Welcome 2009!

The new year is already here. I thought I would have time to think about it and where I want to go this year. But a drive to Florida and five days at Disney has left me with mind numbing exhaustion.
Many people are talking about making a bucket list and that was one of those things I wanted to have time to think of also. There are things I want to do before I "Kick the Bucket" for sure, but I want to take time to think about it first.
I know the two biggie things on a New Year's Resolution list are always my house and my body. I always want to get organized and keep my house cleaner. I always want to loose weight and get in shape. Those things are still true, but this year I plan on setting a few specific goals and see if I can stick to them. I know I want to continue working at the gym and try to go a little more than I did last year. I also know I need to make changes here at my house. I have so much stuff that I don't need, so I think that my first goal will be a little more purging. I also want to get my crop shop back in shape and have my friends over to enjoy rubber stamping and scrapbooking. My goal for this is to be ready in February when Sale-a-Bration starts. That is a fun time for my Stampin' Up! customers. For ever $50 spent, they receive something free. This year the choices are paper, stamps, and ribbon. I, of course, want them all!

But this year I need to focus more on other goals for myself. One needs to be the way I deal with stress. I tend to get angry, or eat, or retreat. I wish there was no stress at all in my life, but since I am a teacher, the spring semester is full of stress. Its initials are TAKS. I also need to learn not to get stressed by certain things. I tend to take things way too serious. Its initials are also TAKS. It is so unfair to be judged by what students do on one day of the year. The reasons against my students taking this test are many and valid, but the fact remains that I must prepare my students for this event. I need to take it in stride and refuse to let the stress get to me.

Another goal I have involves my relationship with Jesus Christ. I know that as my daughter grows, she needs to see Christ in me and I am afraid that is usually impossible. I already have a new bible study that I am going to work on. Maybe I will share some of it with you. I started on it a couple of years ago, but even the first section was so life changing that I couldn't even go on. I am up for giving it another try this year. Have a great year readers and may all your dreams for the new year come true!
Steph