While I am still trying to figure out how I blinked and missed 2010, I have decided to face the reality that years fly by so fast, and start thinking about 2011. It seems like just yesterday 2010 was beginning. Chris and I were moving to Orlando, but came back to meet his new nephew for the first time. I remember those days so clearly that I can't wrap my head around the fact that it was a entire year ago. I received so many lovely year end letters accompanying Christmas cards this year, and it really made me wish I had done the same. So, instead I did mine on my personal blog, Traffic Notes, and you can read it here if you're interested in hearing about my 2010.

I am so excited about 2011 and the changes it will bring. I know change is inevitable, and sometimes it's not always welcomed with a smile. Sometimes change feels awful and life-ending. Always, it's not. The coming year is starting out with such excitement for me because I'm getting married! This time next year I will have traded in Barnett for LeBrun and fiance for wife. In true blogger fashion, I have created another blog for that so friends & family can be in on the planning madness (Warning: if you don't want to read the ramblings of a cheesy, newly-engaged, crazy woman, this blog is not for you.) However, if you are into love and all things mushy and maybe you are a crazy woman yourself, read this.

So, about the New Year. It's time for the dreaded word: resolutions. I am the person who makes new years resolutions, but can't remember one I've actually stuck to. I type this with my head hung down in shame. (And no, that's not a dramatization...I can do that because I don't need to look at the keyboard when I type.) This year, however, I have a new idea for a resolution that I've never tried before. Considering my upcoming nuptials, this one is important to me.

Here we go...


<---- This is me. The no make-up, cheesy smile, real me. This year, I would like to learn to love her and be nicer to her. I don't treat her that well. When I see her in the mirror some days I think "Well, you'll do" and some days I think "Uuuugggghhhh". I call her chubby sometimes. So mean. I never feed her breakfast, and sometimes let her go all day without eating or drinking anything because I think she's too busy working. I pick at her hair, her clothes, her weight...until she just feels sad sometimes. And I would never in my right mind let her go outside of the house, or let guests come in, without putting some make-up on to cover her freckles and the plum-colored circles under her eyes. Overall, I am a terrible friend to her.

So, this year...before she becomes Mrs. LeBrun...I would like to be nicer to her. I would like to see her in the mirror and not whimper, and I would like to feed her more regularly and give her better food when I do feed her (A pack of tic-tacs will no longer count as a meal). I would like to motivate her to excercise more, not to lose weight, but just to be healthier and feel better about herself. I will not call her chubby anymore or make snide remarks about how her butt won't fit in her jeans anymore. This year, I will learn to love her as she was made and take care of her so she can stick around for a long, long time.

I will now stop talking about myself in 3rd person because I'm starting to annoy myself. See, there I go being my own worst enemy again! This New Years resolution is extremely important to me, because as I enter this new chapter of my life I want to enter it as a positive person and role model. And I certainly want Mr. LeBrun to marry a confident, strong woman. And one day...far down the road...when we have children, I want my children to grow up with confidence. The only way that will happen is if I have it first.

So good-bye Jessica of yesterday, you're mean and I've decided that you and your negativity are out!

On a side-note, I have already started working on my New Years resolution, thanks to my new fiance who gave me a wonderful blender for Christmas. I have had a fruit smoothie with fat-free vanilla yogurt and vanilla soy milk every morning this week. I feel more positive already! It's amazing the difference a little nourishment will make in your day!

So, I ask you, what will you change in 2011? What will be in, and what will be out?