I know that a lot of people generally dislike making resolutions for the new year, but I’ve always loved doing that even if I suck at keeping a lot of them.

Last year I only made two. One was to read more because I was appalled at how little I read. I think I failed miserably on that one. I am quite sure that I didn’t read any more books last year than the year before. I just run out of time and steam. By the time I get done with my day, I’m usually too tired to bother. Also, I went through a period of being unable to find anything much that appealed to me. I did re-read several of the Harry Potter books, and of course I read the last one. I know I read a couple of others but I can’t even remember which ones they were. At least I’m ending the year with a bang because I have less than ten pages left in Memoirs of a Geisha which I loved so much that I’m almost sad to be just about done. I’m going to finish it shortly, definitely before the ball drops in New York City. Then I can start the New Year, fresh with a new book. I have Felicia Sullivan’s memoir, The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here which I’m dying to read, and I also really want to get started on Wicked.

So there’s a resolution I need to keep working on. I desperately want to get back to reading more like I used to do. I know plenty of parents who are still voracious bookworms so that’s not really an excuse, not now that I’m well past the newborn days of fog.

My other resolution for 2007 was an all encompassing “make the effort” which I got from a friend, and I think it’s a good one to keep for 2008 as well. It’s a good catch-all. Make the effort with my family, doing more fun activities indoors and out. Make the effort to be more patient (hoo boy). Make the effort to be a better mother, wife, friend, person. Make the effort to continue making our home nicer.

It’s a good resolution.

Tonight, Breanna is still up, though I know she won’t be up until midnight. I’ll probably put her to bed around 9:30 or so, depending on her mood. She always lets me know when she’s tired and she’s amazing about wanting to go to sleep. Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, I’m letting Hayley stay up until midnight as long as she stays reasonably quiet and doesn’t get too cranky and tired. I’m pretty sure that she’ll make it since she’s always been the night owl child.

We have chips and cheesies, and even a frozen pizza, though I highly doubt I’ll bother with cooking it. I have some 7Up as a treat for Hayley (Breanna has to be happy with juice or water, alas) and a bottle of red wine for myself. We’ve gotten champagne before on occasion but I wasn’t that interested in dealing with the crowds at the liquor store just for that. I’d rather have the wine, thanks.

We’re waiting for 10 pm, and then we’ll tune in to see what’s happening with the various new year shows on television, and if there’s no good music we’ll just supply our own. I still like to always watch the ball come down in Times Square so I’ll be sure to tune in for that. Then Hayley will have to be whisked off to bed and I’m sure I won’t be awake much longer than that.

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope that 2008 brings joy, health, and prosperity to all of us.

See you next year! Har!