New to Me

Well, that time of year is upon us once again. Time to enter the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway, you ask? Yes, that too, but not what I was talking about. It's New Year's-- a time of parties, fresh beginnings, resolutions chock full of good intentions, and keeping an eye out for w-2s.

Is that what New Year's means for you guys? It means none of that for me. I start my "new year" from either my birthday or the academic calendar. As far as I'm concerned, January is the middle of the year. Parties? I'll be in bed by 10:00. Taxes? Let's not kid ourselves, okay? I'll be hitting the send button on TurboTax's site somewhere around noon on April 14th.

And New Year's resolutions? I've learned that lesson. After all, starting a new jogging regimen and promising to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into one's diet is clearly a springtime activity. Oh, but I do look forward to those optimistic brave souls who choose January to go trotting past my house with their super-cool new running gear. It's like vicarious exercise.

I already exercise, anyway. I should do it more often and challenge myself a bit more. But why 'resolve' to do it? I know that statistically the vast majority of resolutions are dead in the water less than 90 days after the first. Let's just say, I'll keep trying. I think that's good enough, don't you?

Ah, what the heck?! I don't want to be left out of the tradition and the fun. I'll make a New Year's resolution, too. That's right; I'll do it. I'll even say it out loud right here. Ahem. 2013 is the year, after years and years and years of dogged efforts, that I will finally win the HGTV Dream Home. Certainly, this resolution won't fail.