Resolutions - 2013

In the past, I have created resolutions that were concrete. I wanted something I could measure: either I did it, or I didn't. This year, I thought I would try something new. This year, I am just going to try and be the best person I can me. What does that mean? How does that look?

Here are seven things I hope I can focus on every day...

What are your goals and resolutions for 2013?

Happy New Year!

It's time for my annual New Year's Resolution list... so here it comes!

Resolutions for 2012

1. Make a conscience effort to be healthier. I need to make my health a priority. And I need to do much better with my health goals than I did last year. (Goal 2011: Do one unassisted pull-up. I am no where near being able to do a pull up by the way. Not even close. I worked on that until I got engaged, and then wedding planning superseded gym time. Bad Kristina.)  But I think I am going to take this goal one month at a time (really one day at a time!) This month's goal(s): attempt to eat at least three veggie servings a day, and work out for 30 minutes at least three days a week. (Day three, and so far so good on the veggies, and have exercised twice!)

2. Unplug. As much as I love facebook-ing, pinterest-ing, reading blogs and writing my own, I realize how more productive I could be if I spend less time "plugged in." So... my goal is to be on there less. Same goes for the phone -- I just need to let it ring or bling-a-blong or ding or whatever. I am going to use the computer as my reward --- hard workout? BAM -- sit down for a few minutes and read a blog! Got done cleaning the house? BAM -- play on pinterest for a few minutes!  I just need to be careful not to over-reward myself. :)

3. Try new things. For me, 2011, was a year all about new things. It was an exciting year and I was really good about trying new foods, new drinks, new adventures. I want to continue that this new year. My goal is to try four new recipes a month and order something new when I go to restaurants.

4. Continue to sprinkle the world with kindness. I wish it weren't true, but it makes me a little sad to see how humanity and individuals have gotten so wrapped up in our own little worlds that we fail to pay kindness and respect to one another. I find myself getting more pessimistic and more self-centered when I am around people like that... so I will slowly rid myself of the negativity and make it a point to be uber-nice as often as I can. And, of course, to smile. Life is too short to be unhappy.

5. Enjoy life. I spend way too many minutes of my life fretting about things that just don't matter. I need to re-learn to 'Not Sweat the Small Stuff.' I need to appreciate as many minutes in as many days as I can, because really and truly, I am blessed person.

Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give! 

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be 

My highest and my best! 

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree, 

And sing more joyful songs! 

William Arthur Ward

Photo of the Week

A new year means new ideas! My newest idea for 2012 was an inspiration from my friend Chelsea Costa. She participates in A Photo A Day For A Year. While I loved the idea of documenting life with photos, I felt that a photo a day for a year might be a little ambitious for me. So I decided that every week, throughout 2012, I would remind myself of the fabulousness that occurred with at least one photo for the week. I figure putting it up on this blog, for all to see, will keep me in check. So --- here is to the new year, and new ideas, and bloggy-blog friends being there to help see me through!

Happy New Year!

I thought I would start off the new year with a little something old and new, and maybe a little TMI!

In many Spanish-speaking cultures, one of the most popular New Year's Eve traditions involves wearing new matching underwear in a certain color to determine what kind of experience you will have in the forthcoming new year.

This colorful underwear tradition has been traced all the way back to Spain in the Middle Ages, when it was forbidden to wear bright colors. Even then the people of Spain believed wearing yellow would bring them good fortune, so they wore the color underneath their clothes.

As the tradition as evolved, various colors have come to signify different things. Yellow is said to bring a year of happiness, fortune and success. Red ushers in a year of passion and romance. Pink brings the wearer a year of luck in love. White may bring you a year of peace, harmony and happiness. Blue means a year of good health, and green signifies a year of better luck. 

Should you want to improve your luck even more, some cultures believe that wearing your brand-new underwear inside out as you ring in the new year will give your luck an added boost. 

I don't know about you, but I would like all of those things.... with that being said, I am pretty sure my brand-new, multi-colored polka dot bra and panties should help make 2011 the best  year ever! ♥