New Year, New Beginnings

 

2020 came to a close yesterday, and we're nearly a full day into 2021. This past year has been so full of changes, challenges, and also some wonderful new beginnings. Today, January 1st has brought some time for me to make new resolutions and how I think I want 2021 to be different than 2020 (and also what I want to keep the same).

A little bit of background...

For many years now, I've wanted to begin a blog. I've wanted to share pictures from adventures, store favorite recipes, remember outfits of the day that made me feel vibrant or elegant, share funny memories, and pass along suggestions that could be helpful to others. I've also wanted an online corner to serve as a record, where my daughter (and any other future kiddos!) could look back on family memories and also find advice on any tough topics that may come her way.

One of my favorite shows to watch with my husband Lance is the old(er) Disney show, Good Luck Charlie. The premise of the show is that an older sister records video diaries to pass along family stories and words of advice for her younger sister, Charlie. Having my brand new daughter Aurora in my life has motivated me to want to create something similar in this blog. If this can be helpful for her--or others--or can help us to encapsulate our family values/trips/dreams, etc., then I hope it will have served its purpose!

 
I chose the title of this blog last Spring, when I first created the page...and then never posted anything. I'm hoping to change that this year, and to make sure I share memories each and every day. The title,  "From Alice to Alston," is a reflection of my life with my husband. 

When we met, Lance lived in a lovely, small yellow bungalow in Monterey on Alice St., right on the border of Pacific Grove near the Defense Language Institute. All of my most favorite memories from the start of our relationship happened in that bungalow on Alice St. I remember staying up late talking with him after watching numerous episodes from an old TV show called McHale's Navy, when we first talked about the possibility of getting married. The next year, we moved to Maryland together to another (slightly bigger) yellow house on Alston Place. So, our adventure started from Alice St. to Alston Pl., and beyond. We've moved from California to Maryland, from Maryland to Nebraska, from Nebraska to Georgia, and now back to Maryland. And who knows what the Navy may hold for us in the future!

Looking ahead to 2021...

Thinking about the upcoming year, I had a few resolutions that I wanted to make, to help focus the year on what matters most and to make new commitments! Here's my list, to help keep myself accountable. These resolutions range from the mundane to the meaningful...in no particular order. The mundane things though are still meaningful in some way to me!, so here they are...

(1) No more soda: I drink too much Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, etc., and don't want to continue to hurt my teeth. And, I want to set a good example for Aurora.
(2) Only homemade desserts: I've gotten so much better about considering what I eat over this past year, but I certainly have a sweet tooth! Especially when it comes to cupcakes!
(3) 3 miles (or more) per day: I'm working on my running...and my power walking when I have to! I've already failed at this one today, but that's okay, I'll pick it back up tomorrow!
(4) Blog each day: I'm trying!, starting today.

(5) No more new clothes: I have too many and we move too often. I'm working on it!

Until tomorrow!,

Shannon