My 2011 Resolutions: Goober Edition

Well, that title may be a little misleading, seeing as how I have no intention of posting a 'Serious Edition' of New Year's Resolutions. The 'real' ones are both predictable and personal - you know, read scriptures more regularly, drop a couple pounds, budget more wisely, and so on. This list is more sharable, more achievable, and (arguably) more beneficial to my life.


1. Memorize all the lyrics to every song from 'Newsies'. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm pretty close. I can belt out 'Santa Fe' with no problem and 'Carrying the Banner' is pretty straightforward, but I'd just like to polish my renditions of the other songs - you know, make sure I've got all the lines in the right order and such.


2. Re-read all seven books in the Harry Potter series before 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One' hits the dollar theater (I'm guessing I have a couple more months). Here's my dilemma, though, should I only re-read half of book seven? Will that make the movie more of a cliffhanger if I haven't just re-read the book's second half? Still pondering, open to input.


3. Watch more TV. I know what you're thinking: "Jana, don't you already watch a pretty decent amount of TV?" And the answer is "Yes I do." Which is why I think this resolution should be a pretty easy one, which is good because it's a two-parter. Part one: continue to catch up on earlier seasons of current/off-the-air shows. This last year I did this with Glee, Bones, Castle, and the Nanny (don't judge me!). I really love Nathan Fillion on Castle, so now I think I'll go with his cult-hit show 'Firefly'. I'm not usually into sci-fi, but it's only like 13 episodes (plus a movie) and I've heard it's amazing. Part two: watch more shows with my boys. Usually I use 'Handy Manny' to give me a chance to blog/shower/etc but Clyde really loves it when I cuddle with him on the couch and we watch together. . . and those 'Imagination Movers' guys are pretty hilariously cheesily entertaining :).


4. Wear a different outfit to church every week. For at least four months straight . . . that's, what, 16 or 17 weeks? This is already somewhat of an unofficial goal of mine, and the thirteen skirts and six dresses in my closet should make it pretty easy. I should be clear that I am not at all any kind of fashionista, but I do love getting dressed for church (lest everyone conclude that I am incredibly shallow, I also love the religious aspect of church as well, you know, worshipping and learning and such).


5. Recapture my goober-y youth via old resolutions. When I was in elementary school, I used to write with my left hand as often as possible to cultivate my ambidextrous-ness. (I was verrry jealous of my left-handed cousin David. It looked so cool to eat cereal and hold the spoon with one's left hand). When's the last time I wrote something with my left hand? Well, probably only like a year ago, but still! I clearly need to get back on that. I also need to re-focus on my efforts to perfect my English accent, something I put a lot of time into when I was younger. (Oddly enough, the previously mentioned cousin David is married to the lovely, British Kym. Maybe next year I'll resolve to go to law school, as both of them have!)


6. Help Chuck get more excited about the awesome-ness of the 'Magic Laundry Pile'. As I explained in a lengthy text message to my dear Courtney the other night, I love sorting laundry. I love putting dirty laundry into the washing machine. I love putting clean (wet) laundry into the dryer. And I even (mostly) love taking clean laundry out of the dryer and laying it out onto my bed, all ready to be hanger-ed and hung up (this last step is because I do not iron. Ever). Unfortunately, that's where the love affair ends - soooo close to the whole process being over! So instead I let it stack up (still nicely laid out) and call it the Magic Laundry Pile. It's magic because if you're looking for a certain shirt, it's probably - magically - in that pile! So far Chuck has not responded very enthusiastically to the MLP, but I think if I try hard enough, he might understand its allure. Or else I'll have to add 'put away laundry quicker' onto my 'serious resolution' list. . .


7. Some mini-ones: Let go of more inhibitions. I'm pretty good at not worrying about what other people think and such, but I could be better. Reach out more. Comment on more blogs, send random happy texts, mail people cards just to say hi, etc. Have more dance parties with my boys. Finish grieving about Finn and Rachel's break-up on Glee. Send Chuck a scandalous note in his lunchbox every now and then to replace the normal 'loveyou/haveagoodnightatwork/besafe' sentiment. Let Clyde unroll the window in the car more, even if it is flippin' freezing, because it brings him so much happiness. Try not to say 'I told you so' when he (hopefully) quickly rolls it back up :). Video tape Will dancing to the 'hot dog' song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Make a tie-dye t-shirt. Go to Utah at least as much this year as I did last year (which means eight times!!). Say a silent prayer of gratitude every time Will runs towards me and says "Ugggg!" aka 'hug'.

Happy 2011 everyone!! Feel free to keep me accountable for keeping these goals :).