Dump it to Grumpit!

Words of wisdom from my favorite holiday movie "The Grinch." Normally I would care about where my 'donations' were going and it would be very important that my unwanted things were going to the proper place so that they would benefit those most worthy. I must remember though that I made New Year's resolutions that I am half way hoping to keep so 'out with the old' and anything else I can find. My biggest most important resolution is to simplify, because doing this will make every other resolution that much easier. So I looked around my house the day after Christmas and thought, 'where can I simplify the most?' TOYS! Between having two young children and an in home daycare, I have an over abundance of toys. Yet the things that get played with the most are boxes or packaging. So I decided that I am going to minimize the amount of 'toys' that the kids have available and maximize the amount of open-ended materials available. This time of year is a perfect time to save boxes, Styrofoam, twist ties...the possibilities are endless! Just add some markers and glue and your child will have endless possibilities to create! I have found myself getting rid of so many old toys, yet saving all the 'trash' from the new toys.

Resulotions

I have never been one to make New Year's Resolutions. For one I don't keep them. I tend to lose interest quickly and move onto something else. So I guess you could say I make resolutions all the time; I just lack follow through no matter what time of the year it is. This time though, I think I might just try it. So here goes... MY New Year's Resolution for 2012... To simplify my life! Surprisingly, I believe more than ever in this resolution simply because my very sanity depends on it. The world moves at such a fast past now that no one really notices where life has gone. We forget to savor the important life moments like watching your child take their first steps. Sure its all recorded on Facebook or Twitter, but were we really totally engaged when it happened if we were posting to our Facebook "My baby just took his first steps!" I want to enjoy and savor every moment I can with my children and family and the only way it can happen is if I simplify my life.

But why stop at one resolution? I mean if I'm gonna do this when I've been bashing it for years, why not go BIG! Resolution #2: Live a healthier, natural life style. This I have to give credit to 100daysofrealfood.com blogger Lisa Leake. I stumbled across her blog on my yahoo homepage which has lead me to so many great eye opening revelations about our food in this country! She has inspired me to make so many changes and to educate myself on what I am feeding my family and the difference I can make.

And yes there is more! Resolution #3 (this kinda goes along with the simplify my life one) ORGANIZE!! I am one of those people who loves the idea of organizing and loves to buy organizing 'stuff" and research the best ways to organize; yet I lack follow through to actually organize. This year will be different though especially with the help of pinterest.com. This site has already helped me to organize many ideas!

And last but certainly not least (in fact this should be at the top, but my lack of organization has put it here) is family. Make family a priority. Period. No one will be here forever and tomorrow anyone could be gone. I want to make every moment I can meaningful and memorable.

So now its all in writing and hopefully this means I will be more accountable for my resolutions. I could only hope because as I said I lack follow through, but it seems more important now than ever to set goals and make accomplishments. I guess I have finally grown up.