My {semi-reasonable} list of goals for the new year.This is probably pretty boring and somewhat lengthy, but I'm putting it out there so that I have more incentive to stick to it.
1. Spend more time at home. Last summer Jake and I instituted a monthly "
weekend at home", where we would try to stay home to work on the house or just spend some well-needed time together. During this time we started a few house projects, but really didn't finish anything. I would really love to actually resolve these projects {home office, organize closet, etc} along with a few others this year.
2. Cook 2-3 meals per week. I used to love cooking and I certainly love to eat, so cooking at home only 2-3 times a week seems completely reasonable. There have been weeks in the last year that I don't think I ate a single meal at home, let alone had time to turn on the stove. I'd love to try out some new recipes and some of my favorites {
cream-braised brussels sprouts} have been taunting me.
3. Get in shape. I joined the gym months ago, but have only gone to a handful of classes. I hate working out, but I really do love going to a few dance-type classes. My specific reason for this goal is that I'd like to be able to walk up the four flights of stairs to my studio without getting winded. I would like to think I can make 2-3 classes a week - the trick will be to actually schedule it on my iCal.
4. Organize my filing system. This is a biggie. My current system entails switching purses when one fills up with receipts and putting all of our snail-mail in a box for sorting "later". Obviously, this system doesn't work well when I need to file taxes or find our dogs vaccination records. I think I'm going to keep an envelope in my purse for receipts and empty it monthly into a folder. As for the mail, Jake is really good about sorting and shredding, so I'm going to enlist him to help with the filing once a month.
5. Keep in touch with friends and family. It always seems like it's easiest to take for granted the people you are closest to. I know I am quite guilty of forgetting to call friends back or working on my laptop when I should be joking about contestants during Survivor nights. Sometimes there are just too many deadlines, but sometimes it's just that I can't let go of my work. I'd love reinstate knitting night or weekly dog walking {my puppies feel neglected, too}.
I know that most people are making similar resolutions during this time of the year and I have few illusions that I'll be able to maintain all of my goals in the coming months. I can only try my best. I am comforted, though, with the fact that I love my life - I just want to make a few healthy lifestyle improvements. Here's to starting the year with my best foot forward!
I always have the best intentions to send holiday cards. This year I even bought holiday ornament stamps but I never found the time to get them in the mail! So now I'm going to make an extra effort to send out Valentine's to my clearly neglected family. 
For those of you who want to send out Valentine's but hate the look of your own writing, check out these lovelies from Hello Handmade. Shanna Murray designed and illustrated these vintage looking cards and Betsy Dunlap will hand write a personal message to your sweetheart with her distinctive style of calligraphy.
