2011 Resolutions

If you've ever worked with me, you know I am all about goals! I like being organized and having a plan. So for 2011, here's my plan:

- Work less

This last year I have worked more weekends than I'd like to admit. One weekend I actually told Danny to bring the kids up to the office so we could have lunch together one Saturday! Lito was so excited looking at his pictures on my desk! He sat in my chair and said, "Is this where you live?" He also asks me (every day that I go to work), "Are you coming home when it's a sun-shiny day?" (in other words, am I coming home when it's light or dark outside)...

- Exercise More

We have already started on this one! We bought the XBox Kinnect. We have Dance Central and Your Shape Exercise programs, both which have already kicked my behind in more ways than none! I'm the biggest size I've ever been. A few months ago my neighbor actually thought I was pregnant!

- Clean / Organize My House More Often

I would love to have less clutter. I would also like to make more time to clean up weekly. A couple of weekends ago, Lito was with me when I was cleaning downstairs. As soon as I was done, I sat down in the living room with him and happily told him, "Tita is coming over!" That's my mom, he loves spending time with both of his grandmas! Lito's response was, "Oh that's why you were cleaning!"

- Spend More Time with Friends

I have been going out to lunch with new friends lately! I had such a good time one particular day that I shared it with Danny and he said, "It's been such a long time since I've heard you have fun at work!" During one of my weekend days, I had lunch with a friend and she said to me, "Wow, the woman (me) sitting in front of me is a totally different person that the girl I met years ago". Seriously, I need to get out more!

- Organize More Family Events

My kids are growing up and I really want them to have fond memories of family trips and traditions. My mom's birthday was 12/23 so we organized a surprise dinner for her. She really was surprised, it was great! I got to see my Aunt that lives here and her husband. When dinner was over, her husband jokingly said, "Okay we'll see you all next year, maybe!" Seriously, I have more family living in Houston now than ever and we barely see each other once a year! Not good!! That has to change.

- Eat Better

Maybe it's my age, but restaurant food and fast food just don't taste the same anymore. My kids need to eat better and we need to lead by example. With Lito going to pre-K this year, I think they are emphasizing the food groups. The other day he asked me, "Mommy, are chips healthy? I want to eat healthy!" What more inspiration could I ask for!

- Strengthen My Marriage

Work has kidnapped me and stolen my time from my kids but also from my husband. I know he needs me and vice versa. Nuff said!

- Keeping Things in Perspective

For the past few years I have been exposed to the most strenous situations and people. I have been faced with the most incredible challenges and I have seen deceit face to face. I have truly lost faith in the human race and that's just not the person that I am. My psyche has been affected and I need to take control again. The other day I ran into a co-worker I haven't seen in a long time. He asked how I was and my response was "So so". He was shocked and asked me if I was okay. I said yes and asked why he thought something was wrong. And he said, "The Alicia I know would never have responded that way!" He's right .... enough is enough.

In 2010, too much happened - I was scammed by a stanger, a few special co-workers passed away, my family was changed forever with a hard diagnosis for one of my cousins, I have spent more time at work than with my kids, most of the year we have been sick (more medical expenses than we've had in a long time) and many of my close friends either left our company or lost their jobs. 2011 has got to be better and I am going to make sure it will be (at least in the things I can control). Blessings to us all!!!