It’s been no secret that 2013 was not the best year for us. Between trials, tribulations and one financial challenge after another, I was all too happy to kick 2013 to the curb. I’ve been working hard to let things go and start to embrace a positive attitude, but it’s slow going. I’ve learned all too well that there is a fine line between frustration and bitterness, and by last fall, I was well into a cesspool of bitterness.

We’ve certainly taken several baby steps toward reclaiming some quality of life from our overly busy, stressed out schedules. I guess our first goal for 2014 is to get out of “survival mode” and start enjoying the here and now.

The good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We still have a ways to go in getting on even keel as far as finances, schedules and stress, but I for one am so ready to take control of our busy lives instead of letting them run roughshod over us.

So, the resolutions for this year are as follows:

1. MOVE! We have quickly outgrown our house, and with Heathen #1 approaching his teenage years, we need a home that is better suited to balance kids’ space with Mom’s sanity. It’s time for the boys to have their own rooms, and for Bean’s room to be far, far away from the kitchen; otherwise I will be forever limited to when I can cook. However, we have a long way to go before our current home is ready to list, and I foresee lots of de-cluttering and touch-up painting in our future.
2. At least for me, get in a little better shape. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know how cliché that one is. But last year, I was running 5K with no problem. Now, I am hard-pressed to walk down the block because work has kept me sedentary for far too long. I miss the feeling of accomplishment, but even more incentive is a closet full of clothes I still can’t fit into with that last 10 pounds of baby weight clinging desperately to my rear end.
3. Build up some savings! Financial calamities are a part of life, and it sure would be nice not to hit a speed bump of broken cars or air conditioners without that sick sense of panic.

But most of all, I want to get back into doing the things that I enjoy, even if it means some things occasionally slip through the cracks. Time to dust off my camera, my blog and my knitting needles, and bake a cake just because I can. I have faith that this year really will be better than the last.