Resolutions

It's okay to still be sharing resolutions even though it's almost half way through January, right?!  I promised back in this post I would share some with you all (if for no other reason but for you to help keep me stay accountable!) but with the nasty cold I came down with after traveling and lots of work at work, I've been a bit behind!
Like others (including my girls Lauren, Ashlee and Ashly) I am trying not to get too ambitious with resolutions this year lest I not accomplish any of them.  Here a few things I'd like to focus on this year:

1.  Entertain more.  J and I love cooking for people and having them over for dinner.  Over the last year, J and I have cooked for our friends a few times (see our dinner with JY and Ashlee here, and our dinner with the lovely Mrs. Z(ed) here) but this is something I'd really like to kick into high gear this year!

Image taken from here and here originally

2.  Exercise more.  J and I both have been guilty of slacking off since our wedding in June.  I'd like to step this up this year--who knows, maybe by the end of it I'll be ready to run a Half Marathon and thereby cross off number 83 on my 130 list!

Image taken from here and here originally.

3. Eat smart.  This means taking care with what I chose to fill my body with by watching things like my salt and calorie intake as well as becoming educated on where my food comes from.

Image taken from here and here originally 

4.  Enjoy life more.  I'd like to find a better work-life-blog balance around here so I am not spending night after night typing away while J watches movies mostly by himself (I'm listening but not very present to him or our cat Woods) and I'm not trying to frantically type a post at 7:30 am before work at 8:00.



Image taken from here and here originally

5. Engage more.  I'd like to become more engaged in my friendships with people and with my community more generally.  This year I'd like to take time to really listen to people in conversations I have with them (no active listening or interrupting!), read the newspaper, write to politicians on issues I care about and volunteer. I've been blessed with so much over my twenty five years: J, family, friends, health, happiness.  This year, I'd like to give something back!

Image taken from here and here originally

What are your resolutions for the new year?

End of Year Resolution #2

Back when I made this end of year resolution, I didn't think I'd be making any more.  After all, resolutions are usually reserved for the new year.  However, I've been noticing a pattern that needs to be addressed.

When I think of things I want to blog about, topics I want to research, things I want to buy, projects I want to start, I email myself and put notes in the message of the email.  As a result of this habit, I have lots and lots of emails to myself, some with only one line in them because I think of something to add to the list right after I hit send.

It is good that I write (okay type) these things down but the emails get buried among my other correspondence during the day and often times go forgotten.  Enter my resolution solution.

Image from weheartit and here originally

My journal.  It is a lined thin Moleskin, small enough to fit in my purse, which means I will always have it with me.  I love that my journal will have more than just traditional journal entries, filled with lists, inspirational quotes, images, anything that moves or inspires me.  The fact that it is the color of Blue Moon ice cream from Michigan and my favorite color is an added bonus!

It's official.  My journal will be traveling everywhere with me, ready and waiting when inspiration strikes!

Have any of you recently made resolutions or am I the only one nutty enough to make resolutions in December?

Note to Self

Your cat really likes to look out windows and you should really leave your blinds open for him more often when you are home, as evidenced by the quickness he jumped on to couch when you open the blinds to take pictures of Christmas decorations.  He is alone a lot and doesn't get as much stimulation as he probably should.

That would be good.

Also, if your cat is burrowing under your pea coat on the couch next to you as you write, maybe that is a sign that it is entirely too cold in the apartment.

Also, if your cat seeks heat by laying on your laptop, multiple times, even when all you've done is get up for a cup of tea, it really, really is quite cold for him in here.

So let's remember to open those blinds and turn up the heat.  K? K!

Love,

Me

An End of Year Resolution

It may be a strange time of year to be making resolutions, but I am going to make one. 

After visiting the big cats on Sunday and hearing the games the caretakers play with the tigers and lioness, it got me thinking.  I don't play games with Woods very much.  I don't play with him much at all, which is sad, because

a) he is an only cat, so one of his main sources of stimulation and play must come either from J or me
b) he is an inside cat, see a)
c) he is a young cat, so he still has lots of energy
d) J and I are gone for large chunks of the day, see a)

Therefore, I resolve to play with Woods at least fifteen minutes every day.  I also resolve to brush him every day to cut down on the fur around here and to make him more comfortable generally. 

Because I don't like cat bites, I resolve never to do this two things back to back lest it cause confusion for Woods and he think it is perfectly acceptable to nibble on my arm.  Note: he doesn't do this when we play, but if he is all riled up, he just might start...

So far, I have played with him for fifteen to twenty minutes every day this week.  It seems to be helping.  He actually has taken to following me around in the mornings while I get dressed, have breakfast and pack our lunches.  Once I've done all that, then we can play.

Woods as a baby playing with his favorite Santa toy

 Have you made any end of year (or mid year for that matter) resolutions?  Got any kitty games or cat toy suggestions?  Let's hear 'em!