sunday social (link up)

It's hard to believe 2013 will be here in just a few days. 2012 has been filled with ups (like building and buying a new house), downs (like hurting my knee) and everything else in between.

I used to look forward to the next year like nothing else. I was always ready to move on and become the best me I could be.

Lately, I've realized that I am the best me I can be. Right in this moment. The start of a new year just means I can continue to grow and change.

I thought it fitting to link up with Neely and Ashley on the last Sunday of 2012 and welcome the new year with a few memories and resolutions.

1. Favorite New Years Eve you’ve had before: To be honest, I've never had an especially memorable New Years Eve. Those nights are always so hyped up, and often times, they fall short. I don't have any nights spent ringing in the new year out on the town or anything of the short. But I have spent many a New Years Eve with friends - laughing, eating good food, possibly drinking a bit too much... So I can't pick just one night. I've enjoyed every New Years Eve with friends - even when I fell asleep on the couch before the ball dropped.

2. Are you doing anything for New Years Eve this year? And if so, what? We are having friends over to our house this year. I'm planning to make Beer Chicken Legs and Thighs in the Crock Pot, Weight Watchers Twice Baked Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Asparagus, and a Weight Watchers Fruit Cobbler. I may also consume the remain PointsPlus Weekly Balance in wine and beer that night.

3. Name a book we should all read come January? I didn't read nearly as much as I wanted to over 2012. I'd love to say that will change in 2013, but I would need a few more vacations to the beach and quite a bit more free time to make that happen.

For fun, I would recommend the Mortal Instruments series. They're an easy read and quite entertaining.

As for the book that impacted my life the most this year, that would be Love Does. Such a wonderful read and a great reminder that love is so important. I hope to continue loving well and loving often in 2013.

4. What are your (2013) New Years resolutions? I have quite a few. Though some I am not sure if they are resolutions or just hopes for the new year, so I won't share those just yet.

i. Commit to Weight Watchers. I went to my first meeting on Saturday - which also means I weighed in on Saturday. The weight was much higher than I wanted it to be but it is what it is. And it's time for me to move forward. No reason to be upset about the number when I have the opportunity to move on.

ii. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Now that they don't count as far as PointsPlus, I find myself eating more of them. Before I was so worried about the calories they contained that I wouldn't eat them but would decide to eat something less healthy. No longer.

iii. Write more. I have a novel I've been pecking at for a while now. It is quite vivid in my mind, and I need to spend more time working on it. I owe it to myself and to the characters. I also want to grow my blog.

iv. Exercise four times a week. It doesn't have to be an hour-long session each time, but doing something active four times a week will help me in every way possible.

v. Tithe at least 10%.

vi. Pay off debt. We've started working on this and have a plan in place. 2013 is the year to make it happen. It helps that now I want to stay home and cook rather than go out. Who would have thought that would ever happen?