It’s my last post of 2011, and what a year it’s been etc etc. But rather than look back at the rollercoaster ride of being a Reluctant Housedad, I’m going to look forward in the traditional way, by making some New Year’s Resolutions – hopefully ones I’ll be able to keep.
So here are my Top 5 Resolutions for 2012.
1. Stop ironing pants.
It will be hard, because I’ve got into the habit of ironing everything from pillowcases to pants (which I have written about before), but it’s time to g cold turkey and let my children and wife feel the cold, crumpled discomfort of a creased undergarment.
2. Cook a recipe a week from my cookbooks.
I was bought three for Christmas – Heston, Jamie and Nigel Slater – to add to my collection of 50-plus, ranging from everyone from Nigella to Ken Hom to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to Madhur Jaffrey. But I never use them, preferring instead to cook with instinct, using whatever’s in the cupboards. But I’m a bit tired of my repertoire now, so I’m going to devote this year’s Recipe Shed to a new adventure from one of my books.
3. Make Mondays Meat-Free
I’m never going to be a vegetarian, but my diet is far too meat-focused, so for one day a week I’m going to go meat-free. This will obviously be preceded by a super-duper carnivorous Sunday roast.
4. No-booze for 28 days
I did this for the whole of January a couple of years ago, but haven’t managed it since. This year, though, I’m motivated by the need to save some money and give my liver a break. If I can’t manage it, then I am officially an alcoholic, and I really don’t want to be.
5. Try to become a WFHD rather than a RHD
We’ve worked out all the finances of me going back to work in an office, and unless I land something very senior and very special after 18 months out of action, then it makes no financial sense because of the cost of childcare. Instead, I need to use the hours between 9am-3pm during school times to become a Working From Home Dad and earn a crust that takes the pressure off my wife’s income. But how? It’s time to get the drawing board out again.
• Are you making any resolutions for the year ahead? Or is it a total waste of time?
Haha I iron the kids pants and pillow cases. Sheets and duvets don’t stand a chance though, please tell me you don’t do those too?
Love your idea of Meat Free Mondays… Pasta it is then?
Good luck with your list!
they all sound like good resolutions, good luck in keeping them, Happy New Year
Good luck in finding somethng lucrative for the school hours. Good luck with all of it actually but the work one will probably be the most life enhancing. Unless you really are an alcoholic, in which case January isn’t going to be enough
Happy New Year xxx
Who irons pants? Seriously, life is too short to iron pants. Weirdo.
Oh for the love of God, pants?! Good luck with the alcohol thing, I’m sure you’ll manage it. And well done on the meat-free Monday!
Meat free days is something I’ve been thinking about also, we’re actually not slaves to eating meat with each meal, but we also don’t look for interesting vegeteratian recipes. Think Hugh’s new book may be needed..
Happy New Year to you & your family.
No set resolutions for the coming year just to appreciate each & every day .
Sorry, late to this – meant to come on and reply to this after reading it on email yesterday. If you’re searching for a direction and need to push yourself a bit, why not join in with LifeCircle starting on my blog this week? Might help, can’t hurt. Can it?
I was just introduced to your blog today, good stuff. For someone who was so “reluctant”, you are pretty inspiring. I hope that someday people will find my blog as useful and inspiring. Have a great 2012
You iron pants?! You put me to shame. I moved in to my new house in May. I have yet to use/remember where I put the iron. Love your other resolutions though, I haven’t made any but some of these are on my Day Zero List. Good luck!
Hahaha where I’m from pants are trousers!! I had to read this to see why you would send wife and children out (and why they would agree) to wearing crumpled trousers!! Haha I dont iron ‘pants’ but I do iron towels and bedding. Tory has severe excema and I can’t use softener, that’s my excuse!
Alcohol and meat free! Woooo I agree with those. Braver than me though.
Cookery books I’m about the same on that one, maybe I should make an effort. Trouble is I just like em for reading