A Resolution Revolution

2012 got off to something of a rocky start.  I was lucky enough to book an amazing babysitting job for a family vacationing on Sullivan's Island, so I spent all of last week playing on the beach and strolling around the island with an adorable 2-year-old all while being paid what I found to be an obscene amount of money considering about 1/3 of my hours involved reading on the sofa while the kids were sleeping.  So, that part was good.

Unfortunately, by the time the 31st rolled around, my immune system decided to take a vacation, and shortly after the parents left and the kids were in bed, I found myself shivering on the couch, every blanket in the house piled over my aching body, completely unable to focus on my book I was so wrapped in sickly misery.  The parents finally returned home at 12:45 and I was released back into the wild, but before I was a mile down the road, I got pulled over for my license plate holder light being out.  This was surprising due to the fact that 1) I had no idea there was such a thing as a license plate holder light and 2) well, no, that's about it.  Fortunately, I got busted by a kindly cop who merely gave me a warning ticket before I could continue on my merry way.  

I immediately deposited my 101.2 degree body in bed beneath a fleecy robe, a sheet, a blanket, and my down comforter.  Then spent the rest of the night drowning in sweat while I shivered ceaselessly until morning.  As of today, my fever has vanished, but I'm left with a barking cough and a phone sex operator voice.  Happy New Year.  

I've decided not to make any resolutions for 2012.  I think I'll have plenty of stress and pressure between trying to make a baby, moving to a new country, and completing what I can of my 30 Before 30 list.  Anyway, resolutions in review:

Resolution #1:  Create a monthly housekeeping chores chart.
I managed to keep up with this pretty well throughout the year.  I got away from actually referring to the chart on a daily basis, but I kept up with most of my chores from day to day and rarely let the clutter and mess of the house get away from me.  I'm calling this one a win and plan to keep up with it. 

Resolution #2: Complete half of my 30 Before 30 List.
I got pretty close on this one.  Some of my items are partially completed, some I've had to accept just won't happen by December 20th of this year.  Life has changed a lot since I made this list a year and a half ago.  Some of the things I thought I wanted to do turned out to be not so important, and others have proved far more difficult than I ever expected--who knew having a baby would be the most expensive and difficult item on the list!  Anyway, I'm still working at it, but I've had to adjust my expectations about finishing it by my 30th birthday.

Resolution #3: Read 50 books.
This was a definite success.  I wanted to make an effort to spend more of my free time getting back to my first love of reading and less time parked in front of the television.  I read 59 books in 2011, and so many of them were amazing that it's going to be hard to pare it down for my top recommendations.

Comments

[Sara]

Oh my goodness, a fever like that is the pits. Glad you're feeling better though!

I'm not making any resolutions for 2012 either. It doesn't feel 2012 for me yet, maybe something needs to happen before that really does hit me I guess.

I also just caught up on your news--Germany? I.am.jealous. My dad's side of the family is German and my husband and I speak very little German laced with English to the point it's comically and it's our "thing" I guess. I wish you well in the preparations and all that is to come for the months leading up to the move and I highly recommend Rosetta Stone--I hear that's the best place to learn a foreign language. The US military uses it I guess too!

[Janine]

Hope you're feeling better! So many of your 2011 books are on my to-read list! I'm also going to peruse your 30 before 30 list (I'm trying to get started putting mine together).

[thoughtsappear]

I hope you're feeling better now!

I'm not sure there is such a thing as an "obscene amount of money" when parents leave their children with someone they trust completely. Congrats on being that person!

59 books! Way to surpass your goal!

[Solange]

I hope you're feeling better :) You definitely have a lot going on so you don't need any extra "resolutions". Great job reading all those books! I wish I had done more last year. I also have to alter my 30 before 30. Thanks for the reminder. :) I also have a housekeeping chore chart-which I have completely slacked on in the last 2 months. I'm picking it up again because I cannot stand the messiness!!!

[katelin]

59 books!? woman you are a reading machine, love it. what was your favorite? can you even pick just one?

hope you're feeling so much better and hope 2012 brings you nothing but awesome awesome things.

[Jessica]

Wow congrats on all of the reading! That's amazing. I need to be so much better about reading non-magazines. Oy.

[Molly]

Holy Crap, girl! 59 books!?!?! That is something to brag about.
Sorry your new year's eve ended up in a sweaty sick heap... buuuuut here's to lots of exciting new adventures in 2o12 (whether they're on your 30 list or not).

[Elle Sees]

i just want you to be happy and healthy this new year. just bc the yr started off crappy, doesn't mean it will always be. you are gonna rock this year!

[Kate P]

Those must be some teeny-tiny bulbs to light up license plate holders. I hope your cough gets better soon!

[Brittany E.]

I didn't know about the license plate lights either? Who knows to check those things? The police are lucky if I decide to check out my tail lights once in a while! I'm sorry you have been so sick, and I'm hoping you feel better now, especially since you have that marathon coming up!