Happy New Year! I mean, sort of. I know we’re already eight days into this shiny, new year, but I’m still feeling the little spark of optimism I get each year around this time. This year will be DIFFERENT! This year will be BETTER! This year I will be MAGNIFICENT!
For at least three weeks or so.
I’m not much of a resolutions girl, but every January I feel inspired to start again with more purpose and resolve, and to break out of whatever rut I’ve found myself in. Instead of saying, “No more refined sugars,” I say, “Hey, maybe we won’t keep bags of Tate’s cookies lying around ‘just in case.’ ”
Work slows down for me around this time, which makes it a great time to focus on my own projects, hopes, and dreams. So am I working on in this nascent new year?
- Use the word “nascent” more often. Done and done! That was an easy one.
- Write
every day. In November, I started a new novel during NaNoWriMo, and was really enjoying writing if not every day then at least most days. Then December happened and I didn’t write at all. But it’s a brand-new year, and time to get back on it, right? RIGHT?!?! (Sorry, gentle reader, the yelling part was directed at myself, not at you.) - Be more decisive. I love to research things to death, whether it’s where to stay on our next vacation or which sofa to buy or what dentist to go to. This year, I’m going to try to actually make decisions instead of just coming up with so many options that I feel overwhelmed and go looking for the bag of Tate’s.
- More time with friends. When I did a recap of last year, my favorite moments were when I was having quality time with people I love. I want more of that! More ukulele jam sessions, more impromptu brunches, more road trips to visit out-of-town friends. Life is short. Carpe friendum.
- Tackle house stuff. I don’t know what it is about January, but I always get really excited about decluttering and doing house projects. Last week, I got bids to have our house painted and culled 14 pairs of shoes. My weakness is stuff that needs to go but isn’t quite trash, like the laptop that I fried a couple of months ago that is probably irreparable, but maybe it’s not. (If anyone has any suggestions on that one, I’d love to hear it!)
- Seriously, cool it with the Tate’s cookies.
So, what about you, readers? What are your hopes, dreams, and plans for 2018?
Chicks on the Case 
Bring it, Marla! And it’s okay if you bring a bag of Tate’s cookies with you to Left Coast Crime, where I’m looking forward to some *Carpe friendum* time with you and the other Chicks!
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Yes! I’m so looking forward to LCC — and seeing you in person! Woo-hoo!
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I’m just going to steal yours!
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At first I thought you mean my Tate’s, but then I realized you meant my resolutions. Either way, fine by me! 🙂
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OMG! I saw the word “nascent” in a very hot political book I read over the weekend and said to myself: I need to use that word more.
My resolution is not to freak out if I can’t make time to write everyday. I wrote everyday for 5 years or so. I’m not going to forget how if I take some time off.
I’ll be at LCC too! Looking forward to seeing y’all!
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I think that’s a great resolution, Keenan! After five years, you deserve a break! 🙂
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Now I desperately want Tate’s cookies. Thanks a lot, M! 😉
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Ha, ha! Sorry, I’m a bad influence! 🙂
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Welcome back all! I missed your blog!
This is gonna be a hard year for me. Last year was my worst ever. I have dreams for this year, but already I see them falling down.
I have a multitude of resolutions this year. However:
I need to walk more to lose weight; I’ve been sick since mid-December.
I want to commit to my long term relationship; he’s not interested in change.
I want to revise my novel and find an agent; I just stare at the screen and say it sucks.
I want to be faithful to my blog; nothing I am trying to post flows right.
I’ve got one word to say. Fugetaboutit! (imagine me smoking a cigar, wearing a fedora while i say that word. I think you get the picture).
Maybe this year will be a year of me turning into a vegetable. We shall see.
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Aw, Hestia, sorry you’re having a tough time. But it’s much too early to give up on 2018! My fondest wish is that at least some dreams come true for each of us this year!!
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You know what I like best about 2018? That it’s not 2017! I wish you a year of growth, love and inspiration. And if something’s not working, toss it aside for something that does! To quote a very wise refrigerator I once met, “Do more of what makes you happy.” 🙂
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Wishing you all a very happy new year, Chicks! I’ve resolved to have no resolutions this year. So far, so good!
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I’m all for that, Shari! Instead of resolutions, I call mine “lose guidelines.” Happy New Year!
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I’m facing some upheaval this year with my health and my job. At the moment, I’m just hoping to survive 2018 with something like a savings account at the end.
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Big hugs from the Chicks, Mark! We know you are going to battle your health problems with the same strength and determination that you do with your mud runs and bowling — and with winning results! ❤
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Dude,
I will be pulling for you. If u need to talk, women are great listeners
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I haven’t even started to think about resolutions yet – beyond a vague idea that I need some sort of exercise routine. I’ll get to it – right after I finish going through my manuscript for February.
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Happy New Year and many Tate’s cookies to all! Glad to be back and even more glad we will scale the peaks and surf the valleys of 2018 together. Thanks for kicking things off in style, Marla!
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These are great. You are great. 14 pairs of shoes is great! ❤
Hope you and everyone here have a great new year.
My resolution is to GET IT TOGETHER ALREADY. On so many levels. Like for instance I'm two days late replying to this…
ps: What are Tate's Cookies? I keep hearing Chicks mention them but I have never seen/had such cookies.
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Hey Cynthia–I’m two days late as well! Ah well. My resolutions include writing more, exercising more–yea swimming! And just generally being more present in my own life, not anticipating what’s next, what could go wrong, etc.
And I have one suggestion for that possibly fried laptop. At the local senior housing complex here there is one resident who was an engineer. His current hobby is taking old computers and fixing them up for the other residents to use. Sometimes it takes a few computers to make a whole one. He stays occupied and the other residents can send e-mail, surf the web, whatever. You could see if there is something/someone similar near to you.
Happy New Year, All!
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