Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Two-Thousand Thirteen

So here we are. A new year with new possibilities. Let's hope 2013 rocks as much as 2012 did. Or at the very least, doesn't suck as much as 2010 did. There's my eternal optimism kicking in again. Perhaps I should resolve to work on that first? Ha.

We kicked off the new year by playing a little Super Mario Bros. on the couch while B napped, followed by a full on gutting of our upstairs catch-all closet that housed memories of days past. In numbers... a little fun to begin the new year:

100 - approximate feet of TV cable found in our closet
4 - keyboards and computer mice found
8 - random, empty notebooks filled with empty lined paper
7 - beach towels
7 - sets of earphones
25 - approximate number of USB cords found
2 - Ethernet cords
1 - printer we planned to recycle until we found 3 unused printer ink cartridges for said printer
15 - rough number of electronics boxes of various cameras, GPS devices and the like
5 - approximate pounds of papers shredded after cleaning out our files
5 - approximate pounds of papers from the NICU and both boys' births
6 - books recycled
4 - more books placed in the pile for consignment donating
5 - flash drives probably full of random data
4 - number of hours spent de-cluttering yesterday
25 - approximate weight of the bag of electronics we're recycling this month

Our goal is to go through our basement storage in the coming month as well. I imagine my teaching supplies need to be sifted through and purged a bit. I do plan to teach again eventually, but I don't imagine I'll need the 10-15 boxes of random stuff I schlepped all the way from my classroom in So. Cal.

I'm not a regular resolution setter, but because it's all about a new year and I'm hoping for new results, I guess I have to make some changes. Without futher adieu:

  • Complete Jillian's 30-Day Shred at least once. I just bought it this morning on Amazon. No joke. I'm obviously behind the times. Anyone successfully completed it?
  • Run a 5k as a family. It's not a huge feat to run that distance for us, but we don't usually run them because they cost a ton! However, I really want Benjamin to be brought up in an active family and see others enjoying an active lifestyle. We want to do the Arboretum run this fall, but whether we do that or not, it will have to be non-traditional.
  • Cook one new recipe from my Pinterest account a week. That's not really all that big of a deal... as you all know I love to cook. But man! Somehow I've ended up with about 100 recipes I have yet to try and only 50 on my list of complete (and liked. Some were deleted after unimpressive results).
  • Cut out sugar for another 2-3 months. I really feel good when I do this. I can't cut it out forever and I'm obviously horrible at pacing myself throughout the day, so it's all or nothing. Maybe this should be in conjunction with the Shred?
  • Once the weather is 50 degrees and higher, I want to get out and run/walk at least 3x/week with Benjamin in the jogger. My husband needs to hold me accountable for this.
  • Meet friends. We've lived here 3 years in March and met all of the friends we have now within the first 3 months of moving here. It's time we add to that number. I'm hoping this can be accomplished through Benjamin's swim lessons (start next week!) & our weekly trips to the pool/water park this summer. Hopefully they won't have a 2-3 year old. Might be an automatic deal breaker if it's a boy. If blond? #forgetaboutit
  • Plan a ski trip for winter 2013-2014. Aside from our honeymoon in New Zealand and a really lame attempt at a ski hill just down the road, we haven't been skiing in 5 years. Our wedding was 4.5 years ago, so that's really the last official time of skiing at a place with an actual chair lift and not a tow rope. Did I mention my amazing husband loves to ski? 
That's it. That's all I'm committing to accomplishing. Anyone have any of my above items on their list? Maybe we can be accountability partners. Any recommendations on how to deal with the Shred and not die in the process? 

11 comments:

Kari said... [Reply to comment]

Ok I totally wanna do the 30 Day Shred and I am the other person who hasn't tried it.
Because I can do anything for 30 days!
I can't do the sugar thing though although I am sure I would feel so much better if I did.
What do you do to substitute it?
I mean, how do you get through without chocolate???

Gina said... [Reply to comment]

I started the Shred and quit, I think. I wanted to start it again today but I couldn't find it so I just did a random workout instead. I would like to start it and do it on the days I don't take a class or wuss out completely. It IS a good workout.

Melissa said... [Reply to comment]

I can really identify with your desire to have B grow up in an active family. I think about this a lot. I am very active and Matt stays fit with all the renos etc that he does. I want Lily to see us being active as a family and active in the community as well. Something like walks/runs for charity are a great way to do just that.

Caroline said... [Reply to comment]

Yay for swim lessons! I hope that even if B doesn't enjoy them, he at least learns valuable (ie lifesaving) lessons.

I went for a run today and it was only 43. Fortunately Miles was home to watch Finn - but I am SUCH a wuss with running in the cold. I wish we lived closer and we could hold each other accountable.

Meet friends is a good one - we knew three couples when we moved here that already lived here. And haven't really branched out. Again, good reason for us to live closer.

Kristi said... [Reply to comment]

I'm with you on the above 50 degree weather walks. You know I don't run, but we could meet once a week or so for a walk! You could run on the other days or come meet Jim really early in am and run with him. This could also accomplish your "meet new friends"; they have a few people that they greet and have gotten to know on their runs.

Ben and Katie said... [Reply to comment]

I've done the shred as a supplement to my other workouts. I like it, insanity as well but I get to bulky!

I will do sugar with you! I want to do a month at first and make sure I do it all the way!!

Can you just come cook those new recipes for us...rather just move up, I know you love it here!!

Melissa @ A Dozen Years Later said... [Reply to comment]

Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing the new recipes you share.

Anne said... [Reply to comment]

I tried 30 day shred...I think I made it about 10 days. I think maybe I tried it too early after Gracie, I feel sure you will have better results!! Good resolutions!

Becky said... [Reply to comment]

The 30 day shred isn't so bad if you are already in half way decent shape. I did it. I actually have a lot of Jillian Michaels videos and love almost all of them. Good luck!

Renel said... [Reply to comment]

Haha. Do shred at least once ! :) way to really commit haha.
I can't believe all the crap you found!
I too want to walk a few times a week.
A goal to make friends sounds like the hardest one on there.
Here's to 2013. Clink.

Brooke said... [Reply to comment]

I've done the shred. Not for 30 days. If I can do it, you can definitely do it. I'm not sporty. Unless reading is a sport. In which case, I'm varsity captain. You're light years ahead of me because right now I'm not even motivated to make resolutions about exercise to get me motivated to work out.