Creatively Challenged Storm

I have missed some time on the treadmill.  I am awaiting a storm- a whopping 13-17 inches is predicted for this area. I am facing the day-to-day challenges head on but not always with a clear head.  But one thing I promised myself I would do would be continue to write.  Even a little something, each and every day.  Well, oops, I missed a day.  And that's OK.  Because I was creative in my thoughts and dreams.  I just never got around to getting it "on blog".

So here, some creativity to spring forward as the lion of winter creeps in. Not the  best for sure, I promise I have written better in my day, but damn, I miss writing poetry...

Winter
Solitude and solace unbound
I care not for the riches that I've found
Scarcely goes the river under ground
Permitting crossing over to have found
my worth that is pennies over pounds
unto my solitude and solace unbound

Waiting for the Storm
The news predicts and prepares
for inches of snow and standstill.
We all alter life and plans
to suit snowbanks and winter discomforts.
Think nothing of what you were to do,
think only of what comes next,
hold your breath for the first of the fall,
that which will halt all our plans and preparations.
Whose wedding do you disrupt dear storm?
Whose anniversary dinner does your parking ban upend?
You think not of those who must brave through the highways and roads to get on with the jobs and the day
Nature and nothing come together to remind us
stay in, stay put, stay frozen for a moment
We will hold our roost until you are ready for us to come out,
to shiver and shovel and brave you dear storm.
Dear winter some days we are happy to see you...

The Book of Resolutions

I begin my Mom in Modification journey by listing out my 2011 resolutions otherwise known as my wish list of personal improvement projects.  Many of these are typical and have carried over from the previous year like unused vacation days at work.  And then there are some long-forgotten, some Oprah-inspired, friend, and fellow-blogger inspired etc. I will go off this list throughout the year and hope to cross a nice big old line through each and every one. They are in no specific order, and I am sure I will add and (hopefully not) take some away. But even if I can address parts of some, I will be happy.  And so begins the journey...

1.    Re-learn French and visit and French Canadian city in reward (Quebec or Montreal).
2.    Use the treadmill at least 3x a week.
3.    Follow Weight Watchers again and lose the 20 pounds I gained back in 2010.
4.    Take my GREs and apply to grad school.
5.    Sell our house.
6.    Buy a new one.
7.    Stop complaining so much (Reading "A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start   Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted" by Will Bohen and am taking the 21-day challenge).
8.    Reconnect with friends on a regular basis.
9.    Enjoy wine on special occasions and maybe a weekend night but do it more rarely.
10.  Find a new passion.
11.  Write something personal or creative every day.
12.  Say a nice thing to my husband every day- compliment him more.
13.  Work hard on "Scream-Free Parenting".  Breathing before reacting.  Remembering that they do what they do for a reason.
14.  Continue to volunteer, find an organization to throw my whole family into supporting.  We are not religious, so this should be our church, our community.
15.  Find the joy in cooking and bring it to our table.
16.  Decorate a room fully and completely, with forethought and statement and love.
17.  Never miss a thank you note, an important birthday or occasion of a loved one, or the chance to tell them how I feel.
18.  Go on a family vacation, to a beach, on a plane.
19.  Ski with confidence and give that to my children.
20.  Find physical and mental strength that is better than it has ever been and hold on to it.