11 things

I'm not going to make a New Year's resolution.  They last about 3 weeks and always get broken.  I have no interest in setting myself up for failure.  Instead I'm going to list 11 things I want to accomplish in 2011.  I am hopeful that if it's written down I will hold myself accountable and also have the opportunity to look back and reflect.  Here goes:

1)  More organic food and fresh foods.  I'm about 40/60 with the organic stuff.  I want to be about 75% organic/25% non, or better.  I'm a little worried about the cost and staying in our budget, but can you really put a price on your health?

2) Creating a budget and sticking to it.  This is a tough one because we don't have a steady income so it's really about saving and really living within your means.  Some months I'm really good, other months not so much.  This year is all about asking a very important question, "Is this a need or a want?"  If it's a want I won't be purchasing it.

3)  Back to the gym.  I was working with a personal trainer for awhile last year but I've gotten out of my workout routine.  Now that Ryder is older he can go to the gym day care.  I am excited thinking about getting back into shape.  I'm shooting for 3x a week.

4)  Learn more about my camera.  I've taken a class but I am craving more.  This is top of my list, maybe should even be #1.

5) Read more books.  I love reading but I haven't been making enough time for it.  I have a list of 20 books that I want to read this year.  I'm heading to the library this week.

6)  Do a whole house decluttering. We have too much stuff and I know much of it we can live without, so we'll be working room-by-room to remove all of the extra items that are taking over our house and to better organize what we do keep. "A place for everything and everything in its place" -- a rule to live by.

7)  Cooking one new meal each week.  Easy enough.  Just need to pick them out of my library of cookbooks.

8) Organize my photos.  This is going to take some time but it needs to be done.  I can't believe how many photos we have taken in the past few years.

9)  Create a chore chart.  It's about time for this.  Reese & Ryan are 4 and completely capable of doing basic chores around the house.  I don't need to be the only one who cleans a house that 5 people live in.  Must find some good examples online.

10)  Travel to 2 new places in AZ.   Cory jokes that I'm the worst native Arizonan.  I have barely been anywhere in the state.  This is a slight exaggeration but there are lots of places that we want to visit.  Top 2 are Bisbee and Grand Canyon.

11) Better time management.  I am always trying to juggle it all--kids, work, housekeeping.  I have got to get a better system in place so I can accomplish 1-10 listed above and feel good about how well I'm managing my time.  My time is so valuable and I want manage it properly.

I'm printing this out and posting it on my desk so I see it every day.  Wish me luck!