Happy New Year Resolutions

At the stroke of midnight of the New Year, most Americans come up with a litany of resolutions. The resolutions mostly focus around being a better person, whether that be physically, emotionally, spiritually, or psychologically. We make promises to ourselves and to others that we are going to "lose weight," quit smoking," "exercise more," - to name just a few. Since I am pregnant this new year and I can't really control my hormones, as well as usual, I am not declaring that I want to improve upon myself. Also, losing weight and working out vigorously is completely out of the question, I unfortunately get to go the opposite way when it comes to those two goals.

Even though it sounds like I am dogging new year's resolutions, I secretly like them. A new year presents itself with what kinda feels like a clean slate. AND don't we all need to improve upon something?

In no particular order of importance, here is my list of resolutions.

• Menu plan. - One of Pearson's biggest annoyances with me is that I go to the grocery store every other day, if not every day. Reason he is annoyed is that I end up spending a lot more money a week then I should at the store. There are many impulse buys. In order to help the Cummings family save money and to not annoy Pearson as much, I have vowed to visit the grocery store once a week (two if absolutely necessary). This requires some advance planning.


• Bring Bags to Store - This was my resolution and I failed miserably at it. This year I am putting it back on my list. I need to bring my reusable bags to the grocery.


• Write on the Blog More Frequently - I started off with a bang last May and have faded a little in the last couple of months. With number 2 on the way and many "Mae moments," I need to be better about documenting the family.
  
• Be Better at Writing Thank You Notes - 'Nuff said.


• Volunteer - Prior to moving to Seattle, I was pretty good about volunteering on a consistent basis. In fact, I tutored an older man that couldn't read every week right before moving here for a year. Since I moved here and had Mae I have been inconsistent at volunteering. I have definitely done some community/neighborhood stuff, such as the PPatch and organizing playgroups, however, I need to get back to giving back to those far more needy.

There you go. I hereby resolve to be better at the above mentioned and of course, be a better person overall (don't judge, be kind to all, don't harbor jealous feelings, be patient, etc).