Random Musings + Resolutions.

Why can’t anyone make a toilet bowl brush that doesn’t rust??? Cleaning the toilet is icky enough, without using a rusted up brush to scrub under the bowl. I can’t use the handy dandy disposable ones, because we live in the sticks & I’m scared the pads would wreck our septic system. If I can’t put eggs or raw chicken or potato peelings down the disposal, I would bet those little cleaning heads aren’t safe, either.

How does infant clothing correspond to a baby’s age? For example, should my 4-month-old son be in 3-6 month clothes? My aunt & I had a huge disagreement about this on Christmas. I thought their size should correspond to their age; but she thinks their size should be double their age, and Mason should be ready to move into 9 month clothes.

I’ve been working on a reflection post to wrap up 2008; but every time I sit down to write it, I start tearing up. It was a whirlwind year to say the least, and I still can’t believe it all really happened.

Does anyone else make resolutions for the new year? I usually don’t; but I’m breaking my non-tradition to write down a few goals for 2009.

Resolution #1. I will lose 100 pounds over the course of the year. I decided to give Weight Watchers another try, and will reevaluate my progress after 3 months. At that time, I’ll decide if I should continue with WW or switch over to South Beach. I really want to try South Beach; but I’m going to be under a tremendous amount of stress in the next 3 months. The Husband will be in Texas for 2 weeks in January; in England for 3 weeks in February/March; and in Utah for 3 weeks in early April. I’m familiar with the WW program; and I don’t think I should add any more upheaval to my life while he’s gone.

Does anybody want to join me? I ordered the WW at home program today, and I’m more than happy to share information. I’ll probably start another blog to share recipes & whatnot, and will update once I get it all sorted out (hopefully over the weekend).

Resolution #2. I will start keeping a hand-written journal of letters to Mason.  I’ve read some of the monthly newsletters other bloggers do for their children; and I think they’re a great idea, but I want him to have something more personal and private.  And I found these great journals on Amazon for $13.89.  I only hope he appreciates it when he’s an adult and has children of his own.

Resolution #3. I will get back into photography.  I’ve gotten lazy and lost my creative drive, and I’ve let an overwhelming sense of self-doubt creep back into my life.  I look at the pictures I’ve taken and think they’re not good enough; that they’ll never be good enough; and I want to throw my camera to the bottom of Lake Michigan.  It goes hand in hand with the self-loathing from gaining all this pregnancy weight, and feeling like nothing I do is ever good enough.

Resolution #4. I will faithfully clip coupons and do everything in my power to lead a more thrifty life.  And cut out the unnecessary purchases, like magazine subscriptions and luxury bed linens.  This unstable economy scares the bejesus out of me, to the point I don’t sleep at night because jobs are being cut every, single day and we’re in debt up to our eyeballs.

What do you do to save money?  I already get my hair cut at Fantastic Sam’s, rather than a higher-priced salon.  I color my own hair, which saves about $30 each month.  I use super cheap Dial soap, rather than the expensive shower gels from Bath & Body Works.  I hang laundry out to dry when the weather is nice (except for towels – I can’t stand the stiffness from line-dried towels).  I shop at garage sales and the seasonal farmer’s market.  I buy generic or store brand whenever possible.  And still, I feel like I’m missing some obvious penny pinching ideas.

And with that, I’m off to bed to try & sleep off this wicked headache.