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2014 Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions 2014

Will start a blog.  Only if I can think of a clever name and design for a blog that is not already taken. And then only if I have time.

Will use natural cleaning products in home.  Except when they don’t work as well as conventional products...and except if they cost three times as much as conventional products.  Will keep lemon juice and baking soda on hand in case I come across anything in the house that can actually be cleaned effectively with them.

Will practice the FlyLady.net approach to keeping house, except the part about wearing shoes...Will find an approach to keeping house similar to FlyLady without the rule about wearing shoes...or shining sink every night...or cleaning everyday.  Hmmm.  Will not adhere to any strict rules about keeping house, but will tidy up regularly, encouraging kids to help, because “work is fun!” ala Mary Poppins. Or Tom Sawyer?

Will wear less black (Exceptions: shoes, funerals, and yoga pants)

Will read 12 books in 2014.  No more than half of them being teen-lit or romance novels.

Will finish Lizard Ridge blanket that I began knitting several years ago.

Will finish painting of kitchen cabinets project that I began in 2009.  Will repaint cabinets that were painted early-on in the project and have since chipped.

Will swear less.  Unless PMS, lack-of-sleep, alcohol, or computer software updates are involved.

Will line all cabinets, drawers and shelves with simple white contact paper.  Will try not to swear while contact-papering cabinet shelves (see above).

Will follow workout plan, eat well most of the time, and take supplements regularly.

Will drink plenty of water.  Not a crazy amount, just enough so that I don’t convince myself that I have gout.

Will avoid webMD-induced hypochondria (e.g. gout scare).

Will release clutter, including decluttering of bookshelf, CD collection, computer files, and yarn stash.

Will put photos into organized albums and frames.

Will clean out garage and create suitable art studio space for myself.  Will maintain clutter-free garage and studio space.

Will draw in sketch book daily. Maybe weekly.  At least weekly.

Will spend at least an hour per week working in garden in warm weather.  Will spend time in art studio when weather prevents gardening.

Will work on doula business (renew business license, get a bank account, create a website, network, volunteer for Open Arms Perinatal, continue free services for family and friends, update doulamatch.net regularly, read The Doula Business Guide).

Will go to yoga 1 to 4 times per week.

Will keep a stash of Theo Chocolate on hand.

Will take a relaxing bath at least once per week.

Will rewatch the entire seven seasons of The Gilmore Girls.

Will write a sign that says, “Don’t Overthink It” and post on the refrigerator.  And one in the car.  And in bath crayon on the shower wall.  And make it my screensaver.

Will not rage when technology (i.e. computer, laptop, iPhone, television) does not work properly.  Will instead pour a glass of wine, practice yogic breathing, lower shoulders from ears, and approach with zen calm.

Will release self from guilt, fear and anxiety of not doing enough, being enough, loving enough, calling enough, writing enough, visiting enough, giving enough, volunteering enough…

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