New year, slightly new us

Here at The Grundy Register, we pride ourselves on self-improvement and keeping our word. Because a new year signifies a completely new outlook on everything and an opportunity to reverse all of the vices we’ve picked up or exacerbated in 2017, each of the seven main staff members will offer something that they’re resolving to do differently in the next 365 days. Our answers are below.
 
Brenda Abels, Administrative Assistant—I’m going to lose weight, quit smoking and treat people better. Check back with me in February.
 
Lisa Bakker, Composition and Page Designer—Be more organized at home, and help Brenda quit smoking.
 
Michaela Kendall, News Editor—Honestly, I don’t have any New Year’s resolutions. I would say stop drinking two Red Bulls a day, but that’s not going to happen.
 
Robert Maharry, Regional News Editor—I hope to break my addiction to soda this year, and two days in, I already miss my old friend. I like a Mountain Dew in the morning, a Coke for lunch, a Pepsi in the afternoon and an Orange Crush for dinner. How could I possibly be overweight?
 
Beyond that, I resolve to manage my money better (unlikely) and take up a new hobby, whatever that may be. In the meantime, you can find me angrily chugging from my water bottle and wondering when it will start tasting like carbonation and sugar.
 
Diane Paige, Dike correspondent—I do not have a new year’s resolution. My only concern is that I have to travel in January, and I hope road conditions improve along with the temperatures.
 
Clint Poock, Publisher—I want to work out on a regular schedule, eat healthy and sleep at least seven hours a night.
 
Jake Ryder, Sports Editor—My resolution is to watch my finances a little bit better, and that’s probably about it. I haven’t been to Minnesota yet since I moved up to this part of the state, so I’d like to get up there sometime this year. In terms of fun things, that’s probably at the top of my list.
 
All admirable goals, except for Michaela’s, I suppose. Check back with us in a few months to see if we’re positively transforming ourselves or pulling our hair out because we’ve abandoned all of the old habits that kept us sane.
 
We’d like to wish all of our readers a happy new year and say a big thank you for riding along with us. Let’s make 2018 the best ride yet.