Welcoming The New Year

Every year, I make resolutions; and even though I post them in places where I can see them often, they are more as a way to mark time than they are goals. This year, however, is different in that I actually have some things about my life that I really want to change - all of them being in the ways I handle everyday situations. This year is also unique in that with the new year, I also have begun a new job (first day was today! And it was great!). It's so much easier to make goals when they are marked by a big change in life.

So with no further ado, here are my 2011 New Years Resolutions aka Life Targets:

1) Find time every day to keep my house livable. The past 6 months have been really terrible housekeeping months for me - the last 3 have had me working two jobs, making my days 14-15 hours long. It's nigh impossible to keep the house tidy when you're only home 9 hours a day! But now that I will have time for a life outside of my employment, I want to develop routines and systems so that, while I doubt the house will ever be perfectly in order, I won't be living in a perpetual state of Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome (CHAOS). I also am looking forward to being able to cook my own meals again. :)

2) Have a healthier body. While losing weight would be nice, that is not my ultimate goal. I want to be able to do lots of things, and not worry about my body. I want to have that feeling I have when I'm eating right, and sleeping a good amount, and fairly active. This also goes with having more time - now I will be actually have time to exercise and make good food and sleep. So a good ways into 2011, I want my body to reflect a healthier lifestyle; and ultimately, a happier girl.

3) I want to pick up a new hobby. One thing I really admire about my husband is his need to have a hobby. I don't think he realizes this as much as I do, but he is constantly teaching himself something, or working on something. He has a hobby box full of gizmos and gadgets for the next time he wants to build something, or take something apart. I don't know what my hobby will be, but I want to find things to learn and occupy my time and mind.

4) I want to find time to read, ponder and pray. I don't spend enough time pondering the eternal things. I'm not sure when or how I will do this, but nurturing my spirituality is something I have been neglecting.

5) I want to figure out a career path! If I'm going to go with OT, I want to have that figured out, and OT schools applied for by the time the next applications are due. And if I want to do something else for a while, I want to lay out that plan so I can follow it.

6) I want to be better about budgeting. While the new job situation has many, many positive aspects, one of the negative ones is that it cuts our income significantly. I definitely took a pay cut to accept this new position. I want to be wise about our finances, and I want us to be as independent as possible.

7) I want to plan an adventure. I don't know where Josh and I will go next, but I want us to have some ideas for an adventure while we are young and crazy. :) You never know where life will take you, but having some wishes and dreams to bring to the table can't hurt!

I am an extremely lucky girl - and I'm married to a fantastic young man, who works hard and loves me dearly. We are very happy, and I think that these things will not only make my life fuller and more complete, but I think that my pursuit of them will also make my husband a happier man. And in the end, if he's happy, and I'm happy, and we're happy together, that's the most important thing. Right?