keep my new years resolutions

Progressing, but still behind the pace.

start an internet company – Done, earned over $6,000 so far
read Ulysses – does one more page count?
Lose 30 pounds – not even trying right now
go to bed earlier – great goal, but far from it
publish a book of poetry – Done, released in May
go green – still doing well
scan all my old photographs – a low priority
go to my high school reunion – Done and enjoyed
practice tai chi – stalled
write another novel – no time for it
learn some Spanish – have ignored the tapes
Get an appointment for car maintenance – oil change overdue
try 43 new recipes – Done and enjoyed
Give 5000 cheers – Done, heading for 7,000 now
Watch Star Trek Enterprise – Done and enjoyed
participate in Sierra club activities – going well
address the 800 lb gorilla – ahem

Progress has been slow.

start an internet company – Done, earned over $3,000 so far
read Ulysses – ahem
Lose 30 pounds – ahem
go to bed earlier – ahem
publish a book of poetry – at the printer
go green – in process, doing well
scan all my old photographs – ahem
go to my high school reunion – still hopeful, July 11
practice tai chi – on and off
write another novel – ahem
learn some Spanish – got some tapes
Get an appointment for car maintenance – ahem
try 43 new recipes – two to go
Give 5000 cheers – Done, heading for 6,000
Watch Star Trek Enterprise – Done and enjoyed
participate in Sierra club activities – ongoing
address the 800 lb gorilla – ahem

My life has been a bit hectic over the last few months and so I’ve been very inconsistent about keeping my New Years Resolutions. Of course I’ve also realized that I made my resolutions very hard to keep track of, which is why I’ve decided not only to “get back on the wagon” but to condense my 22 (yes there were 22 of them) resolutions into 6 succinct goals for 2009.

I will maintain a morning and evening routine that will help to keep me grounded physically, spiritually and financially.

I will maintain a diet/fitness regime to keep myself feeling healthy inside and out.

I will cut credit cards out of my life (literally) and build a savings account.

I will pursue my education in ways both large (finishing my medical coding classes) and small (learning something new every day).

I will do something particularly nice and loving for the people I care about at least once a week and something particularly nice and loving for myself at least once a week.

I will complete at least 10 of my 43Things Goals and make significant progress on at least 5 more.

Now that I’m settled into my new home I’m ready to begin work on myself again! I spent the last couple of days working on a morning/evening routine and budgeting and I’m ready to put those to use. I feel like last year I was shown all the tools to make my life what I want it to be (the Artist Way, Medical Coding, the Writers Conference, running, etc.) and this year I need to implement those tools.

1. Give up chocolate.
36 days. No temptations. Even baked a chocolate cake for the children and didn’t touch it. I’ve done it!
2. No fizzy drinks in the house.
Am determined to make sure we all only have it once at weekends.
3. Alcohol only on special occasions.
Have to watch this one but I’ve been reminded I really don’t like feeling rough the next day. I like the odd glass of wine (prob best in a restaurant where I don’t drink the whole bottle or more). Also managing to go out and be more conscious of my limits. I’;; always have to be vigilant but I’m happy with this for now.
4. Don’t shout, don’t swear.
I’m not perfect but I have improved this. I don’t like hearing myself shout or swear – it’s not pretty.
5. Pursue my 43 Things!
Always have my goals in my mind – current and future.

I’m happy to call my New Year’s Resolutions done for 2009. If any of them need revisiting then I’ll add seperate goals. I’m done!

FINALLY today is MY day. No more white flour, no more sweets, they’re not even worth it. I KNOW Ihave the dicipline and determination to succeed at losing weight. I know I can accomplish everything that I want and I WILL! A good attitude, God, and goals will guide me to exactly where I want to be and who I want to be in my life.

My Stresses:
Defensive Driving/Court Meeting
English book/worksheet and test
My GPA
Getting into college
Spending too much money
My job
Weight/appearance
My lack of skills
Disorder
School absences/forms
Clogged toilet
Friends
Boyfriend
Keeping in touch with family
Parents
ERJ and other clubs

So Today:
900 AM: go to courthouse
1030-345: School
4-5: Workout
5-6: HOMEWORK. STUDY. and do a load of laundry.

1. I will complete at least 10 of my 43 Things goals and make significant progress on at least 5 more.

i’m actually not sure where i am with this right now…

2. I will keep my apartment clean & organized.

i failed miserably at this over the last couple of weeks because i was housesitting. i cleaned all this weekend though so now i’m spotless.

3. I will meditate daily.

i haven’t done this at all. sigh.

4. I will write in my journal every day.

i’ve started again, though for a while i wasn’t doing it at all. for shame.

5. I will re-incorporate the Artist’s Way into my life.

i’m not doing so great with this one, since it’s been almost impossible to get myself out of bed each morning, meaning no morning pages. however i have done one of the exercises. still no artist date.

6. I will exercise every single day for at least 10 minutes and keep a fitness journal.

sigh. i have started doing situps when i wake up and before i go to sleep, though i haven’t been keeping track in my fitness journal. i really need to get back to the fit though.

7. I will do the Couch to 5k program.

this will have to wait until summer, when it is not raining constantly.

8. I will take myself out on a play date at least once a week.

i have yet to do this.

9. I will find random and creative art projects to do at least twice a week.

my soaping has been coming along VERY nicely. so i’ve been doing this more than twice a week. i’m also looking into doing most of the wedding as handmade crafts.

10. I will get my medical coding certificate.

i’ve done nothing with this. sigh. i really need to get on the ball here, as it has been literally months since i have worked on this.

11. I will finish the novel I’m currently writing and write the one I’m day dreaming about.

i’ve done this twice this year. sigh.

12. I will save a significant amount of money.

i haven’t been able to save anything yet – though maybe i will have some extra money soon, since i’m hopefully going to be moving out of my current (too expensive apartment).

13. I will pay off and cancel 3 credit cards.

one is a quarter of the way paid!

14. I won’t use my credit cards once this year.

i haven’t used them once this year!

15. I will look my best every day.

i struggle with this sometimes – especially if i don’t wake up on time. i’ve done fairly well though.

16. I will do something nice for myself every day.

i think i’ve completely forgotten this one.

17. I will do everything I need to when I need to and won’t put anything off until it’s too late.

i’ve been doing a bit better than usual. progress is being made.

18. I will do something particularly nice for someone I love at least once a week.

i’ve made a lot of nice things for people but have yet to send them out – hopefully i’ll be able to take care of that this week.

19. I will stay informed about current events.

ya…not so much. i did buy a newspaper yesterday though, now i just need to read it.

20. I will be try to be positive as much as possible.

sigh. i’ve felt pretty negative lately so i think i need to work on this one a bit.

21. I will learn one new word a day.

still no progress here.

22. I will make sure that this year is the best year of my life (thus far).

if i can complete all these other goals then it really should be.

1. Give up chocolate.
Don’t want to be overly confident but I think I’ve cracked it! I’ve gone 13 days without a smidgen and generally once I go that long I’m fine.
2. No fizzy drinks in the house.
I feel one bottle a week is fine plus the odd glass if we’re out and about!
3. Alcohol only on special occasions.
A few slip ups this week (wine in Mon, Weds and a teeny bit Thurs). I really can’t keep doing this (especially considering the calories). As of today I’m quitting wine. I’ll stick to spirits on my one night a week (tonight = vodka)!
4. Don’t shout, don’t swear.
I need to learn not to swear when I’m cross!
5. Pursue my 43 Things!
I want to find a good time to my daily goals when I am not harrassed by children/husband/dog!!

1. Give up chocolate.
Finally getting somewhere! Had gone 5 days without by the end of week 3 – now 9 days – woohoo!
2. No fizzy drinks in the house.
I think we’re getting used to only having diet coke once a week (though hubby has cheated – I know)!
3. Alcohol only on special occasions.
A ridiculous amount on Saturday night but allowed as rare night out with the girls. I really don’t want to do that too often though!
4. Don’t shout, don’t swear.
Getting better but there are still some improvements. I just don’t want to do it, there’s no need.
5. Pursue my 43 Things!
Yup – going to start thinking about getting my children’s books sent off now – that’s my next time limited goal.

The last week or so was a bit of a setback for me with this goal because Chris surprised me with a visit (definitely not complaining there) and we spent pretty much every minute together.

Then I was housesitting for his mom and the free internet and cable (both of which I don’t have at my apartment) were really distracting… especially since we talked again about getting married and he wants me to set a date (even though the official proposal hasn’t happened yet, sigh). So I’ve been online looking at locations and dresses and watching bridal shows.

This week I’m starting over again though and next Saturday I’ll go back to my resolution rundown. :)

1. Give up chocolate.
Oopsie. Christmas choc gone – phew. Couldn’t resist rum truffles on Mon! I’m going to have one last ‘treat’ then give up altogether either tomorrow or Sunday.
2. No fizzy drinks in the house.
Not bad! Saturday night as agreed we bought some but didn’t drink it all so finished on Sunday.
3. Alcohol only on special occasions.
Fairly good. Got quite tipsy at party but that’s ‘allowed’. 2 Tia Marias Sun then a couple of Irish coffees (just using up the Baileys lol) during the week but really barely any alcohol since Sat. Will have some either tonight or to,orrow.
4. Don’t shout, don’t swear.
Doing well – yay! Sore throat means no shouting and no temptations to swear.
5. Pursue my 43 Things!
I’m mentally running through my goals each night to see where I can make progress. Keeping my goals at the front of my mind is really helpful, especially on days where I can’t get online.