New Year, New Resolution

First of all, may I just say...

WHAT THE HECK?!!

How did I miss an entire nine weeks of blogging? Sure, I've been busy keeping up with Christmas and getting 117 people to Mexico and back...but still.

Before I fill you in on my 2012 resolutions, may I remind you of my first-ever resolution, which I made one year ago. In addition to cleaning my master bathroom once per month (as Kent's Christmas gift--and I'll admit to missing the month of October), I resolved to clean my dishes within five days of using them.

You might think that with four children who are capable of doing dishes--plus one who tries to be capable--this is a silly goal. But there is something about the so-called "hand dishes" that frightens my children and (literally) draws forth tortuous wails when I remind them there are pots and pans waiting on the stove that won't fit in the dishwasher. When a child is still moping around the kitchen as I lock up for the night and go to bed, I usually just give in and tell them to get the dishwasher going and go to bed as well. Then I wash the hand dishes sometime in the future. I know I'm contributing to the perpetual problem; but honestly, I'm a little grossed out by what my kids consider a "washed" dish. At least the dishwasher sanitizes their efforts; and if I wash the larger dishes myself, I know they are clean. (If you are a parent and you are rolling your eyes right now, I'm sure it's because you are reflecting on your own children's dish-washing complaints, and not my poor parenting skills. Am I right?)

Return and report: At the beginning of 2011, I found my resolution quite motivating and stayed on top of the dishes really well with my little goal nagging at the back of my mind. My efforts soon became habit, and I think I did pretty well over the year. Of course, it helped a great deal that our six-month house guest, Edwin, took it upon himself to clean the dishes (and counters, and floors) each day. My kitchen never looked so good for so long! Now I'm back to the three- or four-day clean-kitchen schedule. But at least I'm still within my five-day threshold!

And now, the part of this blog you've all been waiting for:
Mary's New Year's Resolutions 2012!

But first, a random photo:


We were in Mexico for New Year's Eve last week. Our group bought some fireworks. Most of them were just really loud, although a few people picked up bottle rockets. No one bought this stick of dynamite, but I am curious what it would have done.

(I felt like this way-too-long post needed another picture. Now back to the resolutions.)

It's probably a bad idea to attempt more than one resolution in any given year, but I'm going to go for it.

Resolution #1: I want to bring balance and relaxation into my life. I've realized that even though I would like those things to spontaneously show up every day--or at least every week...or maybe month?--that's not going to happen. So I need to schedule relaxation in. My resolution is to practice yoga and at least 15 minutes of meditation once each week. For a few years now, I've felt that meditation is the tool I should be using to keep my mind strong and to improve my relationship with God. I was good at it for several months back in 2010. (Or was it 2009? Like I said, I need to strengthen my mind.) Then I fell out of the habit. Neglecting meditation certainly hasn't improved anything about my spiritual relationship, and I've felt adrift for awhile now. I'm throwing yoga in with it because I love the positive energy I get when I take the time for a longish yoga routine. I'm not talking about the 15-min yoga videos that quickly take one through a series of toning stretches. I really like the Ali MacGraw video, which I've had on loan for at least a year now from my friend, Mindy. (Yes Mindy, I know I should one day return your VHS tape...but not yet. I hope you don't mind.) The yoga master eases slowly into the poses and lets you hold them for a good stretch. It takes 50 minutes to get through, but it's good exercise and relaxation all in one. If anyone else can recommend a good yoga or meditation tape, I'm willing to try some new ones, too.

Resolution #2: Post to this blog at least once each week. Okay...at the VERY least, twice per month. I've missed recording some funny kid moments and fun family times. I'll probably play a bit of catch up, but mostly I don't want to lose those memories or the ones still to be made.

In conclusion, it's too bad my bathrooms and kitchen are going to fall apart again this year. At least I had a good run with them. I figure if the world is ending this year anyway, who cares about mildew and sticky floors? I might as well face the end times with a relaxed attitude and some digital memories along the way.

What are your resolutions for 2012?

Going Gaga for Yoga

(Has Lady Gaga ruined the use of that term for anyone else? Well, I'm using it regardless!)

Yesterday I clued into a great secret that I thought some of you might want to know about. It's a mind and body workout called yoga.

Apparently, it's been around for a few thousand years, but you know me: I'm always a little slow to adopt the trends. (Today I completed my fourth and fifth texts ever on the hand-me-down cell phone I started using last year. I even figured out how to use punctuation!)

My friend, Mindy, loaned me a yoga video, and since I slept through my early morning workout on Friday, I decided that #5 and I would give it a try. I loved how the more intense poses kind of sneaked up on me and I found myself glistening (the ladies' term for perspiring) and my muscles feeling a little shaky without feeling like it was strenuous. I had thought I had good flexibility, but now I see I have a long way to go. Twice I had to rest in embryo pose, but I focused constantly on my oujaii breathing and never felt out of breath. Then suddenly an hour had passed and I was laying on the floor just feeling open and relaxed. The sunlight streaming through the window added to the peaceful energy I felt. I loved it! I felt like I was walking on air for the next two hours, and each breath continued to bring me energy during that time. I've learned to meditate in the past year, and I think that helped me enjoy this yoga exercise because I could quiet my mind while I went through the movements. At least, that worked most of the time.

Admittedly, the little four-year-old mimicking the dog pose right underneath my dog pose did get a little distracting. About 20 minutes into the routine, he started his "break dancing" around the floor. He did keep mostly quiet, though, and I was only vaguely aware that he would leave and come back and busy himself with other things. For the last few minutes of the video, he sat quietly and just watched me and the TV. When I turned off the set and asked if he liked yoga, he replied, "No, it's dumb. But I have my own list of exercises now." He trotted away and returned with this paper:

Clearly he prefers my regular weight-lifting workout. He's drawn exercising with a barbell, dumbbells, running, and jumping. (Though I'm not sure if he's running with a dog or through a fire, I'm impressed that he knew what a hurdle is!) I guess he was mapping out his workout while I was doing mine. We put his pictorial list on the VCR so he can refer to it next time we work out together. Maybe if we're consistent, those stick figures will put on some muscle!