Join the resolution!

I’ve never been much of a joiner. I mean, with all the meetings, forced conversation, and the pressure to bring a dish to pass it’s just too much for me to bear. So, I opt out in favor of a quieter, less crowded room such as my living room; the only attendees are my husband, three spastic kittons, and a dog that rarely barks. There’s plenty of seating and I don’t have to worry if anyone will notice that 4 out of the 20 deviled eggs fell on the floor upside-down nor do I have to worry if someone will notice that I’m still serving those eggs.

It’s because of this predilection for peace and quiet that Sean and I try not to go out on New Year’s Eve. To me, the perfect New Year begins with a warm groove in the couch and sleepy kittens scattered around me. And so it is the Mr. and I find ourselves gearing up for 2008 with a bottle of bubbly in the refrigerator and a simple, yet delicious, dinner planned topped off with one of the most devilish chocolate cakes for dessert. We’ll hang in; make fun of the crowds in New York City, and likely fall asleep on the couch before the clock strikes 12. Overall, I can’t think of a better night.

Normally I stick to my resolution of 1998, which was a resolution never to force any arbitrary resolutions upon myself simply because a holiday dictates it. However, there are some things that come with owning a house that is best to have a plan for, like a budget that doesn’t act like a runaway train. As fiscally responsible as we think we are, we’re still acting like a couple of kids on Spring Break. Things like, needing new windows, fencing and landscaping a backyard, leaky toilets, and a mild kitchen renovation are breathing down our neck and if we want a prayer of a chance of getting these things accomplished in this decade we’re going to have to cut back a little. Perhaps we could reign our food budget in a little. I’m fairly certain that groceries for two should not be the equivalent of my sister’s monthly mortgage. I’m also pretty convinced that I can start to work those credit card incentives a little bit more, along with that, keeping an eye out for sales and online deals. I do declare this will be the year of Thrifty Frugality! (Except for Ebay. I hate Ebay and Ebay hates me. We tolerate each other’s existence but we do not get along at parties. Please don’t seat us at the same table.)

In any case, the New Year seems to be just a good a time as any to kick off this whole Let’s-Try-To-Not-To-Use-Paper-Money-As-Kindling thing. Tomorrow we’ll be sitting down with our new friend Microsoft Money in the hopes of coming up with a reasonable fiscal plan and perhaps come up with some new hobbies besides racing to see whose dollar bill can flush down the toilet the fastest.

 Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2008 is a kind and gentle year that brings Jake Gyllenhaal fulfilled wishes, scads of chocolate happiness, and tequila health for all.