Resolving

January 2, 2010

I don't usually do New Year's Resolutions, but this year is different. Starting small, but still starting. My resolution: make my bed every day. Horrible, isn't it? Reveals how lazy I am that I have to turn a simple daily task into a resolution. But there it is, out and in the open. I always feel better when I start the day with the bed made. I fuss at the kids to make their beds and yet, more days than not, our bed is not made. Really hoping I can pull it off because I have bigger resolutions in mind. Part of this has been spurred by a memory. Eleven years ago, my father was in a horrible car accident a few days before New Year's. On New Year's Eve, Adam flew into town to be with my family, attend a family wedding (Happy Anniversary Jennie and Jon!)and to propose. Lets just say it was a very intense and emotional time for all of us.

A few days later my dad called a family meeting. A family meeting to discuss his ten year plan. That's what he called it. He was very focused and serious about the whole thing. I remember sighing and wanting to roll my eyes. I just wanted to relish the new ring on my finger and the fact that my dad had survived a very serious accident. Ten years seemed like such a long time and why make all of us sit there while he discussed each bullet on his list? My dad was a serious list maker. He carried a metal clipboard with him at all times for notes. There is no doubt in my mind that I inherited my list-making habits from him. But that family meeting to discuss his ten year plan was more than just a random list. He had been shaken up by the accident and he was intent on making things happen. I am sure we still have the notes from that family meeting eleven years ago. I don't remember everything on his list, but I do know that he wanted to make sure we were all well aware of his goals. And I am happy to say that most of the big things on that list did happen.

Which leads me to this year: 2010. A new year. A new decade. The year I will turn thirty-seven. The year we will celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. The year of my fifteenth college reunion. Seemed like a good time to do my own ten year plan. So I did that on New Year's Eve. I didn't call a family meeting. I didn't share the details of it with anyone. I just wrote it down in my little black Moleskine book (still struggling to learn how to type on my new itouch and trying to decide if it will ever really replace my little black books?). Due in large part to our nomadic lifestyle, Adam and I frequently discuss possibilities for our future (where and when will we eventually settle down? what do we want for our kids? when/how will I return to "work" etc), but I haven't really written concrete goals down and certainly not in ten year increments. I guess it is a sign of getting older. Realizing that ten years really isn't a huge amount of time. And I think having kids really solidifies that realization: ten years from now Noah and Camille will both be teenagers. That is a shocking to write and to comprehend. So I am taking a lesson from my dad. I made a list of things I want to happen in the next ten years; I am keeping it in my little black book; I will be calling a family meeting soon (ok, perhaps just a meeting with Adam!); I have started making the bed every day and I will be moving on from there. Have any resolutions or ten year plans?
Juniper said...

What a good post for the new year and a new decade!
Am a closet list maker so can relate to your dad and your moleskin book. Also to your nomadic lifestyle, my husband Adrian and I have had some of the same discussions , just when and where will we choose to settle permanently (we are here for three more years) but I would like the kids to be settled by the teenage years. Also the return to 'work' discussions and just what exactly that will be. I like the idea of a ten year plan and although I will probably keep it tucked into my journal and not hold a meeting it seems like a good idea.
p.s. That is the one thing I do- make our bed (not always anyone elses) but it does somehow help start the day off feeling somehow a teeny tiny bit productive and organised. Lucky we have a duvet and it's easy!

Anonymous said...

Every year we have a list posted on the frig for that years goals. (we have 10 year financial goals but nothing else really in that realm) THere are the usual...make contributions to 529 and 401 and IRA (back to those financial goals), There are the have to's: Tires for my car, dryer, etc. There are the fun ones: Baseball for Sawyer, gymnastics for Ansley. We add and take away as necessary. Then at the end of the year, we write our accomplishments in my log/journal. (Nothing hi-tech). Been doing that since we married. PRetty neat. Over the past some accomplishments: Adoptions, appliances, trips,car(only 1 in 10 years) etc.

I think it's good. If you don't know where you want to be, how will you know when you get there. If you dont know where you've been, how do you know if you are repeating something you shouldn't. How do you know to repeat things you should.

Besides, my friend, I'm a list kinda person too. AND I NEVER MAKE MY BED. OUR ROOM IS ALWAYS A DISASTER. I HATE IT!

Jan

Laurie said...

I never make my own bed either...sad, really. And I LOVE the ten year plan idea! hmmm...maybe when Shortcake goes to bed. Happy New Year!

Jessica said...

I'm laughing because my resolution LAST year was to make the bed each day. ;)

I don't have any this year. But I also haven't sat down to really think about it yet. My holidays were a blur.

Francesca said...

I never write lists or make resolutions, perhaps I've been too wrapped up in trying to get through difficult times and have taken the "one day at a time" a little too literally, or perhaps it's age, as you write, whatever, this year I'm thinking also that making plans and thinking of goals might be a good thing after all. Looking back, as you did, is a good start to look ahead. Happy new year.

Cami said...

I'd say I make the bed maybe, 30% of the time. I only make it when I know I'll be too busy for a nap. Gets the day going. I have some resolutions, but they're all pretty small--catch up on blurb and photo books, keep up on my reading, etc. I didn't write them down. I like the 10-year plan though. I'm not sure I HAVE any goals for 10 years in the future at this point. I'm for the day-to-day goals right now. But maybe I should look forward. It lets you know these days don't last forever--good or bad.

Emily said...

Making the bed is a GREAT resolution! (Maybe I should adopt it as my own...) Happy New Year, and good luck with your 10 year plan!

kimberly said...

I am embarrassed, but my resolution is to take a shower "at least" every other day!! (Maybe next year I will start making my bed!;)

Corinne said...

I think Clint and I will have our own 10 year planning meeting :)

kristin said...

well...this year i plan to learn how to use my sewing machine... :)

it seems like a small gesture... making the bed, but it is HARD to do if you're not in the habit of it. i used to have trouble with it too, until i thought...it really only takes about one minute to do it and once you get into the RHYTHM of doing it every day, it becomes so automatic-like brushing your teeth-that you don't even realize the effort.

i love your december list and i THANK YOU for the color+color challenge...just what i was looking for ...thanks ...and Happy New Year!! xx

Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish said...

Glad to see I am in very good company...the list makers, the new to making resolutions/10 year plans, the bed makers (and those who want to be!).

Happy New Year to all of us!

Kellie said...

Lovely thoughts. I can so relate to the power of a made bed. I'll be with you on that one and think of you each day. Thanks for sharing all of it, especially the way that these things are all bound together and given life by memory and relationships.

craftymama said...

i have resolved to keep the kitchen cleaner- a small kitchen so i guess it's a small resolution as well, and i share with you the surprise/shock of the 10 year chunks- going by, and approaching. we were buying a new washer/dryer the other day and my man convinced me to get bigger models than i had originally looked at because, gulp, we would have 3 teenagers in the house in the not-too-distant-future (in 10 years!) and 10 years ago we bought our house and were living the 'high life' (at least compared to now)- no kids, two incomes- now 3 kids and no income! ha.

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