Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays.

Well, here we are. Full-fledged into January, embarking on another new year. Twelve months of opportunity, staring us in the face.

Uh-huh, staring. Waiting, expectantly. Blinking. Waaaaaaaiting…

Does anyone else get a little overwhelmed when starting something new? Despite talking around the issue for almost two weeks now, I've had a hard time really getting revved up about my New Year's resolutions. After all, will it really work? Is there even a point?

Now, you know I love me a good list. And I love setting goals and making plans. But (as I may have mentioned a time or twenty), follow through often proves difficult for me.

Largely because I so love my quality time with the TV, and partly thanks to my ever-growing obsession with the blogosphere.

But no matter the reason (and oh yes, there's always a reason), I have left pages of lists and plans and yes, resolutions, behind me over the years.

Here’s where my case of the Mondays comes in. Or the Januarys. Or really, any time period that allows me to start over.

Of course, we don’t have to wait for any magical day. We can start over at any time. Lamentations 3 – one of the most encouraging books I’ve found, with its barefaced admission of pain and bittersweet recognition of God’s mercy even in those valleys – reminds us that God’s compassion and love is new every morning. And with his love comes forgiveness and a clean slate.

Every morning, we’re given another chance. One more opportunity. Hmm...that's a whole post in itself! But for today, I'm focusing on what that means for January and resolutions and me.

So with that in mind…

This year, I believe, will be different. I’m setting tangible, measurable resolutions and committing to detailed plans to achieve them. And the icing on the cake? I’m even asking for accountability from you all. Right here. Right now. After all, if Tam and Mandy can do it on their blogs, surely we can do it here, too. (But please, for the love of all things musical, do not expect me to write you any songs!)

In 2009, I resolve, commit, determine to…

• Embrace a healthy lifestyle with the help of Weight Watchers (losing weight along the way, of course!).
• Return to a daily quiet time by subscribing to Proverbs 31 Ministries devotions. Also, continue working through three-year Bible reading plan at home.
• Improve personal finances by paying $50 extra toward debt each month and saving $1500.
• Spend quality time with Photobaby each day by reading a book to her before bedtime. (This might seem obvious and easy, but since I work full-time, PB and I often run errands in the evenings, making the night-time ritual rushed and chaotic.)
• Start doing my part around here by signing up for recycling service by the end of January.

I’m not even putting floss on there. Because really, I’m not sure you all want to be my accountability group for that one. And besides, I’m setting myself up for success this year with attainable goals and all that.

Those are my goals for this year. Do you think they sound do-able? Will you help me stick to them by reading updates every now and then (and asking for updates if I fall back to my typical slacker ways)? Is there anything I can keep you accountable for in 2009?