Okay, so I didn't really follow through on my goal of keeping a blog last year.  Here is to fresh starts.  But before I think about what I want to accomplish this year, I want to jot down a few things to remember to help me out next holiday season.

• Christmas is one day.  I don't need to eat like it is an entire month and gain 7 pounds in the process.
• Do not decorate the arbor outside.  It is just more stuff that you have to take down in January when it is freezing outside.  Simplify.  If you must, use the garland around the inside banister instead. 
• Think about getting a real tree again.  It's not as messy as you think.
• Bake cookies with your sister.  It is more festive with family.
• Don't worry about the kids liking their presents.  They will be happy with whatever they get.  Here it is best to also remember less is more.  Less and smaller.

Now, here is my mantra for the new year - SIMPLIFY and make routines your friend.  I tend to complicate my life with stuff.  I also let my thoughts complicate my life.  I need to automate and think less.  If I set up routines for cleaning, exercising, eating, shopping, etc.  life will run smoother.  I need to try to break the shopping habit.  I shop for all kinds of reasons, but rarely because I truly NEED something.  Then I need to find a place for all that new stuff.  So, I am going to try to be more mindful of what I buy, and try to shop only for what I need, and get rid of things at home I don't need or use.  I will work out 4x a week - 2x with my trainer and 2x on my own.  I will plan my menus for the week and shop once for groceries.  My cleaning is pretty routine - bathrooms on Monday, one load of laundry a day, dust and vacuum on Sundays.  I should switch dust and vacuum to Fridays on the weeks I don't work and Thursdays on the weeks I do to free up the weekend for my family.  Or at least the downstairs those days and leave only the upstairs for Sundays.  I also need to eat three meals plus one afternoon snack and no snacking in the evening.  I need to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into our meals and cut out sweets and fast food for the most part  (80/20 rule).  I will grocery shop on Tuesdays.  Alright, if I can follow all of this, I will be off to a good year.