Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I don't know about you, but I can hardly believe 2009 is over and we're beginning 2010! That year FLEW by - at least for me! I'm trying to remember what - if any - goals I had at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, the end of 2009 was a WHIRLWIND. We had a death in the family and my 2-year-old was VERY sick – both occurring within the past 2-3 weeks. So, my mind is foggy as to how things were a year ago! LOL Luckily, a year ago today I was making a similar post! Unfortunately, after rereading that, I can see I fell far short of my goals. Of the few I listed, only one was really even partially accomplished: losing weight. I guess I was right when I said I might be setting the bar too high for myself!

Enter this year's goals. There are some repeats, and some new ones. Life has changed over the past year. I have changed over the past year. Thus, goals must change, too. So, below are what I hope to accomplish this year - in no particular order other than that in which I think of them!

• Continue losing weight. I've lost roughly 12 lbs. so far. By some miracle, I've managed to keep it off through the holidays! Now it's time to get serious about it again. Watching what I eat and getting back into an exercise routine will be the way to get it done!
• Work more. Yes, that's right - work more. I recently started some freelance editing work, and it's actually been good for me. It feels good to be bringing in money again, and I was able to get a new computer. While it's freelance, the company would like its editors to edit 75-100 (or more) articles every week. I've only had a couple of weeks in the 70s. I'd like to maintain the rate they would like me to be at – well, after getting there! LOL
• Get off the Zoloft. I know. This was a goal last year, but I didn't do it. I can't remember why, but there were some things that made me want to keep it. Next time I see my doctor, though, I'm going to discuss it with her.
• Read more. Last year I met a reading challenge goal to read at least 50 books in the year. I actually read 51. I think I'll aim for 55 books. With work added to the mix, this might be a bit tougher this year, but I think I can do it. Just might have to spend less time online!
• Blog more. I really enjoy this. I just sometimes have to force myself to sit down and write. I'll have a post idea in my head for hours before acting on it – or I wait too long and completely lose my thoughts. I'm going to try to post at least twice per week. And, yes, book reviews do count toward that goal! ;-)
  

There are more things I'd like to see happen, but these are most important to me for now. I think that this year, in order to avoid completely losing sight of this list, I'll revisit this quarterly – complete with a progress report. That is, of course, assuming I remember!

To those of you who have frequented my blog and subjected yourselves to my Ramblings, I send my gratitude! I am humbled that anyone reads – and even FOLLOWS – this. THANK YOU! While I'd still write if even no one read this, you make this that much better! Every comment you leave is cherished – it's nice to know someone "hears" me.

Finally, to everyone, HAPPY 2010! I wish blessings and happiness to all for this wonderful new year!

Year in Review

A follow-up to my New Year's post, if you will. My friend Lisa posted this on her blog and I had to follow suit! You go back through your blog and copy the opening sentence from a post (or two) for each month. I began this blog in March, so I will start there - obviously! LOL

Below is the opening sentence from a post from each month. (Any italicized text is a comment I'm writing NOW.) To read the whole post, click on the date/month name:

March: I had a bunch of stuff that I wanted to write. (Is that the story of my blog or what? LMAO)

April: I saw my allergist yesterday, and he said it doesn't sound like an allergy to food!

May: I've never been good at titles - or writing headlines, for that matter.

June: That sums it up perfectly!
June 25: My precious baby girl was born.

July: Around 9:30 p.m. our power was restored!

August: A few months ago, once my daughter got into the wonderful world of Webkinz, I bought her a couple I knew she'd LOVE off eBay.

September: I was just starting up a Baby Einstein DVD for Grant.

October: At this point exactly 12 months ago I was getting to know my sweet new baby girl, Natalie.

November: There is so much going on in my mind right now.

December: DH got home yesterday!

In looking this over, I have to say a couple of things. One, I need to blog more. And two, I need to be more creative in my first lines of my posts! It was hard finding something interesting. No more first sentences being one-word sentences! LOL So far as blogging goes, for 2009 I resolve to write more and better! Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!

I cannot believe that 2008 is now a mere memory and 2009 is upon us! Wow, that happened fast! A year ago I had a 2-month-old baby and was just beginning my stint as a stay-at-home mom. Abby was in her last year of preschool before starting Kindergarten in August. Grant has grown from a 2-year-old toddler to a talking, running, reasoning 3-year old. Natalie, well, she's gone from newborn to full-fledged toddler - they go through so many changes that first year or so that it's impossible to catalog it all! Me? I dunno - I've continued to slowly lose the baby weight. Slowly. I weaned Natalie about a month ago, so hopefully more weight will come of quickly! DH - well, he's working. He spent 30 days in Austin, TX, for work - working with FEMA in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. It was all about the money - that's a lot of OT and extra cash. And we desperately needed it. In fact, I suspect he'll be doing it somewhat regularly (not necessarily Austin - wherever there's need) to help make it possible for me to continue to SAH. Oh, and he had his vasectomy - no more surprise babies for us! ;-)

So, what are my hopes for this year? That's a very good question.

• Lose weight - at the very least get to my pre-Natalie weight. That's a start. I eventually want to get to my pre-Abby weight, but that's 60 lbs away, so I'm not kidding myself that it'll happen this year!
• Get off the Zoloft - I've been on it for three years in February. I didn't get to wean off after weaning Grant like I'd wanted b/c I got knocked up. Now that there's no chance of that, I wanna get off it. Natalie's weaned, so the only thing working against me is possible PMS issues. But, I don't wanna be on the Zoloft forever!
• Be a better housekeeper
• Stop spending and help us get out of debt. Don't know how yet, but stopping spending is a first BIG step! ;-)
• Get back in the habit of attending church regularly.

I'm sure there are more things I'd like to change, but really having too many goals can set one up for failure. I already might be setting the bar too high. Time will only tell. That said, HAPPY 2009! I wish you all many blessings and much happiness this year!