Resolute.

Good morning, friends! It's New Year's Eve — the day that we take stock of the year past, and make vows about how we will behave differently in the coming one. Diets, exercise, smoking, relationships — they are all on the table. We've all done it with varying degrees of success.

This year I resolve to not make resolutions. I'm not going to claim here that I will control my sugars and exercise. Which is not to say I won't attempt to do those things, but it's just unrealistic to expect that I will not falter. I know myself too well, and I suppose by now that you do, too.

I live alone and the only creatures that watch my comings and goings with any consistency are my three dogs. Frankly, they do not care if I eat healthy foods and usually prefer that I do not. They would probably desire some more walking, but other than that, they are content to lay about. So, the only way for me to be accountable is to continue to blog. You are my ear. My shoulder. My hug. My taskmaster. Thank goodness for you.

Since starting this blog I've managed to keep things mostly in check. That doesn't mean that I haven't had a piece of pumpkin pie or two, but for the most part I've kept that devil on my shoulder at bay. She's the one that says, "come on now, you've already spoiled today — go ahead and have another cookie." She's been hanging around for years and I'm getting tired of her. She's a spoil sport, and I don't have to listen to her. And, I owe that mostly to you.

So, come on 2013. I'm glad to see you. You are a fresh slate, full of possibilities. With you comes a milestone birthday and many other things to celebrate — family and friends, and another year of the gift of life. Thanks be for that.