christmas dinner there. Was pretty nice.

21.) Did you fall in love in 2009?

I re-discovered a love that was slowly burning out.

22.) What was your favorite TV program?

Definitely, True Blood. I cannot wait until season 3.

23.) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Nope. I have not one ounce of hatred brewing inside of me.

24.) What was the best book you read?

Hm I read a bunch of different books that were equally great in its own way. The House of Night series I got really into. Oh, one that sticks out amoung the rest is a book called 'Still Alice' by Lisa Genova. It was heartbreakingly great.

25.) What was your greatest musical discovery?

Hm, probably Owl City or Sherwood.

26.) What did you want and get?

Many much needed alone time away from the kiddo thanks to my hubby. Not to mention he got me Fall Out Boy tickets for my birthday. That was an incredible gift. Oh, I also got a nifty new phone :)

27.) What did you want and not get?

To see my sister Georgia and her family.

28.) What was your favorite film this year?

New Moon!

29.) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I had turned 25. I know, half way to fifty! Anyway, because my daughter's birthday is the day after mine - my birthday gets put on the back burner. I didn't celebrate my birthday.

30.) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Hayden not hitting those terrible two defiant years.

31.) How would you describe your personal fasion concept of 2009?

Non-existent.

32.) What kept you sane?

Countless books and an amazing husband.

33.) What public figure/celebrity did you fancy the most?

I adore that term 'fancy'. It's so elegant. Anyway, probably Gerald Butler. His smile is like woooaaah.

34.) What political issue stirred you the most?

The healthcare.

35.) Who did you miss?

A few friends that I've had falling outs with and my family that is so far away.

36.) Who was the best new person you met?

Rachelle. She's an inspirational young woman and mom that I've learned a great deal from. She's so easy to talk to. Too bad she lives in Canada, eh!

37.) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009?

To always count my blessings and never take what I have for granted.

38.) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

Take a breath, let it out slow

Seasons change with the break of a lifetime

Remind me again why we thought twice about it

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Yes, so that sums the start of a great new year off to a great start. Give or take a few days anyway ha! Goodbye, lovelies.

Just another ordinary day

Cheers! Here's to fresh starts.