Six Popular New Year's Resolutions I'm NOT Making and One I Am.

Since it's the New Year, I did a very thorough and scientific study (ie. I read a few articles on the Internet) about the most common New Year's resolutions. Normally I don't make New Year's resolutions.  It's just not my thing and it always seemed to me that the New Year should start in September (when school starts) rather than January. If I ever become President, I'm changing the New Year to September...just wait and see. 

Anyway, since EVERYONE ELSE is making resolutions, I'd figure I'd look at a few and see if I should make those or not. 

Mostly I'm not...but one I am.

1. I'm NOT resolving to lose weight.

You can read here about why I'm NOT trying to lose weight even though I'm overweight. 

2. I'm NOT resolving to travel to new places.

I'm not a huge fan of travel as it is.  And, I've done a lot of moving in my life so I've seen a lot of places (in the United States) and I don't have a real strong desire to see more. In fact, I'd love to resolve to never move again..but that's a resolution that's just begging to be broken.  So, I'm not doing it.

3. I'm NOT resolving to get a better job.

I already have the best job...with cute bosses. 

4. I'm NOT resolving to drink less.

Actually I'm resolving to drink more. Just kidding.  I don't drink really...but I keep thinking I should. I mean, I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't really watch TV and I eat healthy.  A girl's gotta have SOME vice.  Oh wait..I do love me some chocolate.  Although I keep telling my husband that I need to find a non-fattening, non-health-destroying vice to take up. Anyone know of any?  Is Facebook considered a vice?  If so, I guess I already have one.

5. I'm NOT resolving to enjoy life to the fullest.

Because I think that sounds like a pretty self-centered resolution.  The biggest goal in life is not enjoyment. 

6. I'm NOT resolving to get organized.

Although I probably should.  Although truth be told, I'm fairly organized right now.  I'm NOT neat..but I'm organized.  I KNOW where everything is.  And, I KNOW all the things I need to do and places I need to be.  I almost never forget things.  So while my house is a mess, I'm still fairly organized.

I did the Saint Name Generator and got St. Zita...the patron saint of losing keys and lost keys.  Seriously..her patron saint list mentions lost keys TWICE. I think it got the year wrong however.  2004 was the year of losing keys for me.  That was the year that Greta was born and I was just a bit scatterbrained. Twice I left my keys on top of the car or in the passenger side door while my husband drove off. 

Then I learned a quick trick to make sure it NEVER happens again. It's easy. Don't lock your car doors.  Works every time.  If you don't have to take the keys out to unlock, there is ZERO chance of leaving them in the door or on top of the car while your husband drives off. Of course, someone might steal your car...but at least you'll still have your keys. And really, no one would steal our cars. They aren't steal-worthy....as probably evidenced by the fact that we still need to unlock them by hand instead of with a remote unlocker thingy.  

And the one New Year's Resolution I AM making.

7. I'm resolving to help other people more.

I was rather pleasantly surprised to find this on the list of common New Year's resolutions. Helping others is always a wonderful thing and I know that I could definitely do MORE of it. So I AM going to try to help others more...my family, my friends, even strangers.  I WANT to be that person who spreads happiness and joy...who can easily talk to strangers and is always thinking of other people.  Unfortunately I'm not like that...but I have hope that I COULD be more like that. Maybe.  

What about you...do you have any New Year's Resolutions?  And, if I become President, are you with me on moving the New Year to September?

If you want to read more quick takes...visit Kelly. 

(7QTF) Apparently 2014 is not going to be a good year

1. 

Jennifer Fulweiler (who hosts these 7 Quick Takes I always write) actually DESIGNED this Catholic Saint Name Generator and all the cool Catholic bloggers are finding their saint of the year.   So, I decided to give it a whirl..and lo and behold..who should come up but St. Margaret of Cortona.

She is the patron saint of the falsely accused; hoboes; homeless; insane; orphaned; mentally ill; midwives;penitents; single mothers; reformed prostitutes; stepchildren; tramps.

No offense, St. Margaret, but that wasn't exactly what I wanted. I sincerely hope that 2014 does not bring me to a state of being a homeless, mentally insane, falsely accused, orphaned, single mother.   Please, God, no.  And, just for the record, I was never a prostitute.   So......maybe I'll end up as a midwife???  Either that or a penitent like my mom (heavens, no!).

2.

Anyway..moving on.

A lot of Catholic bloggers are also coming with a word of the year.  I did that last year, and my word was trust.   Is it cheating to use the same word two years in a row??  I think I still need to work on trust.  2013 was a year of many changes for us....and 2014...well it's not looking any better. 

3.

 So...I'm taking trust as my word this year as well...and adding on the word patience.   Because, I really, really, really, really need to work on patience. 

4.

Every New Year I think of my favorite mythological creature.  

The Phoenix. 

Image from Wikipedia

Ever since I read David and the Phoenix, I've loved the imagery of the Phoenix rising up out of the ashes.   I'm sure there is some imagery of Christ in there....the dying and rising again.   When I think of a New Year, I like to think that we are rising from the ashes of last year.  Not that last year was particularly bad or anything, but this is a New Year...and last year's troubles and worries are gone. 

5.

Doubtful that anyone actually noticed, but this blog has been fairly quiet this last week because we've been out of town.   We spent three days up in PA with family and took two days for traveling.  Which means, seeing as how I don't have a smartphone, I was basically without Internet for almost FIVE WHOLE DAYS!!  How did I ever manage? Well, I spent too much time arguing, "discussing" with family members....see that's what happens when I don't have the Internet to distract me.   I get into a lot of "discussions."   Actually..we had a great time, and I already miss all my family dearly. 

6.

And, the kids who've lived in Florida for the last three years, got to see snow!!

It was too cold for Greta. 

Elsa seemed to like it.

Yes, John is wearing two different mittens. 

Heidi was thrilled to throw the first snowball. 

7.

So...who wants a cute baby  toddler picture. 

So, last year on Christmas, Elsa wore a size 6 month Christmas dress.  This year, she wore a size 3 month dress.  You figure it out??  Whether her dress was way too big or way too small....either way it was way too cute!

You may be asking why she didn't wear the size 6 month dress this year.  I don't have it anymore, but for some reason I did have a size 3 month dress that Greta wore like 9 years ago.  So..

That's all...go see Jen for more.