New Year – Do Over

Last year I had a list of things I wanted to work on or improve just like everyone else.  Resolutions, intentions, goals.  Whatever you want to call them, it’s always good to feel a renewed sense of hope towards bettering our lives.
Looking back at that list, I look at what I did right and what I completely missed the mark on.

Be proactive about my health.  Unfortunately, I fell short on this one.  I never started an exercise routine and I’m sure all the baking I did this year didn’t help my case in warding off diabetes.  I don’t eat poorly and I make pretty good decisions about what I feed the family.  Jenin understands the importance of eating healthy and can readily identify junk foods to avoid.  I’m glad that I’ve at least set a good example when it comes to food.


Playing at the park. Good for the heart. Good for the soul.

 2011 Do-Over:  I must start exercising.  I must take care of my heart. I must be a good role model for my girls.  I own a treadmill and I will use it.  30 minutes a day before everyone wakes up.  Just 30 minutes.  Once that becomes a habit I can eventually bump it up 15 minutes each few weeks.  

Would you believe me if I told you that I can go days without drinking a glass of water?  It’s a very sad, but true.  I drink milk daily, but I somehow manage to get through my days without drinking any water.  For 2011, I will drink water.  At least one cup a day.  Sounds like a pretty minor and pathetic goal, but remember, I don’t drink any for days!  Crazy.

Create a comfortable home.  I think I’ve done well with this one.  Certainly it irks me when things get spilt on the sofa and carpet, but I realize that kids are kids (and husbands are husbands) and everything can be washed.  Granted these rental carpets have seen better days, I know they’re clean despite being stained. I’ve covered my dining chairs in outdoor fabric and don’t bat an eyelash when a forkful of spaghetti falls on them.  I don’t stress as much when I see writing on walls (nothing a Magic Eraser can’t fix). Fingerprints on my full length mirror again?  Seeing the girls intrigued by their reflections makes up for a 30 second Windex job. 

2011 Do-Over:  To make things even more laid back around here, I’m in the process of switching the (faded) outdoor fabric on my dining chairs for a colorful and bright oilcloth.  The girls toys all have official places to be put away.  They are welcome to take everything out and spread it out all over as long as at the end of the day, or at least before dinner, everything gets picked up and put away where it belongs.

Eat Good.  Haha, check.  No problem there.

Cored squash ready to be stuffed with a meat and rice mixture.  Rami’s favorite Palestinian dish.


2011 Do-Over Do-Better:  I think I did well with this one this year but there’s always room for improvement.  I would still like to try new recipes obviously. I’m hoping at least 2 per week.  I tried my hand at menu planning one week and appreciated the organization of the idea.  Unfortunately, I never planned out the falling week and it ended there.  This year I’d like to try menu planning again and hopefully try making some freezable meals.  Also, I’d like to focus on fresh, quality, local ingredients.  Maybe join a CSA?

Be smart with my money.  Things were going fine and dandy with this up until my in-laws came in May.  I went from avoiding shopping unless necessary to out shopping practically every day.  Taking them to all kinds of stores to find gifts for family back home and for themselves.  Obviously I got caught up in it and my old habits came back.  Slowly but surely I worked most of it out of my system again.  I made smart purchases with some foresight.  Clearance items for Eid treat bags, seasonal clothing for the girls to put away until the next year, household items that I’ve wanted forever and actually used once I brought them home.


My vintage glass water jug used as our savings jar.

2011 Do-Over:  Be even smarter.  Every time Sometimes when I’m in Jo-Ann or Micheals, I’ll buy things because I might need them later on. I figure it’s a hassle to get out of the house with the girls to buy just one thing, so I might as well just buy it now while it’s there in front of me. And on sale.  But there’s something I’ve learned over the years and that’s that everything is always on sale and it’s not really that hard to get out with the girls.  Whenever I shop from now on, whether for groceries or craft supplies, I must have a list and stick to it.
Use my hands.  Check.

2011 Do-Over Do-Better:  This year I will open my Etsy shop and everything I make will be amazing. Or at least as amazing as I’m capable of.

Amnah + Rami.  An entire year has passed and still not a single time spent out alone.  Finding child care isn’t the issue.  I’m not even sure what it is.  We hang out at home after the girls are sleeping but it’s obviously a different experience going out and doing something fun as a couple.  In terms of our marriage, I’ve definitely made him more of a priority.  He does so much for me and our family so I’ve made more of an effort to truly show him how much I appreciate that.  Always trying to provide his favorite foods, less nagging about his clothes on the floor, and more time relaxing with his friends. 

2011 Do-Over:  Date night, once a month, every month. No matter what.  My super wonderful sister-in-law and my bestie Nada both are always offering to watch the girls so that me and Rami can go out.  I will start taking them up on that.  Maybe I’ll alternate between them so that I don’t feel like too much of a burden on either one.  I will also make more of an effort to make the Arabic foods I know my husband enjoys.  I’m horrible at Arabic cooking, but practice makes palatable perfect.

Make my home mine.  I love my style. Who doesn’t? Not who doesn’t love my style, but who doesn’t love their own style?  I feel like I’m different enough from what’s around me to stand out but not so out there that people are shocked when they come into my home.  I like mixing patterns and styles.  I love using color and experimenting with new decor ideas.

2011 Do-Over Do-Better:  Complete my master bedroom! My goodness, almost six years and I still don’t have a bedroom that I’m particularly proud of.  It’s a complete dungeon in there.  So dark and uninspiring.  I hope to change that this year.  I also plan on starting some other design ideas that have been swimming in my head for the past few months.

To all of my wonderful readers, I appreciate you! Thank you for giving me someone to answer to regarding my resolutions/intentions/goals/plans.  May this year be filled with lots of new opportunities, new experiences, new ideas, new friends, new recipes, new beginnings for all of you. 

Happy, happy new year!!