Sunday, December 26, 2010

Only 364 Days til...

Christmas. Yes, it was just yesterday.

But my kids are already planning ahead for Christmas 2011, and frankly, so am I. Last night after we arrived home from Christmas with my side of the family, Paige (10 years old) promptly announced to her 3 younger siblings, "Tomorrow is the beginning of the new Santa year." I.E., anything done between today and next Christmas Eve can either make you or break you. Smart kid.

For me, it's a little bit different. I am not happy with myself at all: I need to lose weight, keep my patience better with the kids, budget better, clean up the house and get it organized (and keep it that way, of course), get a cute haircut, become glamorous: you know, basic staple mom things. Some are more attainable than others. 

I have attempted the Flylady way many times over the year, and usually, each time, I am able to get through parts of it successfully--but never consistently. Last January through May, I lost some weight, I kept the house fairly cleaned up, I accomplished some things...but I gained most of that weight back, and I have gotten back to a messy house, sloppy finances, and feeling, well, downright blah again. It's a cycle that has recurred often throughout my 37 years. And with the dawn of each new year, I think, aha!! THIS will be my year. But it hasn't happened yet. 

So this time, I am not thinking in terms of goals, I am thinking in terms of a gift--my gift to myself, and my family, for next Christmas, is a better me.  One who looks better, feels better, and behaves like the mom I have envisioned in my head. Not perfect, but better.  I know it's corny, but what the heck. The goals and to do lists and resolutions haven't worked yet---so here goes. Perhaps corny will work. 

We still have Christmas with the Mailman's side of the family tomorrow night--then he will be off work til next Monday, January 3. Yippee!! The tag team parenting will make a comeback!  And in the meantime, I am going to spend a few days planning my plan of attack, preparing, with hubby's help, then I'm going to hit the ground running...next Monday. 

But I'm not going to call them New Year's Resolutions. I'm just planning ahead for next Christmas.