Happy New Year

Where did the time go?  It seems like just last month that we welcomed 2012.  And don't even get me started about Christmas break!  I had a whole list of things I was going to do.  This list consisted of things for school, things for the house, personal goals/projects....and very few (if any) were accomplished.  I am officially the world's best procrastinator.  Sigh.

Now, as I sit here and watch the time tick on, Christmas break is almost over, I didn't accomplish my goals for break, I don't have a plan for school tomorrow...I look back and wonder what I did on my break!?!

Here's what I did.  I relaxed.  I have worked so hard at school this year.  It's usually late (and dark) when I get home from school.  That doesn't leave me with much time to relax and have time to myself.  So, I relaxed on break.  I did things that I wanted to do.  Not things that I needed to do.  I went home and stayed with my family, I went shopping, I lounged around the house and some great friends came over to visit to ring in the New Year.

Yes, this means that there will be some late nights at school/writing lesson plans in the next few days, but hey...I had two weeks of relaxation!  As much as I love teaching - I'm now looking forward to Spring Break (Disney World) and summer vacation (Alaskan cruise).  I have some big things I want to do this year.  Some personal goals and ambitions I have my eyes set on.  If I can complete these goals (or at least get started on them), I'm willing to put money on the fact that 2013 is going to be the BEST year yet!

Here are my New Year resolutions:

Eat healthier - I'm going to do my best to cut back on sweets, fast food, etc.  Notice I said cut back.  I'm still going to treat myself every once in a while with these, but it's all about watching what I eat.  

Lose some weight - Actually, I want to lose more than some but any weight loss is a success in my book.  Thank you Weight Watchers for helping me with this resolution.

Blog more consistently - I'm loving this little blog - a little journal where I can document what goes on in my life!  I want to blog more consistently about things that happen this year.  At the end of the year, I want to easily look back through the blog and see just how much I will have accomplished!

Create a budget and stick to it - I'm okay with money, but I'm not good with money.  I need to be better at saving up my money.  I need to create a budget and hold myself to it!  No more unnecessary purchases at the grocery store or on amazon (yikes!).  Here's to a richer new year! :) 

Clip coupons - This really doesn't need an explanation and goes along with creating a budget.  Clipping coupons will definitely be a good way to save money and stay within my budget!  What's your favorite coupon source?

Be a better teacher - I feel like I've been a good teacher so far this year, but I want to become a GREAT teacher.  I want to find and implement new ways to engage my students.  I want to use new strategies that make my students think critically and help them push towards a successful school year.

Finally use my sewing machine - A Christmas present from last year that is still, sadly, in the box.  I see some fun, crafty, Sewing Saturdays coming up in the near future!

Use the crock pot more - Because why wouldn't you want to come home from school/work and dinner is ready?  Why haven't I used this more?  Hello to 2013...the year of the crock pot!

Read the bible in a year - This is something I have been wanting to do for a while and is one of the goals on my 101 in 1001 list.  This year, I will read the entire bible.

Become closer to God - Reading the bible in a year will help with this goal.  And I'm going to pray more.  I'm going to have conversations with Him on a regular basis. 

Stop procrastinating - Oh my, this is going to be hard.  But it ties in with quite a few of these goals.  I need to am going to stop being such a procrastinator.  Why not get stuff done early and have time to relax afterwards?  

Travel more - This is more than a resolution.  This is a promise to myself.  I've got a big trip coming up to Disney World for Spring Break and a great Alaskan cruise booked for Summer vacation.  There may also be a super fun family vacation in the works.  And, I forsee quite a few fun Saturday road trips in my future.  I. will. travel.

Be a better person - I'm not going to elaborate on this too much.  In all aspects of my life, I want to live life to the fullest and be the best person I can be.  

2013 is going to be an AWESOME year!

So, what are your New Year resolutions?