Well, it’s time to get used to typing and writing "2012."

If you haven’t, it is also time to think about your resolutions for the New Year. I write my resolutions down each year in my day planner, so I decided to look back and see how I did.

• Lose 15 pounds was first on the list.

Well, I did do that. But as one of my friends said, some of the pounds found me again.

Does that count as a success? I think not.

Why oh why is weight so easy to gain, but so difficult to lose? I do realize that experts tell us our metabolisms slow as we age. What a bad way to remind us that we are getting older.

I plan on amending this resolution to read, "Lose 15 pounds and keep it off." I hope that adds an element of permanency to my goal.

• Second on last year’s list was to finish my cookbook. Fail.

Yes, I could blame the fact that I am so busy. But as my wise mother always says, we make time for what is important to us.

I kind of hate it that she is always right, but hopefully my children will say that about me one day. Currently, they don’t. But I digress.

Anyway, I met a reader named Margarie recently, and she pulled me aside and asked when my cookbook was coming out. She said she has a box with a bunch of my recipes clipped out of the newspaper and, frankly, she wanted them in one spot.

A book. I felt like she was giving me the motivation I needed. So, that is back on the resolution list. This time I am inspired. Thanks, once again, to my wonderful readers, family and friends.

• Third on the list from last year was to exercise more. I love how I amended it from previous years when I was more specific.

I used to write, "exercise four times a week." When I was younger I wrote, "exercise daily."

Over the years it got whittled down until last year it was just a pathetic "exercise more."

Well, I guess I could put that in the "achieved’ column. I did exercise "more" than not at all. This year I plan on being more specific.

• Fourth on the list is a bit embarrassing. Clean out and organize the attic. This is embarrassing because it makes the list every year and I never even attempt it.

My excuses usually involve the weather. Oh, when it warms up, I am definitely getting up there and cleaning it out. Whew.

When it is not so hot, I will absolutely get up there and get busy. Ridiculous.

Who am I kidding? We could move from our home and leave everything and probably not miss what all is up there, except for four things.

I put together what I call a "baby box" when our children were quite young. I put their favorite keepsakes and christening outfits in a box, labeled them, and put them in the attic.

The rest of the stuff (and that is a nice word) that is up there is definitely junk.

This year I think I am going to leave the attic off of the list and replace it with cleaning out the storage room in the basement. At least I cannot use the climate as an excuse for that project.

I think I have gone on enough about my resolutions.

My friend Beth said she refuses to make resolutions at all — that way she isn’t disappointed with herself.

While that’s a good point, I am a fairly goal-driven person who needs to see the words on paper.

This year, I’m going to not only make my resolutions but will map out a timeline or schedule for each one.

Why not join me in making 2012 a productive year?

My wish is for all of you and all of your loved ones to have a safe, blessed and wonderful new year.

Adlen Robinson is author of "Home Matters: The Guide to Organizing Your Life and Home." E-mail her at contact@adlenrobinson.com.