Resolute!

"Oh no," you're thinking, "not another blog/article/news story on New Year's Resolutions." Yes it is, sort of. I do make resolutions each year; I am part of that number of optomists who think of each new year as a fresh slate. And I hear ya, pessimists, I really do, and I get it. Most resolutions are like gym memberships: a good idea in January and a faint memory in February. But I gotta tell ya, most year's I stick to mine.

I think it's because I'm a list-girl. Got tasks? Make a list. Got dreams/goals/aspirations? Make a list. Then check them off. Simple. Easy. Organized. (Except when I lose the list.) I do, however, try to keep my resolutions simple and attainable. Instead of making the ever-popular resolution to lose weight or get fit, I re-word it to "lose 5 pounds, then set new goal for February," or "drink water with meals instead of tea." That way, the goal doesn't seem so big and I don't feel so overwhelmed.

I encourage the kids to make resolutions too. For themselves and then I give them one. Mine for them this year is "Take care." It emcompasses a lot but seems little. Just take care. Take care of our belongings...like no swinging the lunch box until it winds up in the tree outside my store...take care of our bodies and hair...like no more trips to the bathroom, BOYS, without wsshing your hands, and actually USING the soap and shampoo when you shower, not just rinsing! For Savannah, it's taking care of her stuff, like the $100 calculator she had to have for school which I constantly find on the floor, or the new clothes she just HAD to have which she keeps conveniently located spread out all over the floor.

For me, I won't bore you with my personal goals, but I will tell you that most of them revolve around the shop and making it grow this year. Someone recently told me that survival is the new success, but this year, I don't want to just survive; I want to grow. That means, new stuff. New chocolate creations. Right now, with the Christmas decorations down, the store is a blank canvass, and I am ready to paint, baby! I have been racking my brain, coming up with new ideas, and I am so excited.

This summer, I am launching a whole new type of pop. Not to spoil the surprise, but it's sweet and savory and so exciting! Meanwhile, back to the kitchen. I've got a lot of creating to do! Happy 2011!!!