Welcome 2008!

I didn’t make any resolutions in 2007 but I am inspired this year because I liked the way MLL made her list and then checked in periodically to mark off items, or defer them, or just declare them not as important as she first thought. I think it is important to take into account how events during the year can impact your originally stated goals. Resolutions/goals should be flexible and I certainly don’t think anyone should feel guilty about plans gone awry. Often things are completely out of our control in life, right? So, with that in mind, here is my small list for 2008 which I will check in on now and then:

• There is the obvious Move ’08 challenge. Which is already working as I woke up today immediately thinking about just how I can get those 30mins of aerobics in today!!
• Budget ’08 – I did find a good debt reduction calculator on the Excel site I highlighted before and I plugged in the numbers – then resisted the urge to throw things at the computer – sigh… Ok, it’s doable though. A few things are out of my hands such as MM getting a job and how much he can put back towards the portion that is really his debt and also SB’s dad catching up on what he owes, BUT, it is doable with a little more self discipline this year.
• Read books! – I actually started this mid-year in ’07 thanks to the August moms getting started in Goodreads. I made some pretty good head way into my years old to be read pile and I intend to finish it completed in ’08 and keep the momentum up and start reading books from some of their lists which intrigue me. I would LOVE to participate in a book club soon, though ’08 is probably not yet the time. Maybe ’09 if I can establish a good reading routine this year.
• On a smaller scale – organize things. Again, something that was started inadvertently in ’07 thanks to the evacuation drill during the fires. I’d like to get things out of cardboard boxes and into plastic containers with lids. Also just want things to be in more logical places around the house. I started today by cleaning out the hallway closet which has been irritating me for awhile. That was nice just to get that done today! But, there is more to work on in my room, SB’s closets, the kitchen and then, the Big One – the garage.
• And because I prefer odd numbers in lists – I’ll add my one home improvement goal for ’08 which will be re-doing the kitchen cabinets. In order to keep in line with the budget goal, I just want to re-stain the existing ones and then add some brushed aluminum handles. Should be mostly labor and very little material cost. Labor to be provided by MM of course! :->