31 goals

As my 31st year of life is drawing near, I have made a decision to create a sort of New Years Resolution laundry list of goals for myself.  I had tried to stop creating New Years Resolutions several years ago because I  felt like I was just setting myself for failure.  What better way to feel unaccomplished than to hold yourself accountable for a list of unattainable goals, just to complete...NOT EVEN ONE of them.

But this age, age 31, will be different for me.  I will NOT set myself up for failure.  I will merely put together things that I want to do.  If I accomplish them---awesome, if not---next years list will just be a repeat of any goals not checked.  I mean, I have to hold myself to more sort of standard.  I can't always hide under excuses and come up with ridiculous reasons for why I am NOT to living my life to the fullest and doing what I am truly happy with.  

I will list my *31* goals but please know that some of them are far fetched, some of them are vain and related to beauty, some are deep, many are superficial...BUT they are mine all the same.  And there are also NOT 31...  I figured that would be a little crazy, since some of these goals are already a bit extreme... I have to be a little realistic.

So here are some of my goals:

- Lose 30 pounds
-Complete the Couch to 5K training app
-Workout/ Exercise at least 5 days a week
-Run 2 5K's
-Run a total of 200 miles
-Start weight watchers again and stick with it until you are a Lifetime member-- (I signed up on 11/22/13)
-maintain a consistent Constant Work in Progress blog
-Get beauty/self improvement YouTube channel ( Makeup of Michelle) up and running
-Start Beauty Blog (Makeup Of Michelle and be consistent with that also
-go on a getaway with just Damian for at least 4 days
-take the kids on 1 family vacation
-maintain a decent savings account at a credit union
-pay every bill ON TIME.... no late fees this year!
-have nail polish on at least 5 days each week
-Attend church again
-Cook meals at least 4 days a week-- no more excuses that because you Renato home a lot, you can't have home cooked meals
-tell Madison, Myles, Mayci, and Damian that I love them everyday- (don't judge me, but I honestly DO NOT tell them everyday
-write in my journal more
-Complain yes
-Attend more of Damian's gigs
-be more aware of the language I use
- Read 75 books
-Work on time management


Whheeewwwwww.......seems like alot when I look at everything.  Each of these goals are very important to me and I know that as I get closer to complete them, it will only make me a better person.....And I could definitely use that!  I have this exact list on my phone so that no matter where I am, I can look at it and be reminded of what I am working towards!!

WISH ME LUCK!!

The end of the year..............

There are only 3 hours left in the year 2012.  This has been quite the year.  I try at the end of every year to reflect on the year and pick out some highlights and low lights. There have been many of each this year.  I also have come to the realization that I have so much work to do on my own.

Some highlights for us Curtis':

Madison--- turned 9, competed for the first time in dance, went away to New York this summer exclusively for intense dance training, got offered her first solo , starting the 4th grade, had her first sleep over in the new house.....

Myles---turned 3, started tap dancing, found his first "best"friend, experienced Christmas for what I would consider the 1st REAL time, started going to church more, became potty trained,

Mayci--- turned 1, started walking, saying first words, had her first New Years, Easter, Memorial Day, Valentine's day, and 4th of July,  becoming so much more of an individual and claiming her stubborness personality(Lord help us, lol)

Damian --- quite the homeowner(getting pretty good at yard work and home fixing, has been on several CD's that came out this year, more private teaching opportunities, celebrating 5 yr wedding anniversary

Michelle--- promotion at work, reconciling a long held grudge(no one said forgiveness is easy), celebrating 5 year wedding anniversary


Unfortunately---- among with these highlights, we have seen some loss this year as well.  This past summer a very good coworker/friend lost her 18 year old son to a freak accident.  I didn't think that my heart could hurt the way it did at that time.  I shed many a tear for this young child and his grieving family.  I watched a mom show so much strength as she buried her son only a month before she should have been sending him off to college.  This woman and her sister were the ones who comforted me as I walked towards their son's/nephew's body in a casket to say my goodbyes.  I can not even imagine how they found it in themselves to that.

And as if that wasn't enough, my husband's good friend lost a child during the horrific events that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown CT.  OH my...my heart hurt yet again as I stood next to my husband stricken with his grief.  I had never seen him that way and once again cannot imagine how the family of this young child or any of the grieving families must have felt and were able to cope.  I asked myself on more than one occasion, what if that were me and my family...........................

This made me think, as the year is coming to close.  How much I truly take for granted.  How many mornings I leave the house upset with one of my children, leaving them with a frown and not a smile.  How I am so quick to speak prior to thinking and how spoiled I am!!  I am aware so much more now of my blessings, and while I feel guilty for thinking at times, "Thank goodness it wasn't my child."  I now know that it is okay to grateful and that I should be grateful for all that I have and because of that, treat my family as so!!

As we end this year and enter a new year...I pray for all who have lost someone over the past 365 days and before, I pray for their healing, their strength, the ability to smile again.  I also pray for my family and my blessings!  I pray to the Lord that I will be more aware of all that I have and will learn to use this awareness to shine a light unto others and to show those around how truly grateful, honored, and blessed I am for each and every one of them.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!