Not everyone resolves to make changes in his or her life at the new year. I do. I have absolutely horrible follow-through, but by golly I resolve to change every year. I will eat healthier. I will exercise. I will dutifully put away small change to build my savings account. I will plan technology-free family time.

Then we hit that first weekend in the new year and I decide to sleep in. Since I already ruined the Saturday by neglecting my exercise, I may as well put a little extra cream cheese on my bagel, and that touch of Carolans in my coffee is a well-deserved treat. You know, the treat for already breaking my new year’s resolution. In for a penny, in for a pound–I have already ruined the day, I may as well cut into my small change and get beer, soda, chips, and dip for the television-filled movie time with the girls. If I am going to break my resolve, I will be taking the girls down with me!

So, I comfort myself by trying to eat better but not go overboard, after all I’ve already ruined the whole year by one day of weakness. Then as time goes by and the year gets shorter, I start thinking about the next year’s resolutions I need to make. But wait! Hold the phone–is this not the time of year that the new school year starts? Are we not planning schedules anew? This is my saving grace, that second chance I get to save my year.

Yesterday, I was able to grasp that straw of renewal. We went school shopping. We bought pretty new folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, student planner, and locker supplies. We made plans for how my daughter will juggle her school schedule, cheer schedule, studying time, and social life. We tentatively outlined and planned the days, weeks, and months of the school year.

I mentally planned to coordinate my saving-grace period of resolve with her organization of her schedule. I will plan our family dinner menu, clip coupons, diligently grocery shop, and prepare meals lovingly and consistently for my family. I will get up tomorrow and begin a steady and healthy workout routine.

Mmhmm. I slept in this morning. I have absolutely no idea what I will be making for dinner–probably will buy something on the way home from work. So much for working out, planning dinners, and not spending money. School doesn’t officially start until Wednesday. I can always start then …