So, how did y’all spend ringing in 2012? I spent it hanging out with my mom who was visiting from Florida, watching The Lost Boys on my new BluRay player btw, Jason Patric looks even better on BlueRay :), calming the girls down throughout all of the firework nonsense, and falling asleep before the giant acorn dropped at midnight. Aren’t we the party animals. 🙂
I still can’t believe it is 2012! I just can’t wrap my head around it. Every other previous year has just been a new year, but this one is different. Why? Well, 20 years ago I was in the midst of my senior year of high school, getting fitted for my cap and gown that fateful day when the football coach told me I had the fifth biggest head in the graduating class, even bigger than the football players, and looking forward to Grad Night at Walt Disney World, the prom, and, of course, graduation.
My gosh, time flies by so fast!!!
My 20 year high school reunion is this summer, and I am still debating about whether I’m going to attend or not. My graduating class wasn’t like the ones on the TV shows. It wasn’t a class of 50 students or even 100. We didn’t all know each other. No, my class had 462 students. There are classmates of mine that I still have never met. And now with Facebook and the internet, class reunions seem almost outdated. I am in contact with those classmates of mine that I want to be, and the others, well, I wish them well, at least most of them, just kidding!
So, while I continue to ponder my reunion dilemma, I shift my focus solely on 2012. And, in total Pee-Wee’s Playhouse fashion, I have chosen a word to focus on this year. The secret word of 2012 is: ME. How is that for being egotistical and self centered? No, I am not going to only think of myself, but I want to take this year and really embrace it. I want to take part in activities that I enjoy, go to place I like, and craft items for me.
Ahhhhhh! I like Pee-Wee’s word too: FUN. Thanks, Pee-Wee!
Y’all know how much I love lists, so, of course, I came up with 12 goals for 2012. These goals are all things that I love, make me who I am, and remind me of just how fun these past 20 years have been.
12 Goals for 2012
1. Knit a fall wearable (sweater, scarf, or gloves)
This is going to be very difficult, especially since I don’t know how to knit, yet! But I absolutely love the fall and getting to wear sweaters, scarves, and gloves, but no hats (see above). I thought this was an appropriate #1, basically because it is going to take me until the fall to pull this off. I am enrolling in a knitting class the first week of February, so hopefully I’ll get the hang of it quickly!
2. Finish my book
I never realized exactly how difficult that would be until I took part in my first NaNoWrimo two months ago. In a month I wrote only two chapters. Not good! I’m hoping to change that in 12 months. I actually have four books in the works (3 fiction and 1 non-fiction). One I started while I was in college and I haven’t picked it up since. If I can finish one of these books I’ll be a happy camper!
3. Read more
When I was a kid I used to love to read. I always took part in the summer reading program at the local library. I seem to have lost that love over the years. I think it has to do with TV, videos, and the internet. I guess if I had to pick a second secret word of this year it would be: READ. Goodreads hosts a yearly reading challenge, and I have signed up committing to reading 50 books. That is a lot for me, since last year I only read about 6 books. But, I am all in and have even joined some fun reading challenges to help me reach my goal.
4. Craft retro toys
Yep, I am reverting back to my childhood on this one. I just love retro crafts, so I want to focus most of my craft time this year whipping up some fun retro toys. I’ve done some for my Etsy shop and as gifts for others, but this year I want to make some, for me. I’ve got several patterns bookmarked, but I think my first one will be a totally choice Ferris Bueller cross-stitch.
5. Use the computer for fun less, and for work more
I remember how much I loved to sit in front of my PC Jr. and play games. My favorite was King’s Quest. Oh, how I loved that game. I’d spend hours trying to get past the witch, jumping up to grab a hold of the bird so he could take me to the next land, and keeping close to the rocks so I didn’t fall in the chasm. But, I think this was the beginning of the end of reading for me. I was consumed by my new computer, and that has happened again with Facebook games. While I still love to play computer games, my goal is to limit the games I play to only 1 or 2, and to only play for a few minutes every day. As far as work goes, I am planning on taking some online classes to further my career, like Photoshop, Illustrator, and ebooks.
6. Play the piano
All through elementary and middle school I took piano lessons. At times it was like pulling teeth to get me to play, but in the long run it really was a good experience. It has helped me be able to read music, which might not be something that I need in everyday life, but it something that I value. This year I want to pick up playing the piano again. My goal is to play a pop song by the end of the year. I’m not sure what song I’m going to choose yet, but it might be a song by Evanescence, Tori Amos, or Adele. Who knows! Maybe I’ll even record it and post it on Youtube. 🙂
7. Be happy with where my life is
This is probably the hardest thing on this list. While I am not a negative person, at least not all of the time, I am always thinking how one little change could make my life so much better. So this year, I just need to accept my life as it is (job, location, marital status), for now, and enjoy it!
8. Explore the local scene
I tend to be a homebody. I think it is the writer/crafter/reader in me. I like to go home make a cup of tea and chill while doing one of the aforementioned activities. But this year I plan to make a little change. I want to spend some time exploring local shops, restaurants, and places. One shop that I want to visit soon is Gigi’s Cupcakes. Their cupcakes sound divine! Of course, that is isn’t going to help with #9 on my list.
9. Eat healthier
I’d really like to meet with a nutritionist this year to go over a nutrition plan for me. Because I only eat certain meat products, get migraines, and just don’t like certain foods, I don’t think I am following the food pyramid like I should be. Plus, the older I get the harder it is to lose those pesky few pounds. So, this year I vow to eat healthier, drink more water, and work out several times a week.
10. Fight for animal welfare
In high school I became very involved in animal rights. That was when I became a vegetarian, wore only items that were not tested on animals, and protested for animal rights. While I’m not going to be as involved as I used to be, my goal is to work towards a vegetarian diet, wear items not tested on animals, and will be donating my time and money to only organizations that help treat and care for animals. I’ll be also setting up a special section in my Etsy shop where all of the proceeds from the sales of those items will go directly to animal welfare organizations.
11. Redo my bedroom
This really doesn’t fit into any of my categories above, but I’ve been wanting to do this since I moved into my house 3 years ago, so I think it is time. Though I am probably not going to be able to buy an entire new bedroom set, I can spruce up the room a little with a new headboard, some new pictures, and a new duvet cover. I’ll also be working on a crocheted granny blanket for my bed this year.
12. Go ice skating
I love to ice skate, although I am not very good at it. I took lessons 10 years ago while I was living in Tampa. I got teased a lot when I told everyone I had signed up for ice skating lessons in Florida, but I didn’t care. I had fun skating with the elementary school kids. 🙂 I’ll have to see how I do after not skating for 10 years. Hopefully I won’t break something, or tear my knee again!
So, as I look over my list there is one thing that is missing: blogging. I love my blog and I love getting to interact with everyone from all over the world, but it just isn’t a high priority anymore. I think If I can blog a few times a month I’ll be super happy.
How about you? Any resolutions, goals, or plans for 2012?
Wow..those were great goals for 2012. I have a few of my own.
1. Feel better about the way I look. I will be joining the gym and taking some fun classes(Zumba).
2. I would love to take singing lessons. Just for fun:)
3. Be a better friend. I am going to reach out more to my friends to hang out.
4. I like the "ME" word of 2012. It should be everyone's word always.
Love ya Melissa,
Your sis Melanie
that is so funny you wrote about playing King's Quest on the computer. I obsessively played that many years ago when I was a child and no one I know is familiar with it. good luck with your goals for the year!
that is so funny you wrote about playing King's Quest on the computer. I obsessively played that many years ago when I was a child and no one I know is familiar with it. good luck with your goals for the year!