Tuesday, December 19, 2006

it's time to be thinking about our New Year's resolutions

Every now and then I make a life change in the form of a New Year's resolution. There have been some huge successes with these. I used to be shy and quiet, and in high school I made the resolution to become more outgoing. (That was so successful that the following year, my resolution was to be less outgoing). In 1986 I made the resolution to become a vegetarian, and that has been a resounding success, as I have not knowingly eaten either a mammal or a bird since then (I've vacillated and had weaknesses about seafood, my Achilles' heel of ethics, but as far as birds and mammals go, I am made of steel).

Two years ago, the Sober Husband made a solemn New Year's resolution that we live within our means. I signed on to that, and we drew up budgets and spending lists and lists of cutbacks (amongst the things I gave up: Brazilian waxes, pedicures, professional eyebrow treatments, the Wall St. Journal, and professional hair dying). We managed to pull that one off through great discipline and constant conferring.

Last year, I made a resolution the Sober Husband joined with enthusiasm: to have more sex (I made a numerical goal, and I'll spare y'all the details, but I'm only one away from my goal, and there's another week and a half left, so odds are that resolution will be more than successful).

So what will it be next year? I'm thinking my resolution should be to exercise regularly. It needs to be a realistic goal, and it needs to be spelled out. To work out on my rowing machine twice a week? Walk for an hour every day? Hmm...

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

interesting how the last few resolutions have been so physical. no judgement. just an observation.

Admin said...

i liked the 2006 resoulution..but indeed a bit physical?? isnt it??

the Drunken Housewife said...

What's wrong with a physical resolution? We live in physical bodies!

Actually, the 2006 resolution was about my marriage as well as being physical. It's so easy with little kids to put the spouse on the backburner, and what better way to connect? Rather than just vaguely say "prioritize my husband", I'm more likely to achieve something if I set a concrete goal where progress can be measured.

Freewheel said...

Why not increase your 2006 resolution? Sex qualifies as exercise.

In any case, rather than a rowing machine, I think you should get a shiny new bicycle.

Anonymous said...

well i was thinking along the lines of something that might challenge you creatively or intellectually.

like painting or a hobby or a craft. or maybe reading a book a week. something that exercises your mind even further.

Anonymous said...

My one and only successful New Year's resolution ever was to exercise every day (actually, every week day--I gave myself weekends to sleep in). I'm convinced that the "every day" part was the only reason it worked. If I'd allowed myself to even entertain the thought, "Do I want to get out of bed and get on the treadmill this morning?" I know I would have failed more often than I'd have succeeded.

the Drunken Housewife said...

I read several books a week as it is [books are my weakness, my hobby, my (economic) downfall]. I do various crafts (I sew and quilt, and sometimes I do stuff with the kids, like once Iris and I made a family of little sculpted ghosts, and I just made all these beautiful ornaments. What I really need to do is exercise. I live too much in my mind and not enough in my body, and I've let my body go too much.

Anonymous said...

LOL. DH you are so adorable.

I wasn't scolding you like a parent so no need to justify your creative side. I think you should do whatever makes you happy as it seems to be working so far. It was just an observation from an old man who realizes the body is limited but the mind (hopefiully) goes on.

Get a bike! A trampoline! Speed walk!

Love to see a pic of one of your quilts. Bet they rock!

Anonymous said...

Make your 2007 resolution to get together with me to do something like going hiking at least once a month. Ahem, or something. Not that I'd like to get together with you or anything.