Instead of making a resolution list this year, I’m making a What if I list. Because. Because I can. And for fun I’m including some fun photos from the past year.
1. What if I…exercised at least three times a week or more? I might actually lose some weight and fit into my skinny jeans. My daughter read this and asked, “Do you really have skinny jeans?” Then we rushed to the ER to have all her bones reset.
2. What if I… finished the upstairs hall floor? I might not have to explain to every new person that sees it why it looks like that. “You see we trashed the carpet, so we tore it up and then we were going to refinish these, but we just haven’t…., be careful not to trip on that paint can.”
3. What if I… completed decorating Ellen’s room before she graduates from high school? She would not know what to do in a fully decorated room. She might not be able to sleep. She might think we’re selling the house. She won’t notice anyway because she’ll be too busy trying to scratch the itch inside that body cast.
4. What if I… got that molar fixed this year? Then I’ll have to break the habit of running my tongue back and forth over the darn thing.
5. What if I…saved enough money to buy a new camera? I’d probably spend it on something else. Buying a new camera has been on my wish list for awhile and the old KodakEasyshare circa2004 is on it’s last leg. BUT, I don’t know if I can do it. Spending money on a camera, I don’t know.
6. What if I…wrote out a garden plan and stuck to it? I do this every year and then when I get out to the garden and start planting I just go willy-nilly crazy. I’m good at marking things, but I almost never plant what I think I’m going to plant and then I never re-plant. I’m going to do better this year. Maybe I’ll hit up Margaret Roach for some hard core advice again. She’ll set me straight.
7. And lastly...What if I…did something really spectacular this year for my birthday? I mean you only turn 40 once right? I think this year I need to do something more than ask for Clay to make me his amazing carrot cake, although I still want that cake. So, what will it be? I don’t know yet. Obviously, Damn Ramsey will stick a smelly sock in anything elaborate that I want to do, so hmm? I’ll need to think on this one.
Now Darlings, please tell me what some of your What if I’s are, I’m ever so curious.
The End
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What if I give up being hurt & angry and just let things be. Yep what if………..
What if I fasted from refined sugar? I might lose weight and stop craving everything processed….
What if I exercised on the lonely treadmill and used all the dvd sets I’ve ordered over the years?
What if I spent only 30 minutes a day on the computer while my kids are in their waking hours?
What if I got organized one drawer at a time?
Hmmm….
I’ll let you know how I progress.
This is THE GREATEST post about goals/resolutions I’ve read yet. This is the most novel way of thinking about it and, I hope you don’t mind, but… I may have to copy your idea. But I’ll be sure to give you credit and some linky love. Not that that means much coming from my itty bitty bloggy self. But it’s all I have to offer.
What if I actually finished writing the two children’s books I’ve started? What if my husband’s arthritis goes into remission and we can have a baby?
What if I ate more veggies and less bread and junk food?
What if I finally get around to getting those baby chicks I have been dreaming of and finally start my own backyard flock?
What if I trade in my car for a minivan? I have been avoiding this as long as possible?
What if I could get the kids to turn off all electronics and cell phones for one evening a week?????
Great post, BTW!! Love your site.
What if I finished the six or more quilting projects that I have started over the years.
What if this was the year that the basement finally gets cleaned and organized.
What if I started looking forward to going to the gym and not dreading it.
What if I laugh more, pray more and forgive more.
I don’t know when your birthday is but maybe a picnic would be a nice birthday event…have some outdoor games…BBQ or other good foods. If your birthday is during the colder seasons…well then…have a game night with other couples plus dessert!
*What if my husband’s business finally starts turning a profit? Would I be able to handle the luxury of grocery shopping without tallying as I go and inevitably having to put something back that wasn’t STRICTLY necessary?
*What if our adult (married with a child) child has the funds to move OUT in the spring like they plan to? Would I be able to stand the quiet…I’d love to try.
*What if I finally finish the scrapbook that was my daughter’s X-mas present three years ago? Then I might not have anything to feel guilty about…
*What if my teenager actually gets a job? Would I be able to stand it? That would be amazing…
Thanks for helping me vent a little…I actually HAVE some decent resolutions for myself, but this was much more fun.
What if I sell a few of my top producing beef cattle, then I would be feeding less hay and might actually be able to make it through the winter without having to buy more hay $$.
What if I completely deer proofed the garden, then I would have more food to eat and alot less swearing every morning.
What if I finally have a big yard sale in the spring and sell all the really neat collectables I have. I might be able to buy more hay for the winter with the proceeds.
What if I moved forward with the divorce?
What if I sorted, packed, organized, sold, and gave away to totally downsize?
What if I totally reinvented my life?
What if I claimed my power and let go of fear?
What if I claimed happiness?
What if I didn’t take no for an answer?
What if I totally trusted to freefall and not go splat?
What if I created an opportunity to be as happy as April and Clay?
Here are mine, although I abhor “What if…”
I abhor “Yeah, but…” too.
http://writingfromthehip.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html
You’re so inspirational that I wrote a “What if…” post of my own. You’re invited. (I linked back to you, too.)
I lost my husband last January, so “What Ifs” always take me to sad places, so I have to skip that this year. But, I have to tell you that picture of you and Clay is just so so sexy wonderful. Enjoy each other, everyday.
What a great idea- espeically if you start falling short right away- you don’t feel so bad and dejected about breaking all your resolutions! You’ve inspired me- to write my own what ifs…I’ll link on back to you…
what if I chose to be content?
love this post.
What if I started living each day as though it were my last?
What if every single day I would hug my husband as hard as I could and tell him I love him instead of taking him for granted?
What if I stopped obsessing over the things I simply cannot change no matter what I do and focus on the things I can change?
What if I ate chocolate every day? Would it kill me? Would I really swell up to the size of a blimp?
What if I did everything I said I was going to do in 2009?
What if my husband and I finally take the trip to Alaska we have been planning for many years?
What if I continued the diet and exercise from the first week of January through the rest of the year (at least through the end of Feb….down 10 pounds for sure!)
What if I spent a little less time on the computer and more time interacting with my husband and sons?
What if I got more real about my communications with my husband, and gave less criticism and more appreciation (he’s awesome!?)
What if I pushed my kids just hard enough, but knew just when to stop and let them go their own way and create their own future?
Thank you for this thoughtful post and all the awesome comments that inspire me!
and forgot to say…say hi to your sister, we miss her and understand completely whatever her “what if’s” are right now.
What if I allowed the love of Christ and his Holy Spirit rule my life and what if I affected those around me with that same attitude of love.
I just wanted to say that you simply must have a 40th birthday party. We invited all of my friends, everyone brought an appetizer to share, I made a huge pan of enchiladas, everyone brought beverages and we had a pinata! It was fantastic, cheap and really made turning 40 a memorable event! I loved it and it was perfect for me!
What if… I finally organized all of the family photos? Both my childrens and my great-great grandparents?
What if…
I quit my day job and say “the heck with health insurance” and really & truly get my little agency off the ground? Maybe next year…
what if i could get up the courage to actually write a single ‘what if’
What if… I would become completely organized, called an old friend, started to cook some more(I have not for a long time). Really spend 15min each day keeping my house neat.
Remember that I am down on my knees grateful all day every day.
For your 40th birthday you should come to our fabulous Salida, CO, the most beautiful place on earth (well, I haven’t been to Scotland yet…..)
What if my dad’s anger problems really did get better? Could it be OK to talk things out with him and be honest?
What if my husband excels at school after trying 2 other times? Could I truly be a stay at home mom then?
What if gave God my complete focus? Life would be better than ever.
Try propertyroom.com for wish #5.
this is great!
i’m going to make a list like this in my journal. you know, for the sake of… my sanity. everybody’s gotta vent a little
What if I finished all the 15 minute house projects from our remodel over the past 8 yrs.
What if I finished all the books I started to read.
What if I started saving more and spending less.
What if I got up earlier and made my husband breakfast before we both went to work.
Hmmmmmmmmm
Thanks
Thanks for finishing your “What If I” post with a picture of a chickens @$$. That just made my day.