Happy New Year!
The past few weeks have been so fun and productive and relaxing and all-around wonderful that as I now finally sit down at my computer to get back to work, it is not without more than a little reluctance and some major feet-dragging. I needed some time to focus on my family & my friends, to get my house in order, cook some elaborate meals, catch up on sleep and, most importantly, remember that I am a mom & wife first and a blogger second.
2011 was a hard year for our family. For most of the year, Husband’s time was completely filled by a demanding job and caring for his dying mother. Then, when she died in October, he was left with a whole new set of estate issues to deal with.
I wish I could say I was there to pick up the slack but 3 busy websites & a growing business took up much of my time, so much so that my kids, home, & husband were often forced to the back burner. We put Trouble in daycare 3 days a week, something I never wanted to do, & then tried to make myself feel better about it by calling it “school.” We spent much of the year feeling stressed out and short on time. I neglected my friends, missed out on events, forgot things, ate too much pizza, & watched clutter pile up in every corner of my house because I just didn’t have time to deal with it.
But as hard as the year was for our family, for the people in our lives who are struggling with serious illness, injuries, depression, marital betrayal, & financial woes, it was far, far worse. We are very blessed and I know that, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t always room for improvement.
I am happy to say that while I failed in many ways this past year, I did at least manage to finish well. For the past two weeks I have been the wife and mom and friend I want to be. I spent mornings chatting with my husband over a long cup of coffee. I built forts (using Toobeez–best toy ever!), read countless books, & played games with my kids.
I organized every room, drawer, cupboard & closet in my house, & made multiple trips to Goodwill to donate things my family no longer uses. I cooked real meals from scratch. I spent lots of time with friends, both going out and staying in. I even baked cookies.
I love the promise that a new year brings, and I can’t help but get excited thinking about wiping the slate clean and starting over. As a classic Type-A personality, I am constantly setting new goals for myself, but my main goal for 2012 can be broken down to just one: SIMPLIFY. I want to cut out the excess, purge my life of the unnecessary so that I have more time and energy to focus on the things that truly matter.
On Wednesday I will fill y’all in on my new endeavor for the year, which I am calling Project Simplify 365. I hope you will be as excited about it as I am! In the meantime, I wish you all much health and happiness for 2012.
Did you make any goals or New Year’s resolutions this year? I’d love to hear them!
{P.S. Your comments make my day!}
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Jaime January 2, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Mine was similar–but to take care of ME more. I, too, spend too much time on things and others and have neglected what I truly enjoy–conversations with friends, flipping through magazines and simple time with the kids. I am resolving to doing more of that–I don’t want to say “one thing every day/week” because sometimes it HAS to be about others. But, in general, I just want to remember to take care of ME more than I have in 2011.
Ruth January 2, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Sounds like a great goal!
Paula January 2, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Another beautifully written post, Ruth, that made me smile and tear up at the same time. I am looking forward to Project Simplify 365, as I have spent my 10 day vacation cleaning, sorting, donating and tossing. And I am still overwhelmed (and honestly disgusted) by the amount of stuff in our home! (Where did my children get all of this??!!) Here’s to a simpler 2012!
Ruth January 2, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Thank you Paula–I know the feeling exactly. The more I get rid of, the more I want to get rid of! Happy New Year!
Jenn January 2, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Can’t wait to hear about Project Simplify 365! Happy New Year!
Ruth January 2, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Coming soon! Happy New Year to you too!
Tricia January 2, 2012 at 6:16 pm
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad to see you back! I have MISSED your posts! My new year resolution is to lose 10 pounds and cut my grocery bill by $100 a month.
Ruth January 2, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Those both sound like fantastic goals! Here’s to a fantastic year!
Annie B January 2, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Welcome back! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2012. Simplifying is definitely on the top of my list this year too!
Ruth January 2, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Thanks Annie!
Claire January 2, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Yay! We missed your posts so much but so glad you had this time off with family. I am back to work tomorrow after 11 (ELEVEN!!!) glorious days off in a row. I can’t remember the last time I did that!! The Hubby and I spent the last 4 (while the grandparents kept the boys) purging and organizing – mostly the garage. You would not believe the contractor bags of trash, the pile for donation and the garage sale pile we created. It is so freeing to get rid of the clutter, much that has followed us for the last 15 years. I came across some sweet memorabilia in the process, was able to start (continue) memory tubs for the boys, and just “cleanse the soul”. It was FANTASTIC!
Now, I wish I were more excited about getting back to work tomorrow…. (but that will be fine once I get there, right? I think all I have to do is delete my entire inbox that has built up and that will be the “work purge”! lol)
Happy New Year Ruth!! 2012 holds great things for all of us.
- Claire
Ruth January 4, 2012 at 7:15 am
Isn’t it freeing? That is EXACTLY how I felt! Happy New Year to you too!
Anastasia January 3, 2012 at 2:52 am
Thanks for all you do, I’ve been addicted to your site! Can’t wait for your simplifying tips. Happy New Year to you & your family and thanks for showing what’s important in life.
Ruth January 4, 2012 at 7:16 am
Thanks Anastasia. Happy 2012 to you as well!
~she~ January 3, 2012 at 7:57 am
I SO need to do what you just did! I have a very cluttered home that needs major reorganizing! From Thanksgiving until the present has been so crazy busy for me. I’m ready for the slow, boring days of endless winter!
Ruth January 4, 2012 at 7:18 am
Let me tell you, it is hard to get going but feels SO great once you do!
Sarah English January 3, 2012 at 10:20 am
That dessert looks DELICIOUS! Are you going to post the recipe? This post makes me want to set a goal of doing more fun stuff with my kids this year.
Ruth January 4, 2012 at 7:16 am
Great goal! I will try to post the recipe soon. It is MUCH easier than it looks!
Lori January 3, 2012 at 4:26 pm
I’m so glad you TOOK time to be with family and friends. As women it is so important to make time for the important things so we can live a balanced life.
Yesterday my husband and I spent 5 hours reorganizing his tool chests and the shelves in the garage. All I can say is “Glad it’s done and don’t want to have to do it again anytime soon”!
Happy 2012!
Ruth January 4, 2012 at 7:17 am
Great job–Happy New Year to you too!
kris January 4, 2012 at 6:47 am
Happy New Year Ruth! Happy to hear you had a rested holiday with your family. I have missed your blog posts and weekly shopping posts. Will we be seeing the weekly shopping posts again? Take Care – best wishes for 2012.
Ruth January 4, 2012 at 7:14 am
Thanks Kris!
The shopping results can actually now be found each week over at http://www.SavingWellSpendingLess.com. Here is the link:
http://www.savingwellspendingless.com/category/shopping-results/
I now take turns with my two SWSL partners, Alisha & Jenny, posting our shopping trips, but I will be posting my next Publix trip this Friday. Hope that helps & I apologize for any confusion!