New Year's Resolutions I am sticking to!

Here we are in 2011! Doesn't feel that different yet! Maybe when the kids start going to school and I have to write the year more often it will!

I usually don't have New Year's resolutions because I think you can do resolutions any time of the year, but it's kinda nice to think of the new year as a new start, new you, new beginnings. Now I am not going to over exaggerate my resolutions this year and feel overwhelmed and then not be able to stick to them. These are going to be ones that I can actually fulfill and not feel crappy and down on myself if I don't succeed. Here are a few that I am going to do:

1. Return everything that I have borrowed from someone this past year (or previous years) and never returned. I will also be more conscious about borrowing something and getting it back in a timely matter. I will admit I am bad about borrowing something and not returning it for a long time. And I feel terrible about it! I see the item and just think "Dangit! I was supposed to return that like 6 months ago!" So, if you receive something in the mail or at your doorstep from me, be thankful that I am following thru with this resolution!
2. Send More Snail Mail. I have actually started doing this before the New Year. It was so much fun I have decided to make it a resolution.  My next resolution goes along with it.
3. Send Thank You Notes. I was going to say, send MORE thank you notes, but we all know we don't send them in the first place unless it was for your wedding or receiving a gift of some kind! This got in my mind after hearing an interview on NPR. Where a lawyer, John Kralik, decided to send a thank you note for everyday of the year and preceded to write a book about it. In the interview they asked "Why not just send an email?' and he said "Things we write in cyberspace are so easily deleted and forgotten ... buried by the next 30 e-mails we receive...In this day and age, a handwritten note is something that people really feel is special." I think it is so special to even just say thank you. But a hand written note expressing a thank you not only for a gift, but maybe why someone is in your life or a nice gesture they did that made you happy, just brightens a day.
4. Read More Books. This past year I have gotten into getting on my computer, watching movies, or television so much more, that my books have just began to collect dust. I vow to read some of those books this year. (I will not say a number of books because I feel like I will not follow thru with it. One is good enough for me!)
5. Make An Item Of Clothing. I don't mean something small. I mean a shirt, dress, or skirt from a pattern. My friends got me a sewing bust and I am excited to use it, but also nervous. Just dive in and do it, is what I have to tell myself! Live and learn.

Those are my not-so-high-expectations-resolutions-for-the-new-year. I feel pretty good about them! Just going to keep thinking positive about them and they will get done.

If you made any resolutions for yourself, please post a comment on my bag giveaway and for a chance to win!

Photo Challenge 3

A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

Image courtesy of: poptower.com

Mad Men

If you watch this show, you are as addicted as me. If you haven't watched the show, I say catch up on the seasons and that way you know what is happening. Can't wait for season 5