Resolutely Resolving To … Do … Something …

I wasn’t going to do one of those resolution posts – I’m not sure resolutions work for me – typically they are just that thing you do because it’s January, knowing full well you’re going to blow them off. But you still feel racked with guilt when you do – blow them off. What’s the point? Why not just do your best without a plan or a goal or a resolution? Why do we need January to remind us to try harder in life?

But then I start feeling left out – everyone is doing resolutions. The parent in me whispers, “If everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you do it, too?” The perpetual teenager in me answers, “Probably.” I’m kind of a follower – it’s my thing. And the truth is maybe I just feel lazy for not having a resolution all dreamed up and pretty and ready to go. I’d say, “lose weight,” but that’s kind of a duh factor. I was already trying to do that. And considering I’ll be pregnant until the end of July, that might not be my wisest resolution – there’s a fairly good chance it’s doomed to fail. I’d rather be pleasantly surprised.

I do want to eat better – or continue to eat better since I think I’m already doing a pretty good job compared to say me one year ago. But is that a resolution? It sounds more like a maintaining the status quo to me. So let’s see – if I were one of those Wonder Women who accomplished new exciting things, what would I plan to accomplish this year:

  1. Solve world hunger.
  2. Teach my kid to use the potty.
  3. Be beautiful. Instantly. Without trying.

I’m teasing myself, I know. I will say that I’d like to do more real cooking. I like cooking (shhh, don’t tell my husband) but lately I try to avoid it at all costs – why is that? I know my kitchen is cramped and tiny, but is that the problem or is there something else preventing me from whipping up some delicious?

I have already mentioned I plan to read 50 books this year and that I’m doing two reading challenges – the In Their Shoes challenge and the Romance Reading Challenge. Is that a resolution?

Can I say, “I resolve to have a baby before the end of the year” ? I would hope the odds of me failing at that are slim to none (knock on wood). Which would make it a huge cop out – but hey it IS a resolution I’m fairly sure I can keep.

So what am I saying? Am I making resolutions or resolving to avoid them still? I guess there is stuff I’d like to do this year – like buy that Canon Powershot I keep drooling about – and I will probably do some of it – but I can’t even bring myself to make a serious list. I just wanna, like, do good. Keep it real. Become a world famous Dooce-sized blogger (not really, I am so not ready for that yet).

I resolve to not suck.

How’s that?

How about you? Did you make a new years resolution? Tell me about it so I can be jealous of you.

A Meme For A Monday

Stolen from Jen @ Stuff Jen Says

What are your nicknames?
Jen, momma, wifely, sunshine…

What TV game show or reality show would you like to be on?
Wheel of Fortune could be fun – I really like Don’t Forget the Lyrics but I’d be terrible at it!

What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD?
I’m sure I don’t remember. :)

What is your favorite scent?
freshly baking cookies? I’m not much of a perfume wearer

If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on?
Um a house, a new car and a big family vacation (my family is included in myself, right?)

What is one place you’ve visited, can’t forget and want to go back to?
Germany

Do you trust easily?
probably, but I can be skeptical at times so I’m not sure…

Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think?
probably think before I act, I tend to over think things

Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?
being cold? MM being tired and grumpy

Do you have a good body image?
no I’m pretty sure it’s terrible!

What is your favorite fruit?
right now I’m all about clementines

What websites do you visit daily?
Google Reader, Facebook, Gmail, my blog, Sluggy.com, and good reads

What have you been seriously addicted to lately?
Skinny Cow ice cream bars and sandwiches, Subway Meatball subs, and the smoothies at the mall foodcourt

What’s the last song that got stuck in your head?
I can’t even seem to will a song into my head right now, so…. nothing? oh wait! Shoop by Salt N Peppa

What is your favorite thing to wear?
right now? maternity pants! three cheers for the belly band!

Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy?
I like them sometimes, but they aren’t a favorite

What would you do if you saw $100 lying on the ground?
look around for just long enough to feel like a good Samaritan before picking it up

What items couldn’t you go without during the day?
a good book, hot tea, and the DVD player to distract MM with Shrek DVDs

What should you be doing right now?
something more productive than a meme I’m sure!

Monthly Menu Plan: January

It’s time for another month of menu planning!

Rather than planning my family dinners night by night, or week by week, I’ve taken the habit of planning out one menu for an entire month. This makes my grocery shopping much easier since I’ve already decided what dinners I’ll be making, I only have to pick up the ingredients missing for that week and the very regular cast of breakfast and lunch foods.

And the looming nightly dinners are now much less intimidating. No longer having to stand in front of the refrigerator scratching my head, trying desperately to figure out something nutritious and delicious to make for dinner? Love that. And by doing this monthly rather than weekly, it leaves more time for life in the days in between. It isn’t rocket science, and thanks goes to Simple Mom who inspired me with this idea.

So here’s my menu for the month of January:

Week One

Monday: chicken strips, sweet potato fries & sweet corn
Tuesday: Fettuccine Alfredo w/ grilled chicken and Caesar salad
Wednesday: Hamburgers w/ choose your own sides
Thursday: *BBQ Chicken Teriyaki w/ mixed veggies & basmati rice
Friday: Grilled cheese & pepperoni w/ clam chowder
Saturday: Book Club – I’ll be out for dinner
Sunday: Swedish Meatballs

Week Two

Monday: Steak & Cheese Sandwiches
Tuesday: Spaghetti and meatballs w/ Texas toast & Caesar salad
Wednesday: *Beer Battered Fish w/ mashed potatoes & veggies
Thursday: *Orange Chicken w/ mixed veggies & basmati rice
Friday: Grilled cheese & pepperoni w/ chicken noodle soup
Saturday: Still haven’t decided – any ideas?
Sunday: Homemade spinach & Alfredo pizza

Week Three

Monday: *Beef toquitos w/ blue corn chips and salsa
Tuesday: ABC pasta w/ garlic and olive oil, with Caesar salad
Wednesday: Hot Dogs & Macaroni & Cheese
Thursday: *BBQ Chicken Teriyaki w/ mixed veggies & basmati rice
Friday: Grilled cheese & pepperoni w/ beef stew
Saturday: Meatball Subs / w provolone cheese
Sunday: Enchilada style Mexican pizza

Week Four

Monday: chicken strips, mashed potatoes & corn
Tuesday: *Gnocchi w/ marinara sauce, with texas toast & caesar salad
Wednesday: Mozechilli Casserole
Thursday: *Orange Chicken w/ mixed veggies & basmati rice
Friday: Grilled cheese & pepperoni w/ tomato soup
Saturday: GAME NIGHT homemade pizzas
Sunday: Make Your Own Burritos

* Trader Joe’s Freezer Food

That’s it for January! Remember, the most important part of this process is flexibility – make a plan, but  don’t get eaten up about it if you decide to switch things up – maybe your dinners for Wednesday and Thursday need to be switched for a week or you make plans at the last minute – that’s fine – this isn’t homework, so it shouldn’t feel like it – the whole goal is to make YOUR life easier! So have fun with it!

If you’re making a menu plan for the month of January be sure to leave a comment with a link to your post in the comments section below.