2011 Expectations

Wow! The new year is right around the corner--4 days to be exact. And I am reeling with contemplation for how I plan to enter the new decade. Now, I don't get off into the New Year's resolution thing but it's definitely time for a change on the inside and out. Here is a short list of changes I'm looking forward to for my 2011. Tell me some of yours.

1. Cleanliness & Orderliness--My bedroom and my desk at work have one significant thing in common--CLUTTER! Especially in my bedroom I oftentimes get overwhelmed with the stuff be around me that I can't sleep. This stuff ranges from Avon boxes, books, mail, shoes & boots that my closet can't contain. I've been so put off by my clutter that I've gone so far as to wake up 2 hrs before my normal time just so I could clean my room. At least once, I took the day off work to do the same thing. Sometimes I simply can't take it! Unfortunately I never get it quite to where I want it to be. I'm praying I get it together in 2011. I don't want to take lack of cleanliness and order to my bigger bedroom in my next house. I may take a day off work 12/31 just to get it done!

2. I feel a new 'do coming on. This goal is kind of tricky considering I've only been locked for 2 1/2 years, not to mention I'm not 100% on what I want to do with my hair oustide of locks, but I can't shake this antsy feeling. I've gone through this before--wanting them out. After careful consideration I've always come back to the realization that this is what's best for my hair. I have the length for versatility that I don't take enough advantage of. Plus, it's getting longer as the days go on. Thing is if I want the locks to be down by 1/1 (actually 12/30) I need to start the process of combing them out tonight. But what will I do with my hair without locks. I don't want to be like those I've known who've taken there locks out and immediately regretted it. So I'll have to think on this one. Maybe I just need to commit to keeping my roots tightened for a better look.  Update: See how quickly my mind can change in a 24 hr period. Revised goal is NOT to take my locks down but create a real hair regimen like moisturizing more often and keeping my roots twisted AND wearing crinkley locks more often.

3. An attitude of expectation. God's word promises to provide the NEEDS of HIS children. Guess what? I AM one of HIS children. So that means HE will provide my needs. Therefore, I will now have an attitude of expectancy instead of constantly thinking of what I don't have because HE will provide. For me specifically in 2011 I need a bigger house that is equally affordable as the one that I currently live in. I'm not sure of how the process is going to work BUT I expect it to work in my favor. And like Forest Gump said, "That's all I'm going to say about that."

4. Spiritual--I'm always in constant communication with God. However, somewhere along the lines I stopped getting down on my knees in prayer. I've been afraid of fasting. Today, the buck stops here. Actually, for the last two days I have gotten my butt out of bed, onto my knees and prayed. It felt good. I'll also be going back to Sunday school, which will be good for my children too.

5. Friends & Family. For years I've wanted certain kinds of relationships with the few friends that I've maintained over the years. You know, those Waiting to Exhale & Sex and the City type of friendships. But, in complete honesty I have not walked the walk. Wherever my friends are--out of state or in state with me--I truly appreciate their presence in my life and I plan to more of a concerted effort to show them as much.

6. Of course this post wouldn't be complete without my 2011 writing expectations!!! Simply put, WRITE MORE! SELL MORE!. By spring 2011 my follow up to Unfinished Business will be complete so by this time next year I expect to be midway through the third book.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Count the Little Blessings Too

God is always good. No doubt about that. But there some times when I feel especially favored by HIS good ness. Such a time was this past weekend. As I often do, I overextended my committments for this past weekend. First, on Friday, two graduation parties--one for a family member, the other for a friend. Second, on Saturday, a professional organization I'm involved with was scheduled to perform community service at 6:30 A.M. and after that I was supposed to have breakfast with a few of the members. Following breakfast, which I hoped would go quickly, I was to be at my church by noon to prepare Christmas baskets for the senior members of our church. Need I mention that this is also the last weekend before Christmas and I'd planned to get some shopping done too. Oh yes, then church on Sunday. I didn't know how I was going to do it all, but I was going to honor all of my committments!

What did God do for me that was so special??? Let me tell youl . Shortly before the first graduation party on Friday I received a text message from my coworker that there was a scheduling error for our community service date. Our service date was for the previous Saturday! As much I was disappointed that we had the date wrong and had therefore missed our opportunity to serve, words can't express how glad I was that I wouldn't have to awake at the crack of dawn to serve breakfast the next morning! Whew! One thing off my plate--actually two since the cancellation of the one automatically cancelled the breakfast plans. Then I received a phone call from the organizer of basket prep session that the time was actually 10AM instead of 12 noon so that meant I only had one thing to do on Saturday and I'd be finished with that early in the afternoon and would therefore have the rest of the day for me!

Nothing monumental but the little things count too!