Not Resolutions

I know this is the time of year when people make resolutions or are depressed about their lack of commitment to the resolution they made last year. I for one don't believe in resolutions. I think if you want to change something or do something better than you should start that day. Why wait? I have a list of 101 things that I want to do with my life or continue to do all the time. Their not resolutions...just goals or guidelines really. I take a look at this list every few months and revise things that need to be revised or check off items that have been completed. Here are some of things from my list that I want to focus more on this year:

30. Complete a triathlon! I'm only talking a sprint tri...which to me is still an amazing feat!

90. Talk. I guess I should go further and say be better at communicating. Anyone who knows me, knows I'll talk about anything! I don't have any secrets, but for me to actually convey how I feel....is another matter. I don't open myself up easily and even if you are one of the fortunate few that I love it's still hard for me to say it. My buddy Jeff has been trying to get me to better at this for years now & Scott can attest that I get really shy in the emotions department.

62. Always feel like Christmas. I love this one cause wouldn't it be great if you could always feel the excitement, generosity, togetherness that Christmas always seems to bring. I got this one from my favorite Neil Diamond Christmas song "You Make It Feel Like Christmas". Speaking of Neil, number 33 was accomplished this last year to see Neil Diamond live!! Oh my goodness!! I cried twice I was so happy to be there. I completely heart Neil!! (Sorry the pic is a little blurry...it was on zoom. Believe me though, he is still as hot now as when he did the Jazz Singer!)

(Diamond Girls!)

93. Love thy neighbor. No, not my physical neighbor! Sometimes people irritate me and I need to work on not being bugged....it's a process.

81. Be gullible. I know this is a silly one to have on my list, cause who in their right mind wants to be gullible, but I don't see it the same way other people do. I'm gullible because I believe people are honest. I don't understand why someone would lie, cause I personally don't see the point in it. I tend to believe everything people tell me. I lost sight of this one for a bit when I got my heart broken and I became a little jaded, but everything is right again so I can go back to the trusting person I am.

2, 4, 7, 10, 12, 19, 24, 29, 44, 49, 55, 73, 94. All these numbers are places I would like to go and see someday. I love history and travel and would love to go everywhere if I had the money. For now I just try to go somewhere cool at least once a year. I'm not sure which number I want to do yet this year though. Also, two of my favorite travel companions have gotten or are getting married. I am now accepting applications for their replacements.

Happy New Year Everyone. May all your wildest dreams come true!!

Home for the Holidays

My top 10 reasons why I'm lovin being home for the holiday this year:

1. My family Rules! It's only me, two of my sister's and their families home this year, but any time with any of my family members is always top notch good times!

2. Christmas eve dinner done melting pot style! Yeah, we're posh like that!

3. The twins! Van & Townes are so stinkin cute I seriously want to smother them in my love. I wonder does the twin factor make them even cuter??



4. Games, games, games!! We're mad gamers in my family...and it's too bad they've learned to keep an eye on me. I love to cheat :-)

5. Holiday movies!

6. Food...I think I'm going to be sick with how much goodness we eat all the time!

7. Wii. I'm really sore from playing a wicked game of tennis...is that pathetic or do I just rock it??



8. Catching my dad dancing by himself. (I think this one goes in my top 10 highlights of my life).


9. Phone calls every night from a cute red head.


10. Getting to rake leaves for my first time cause my dad had surgery on his foot. Yes, this is in the top cause yes I think it's exciting....and yes I realize the weirdness of it.


I just love this holiday season and every year it gets better and better! I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas and gets everything their heart desires! I already got what I want so everything else is just bonus.

Merry Christmas!

It Girl

I've always been a big fan of bright red lipstick. Not just anyone can wear red lipstick. Yet you see some girls pulling it off and wearing it out on a normal day, which I think is totally awesome! I've often wondered what does it take to be "that girl". Do you have to have big juicy lips to pull it off like Scarlett Johannson or Kat Dennings?

Or is it just having confidence and owning the look? So lately I've been wondering do I have what it takes to pull it off? My friend Alex and I have decided to venture into the red lipstick zone and see if we have what it takes. Our first outing with the color was at Alex's house warming party. Man it was a lot of work to keep that lipstick on all night! Plus my first attempt at red wasn't successful....too pink.

(I think I might have a crooked smile)

I needed more red and I needed it to be less maintenance. So I bought a long lasting color, which seriously does not come off for anything...that's right, kiss away! I think I may have just the right shade now! I gotta admit I kinda feel a little more grown up with it on, scary I know. It's almost like the red makes you more outgoing, confident, and sexy (though I don't recommend boys try red lipstick to feel this for themselves). The question still remains though...can I be an It Girl??

Disclaimer

I've finally decided to start a blog after the millionth person asked me if I have one. I'm not sure if it's peer pressure, or if I want to force people to read about my opinions and thoughts, or maybe I'm just a lemming and I want to be like everyone else?? Whatever the reason, I get the feeling I should start out with a disclaimer:

1. I have no qualms with saying exactly what I'm thinking which tends to be completely inappropriate and off the wall. Things that occur to normal people to not talk about do not occur to me. So whatever I say, I do not mean to offend anyone, please don't take anything personal.
2. I make no claims to being witty and funny all the time....don't expect it.
3. I may suck hardcore at this blog business and maintain the right to quit it at any time.
4. If something pissed me off and I write about it, it's usually let go of as soon as I get it out. I don't hold onto to the negative or grudges. So if it's you that pissed me off...sorry! Don't hate me. I'm sure by the time the blog is read I'll be over whatever I wrote.
5. If I use alias's for people in a story, no being mad at the names I pick....cause I'm pretty sure I'll think their funny.
6. Sometimes I swear.
7. I've been known to exaggerate, not as bad as my mom or sister Becky, but we Van Hoose's like a good story.
8. At times I get lazy, but I will try to be dilligent in my blogging career.
9. I maintain the right to change or add any disclaimers as I see fit.
10. I don't have a 10, but I felt weird leaving the list at 9...Oh, maybe 10 should be I'm a little OCD. Deal with it!

This blog may end up being a train wreck for me...I guess we'll see!