Things to Do in 2012

I'm not a New Year's resolution person. Never have been, never will be. But...in 2012, I am going to strive for some improvements.

1. I started the 2011 Goodreads Reading challenge in June, 2011. I said I would read 50 books before year-end and I did not meet my goal. 2012 will be different. I can do it. I love to read, so there is nothing stopping me!

2. I'm going to eat more fruit. I like bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, and other things, we just don't buy them on a regular basis. 2012 will be the year of fruit for me.

3. I plan to double the revenues for my business, Cindy's Cupboard. I've kept detailed records on what has sold in the last 6 months and I will focus my efforts on finding more of the same inventory, all while researching current trends in collectibles and vintage items.

4. I will sign on with multiple contract agencies, seeking a long-term, interesting assignment that will utilize my organization skills.

Numbers 1 and 2 should be easy enough to accomplish.

Number 3 will be a lot harder than it sounds. Anyone who has worked as a buyer in a retail environment knows that to be true.

Number 4 will also be a challenge with the current job market. However, I'm confident someone out there will need me to help them get organized!

How about you? Have you thought about some things you would like to accomplish in 2012?

To Be or Not To Be - My Blog

In 2009, I posted 247 times.

In 2010, I posted 235 times.

In 2011, I posted 163 times.

Wow. What happened in 2011?

The question is "Have I said everything I have to say?" I don't think so, but I need outside inspiration.

I've decided to participate in BlogHer's NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month). It's a public committment to post every day on your blog for one month. If you are stumped for a daily topic, they provide writing prompts. I reserve the right to not use their suggestions for my posts. However, if I find myself without a topic for the day, I will do my best to follow their lead and create a post.

The theme for January is Beginnings.

Why don't you plan to visit me every day this month to see if I meet this challenge?

Heat and Shirtless Men

There are a lot of bad things happening as a result of this heat wave across the USA. Crops are failing, ranchers are having to sell off their cattle because they can't feed or water them, wildfires blaze out of control due to the dry conditions, highway surfaces buckle because of the unreleating heat and many men cease to wear shirts when working outside!

This is a major issue for me, people! It's not like these men (or the ones I've seen all over town) are young, fit and tan, with 6 pack abs. Oh, no. They are middle aged, lumpy (or worse) and pasty white. Particularly disturbing are those whose bellies droop south over their waistbands.

I understand it is a free country and men can go shirtless because society does not think a man without a shirt is obscene, even though a woman without a shirt would be considered so. If you think it is so hot that you cannot wear a tee shirt, I suppose I could grant you a summer time allowance to wear a wife beater shirt, even though I hate those shirts and their name. Still, it would be better to see you in one of those than with your belly hanging out.

My plea is for those men who go shirtless is to cease and desist. Please. My eyes can't take much more of this! Take the pledge! I did.

Heat Pledge:
I hereby do solemnly pledge to keep my middle aged, lumpy, droopy self covered with clothing despite the heat. Amen.

A Lazy Morning

Sometimes I declare a lazy morning, stay in my pjs, take the newspaper and my mac back to bed and turn on The View, followed by The Young and The Restless.

Today is a lazy morning!

How about you, do you sometimes indulge yourself in this manner?

If you don't, I highly recommend it!

I'm a Dreamer

I've told you before that I am a wild dreamer. You can read some of those doozies by clicking on the word "dreams" in the "labels" category on the right side of the screen.

My dreams frequently incorporate elements of what I've recently seen on TV or in movies, what I've read and or what I've discussed with family and friends. I'm currently reading The Passage, which is one of those "post apocalyptic" books I enjoy so much.

I read several exciting chapters last night in bed. Once I turned out the light and fell into a deep sleep, I started dreaming and suddenly Babcock* was speaking to me. SCARY!

How about you? Does what you watch, read or discuss influence your dreams?

*Babcock is a main character in The Passage.

A Hot Mess

I mentioned in this post that my hair had suddenly become a hot mess. The last time I had my hair done (cut & color) was approximately 10 months ago. Yes, that's right, 10 months ago!

I became really, really tired of the maintenance of my hair. Since I was no longer working in a corporate role, I decided to let it go. Go it did.

My hair has always grown thick and fast and this time was no exception. In the two weeks leading up to our Canadian trip, my hair had become so hot and heavy I was using a very attractive clip (not) to keep it off my neck.

When I returned to Tulsa, I scheduled an appointment with Sam at Samuel Grayson Salon & Spa and here's how I look today:

Better don't you think? With the length at my shoulders and a little judicious thinning, I am so much more comfortable.

I like it!

The Husband also likes it. He said he was beginning to think I was going to become one of those religious women who never cut their hair. I told him I could become a lot of things, but not that.

What do you think?

NOTE: My mother has always said of her gray hairs, "I earned every one of them, why would I cover them?" I have now officially adopted my mother's policy. :-)