Now, New Year's Resolutions

Again, Simple Mom has provided great questions for thinking through goals for 2009.


Similar to the 2008 reflection questions, I will answer a few here, though there are many more to think about than what I will post.

1. What skill do you most want to learn this year?

Oh how I want to pull that sewing machine out of the extra room upstairs and actually start using it. I have big plans to lug that thing home to either my mother's house or Scott's mother's house to have a little sewing lesson. So...resolution number one, sew at least one outfit that Ada can actually wear before January 1, 2010.

A few homemade drapes and pillows around the house wouldn't hurt either.


2. What is one skill you already have that you'd like to improve this year?


Hmmm...cooking maybe? I want to cook from scratch more. I have tons and tons of yeast that I purchased for free sitting in my cabinet, so maybe my first project will some type of bread. I have never made homemade bread before. I'll let you know how that goes.


3. Name three books you most definitely want to read in 2009.


Good question...I am not sure, and I am thinking this may have to be a completely separate post. Please, any readers out there, suggest some books worth reading. Fiction, parenting, money management, whatever, suggest away. What are your favorites?


I haven't read all of the Narnia books, so maybe I will mark those off of my list before 2010.


4. What are some specific ways you can encourage your spouse?


I am serious about the housekeeping, folks, I am terrible, so I would love to get a handle on that. I imagine it would be quite encouraging for Scott to come home to a clean rather than chaotic home.


I also want to be better about careless spending. Let's be honest, here, our biggest stress area is the budget, so the less I spend, the more encouraged he will be. I am bad about the occasional McDonald's hamburger or Sonic diet coke when it wasn't previously calculated in the week's budget. Those little expenses add up!


5. Think of one of your major life goals. What will you do this year to make you one step closer to reaching that goal?


We want to be debt free. And I do mean debt free. Everything, house included, paid off. We are so far from that right now, but we want to mark off small goals this year. Emergency fund in place, debt snowball rolling, and hopefully all cars paid off before 2010.


6. Name a few ways your physical health could be improved.


Well, let's state the obvious. I can eliminate the diet coke. I also really need to exercise more. This is good for my mental and physical health. I am setting a goal for exercising 3 times a week (at least).

7. In what way do you want to draw closer to God?


Since becoming a mom, I am terrible at letting my quiet times slide. In college I was so good at waking up early, going for a run, doing a bible study, and showering all before my 9 am class. Not so much anymore. Because I am a morning person, I want to start waking up before Ada, so that I can start the day with a quiet house and some time with the Lord. I think this would benefit everyone in our home. If I could be showered before she wakes up, that would be an even bigger bonus.


8. What is one thing you want to accomplish before your birthday?


My birthday is August 12th. I want my house to be painted, finally, before my birthday. I want everything downstairs to be painted. I have colors picked, I just have to get it done. I have big plans to paint my kitchen chairs red, my breakfast room walls gray, and the kitchen and family room "pale smoke." I plan to paint the guest room the same green as the dining room, and I am not 100% sure on the guest bath. Suggestions anyone? (Particularly you, Ann, since you helped me pick all of the other colors).


Even smaller goal. Before March 1st, I want wooden blinds on my front door. Our front door has a glass front, and the house came with blinds on every window and the breakfast room door, but not the front door. We just keep putting it off. We did put temporary blinds up one Saturday when I couldn't stand it anymore (you can find these at Home Depot), but the time has come to actually make the call and schedule a time for permanent blinds to be put up.


Okay, ya'll, I need accountability to actually make these things happen. From now on, every Sunday I will report on how the previous week went. I am hoping that if I have to actually tell someone that I didn't do one thing to make my house neater, well I will get off my tail and get it done. We'll see. What are your New Year's resolutions or goals?


Happy 2009, everyone!