With December coming to an end, one of my favorite things draws near – the new year!  There always just this sense of invincibility and freedom that the new year brings – a clean slate.  A chance to hit the resent button and do all the things you didn’t get to do (or promised you would) the previous year.  To me, New Year’s Day is like waking up after the best shower of your entire life.  Refreshed and ready to take on whatever the day brings.  Like many others, I like to make a list of resolutions for the coming year and I thought I’d share it with you.

My 2013 Resolutions

Travel – Something I don’t do a lot of.  There are so many places to see and I’ve hardly seen any of them.  In state, cross-country, overseas – bring it on!

Host Dinner Parties – I was born to host, people.  I love it.  I also love to cook, but don’t get the opportunity to do so for more than two people that often.  What’s the sense in cooking awesome food when you have no one to share it with?  Plus, there’s something about the combination of good food and being in the company of good friends that gives people the warm fuzzies.

Start a Blog – Something that has always sounded appealing to me.  I’ve got lots of thoughts bouncing around in this head of mine and what better way to get them out?  Blogging is pretty much internet, adult journaling – simple.  The hard part is finding the time to do it.  That will be the challenge.

Wake Up Early – This one may be the hardest to pull off.  On the rare occasion that I do get up early, I always find that I am loads more productive.  If old people can do it, so can I. 

Get Fit – Let’s face it.  Every year we promise ourselves that we will lose weight, and every year we never do.  So rather than promising myself that I will lose X number of pounds, I am simply leaving it at this – get fit.  Workout when I can, try to eat healthier, do a little toning.  Little changes over a long amount of time other than crazy dieting. 

Read More Books – I feel like reading is something no one does anymore.  There are all kinds of great books out there.  I read reviews about them all the time.  I can ready anywhere – on the road, at the gym, at work.  I think the first one I’ll start with is “The Fault In Our Stars.”  Plus, by spending more time reading perhaps I will spend less time in front of the TV.

Take More Pictures – For my birthday this year Doug got me a new Sony A-57.  I had the opportunity to use it to video a couple of my friends’ weddings this summer and we took it to the Omaha Zoo for a day of picture taking and I really enjoyed it.  Plus, I saw a few photo journals on Facebook of people who did the “Picture A Day” challenge this year and I admit that I was a bit inspired.  Plus, picture taking is fun.

Scrapbook – I used to do it all the time in high school and my early college years.  As time went on, I found myself getting more busy with work and having less time to leisurely scrapbook.  However, I have a giant basement with lots of room and a new card table and chairs (compliments of my parents), not to mention a rolling cooler full of supplies and labeled envelopes of pictures just waiting to be creatively placed in an album.  I have some catching up to do!

Call my Parents and Grandparents More Often – Something I think we could all do.  My resolution last year was to stay better in touch with family and friends and I didn’t do the best job.  Nothing like a chance for a do over!  Plus, I really do have the best family and friends around.  They deserve it.

Change Up My Style – I’ve gotten bored with it lately, and I’m ready for something new.  Simple as that.  Plus with my new fit body (fingers crossed), I’ll be needing some bangin’ new threads.

Is my list a bit ambitious?  Perhaps.  However, it’s really just a compilation of little things – ordinary, everyday tasks that with the right time management can be easily done.  2013 is going to be a fabulous year and I can’t wait to ring it in in just a few short days.