{Resolutions: December 2011}

Oh, bugger! It's hard for me to believe this year is already almost over. Didn't it just

start? A friend sent me an email recapping the highlights of his year recently, and it

made me stop to think that I have actually done a lot in the last 334 days. It's been

good! It still seems like 2011 only just began ...

I'm going to do my best to plug away with the New Year's Resolution's I set eleven

months ago and finish the year strong. They won't be 100% done by the time January

first strikes, but I feel like I accomplished much of what I set out to do this year

(most of which I didn't document on the 'ole blog). That's a great feeling! I'm here today

with my second to last e-check-in of 2011.

In 2011:

1) Make one new goal each month that give me a sense of balance and

make me feel like me.

January: Blog stuff -- done

February: Technology -- done

March: Photos into albums & scrapbook -- done

April: Canning -- done

May: Was kind of a bust -- oops!

June: Practice doing a 5K (mostly walking) -- done

July: Find a fun, part-time job -- done

August: Do a simple sewing machine project -- oops!

September: Run in a 5k -- done

October: Put myself out there to find more work in my field -- done

November: Establish an LLC, a business account and basic work documents -- progress made.

-->I'm still working on this goal, but I looked a few things up, got some great advice and

made some small decisions. I will continue to work on it in December and January,

and I'm excited to be legitimizing my work. :)

In December: Re-org the drawer that holds cloth napkins and table runners and finish

crafting my little Christmas houses -- a simple goal during a busy month.

2) Learn how to do the following things around the house in 2011:

- Clean up my PCs (May 29th)

- Clean up my MAC (worked on it in November, 50% done)

- Unclog the kitchen drain/garbage disposal (replaced disposal, no longer clogs)

- Turn off the water to the house (January 31st)

- Work the sprinklers and the drip system (March 13th)

- Add to the drip system (this may not happen in 2011)

- Clean the pool filters (February 6th) Change pool the filters (February 13th)

- Weekly/monthly pool care (July & August 2011)

- Drain and fill the pool (February 19th)

- Fertilize the lawn before summer (March 13th)

- Properly level and hang hardware fixture with a molly (November 29th)

- Change a door hardware and handle

- Relight the pilot light in the water heater (March 19th)

3) Volunteer or donate blood, on average, once a month (12 times this year).

1. Made food boxes w/ friends at St. Mary's Food Bank (January 8th)

2. Donated platelets and red blood cells (January 14th)

3. Sorted food baskets for the Bountiful Baskets produce co-op (February 10th)

4. Helped caseworkers collect items from Bridging AZ’s Hope Chest (March 4th)

5. Donated platelets (They weren't setup to do RBCs this time. Boo!) (March 14th)

6. Helped caseworkers collect items from Bridging AZ’s Hope Chest (March 18th)

7. Helped caseworkers collect items from Bridging AZ’s Hope Chest (May 6th)

8. Barb came over, and together we made 112 Cards for Soldiers (May 12th)

9. Photographed the graduating 8th grade class at Children First Academy (May 17th)

10. Donated a double round of platelets (May 24th)

11. Spent a morning working at ICM Food and Clothing Bank (June 4th)

12. Donated a double round of platelets at the blood bank (June 23rd)

13. Donated a double round of platelets at the blood bank (July 21st)

14. Donated a double round of platelets at the blood bank (September 1st)

15. Donated a double round of platelets at the blood bank (November 18th)

16. Assisted Aid Station #5 at the IronMan Triathalon (November 20th)

4) Go on at least one quality date a month -- whether it be by myself, with D

or with a friend -- as long as it's something new, different and adventure

worthy.

Here's a little info on the thought that went into making this goal.

January: Double feature at the drive-in theater with a car picnic. It was a really fun night!
February: Putt-putt golf. Air hockey and video games. Dinner at Chompies. Awesome.

March: Tempe Art Festival for shopping, people watching and street food.

April: Weekend stay-cation at a resort in Scottsdale. Luxurious, romantic relaxation!

May: Kayaking at Canyon Lake

June: Went to see Over the River and Through the Woods at Hale Theatre Center

July: A week long healing, communication, education retreat

August: Dinner and to Chandler Center for the Arts to see a free summer concert

September: Trip to Geneva, IL and a Warrior Dash 5k

October: Road trip to Apple Annie's in Wilcox

November: Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, first time to run a race step-by-step with D

I hope you have a great day, everyone!