NYE

It makes me laugh to think back on past NYE...most of the time I am content and happy to have people over to our house for NYE. Mostly because I can drink and not worry about driving anywhere. lol Last NYE was our first in Boston and we determined that it was too cold to go to First Night downtown. We were asleep by 11:30pm. This NYE we went to the grocery, are making dinner at home, watching bowl games, and probably will be asleep by 11:30pm.

A couple years ago we had NYE at our house in Valdosta with our friends Emily and Clay. I attempted to make strawberry martinis a la The Cheesecake Factory; however, just guessed as to how they made theirs and ended up with Em and I drinking glasses of slightly strawberry flavored vodka. I also may have farted when we were playing Wii. (I'm nothing if not classy)
Another year I spent NYE with my friend Mary, my ex Billy who was at that time Mary's boyfriend, and my sister out on Siesta Key in Sarasota. There is nothing more depressing than being a 3rd wheel with your friend and her boyfriend when her boyfriend had been your boyfriend. Luckily he and I were still good friends at that time and we all had a good time.

Those are really the only 2 NYE I can recall. When we were growing up we always spent NYE watching the ball drop with our dad, but as an adult nothing really stands out for me. I guess I have always been boring. lol
I don't really do resolutions, mostly because I never keep them. Heck, I've resolved to lose weight for the past 15 years and I weigh the most I've ever weighed (even not counting being pregnant).

I guess if I was going to to put in writing the things I would like to change in 2011 I'd have to say:

1) Learn how to be a good mom. Demonstrate patience and love in all situations. Always let Paul know how much he means to me and not to let him get pushed aside as I grow into being a mother.

2) Stand up to my parents, mostly my mom. I know she will have some strong opinions as to what we should be doing to raise our child, but I need to let her know that she is the grandma and I am the mom. She will be a great grandma.

3) Run a more successful household. Since I won't be working I need to be on the ball with cooking, cleaning, etc. The end of 2010 has put us in such a weird space with me being on bedrest, Paul assuming all of the household chores, and what not. I need to find my groove in 2011. I never thought I'd be excited to be a 1950's military housewife, but I am.

4) Garden, garden, garden! I did not flowers this year and was only able to work in my vegetable garden the first part of the summer. Our yard looked like crap all summer and this is just not acceptable to me. I want to enjoy working outside. When I lived in FL most weekends I was up early working in my yard (you had to get out early before the temp got to 150 degrees). I really enjoyed it and I am not sure why I stopped.

5) Be a better friend. I feel so blessed in the support and love that I've gotten from my friends through out my pregnancy that I want to be a better friend to others.

6) Make healthier food choices. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Learn to make my own baby food.

7) Exercise. I don't want to teach Emma that it's okay to be fat and lazy. I want her to have a healthy lifestyle and the only way I can do that is to lead by example. I want us to go for regular walks and I want to lose weight as a result of eating healthier and moving more.

8) Stop procrastinating. Paul and I are horrible procrastinators.

9) Find some kind of work that I can do from home that I love.  Finally apply to FSU for some professional certification programs (see #8). 

10) Learn how to turn off these stupid hot key/shortcuts on my computer!  They drive me crazy!

11) Give back to society even if its in a small way. 

12) Be a positive example to others.

I hope everyone has a safe NYE and a blessed 2011.  I hope people focus on the things they have to be grateful for and stop putting negative energy into the world (myself included).  And I hope the Noles have a great 2011 season!  haha

Love to all!