Resolve to resolute

I know you did—make resolutions. You’ve made a promise to yourself to do something better, more often, less often, more intensely, more evilly, more secretively, more openly—whatever. You’ve done it. I always do, too. My resolutions always start with a glass of something bubbly or scotch-like or beery. And, whether I like it or not, my resolutions are pretty close to the 10 most popular resolutions people own up to.

1. SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS .
I’ve had this on my list every year and usually by Easter, I’m still struggling with this one. If you know me, and many of you do, spending time with other people is a challenge for me. Oh, I know how to be animated and charming in public but, it’s not second nature to me. And, given the right circumstances, I would be sitting in a room stacked high with magazines, newspapers and books, eating a bowl of Rice Crispies and humming to myself. This year, I’m seriously going to…I’m going to….. Geez, I don’t know if I can.

2. FIT IN FITNESS
Believe it or not this one has worked for me. It could be I’ve chosen to weight train and that isn’t exactly a pursuit that encourages buddying- up with someone. I’ve also become quite attached to my IPod and SkullCandy—good tunes and noise-blocking earphones. A gal like me can get lost in a Hack Squat or a Tricep Pushdown with the help of Bachman Cummings. I’ll keep “Fit in Fitness” on my list of resolutions. Solitude and muscles.

3. TAME THE BULGE
Believe it or not, I didn’t set out to be fit when I joined The County Club. I set out to trim the flab. The flab is slowly disappearing and the muscles are making an appearance. I started out, two years ago, wearing a size 18 or 20 and now I’ve given away all of the clothes in those sizes and the next two down. Value Village, in Leslieville, has become my new favourite place to shop (with the help of my sister-in-law) for the “body in transition” clothing. I think I’ll keep Tame the Bulge on my resolution list.

4. QUIT SMOKING
Easy. Already done. Haven’t smoked for well over 30 years. But, if you’re a smoker, I’d suggest you move this resolution to the very top of your list and if quitting is all you accomplish in 2013, then bravo and a great big deep, clean breath for you!

5 ENJOY LIFE MORE
Easier said than done. I know a man whose whole life is filled with angst and regrets. I’ve known him for almost 40 years and I don’t recall ever hearing him say how much he enjoyed anything. Nah, ah. I can’t imagine spending my life being miserable. He asked me if photography made me happy. I told him it did. He bought a camera and spent a whole year complaining about how digital wasn’t as good as film and punctuated his moaning about the death of Kodachrome and a rant about how every camera seemed to be made in Asia. I enjoyed telling him where to shove his camera. Photography makes me enjoy my life.

6. QUIT DRINKING
Nope. Not going to happen. It could be genetic, I am Italian, with a soupcon of Irish, after all. If you’ve put this on your resolution list, good for you. You probably have a very good reason to do so. I wish you all the best in this pursuit. I toast your resolve.

7. GET OUT OF DEBT
Well, this isn’t a problem. The day the youngest of our herd of children graduated from college, found a full time job and moved to another city, the debt problem disappeared. I no longer need overdraft protection to buy groceries. There’s always gas in the cars and we’ve closed down the nuclear power plant in the backyard—the one that fuelled the hot water tank, the washing machine and the refrigerator.

8. LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Every year the Focus calendar found its way into our mailbox. I always felt I had to take an evening course at Loyalist College, I don’t know why. I’ve gourmet cooked, made streudel, mixed drinks, designed websites, sketched flowers, conjugated French verbs, thrown pots and made stained glass things. If you’ll glance back a few lines you’ll see how much I enjoy being around other people. Classrooms filled with other strangers are right up there with socializing at the gym. I put Focus on the recycling pile and bought a ukulele about a year ago, along with a Ukuleles for Dummies book, and I’m learning something new. It isn’t a pretty noise but, it’s new. Did I mention tie dying? Re-learned that, too. I am an old hippy, after all.

9. HELP OTHERS
There are lots of volunteer opportunities in this community. I do what I can. I suffer through meetings and make donations when and wherever I can. I ride for Heart. I’m a blood donor. I support our local charities and causes. I’m an arts council committee member. Face it, I’m never going to put on a costume and guide people through a museum nor am I going to read to shut-ins or walk the neighbour’s dog. I do what I can.

10. GET ORGANIZED
Well, the day we don’t have to file income taxes, I might be organized. I should keep this one high on my list. My office/studio looks pretty good at first glance but, those pretty storage boxes are a nightmare of receipts, invoices and uncashed cheques. Every Jan. I start a spreadsheet for income and expenses and by Jan.15 the system is still in place but the input activity has bottomed out. I’ve watched the reality shows about hoarders and I might be one pop bottle cap collection short of being a guest on the show. I don’t keep my earwax in a jar but, I do have a mason jar full of wristwatches that need batteries. Don’t ask.

Welcome to 2013. Hope it’s a great adventure for you!

theresa@wellingtontimes.ca