Monday, January 2, 2012

Hopes for the New Year!

Happy New Year!!!!! Wishing everyone Health, Wealth and Happiness in 2012!

I'm a big resolution maker! I think the start of a New Year is the perfect time to reflect and try to do better. But instead of calling them resolutions (which is kind of cliche and somehow always sounds like they won't work out), I refer to them as Hopes, hopes for the year!

Hope #1- Save more money this year! 
- We set up some automatic withdrawals from our Chequing account to our Saving Account!
-Automatic withdrawals to our RRSP's (retirement savings plan).
Honestly this has always been the best way for us to save money . . . take it out of the account before we even see it :)
-I'm also going to start making some budget conscious meal plans and continue couponing (with in reason . . . there will be no Extreme Couponing happening around here).

Hope #2- More effort into my Everyday attire.
-Because being a housewife involves being in the house most of the time it's way too easy to slap on some yoga pants and wander around the house with no make-up and a pony tail. NOW, that being said I have no intention of completely cutting out yoga pants (that would be CRAZY). I just want to throw on a big of blush, maybe some mascara and a pair of jeans from time to time :)

Hope #3- Make Lee's lunches more exciting.
- It's become way too easy to make a couple sandwiches, I'd like to try making him some more salads, soups and wraps for his lunch!
Image found Here.

Hope #4- Try more NEW recipes.
- Just like it's easy to make a couple of sandwiches . . . it's really easy to make the same recipes over and over. I'd like to try 1 new recipe a WEEK!

Hope #5- I'd like to start waking up earlier.
-With no kids and a dog that would gladly stay in bed all day it's too easy to sleep in :) I'd like to start getting up earlier and maybe taking the dog on an extra long morning walk or . . . dare I say it . . . workout  ? ? ?  I'm not going to lie I'll probably just drink my morning coffee slower but at least I'll be up earlier :).

Hope #6- This year I'd like to travel more.
-I've been dying to go to the Farm Chicks Antique Fair in Spokane every summer, but somehow we've never made it down. I'd also love to go back to Portland. As you can tell we're not very adventurous travelers, we like to take Max with us and that's not always easy unless we're driving.
Also we're homebodies . . . in case you didn't notice :)


Hope #7- Finally get cracking on the Baby Business haha.
-What I mean by that is finally decide on an adoption plan or get searching for a surrogate. There has been a lot of discussion and debate on what the best option is for us . . . this year we hope to finally decide and get moving in that direction.

Hope #8- Be Greener!
-We've been making 'green' choices for a while now, but I think that NOW is the perfect time to take being green to another level. That means choosing Low VOC paints, and choosing more organic foods. Trying to by used even more than we already do . . . and figuring out ways to better use all this space we have in our house. We've never had this much space before and sadly many parts of our house stay empty and unused (mainly our basement).

Hope #9- Bigger Celebrations
- Both Lee and I are fairly low key people . . . we are both more than happy to celebrate a birthday or anniversary with a pizza and a good DVD. But this year I want to make a more conscious effort to celebrate BIGGER!!
Image found Here.

and last,

Hope #10- Dedicate more time to The Blog.
-Blogging has been such a blessing in my life and I want to unlock all it has to offer! This year I want to dedicate more time to it! More projects, more how- to's, and definitely more photos. :)


I LOVE the start of a New Year! So much hope, so much promise! :) Anyone else out there have any hopes for the new year?


Be back tomorrow with some SERIOUS laundry room progress :)

32 comments:

  1. Your resolutions sound fabulous - happy new year!

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  2. Excited to see what you come up with this year! By the way, love the yellow coat! :) Happy New Year!!

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  3. Your resolutions sound awesome! Go for it, you can do it!

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  4. Can you post the sources for the items in Hope #2? I am loving the yellow coat and brown bag!

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  5. Great resolutions, I mean hopes! I like the change in wording - it makes more sense. Well, I hope you are able to do all of these things you hope to do. :P

    I have lots of hopes for the year as well. We will be deciding when we want to have kids - if our bodies decide to stick to the plan - hopefully buy a house, eat healthier, buy a bulldog, and save a lot more money.

    I can't wait to see what the year has in store for you, especially in the little kiddo department! Happy New Year!

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  6. Great resolutions! I'm looking forward to seeing you accomplish these! I love following your recipes so I'm ready to try whatever you have in store!

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  7. Those are awesome hopes for the new year. I think the one I'm excited for you is Hope #7! :)
    I posted about my "hopes" as well the other day, except I went with a word - Discipline.
    I look forward to reading more from you this year. Happy New Year!

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  8. These are fabulous "hopes" ~ I can't wait to hear about each of them!

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  9. Wow, I had no idea you still had more space in your lovely home! I can't wait to see what you come up with. I envy people with basements. Here in New Mexico, homes have no basements or attics. What a bummer huh? Oh well, my New Years Hope is to live simpler with less (start decluttering) and more organized. Being a renter has its organizational challenges but it is a New Year and I am READY.

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  10. Great resolutions!! I hope you can make Farm Chicks happen - my sister and I went for the first time last year and all I can say is Wow!! We have tickets for this year already!!! Your blog is great and I really enjoy it!!! Happy New Years!!

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  11. Wonderful hopes for the New Year!

    You'll have to let us know if you'll be going to Farm Chicks...we're going too!

    But most exciting will be your journey to motherhood, all the best with the decisions you and Lee make.

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  12. Your hopes for the year are so achievable; I know you can make them happen! :-)
    All the very best to you & Lee in 2012 Ashli!!
    Victoria

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  13. I think you have a fabulous plan in motion for your hopes of 2012! I realized that we have a lot of the same "hopes" for this up coming year. I am "hoping" that I can keep up with mine... I am pretty sure my husband would like something other than tuna sandwiches in his lunch. Can't wait to read all about your 2012!!

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  14. Love reading all your HOPES for the New Year! I choose one word to sum up what I am looking for in the new year, this year it is QUALITY, last it was SIMPLIFY. Makes it so much easier for me!! Can't wait to see what new things are in store for you two and the Manor!

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  15. I am so glad your back blogging, your blog has become part of my morning routine. So needless to say I've missed it!!!

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  16. I too love that you changed resolution to hopes -- seems more tangible and logical! Great list of hopes, I`ll be praying that you accomplish all of them with ease! XoXo*S

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  17. I love all your hopes for the 2012!! I hope they all come to pass!!!! Have a happy and hopeful New Year!!! :)

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  18. Thank you for all the resolution LOVE! We are hoping for a BIG year, full of BIG celebrations, well thought out, healthy meals and some serious momentum in the baby direction :)
    Here are the sources for the Fashion Part of This Years Hopes:
    http://www.maillardvillemanor.com/2011/10/fall-fashion.html
    Hope that helps
    Ashli

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  19. Sounds like most of my hopes except the baby hope. I'll replace that with dropping 25 pounds. Hope all your "hopes" workout.

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  20. Wow these are such noble hopes! I am impressed. The ones that I can really relate to are the baby business and going green.

    I am so interested to see (if you feel comfortable blogging about that stuff) how the baby business goes for you. My husband and I have starting talking about adoption and surrogates and all that recently as well, but have made no decision yet.

    As for going green, I hope you forgive my bold self promotion, but I would be honoured for you to check out my blog. It's all about being natural, healthy, and eco-friendly. Plus, I am currently doing a giveaway you could win.

    Good luck on all the hopes!

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  21. What a fabulous post Ashli!! Now that I am a regular reader of your blog .... AND I am lucky enough to know you now, I can relate to you in almost all of these hopes. I can't wait to see the laundry room and look forward to working with you in a couple of weeks. Hey I would love to go to the market with you. Just sayin.

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  22. These are great hopes for 2012! I'm with you on the whole calling them "resolutions" thing. I so need to work on the waking up earlier (on days I don't work) and would love to start packing my husband more creative lunches...if that's what you want to call them, since he works the night shift! lol Best wishes for your baby journey!

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  23. Great Hopes my friend! I know you will do well with them all ;) I can't wait to see more blog stuff from you as well, I MAY be preoccupied to do anything much with mine with baby arriving in the next 3 weeks...or sooner!? AHHHHHHHHHH! We started the "cloffice" this weekend! Its basic but it should work wonderful!! Pics and posts soon! xo

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  24. Happy New Year to you, I look forward to your 2012 postings, tips and recipes. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  25. Happy New Year to you, I look forward to your 2012 postings, tips and recipes. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  26. These seem both bold and achievable. Have been lurking for a while, and borrowing and being inspired by your ideas. But this post really got me going for the new year.

    As you consider your options for #7 (obviously one hope people are very interested in), I sure many would be comfortable to share our journeys. My husband and I are the parents of 2 kids (siblings), adopted domestically (in Ontario).

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  27. I love all of your goals! I am excited to follow you for another year, you are one of my favorite daily reads!

    xoxo!
    Jen

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  28. I feel like I know you, we could truly be friends in "real" life! I love your hopes!

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  29. Excellent hopes for the new year....ours are similar in nature. Now promise me if you come into Spokane for the FC Show or into Portland, OR. you'll let me know because I live in the area and would LOVE to see you in person! :o)

    Many Blessings,
    M.

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  30. What great hopes! I too am making the effort towards dressing a little better when I'm at home. But, it does feel oh so good to get the comfy pants on when the day is done. Hope you're having a grand evening. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  31. You make his lunch??!! Can I marry you? :) Hope your "hopes" are working out! The waking up early one is the hardest for me. COFFEE!!!!!

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  32. Oh, I am just loving your blog! Been reading for about a week and you are quickly becoming a fav... and I see you are from Canada! Yay! A fellow Canadian blogger :)

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