Happy New Year in February!

Well, I didn't realize how long it has been since I've posted anything to my blog until I decided to post a recent project so I thought I'd wish everyone a Happy New Year in February! I know, I'm slightly unhinged but you wouldn't love me if I wasn't? Over the new few days I will be posting all the photos I've accumulated over the past three months (yep, it's been THAT long since I posted!) and delighting you with the life and times of my family and all my crafting escapades. I'll have to send out an e-mail to everyone so they'll know to start visiting my blog again as there will actually be something NEW!

To start off my New Year in February, I thought I'd post a few of my resolutions for this year. It's cliche, I know, but it gives me a sense of accountability if everyone I know reads it and looks to see if I follow through. Here goes:

*Priorities: I want this to be a year of priorities...the RIGHT kind of priorities. I'm involved in many good things but I frequently allow those good things to interfere with what's more important, like being faithful to my daily Bible reading or investing time in my family and friends.

*Blogging at least once a week: Writing has always been a necessary part of my existence and even if no one ever reads a word I've written, it restores a little piece of my sanity each time I sit down and pour out my thoughts. I'd like to mix up my blog a bit more and make it personal: recipes, photos, more crafting projects, books I'm reading, the good, the bad and the ugly. (I'll try to keep the ugly to a minimum!)

*Weight loss: I can hear the groans and see the eyes rolling but you don't understand...I came home from our trip to California, saw my pictures and lost at least a pound of water weight crying over the AWFUL pictures of myself (see picture above). How did I let this happen? We're talking gluttony squared! Even if I only lost one pound a month during the year, anything would have to be better than where I'm at right now.

*Casting aside criticism: This one is going to be tough for me because I've allowed this one to really take root. Another word for it is pride (and a bit of bitterness thrown in for good measure) but I'll be nice and just call it criticism for now. I've never realized until lately how much my life revolves around criticizing other people for not having a higher level of pride in what they do or how they treat people, to the point that most of my conversation seems to revolve around tearing others down. Not nice! It doesn't mean I'm going to turn into a "yes" woman or agree with everything around me but as Pollyanna said, "Look for the good in them."

As you can see, I've got my work cut out for me and if you want to pray for me or check in once and awhile to see how my resolutions or going, I welcome a bit of accountability. Happy belated New Year to you!

Andrea