I don't make resolutions for the new year, but I do set goals. I know they're the same, but for some reason a resolution sets me up for failure, I have a bad attitude about resolutions. Having a goal is more hopeful. Saying I have a goal means I'm on a mission. Achieving a goal is so satisfying. Goals can be adjusted. Surpassing a goal is a great feeling of accomplishment. My new year's goals are usually fun and attainable. Here are some of my goals for 2009.
Try one new recipe a month - This seems really easy, but it's not. My family is very, very, very picky and I have food allergies. I don't even try finding a recipe that Star Wars Son will eat, it's not happening. I do try to find something that Handy Man, Dancing Daughter and I will enjoy. It has to be a recipe I can use fake milk and/or cheese in. It also has to have a minimum of (or no) wheat.
Use my camera everyday - I'm really excited about this goal. I have so much to learn about my camera, there are so many setting I haven't tried yet. I need to learn to use the zoom and wide angle lenses. (I need to get it into the shop to see what that big black blob is in every picture.) Note: I went to a New Year's Eve party last night and forgot to take my camera. I'm feeling extreme remorse about it. The party was a blast and there were many photo opportunities I missed out on. This can't happen in 2009!!
Have a date night/day with Handy Man every week - This one will be difficult and I'm not sure how to go about implementing it. Handy Man does not like to go out. It's difficult for Handy Man to spend money on things like eating out and movies more than a few times a year. (Hence the reason for the "try one new recipe a month" goal... I need some variety somewhere!) I've suggested a weekly date night before, but it hasn't happened yet. This year I need to make it happen. Wish me luck!
Take time for my kids - I already spend a ton of time with my kids, hence the need for date night with Handy Man. During the school week I make sure they get out of bed, cook breakfast for them, take them to school, pick them up from school and make sure they do their homework. I take and DD to the dance studio four times a week. We watch movies and tv shows together. I even sit around with them and their friends. What I sometimes lack and want to improve on is the "being present in the moment" type attention. DD is a mama's girl; she also sucks a lot of energy out of me. I frequently find myself being really impatient with her and it's not because of her it's because of my attitude about the attention she wants from me. There are some things I can do that she loves. I can go watch her at dance class on parent watch week. I haven't done that in years. I can play DS games with her! Fun for both of us. I can watch one or two tv shows with her that she likes, but I don't. I can listen (without commenting) when she just wants to bitch and moan about something... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. I'll have to think what I can do better with SWS. He doesn't suck the energy out of me, he doesn't bitch and moan, he isn't always begging me for attention. We talk about everything under the sun. When something is bothering him he tells me. He asks me for advice. We have a great relationship.
Make a blog post everyday - I've already missed posting a couple of days since I started in December, so this might be a challenge. I like blogging even more than I thought I would. I thought it would be something I would do when I was bored at work, but it's turned into so much more. I do have plans for future posts in the back of my head. I have a series of posts about Pearl Jam floating around that I need to start composing and am very excited about. Being a Pearl Jam fan changed my life in so many ways that I just have to share!
There are my goals for 2009!
Do you make goals or resolutions for the new year, or do you just go with the flow?!