Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Goals and thinking ahead


Now that Christmas is behind us and the long stretch of winter looms ahead, my thoughts are already fast-forwarding to spring!  Just think.  The spring scene in the photo above will be a reality in approximately 3 short months! I've been pondering the last few days on what I hope to achieve this new year.  I don't like the word resolutions.  They seem so...well...firm.  And I never seem to keep them.  But goals are aims...hopes or dreams.  Therefore, I jotted down some goals I hope to accomplish in this new year and a few before spring.

     1 - Exercise more.   I really need to do this!
     2 - Eat healthier and drink less soda.   I've been on sugar overload since the beginning of the holidays. 
     3 - Simplify/get organized.   This means cleaning out closets, plus get rid of stuff/junk I don't need stored in the basement.
     4 - Decide on a new camera.   Or dust off the old film slr camera and relearn to use it again.  If I can find film!
     5 - Organize photos.  I've been really bad about not keeping old photos in order.  Gotta change that.  
     6 - Read the bible more.  And other more edifying material rather than some of the fluffy stuff I've been reading lately.
     7 - Comment and post more often.  Sometimes life gets in the way of computer time, but I will try harder.
     8 - Find a new couchOnce I decide on color and style. I'll put the new one in the living room and the old one will replace the one downstairs in the family room.          

Other goals are for hubby and I together and we have already discussed things we would like to do in our house and on our back 40 6.  First project will probably be redoing the upstairs bathroom.  We've been aiming to do this for the last 2 or 3 years.  It's now or never!  We will rip off old tile and redo the walls, put in a new vanity, maybe a new tub/shower and flooring.  He says we can do this ourselves.  We'll see!  I hate to think of the mess.  Yikes!

Other goals are planting a few fruit trees.  We used to have apple trees, I miss them.  And I want to try a couple of peach trees, too.  Also, cleaning out trees and stuff sprouting around and nearby the pond.  This will be good exercise!    Then, we may try raised gardening this year.  We've definitely had problems with growing decent gardens in recent years.  Maybe this is the way to go.

We also have other goals in mind, but this is a big start.  I realize some of the goals require spending quite a chunk of money, but we are pretty frugal people and have already saved for these things.    

One other thing is on our list.  I'll post about it another day and invite your opinions.  

Until next time...

15 comments:

  1. The photo makes me yearn for spring,our winter started so early this year and it seems to have no end.
    I agree that New Year resolutions do not work and goals are a much gentler option,good thinking.
    You seem to have set yourself quite a lot of goals,I can imagine you are in for a busy year.!!
    Take care Carolyn.

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  2. Thinking spring and goal-setting! Two great themes for the beginning of a new year! Blessings to you in 2011!

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  3. Technically Spring is 77days away! but who is counting! LOL
    Great goals! The simplifying is an ongoing process because it seems to pile up if you dont keep it simple!
    I think I may have to have a new camera...

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  4. Oh and we have to find a new couch too.. We decided on a sectional and pretty sure on the color just have to find one to match the budget!lol

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  5. Oh, how I want to see those redbuds again - beautiful picture! Thanks for sharing those goals - mine are much the same. For me, it's a matter of keeping the motivation and energy up to completion! Happy New Year!! -Tammy

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  6. You’ve captured my favorite thing about spring...redbuds. Actually, I love redbuds and white dogwoods together in the hills. It’s my favorite week or two of the year. Your goals are great. I am still pondering and I guess I better get something down on paper to hold myself accountable. Happy 2011!

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  7. Good luck with your goals, Cheryl... There are some good ones and I hope you go back to this list in 2012 --and see how many you accomplish...

    I don't make resolutions either --but I am always thinking about my health, since I'm 68. I try to eat healthy, exercise, drink lots of water, and get plenty of sleep...
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  8. Hi Cheryl!

    You know what? I could copy and paste all of those goals right to my blog and no one would know....shhhhh...! Isn't it funny how two people could think alike!!

    Love the picture! I think I have Spring Fever!

    Now, about remodeling the bathroom! We are in the process of remodeling our downstairs bathroom right now. We had to tear out the old shower stall, take out the floor covering, replace the old vanity and still have lots of other little time consuming fixes. All I can say is . . . GOOD LUCK! We made more trips to Home Depot in one week than most people make in a year. The shower stall is in, and it looks great, and I'm glad it's done. Now if I could just figure out what color I want to paint it!

    Wonderful, inspiring post!!

    Warm hugs,
    Barb

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  9. Cheryl, love those Redbuds! I am so excited that you have a new camera on your list! How fun is that? I can pretty much share your other goals but can't help but get excited about the camera shopping :) I need to worry less, drop about 5 pounds, read more and step away from the computer :)

    Wishing you luck on the success of your goals and lots of fun getting there!

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  10. I know having goals always helps me accomplish more and The New Year always stirs me to make them. I like posting them in my blog because I can go back monthly and do a check-up to see how I'm doing......or get back on track if I've slipped.

    Mickey does the raised gardens and has been very successful with them. Expensive to set up in the beginning but well worth it.

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  11. Uh oh, lots of resolutions there.

    Good Luck!

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  12. I loved your goals; they are very similar to mine.I do seem to have the same goals every year and I seem to only be able to actually complete a few of them. I have decided this year to shorten the list and work harder to accomplish the good things. I thought also that I would invite Christ into the picture and at least ask if I am on the right track. I know through Him I can do and complete the important things.
    It was fun to read your post because we do have a lot in common. Blessings to you! LeAnn

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  13. Lots of goals to make your year fun and productive. DIY renos are a lot of work but they do save money. We're in the midst of them ourselves.

    Lovely photo - makes me yearn for spring.

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  14. What a beautiful Spring picture. The way time goes by so fast, we will be seeing scenes like that before we get turned around. I hope to read my Bible more this year. I have started reading from a plan sent from our church.
    Have a great New Year!
    Love,
    Marie

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  15. Beautiful header but brrrrr! Is it Spring yet?

    I've avoided resolutions and most goals. Just going to try to do a better job of taking care of myself.

    Good luck with the remodeling of the bathroom. Having just gone through that, I can tell you it is not easy!

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