A New Year with New Goals

So apparently I have neglected my blog for so long that a new format has been implemented by blogger.  Geez.   Disconcerting.

I have never been good at the New Year's Resolution.  The only one I can remember that I kept the longest was to quit biting my nails.  It lasted about two and a half years, which was quite an accomplishment for me.  However, during one of the long drives from Alabama this past year (as I was approaching Nashville), I was really tired and was without my driving nibbling food (Gobstoppers).  I gnawed my nails back down to nubs for lack of something else to do and to keep myself awake and alert.  That was it for me.  As I type this, two of the fingernails are well below where they should be and are quite painful.  As for the rest...let's just say I will never be hired as a hand model.

I was helping with Archie's Sunday School class on January 1 where one topic that came up was New Year's Resolutions.  The teacher brought in a huge poster where the kids and teachers were to write in their Resolutions.  I had already decided that the Resolution was a waste of time and wouldn't be making any for this the year of 2012.  The kids wrote their Resolutions and the poster was sealed in a giant sized envelope to be read next January.  Archie's resolution was to not get into as much trouble this year.  It startled me just a bit because I don't really think of him as a trouble-maker, nor do I think he gets into much trouble at all.  After pondering for a few days, I guess I can see where he'd get the impression that he gets into a lot of trouble.

The past several months he has been repeatedly been chastised for not staying focused and on task.  I feel like a broken record...

     Me:  "It's time to get dressed.  It's time to get dressed! It's time to get dressed!  IT'S TIME TO GET DRESSED!!!!!!!  STAY FOCUSED!!  PUT ON YOUR PANTS AND SHIRT NOWWWWW!!!!!"

The above applies to school work, getting ready to go somewhere (even places and events that he finds pleasurable) and household chores.   He has spent several hours on a math page that should have taken a maximum of 20 minutes due to his lack of focus.

Archie's recognition of his need for improvement inspired my recognition of my need for improvement.  However, I can't seem to make and achieve a tangible goal for a whole year.  So I am doing bite-sized goals once a month, and am posting them here for accountability.  Because won't I feel silly having posted this for my yearbook and have nothing to show for it???  I have calendared time at the beginning of each month for evaluation for that month.

My goals for the month of January:

**Go to the YMCA at least three times per week.
--With the exception of the two weeks surrounding Christmas, I have been doing very well at this since the beginning of December.  I am trying to keep up the momentum, as the me-time sweating is quite fulfilling and enjoyable.  They have child care, so I really have no excuse NOT to.

**Find an upholsterer for the couch.
--While in Mobile over Christmas, Mom helped me pick out some fabric for recovering our couch.  Yes, I realize that I can pick up a whole new couch for $300, but our couch is the same one we had in our house my whole life and you just can't beat the quality of something that has taken quite a beating for the past 38 years (at least) and is still structurally sound.  Mom had it re-covered several years ago and the time has come again after the abuse of little kids, dogs of years past, and a husband who wallows in automotive grease.  I have no idea how I am going to find someone in Cincinnati who I can trust to do a great job that will last another 25 years.

**Get my laptop computer case adjusted so I can watch DVDs and use the media card function.
--The guy who repaired my computer before didn't put the case back together properly, so now the DVD and media card slots aren't properly lined up.  I didn't complain because he was going to charge me $400 for a new motherboard after the Great Water Spill of 2010, but it started working again just after he called with the $400 estimate.  He was honest about it and only charged me the $60 fee for checking it.  I didn't want to push my luck so I smiled and said "thanks" and paid the fee he asked for.  I bought an external DVDRW and called myself lucky.  The guy is no longer in business (probably because he is too honest) so I need to find someone to work on this.

**Get Archie to the orthodontist for evaluation.
--Archie has adult teeth still in hiding because they can't come down due to spacing issues.  I am dreading, dreading this costly little endeavor.

**Blog at least one time per week.
--This is my creative outlet, but is also the thing that is first on the chopping block when I run out of time and/or energy.  This will be the most difficult thing to keep consistent.  I would like to say I will update two or three times per week, but I need to keep this particular goal more attainable.  I was reminded by our friend Dr. Joe during our visit in Mobile that the blog needed my attention, so here it goes on my list.

So there they are.  My goals for January.  And only January.  To heck with the rest of the year.  Until February.  I'll deal with that then.