Unresolved

Don't say it, I know. I am a blog tease. I swear this time, I'll go all the way.  I'll actually start blogging regularly. Unless, of course, I get a better offer. When does Parks and Recreation start up again??

In honor of the new year, I figured it was time to set some new goals for myself and decide where I want to be 365 days from now. I am not that positive, however, so in true Mel B fashion, I'm making resolutions for what I do NOT want in the coming year.

1) I do NOT want a repeat of our pumpkin patch/railroad excursion this last fall. I won't mention the name, but it is pretty much the only railroad within driving distance of my house that requires you take out a second mortgage in order to pay for tickets (and that was with a coupon).

Sounds nice, doesn't it? And sure, The Tyke enjoyed it. But keep in mind this is a kid who asked me the other day if we could drive to the doctor so he could get a shot. According to the description on the website, we enjoyed a 10 minute ride to the edge of a neighborhood of houses scenic journey into the mountains where our kid was able to explore a pile of store-bought pumpkins pumpkin patch. He was then handed 3 stickers able to decorate his own pumpkin and enjoyed lukewarm hot-chocolate-flavored water and a stale cookie a special treat. I'm not sure if the highlight for me was 1) the total lack of organization which resulted in mass chaos as everyone exited the train at the "pumpkin patch", or 2) the organizers of the outing not providing enough stickers for each child to be able to have some, or 3) standing around for 45 minutes waiting to get back on board the train since they drop you off in a field for an hour. I know for sure that Riley's favorite part was when The Tyke pooped his diaper and I had to improvise and make my own changing area.

Well, I guess one part of this trip was billed correctly: it definitely did create lasting memories for our whole family.

2) I do NOT want to go through another 9 month backyard remodel. Lucky for me I won't have to. We're doing the front yard this year. This is the only time I will be grateful for the snow outside since it covers up the mud pit that used to be our front lawn. There's a method to this decision, I swear - we just can't seem to avoid the madness. Particularly that of our neighbors who are tired of our projects.

3) I do NOT want to accrue any more chickens. Er...chickens? ...More? Yup. Please welcome Henrietta, Henna, Henbane, and Henley to our lives.

The two black and white birds in the picture, Duck and Goose, found a new home since I was convinced they were roosters (aka agents of the devil). Plus, as we all know, I have a very, tiny, miniscule, slight, minute, itty-bitty...aversion to birds (see here for a reference to my crippling phobia), so I figure keeping the numbers down makes it less likely I'll run out of ammo if they decide to revolt and I need to take them out. Yes, I have pictured this scenario and I may or may not have also estimated how much time it would take for me to retrieve and load our shotgun in the even of an attack. The story behind the chickens will be for another post, but for now, I'll just say that I had a moment the other day when I realized my life had turned out wildly different than I ever imagined it would when I found myself saying, "Oh crap, I forgot to feed the chickens."

4) Finally, I do NOT want to miss out on being the wife to this guy...

...and the mom to these guys:

I think they are all pretty swell. And you won't change my mind on that. It's resolved.