5 for ’10
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Yes, it’s a cliché to list one’s resolutions for the new year, but I’m doing it anyway hoping that the public-ness of posting them here will spur me into actually accomplishing them. Here are my five resolutions for 2010, in order of importance:
1: Lose 10 pounds. Sounds easy, right? Well, not if at age 54 you still have the sweet tooth of a 10 year-old, and have an addiction to anything that could be called a chip, like I do. My resolution is to pass up candy, pastries and the chips of many lands, and to eat more healthily. As a heart patient almost six years from a quintuple bypass, it’s necessary. As someone who cares about how they look I know a man in maternity pants does not inspire.
2. Finish projects. As friends and readers of this blog know I have a few interests. A few too many sometimes, and I can’t always seem to get to the finish line on projects related to my latest obsession. Example: this great lamp I got my friend Jan to buy at the Long Beach Flea Market, which I took from her to develop as a shade project. Well, it’s been months and it’s still shade-less, Jan needs more light at her place and I’m wracked with guilt over not having decided what to do with it yet. I’ve bought fabric for it and other materials and they’re piling up. My resolution is to finish this and other projects I’ve left languishing. Otherwise, TLC’s ‘Hoarders’ may come calling to bail me out.
3. Learn Latin. Well, the latin names for things at least. And, by “things”, I mean succulents and cacti. Yes, everyone knows I love them, but did you also know that I carry the shame of not being able to converse fluently with other succulent aficionados (I’m sorry, Ann Plasker and Mike Dignan!)? I’ve been in the presence of global succulent expert, Buck Hemenway, for god’s sake, I’ve got to do better before word gets around!
4. Paint more. Taking my friend Jim’s commission to do a painting for his wife Nancy’s birthday, reminded me of how much I missed doing this. It was terrifying and exhilarating, just as I’d remembered, but it was lots of fun, too. Another painting-related resolution is to sell the inventory of pieces I’ve had around for some time now, gathering dust and getting dinged in the garage. Interested in owning a piece of mine for a great price? Leave a comment here and I’ll provide a link showing what’s available.
5. Cook more. Another factor in my ’09 weight gain is eating in restaurants so much. I certainly know how to cook, and I enjoy it, so there’s really no excuse for my not providing Paul and myself with better, less paunch-inducing, fare. Plus — I love baking, it’s like a combination art project/chemistry experiment you can eat, so I resolve to do more of that too. I just have to be sure to get the goods out the door and onto the thighs of others pronto!
There! Seeing the resolutions laid out like this they seem doable, and dare I say, fun? Oh, wait … my other resolution, not listed because then there would be six of them and I hate even-numbers of things, is to post more often, and on more subjects. Should be easy too — I just have to use the spare time between the other five, right?
Rancho Reubidoux 
Hey, Reuben. Glad to read your post; your writing always brings a smile to my face. By the way, I would love to buy a piece of original artwork by the one and only Reuben Munoz.
As for my resolutions, they are: 1) more yoga, 2) more reading, 3) less of a judgmental attitude, and 4) being open to new things. Ah, and number 5: commit to daily journal writing (at least 15 minutes).
(It goes without saying: I’d like a new job, too!)
Good resolutions! Hi, Elizabeth, thanks for posting a comment; much craziness lately with work, Pucci, etc… but should be getting back to normal soon … or maybe not, have jury duty possibly next week. Anyway, hope your holidays were good, will write more later. Paintings link soon, I’d love for you to have a piece of mine!
Reuben,
Your first two resolutions are the first two on my resolution list also! LOL Except I am going to lose 20 pounds this year, not 10. Apparently, we were separated at birth as far as having the sweet tooth of a ten year old. Seriously, I tell people all the time that chocolate is the forgotten food group. An obvious error on the part of the FDA, or whomever it is that determined the food groups. On New Year’s Eve day, in an effort to kick start my resolution for change, I threw away some things that I just wasn’t using/wearing and had about six inches of my hair cut off! 2010 is our year Reuben! Here’s to getting thinner and finishing projects!!
Hi, Helena, thanks for such a great comment … be sure and check out the post with the planters I bought from you: The Planter Project. They worked out perfectly as you’ll see, and inspired a project that has proven to be a big attention-getter. And, say hi to your friend who was storing them for you in her backyard, we wish her a happy new year, too!
yeah….my first resolution is just like yours but, i need to lose much more then 10 pounds. 2. I plan to eat healthy and not look at my weight but, make better healthier food choices…
3. me too….I love sweets especially pan dulce and chocolate. I need to cut out the sweets 4. oh and of course try to walk everyday.
5. clean out the clutter in my house…(this one is always on my resolution list) I started with my closet right after the new year…so far i am doing good…
take care
Hello Hello….Yes the queen is back!!
Since its been a while, thought I’d start with your New Year blog & wonders…..Losing baby weight is all I can think about…so losing weight is my only resolution for the year & yeah I need to lose 30 pounds not a measly 10 pounds:)
Alrighty, that’s all the time I have my princess beckons!!
See you soon Reuben!
Sheeba.
Hello, Queen S.! I’m so happy to see you here again… you have a lot of catching up to do but all that reading will help you lose some, well, ounces at least!… see you soon!