Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Resolutions for 2011

We are a few days into the new year and I’ve been thinking a lot about my resolutions.  I don’t normally make resolutions (besides the typical lose weight and save money), but this year there are some things I really want to focus on. 

  • My number one job is being a mom, but this year I need to take some extra time to focus on me.  Since Alannah was born, I have gone up and down with my weight.  I’m not so much concerned with the number on the scale as much as I am with getting fit (so maybe I’ll fee comfortable in a bathing suit this summer).  I won’t lie…I despise do not like exercise.  But I do know that I feel better and more energized when I do it.  I read that it takes 21 days to form a habit.  Hopefully I can train myself to like working out :)
  • Shortly after Alannah was born, I bought my “fancy” camera.  That was over two years ago.  Since then, I’ve wanted to learn how to really use it, other than in automatic  mode.  I have books and websites bookmarked, but haven’t taken (found) the time to read through them.  This year I want to really learn it and how to take better pictures.  Maybe I’ll even take a photography class or workshop. 
  • I want to really work on getting our finances in good order this year.  Thankfully we paid off most of our debt before we moved.  We still have a small amount that I want to get completely paid off this year and really begin to build our savings.
  • I’m going to cook more this year.  I’m lucky that Josh is home two weeknights a week and will usually have dinner ready when I get home on Mondays and Tuesdays (sometimes we’ll eat out one of those nights).  On nights when he is working, I will just make something quick and easy for Alannah and I, or we’ll eat leftovers.  I love to find recipes on other blogs and in magazines.  A few months ago I got all my recipes organized and made a recipe binder.  Now it’s time to start trying those recipes and cooking more on work nights. 
  • There are a lot of projects I plan to finish and catch up on this year.  We bought our house 6 months ago and there is still a lot we want to do.  We need to finish painting the upstairs (I’ve been promising Alannah her pink room for months now), I need to organize the playroom and get it looking cute, I have a ton of frames that I need to fill up with pictures, I need to finish decorating the master bedroom. So much that I want to do in the house!  I am also way behind on my photos.  I take hundreds (maybe thousands) of pictures a year.  I back them up on an external hard drive and on Shutterfly.com.  I am about 6 months behind on that.  I also decided to start making photo books each year after Alannah was born.  The first and last one I did was 2008…oops :) 
  • Lastly and most importantly, my main goal for this year is to find a better work/home balance.  I love my job, I really do.  But I’m finding it more difficult to be able to spend the amount of quality time with Alannah that I want, have “me” time, have couple time, work on projects, etc.  I’m considering slightly cutting my hours at work to give myself more time in the evenings.   The time when I am home, I’m going to try to focus less on what needs to be done (laundry, cleaning, etc.) and spend my time doing more quality things and staying as positive as I can.  Alannah is growing up too fast and I don’t want to miss a minute! I want her to grow up in a happy and positive environment.  

So, those are my goals for the year.  I am making a commitment to work on those things for the whole year!

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