In With the Old Again

Long-time Verbatim readers know that every year I post the same list of New Year's Resolutions, annotated to reflect how depressingly little progress I've made on any of them. Well, usually—there are a few exceptions. So here goes, with the original 2004 list in regular type, the 2005 update in red, the 2006 update in green, and this year's in bold.

1. Spend an hour a week putting photos in albums. It's time that Julie made it to the albums, don't you think? Once I catch up, I swear I will do every roll of pics the same day I get them, but I'm too anal to start with the new ones until I do all the old ones. I don't think I put away even one photo in all of 2005. Ditto for 2006. Sigh. Again I failed to do this. I actually bought a few albums, though, so does that count? No. I even promised myself that I'd set aside just 20 minutes a week for this task, figuring that that would be doable, mais non.

2. Frame Stephanie's best kindergarten artwork. Add Pete's to that. Nope. Never happened. Most likely never will. No, I have to admit that this won't ever happen. Now I've got Julie's to deal with too, and it just doesn't seem even remotely likely. Look for a new Resolution #2 next year.

3. Make duck confit. I still intend to do this! I have a ton of duck fat in the fridge. Still haven't. Still plan to!

4. Go through the boxes in my office that have been there since we moved in four years ago. One of these days. I think I glanced at one of them this year. Yes, I definitely did. Ha! I didn't want to, but I did. Time for a new Resolution #4 as well.

5. Get rid of my old PowerMac, which hasn't been switched on in over a year. Any ideas what to do with it? Oh, and my old scanner. Well, I moved them to the basement a month or two ago—that should count for something, right?! And they're still there—anyone know of a charitable organization that takes old Macs? All that stuff (an old printer, too) is still gathering dust in the basement. I hate to just put it out with the trash.

6. Plan to start considering thinking about whether to contemplate getting some exercise. (Why can't I seem to go back to yoga, which I loved?) Inquiring minds—and lazy bodies—wanna know. OK, this is a big one! 2006 was of course the year I joined a gym! I went two or three times a week for most of the year, except for that big chunk of time in the summer (when I couldn't see) and the whole end of the year (Disney, Thanksgiving, etc.). I plan to start again next week. Look for a new Resolution #6 for 2007! Hold on, not so fast! I did great for the first ¾ of 2oo7, but I haven't been to the gym even once since September, so let's hang on to this resolution for another year and see if I can do better next year.

7. Go through all my clothes and give away the stuff I will never wear again (some of which I haven't worn in almost 10 years as it is). I've done a little of this, but not enough. I did even more, in 2006 and I've started keeping a box in the corner of the bedroom for when I come across a single item that I no longer want—into the box it goes, awaiting my next charitable donation. A new Resolution #7 to come, too, then! I've noticed with dismay that I read fewer books this year than I can ever recall. So I will try to get back on that horse, because my TBR pile is getting taller every day.

8. Make Andy go through all his clothes and give away the stuff he will never wear again (some of which he hasn't worn in almost 10 years as it is). He never will, and I can't make him. Surprise! He did do some. Still not enough, but it's a start. This isn't really my resolution, so there'll be a new #8 next year too. Assign the kids more chores around the house. They really do want to be helpful, and they're pretty good about doing the things that are already expected of them, but they could—and should—be taking on more tasks, particularly those related to their own belongings and activities.

9. Try at least one new recipe a week. I'm usually pretty good about this, but I've slacked off lately. I do pretty well, but still not enough. It must be the time of year. I haven't posted many new recipes lately, have I? Look for more in 2007. Really. I think I did better this year, so I guess it's time to retire this resolution too. The big breakthrough in 2007 was finding quite a few dinner possibilities that we could eat with the kids—more on that in another post.

10. Go on a date with Andy at least twice a month. (Yay, Brooke!) We're lucky to get out once a month. I still don't know why. And again: Why? I don't think we went out twice a month this year either, and I still don't know why. Yes, it's very expensive, but I think we could surely set aside a "date fund," because we both think it's important.

1. Spend an hour a week putting photos in albums. It's time that Julie made it to the albums, don't you think? Once I catch up, I swear I will do every roll of pics the same day I get them, but I'm too anal to start with the new ones until I do all the old ones. I don't think I put away even one photo in all of 2005. Ditto for 2006. Sigh. Again I failed to do this. I actually bought a few albums, though, so does that count? No. I even promised myself that I'd set aside just 20 minutes a week for this task, figuring that that would be doable, mais non.

2. Frame Stephanie's best kindergarten artwork. Add Pete's to that. Nope. Never happened. Most likely never will. No, I have to admit that this won't ever happen. Now I've got Julie's to deal with too, and it just doesn't seem even remotely likely. Look for a new Resolution #2 next year.

3. Make duck confit. I still intend to do this! I have a ton of duck fat in the fridge. Still haven't. Still plan to!

4. Go through the boxes in my office that have been there since we moved in four years ago. One of these days. I think I glanced at one of them this year. Yes, I definitely did. Ha! I didn't want to, but I did. Time for a new Resolution #4 as well.

5. Get rid of my old PowerMac, which hasn't been switched on in over a year. Any ideas what to do with it? Oh, and my old scanner. Well, I moved them to the basement a month or two ago—that should count for something, right?! And they're still there—anyone know of a charitable organization that takes old Macs? All that stuff (an old printer, too) is still gathering dust in the basement. I hate to just put it out with the trash.

6. Plan to start considering thinking about whether to contemplate getting some exercise. (Why can't I seem to go back to yoga, which I loved?) Inquiring minds—and lazy bodies—wanna know. OK, this is a big one! 2006 was of course the year I joined a gym! I went two or three times a week for most of the year, except for that big chunk of time in the summer (when I couldn't see) and the whole end of the year (Disney, Thanksgiving, etc.). I plan to start again next week. Look for a new Resolution #6 for 2007! Hold on, not so fast! I did great for the first ¾ of 2oo7, but I haven't been to the gym even once since September, so let's hang on to this resolution for another year and see if I can do better next year.

7. Go through all my clothes and give away the stuff I will never wear again (some of which I haven't worn in almost 10 years as it is). I've done a little of this, but not enough. I did even more, in 2006 and I've started keeping a box in the corner of the bedroom for when I come across a single item that I no longer want—into the box it goes, awaiting my next charitable donation. A new Resolution #7 to come, too, then! I've noticed with dismay that I read fewer books this year than I can ever recall. So I will try to get back on that horse, because my TBR pile is getting taller every day.

8. Make Andy go through all his clothes and give away the stuff he will never wear again (some of which he hasn't worn in almost 10 years as it is). He never will, and I can't make him. Surprise! He did do some. Still not enough, but it's a start. This isn't really my resolution, so there'll be a new #8 next year too. Assign the kids more chores around the house. They really do want to be helpful, and they're pretty good about doing the things that are already expected of them, but they could—and should—be taking on more tasks, particularly those related to their own belongings and activities.

9. Try at least one new recipe a week. I'm usually pretty good about this, but I've slacked off lately. I do pretty well, but still not enough. It must be the time of year. I haven't posted many new recipes lately, have I? Look for more in 2007. Really. I think I did better this year, so I guess it's time to retire this resolution too. The big breakthrough in 2007 was finding quite a few dinner possibilities that we could eat with the kids—more on that in another post.

10. Go on a date with Andy at least twice a month. (Yay, Brooke!) We're lucky to get out once a month. I still don't know why. And again: Why? I don't think we went out twice a month this year either, and I still don't know why. Yes, it's very expensive, but I think we could surely set aside a "date fund," because we both think it's important.

Comments

[Florinda]

Thanks for my morning chuckle, and for reminding me about why I don't bother with New Year's resolutions! I have to say your approach here is one of the most honest I've ever seen, though.

And if I DID make New Year's resolutions, #7 would be on my list too. (I keep BUYING books; I really should be reading them...)

Happy 2008 to you and yours!

[mommyralf]

My 2007 informal, mental list was almost identical to yours.

But this year I'm ready to make some formal, concrete, measurable resolutions concerning more diligent housecleaning (which doubles as exercise), pitching old stuff, updating photo albums, and a commitment to finish the roughly 20 books I started in 2007 and before.

Duck confit appears nowhere on my list, however. :)

So Happy New Year to you, Miss Karen! Your blog has been such a fun 2007 discovery. Good luck with your resolutions!

[Di]

Two thoughts...

Just what is the shelf life of refrigerated duck fat??? Don't let the fois gras fanatics find your site or you will be inundated with the cruelty to ducks websites.

What about "cheap date" night once a month and "fancy date" night once a months? Cheap date night could be bowling (love it!!!), going to a dive bar and playing pool or darts or foosball, going grocery shopping together (not necessarily cheap, but two birds with one stone) or couple game night. We used to have "Olympics"...the two of us playing one game of Gin, one game of Trivial Pursuit and one game of Scrabble. My husband has since refused to play Scrabble with me...he has no chance and has to resort to making up words.

[Karen]

I think duck fat can keep almost indefinitely.

We still have to pay for babysitting, don't forget!