Aiming high in this New Year

By Staff
Leada Gore, Editor
I heard a joke recently that sums up my New Year’s experiences. It goes something like “When you’re young, you’re told to go to sleep before midnight on New Year’s Eve. When you’re older, all you want to do is go to sleep before midnight on New Year’s Eve.”
It’s been a rare New Year’s when I made it all the way to midnight. Usually, I fall asleep on the couch only to wake up to the sound of the midnight countdown.
Still, I like New Year’s as much as the next person. I like the sense of a new start and the opportunity to make promises for the new year. I learned a long time ago not to make these promises too dramatic, however. I like to keep my resolutions pretty simple.
Along those lines, I thought I would put down a couple of my resolutions. Maybe at the end of 2007, I can look back at this column and see how many I kept.
I resolve to make sure every sock that goes into our dryer emerges with a match. I will relegate no more socks to the “I don’t know where the mate is” drawer.
I resolve to not substitute 10 minutes in the dryer under fluff for actual ironing.
I resolve not to assume anything eaten in the car, on vacation or while standing does not have calories. This also goes for eating anything given as a gift, including my grandmother’s homemade candy.
I resolve to get directions before I leave for a destination. I have a habit of thinking I know how to get somewhere, only to set out and get lost. I will not do this anymore.
I resolve not to purchase any more clothes for my dog. He got a raincoat for Christmas. My husband feels this is going a step too far. He’s probably right.
I resolve not to read any more magazine articles about finding the right hairstyle, makeup or winter coat.
I resolve not to get upset at television news casters, game show hosts or anyone who appears on a show featuring a judge ruling on who owes who money for their cell phone bill.
I resolve not to purchase any more Christmas decorations even if they are marked 75 percent off original retail price. The same can be said for Halloween, Easter or St. Patrick’s Day decorations, as it is unreasonable to put up a St. Patrick’s Day Tree.
I resolve to fold sheets correctly and not just aim for getting them in some sort of order so they will fit in the linen closet.
I’m not sure how many of these I will be able to keep. The sock one will be hard, as will the one about not purchasing any more Christmas decorations. As for the rest, who knows? I guess we will just wait 365 days to see.