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Before my youngest was born people would call me and ask "What’s going on?" I would always answer "drama and chaos". This was in complete reference to my children, Michala was drama and Coy was chaos. When the little one came along it was always drama, chaos and disorder. Shay got that title by being a little tornado.

Now that they are growing up (Coy 16, Michala 11, and Shay 6) I have become the queen of running around with my head cut off. I know there are many of you out there that know exactly what I am talking about, because you are living it right now or have been through it. Times have changed and life is a lot crazier than it should be, but this is by choice a majority of the time.

I have chosen to start a column, just what the paper needs another column, but I love to get on my soapbox sometimes and maybe it will give you a good laugh or some insight to the craziness. I will try not to embarrass my children too bad or make my friends too angry, but no promises.

New Year Resolutions…

We just got back from vacationing in Ruidoso, New Mexico. While there I took the time to think about resolutions. I got out my handy dandy notebook and started a list. After I was done it turned out to be more of a To-Do list than a list of resolutions. Wait a minute, maybe just maybe that is what resolutions should be, To-Do lists.

We all make resolutions. Lose weight, money management, work on relationship, be a better parent, family health. You know what I am talking about, yes? Maybe it should look more like: take a walk, call the bank, balance check book, call husband and tell him I love him, get kids off to school without yelling at them, call and check on son’s orthodontist appointment. A To-Do list, not a list of resolutions. Something that has to be done today, not something we will fail at tomorrow. Resolutions don’t ever get a check mark, To-Do lists always get a check mark...DONE!

I have a friend that always makes fun of me because of my list making capabilities. When I stayed at home I would make a list of things to do during the day, like change out the washer and dryer. (I would put that one on the list two or three times.) They would laugh, but when I got done, I could always check it off. I make menus before I go to the grocery store. I am a list making fool and checking things off makes me feel like I have accomplished something that day.

If I had to wait for a resolution like lose weight or money management to happen, I would give up because there would be no check mark. Something like take a walk or balance the check book seems a whole lot more obtainable and I would get to check them off my list. Little by little things would get accomplished. The people that get paid the big bucks tell us in their books to set goals. Set THE GOAL, but always set the steps to get there as well. This is so you feel like you are accomplishing something and won’t give up in two months.

Whatever your resolutions are for the New Year, I hope you see them through and remember that we should not live for the year, but in the moment. Make your To-Do list today.

Send me your feedback, maybe I’ll print it.

jcnews@moment.net