Resolutions

Last Thursday Becki and I gave blood. We've had a couple of false starts...but we actually made it (late for our appt!) this time!

It was scary - I've always hated needles! - but I did fine. I had them draw from my right arm, becuase I usually carry Asher with my left, so I thought it would be better on the opposite side.
My arm hurt for DAYS after. From my hand all the way up to my neck and shoulder. Not sure why? Maybe becuase that's my thoracic outlet arm? Next time I'll have them draw from the left.
I told them my story about how I've been typed 4 times, and twice I've come up as O+, twice as A+. They were quite unimpressed by that. Most people are fascinated. All they said was that many hospitals don't use really acurate testing and that they'd find out for sure.
I got my card from the blood bank in the mail yesterday, I'm O+. Universal donor. So that means they'll almost always want whole blood from me, and not platelettes. Good! I don't think I could do that platelette thing...blood was hard enough! My needle poke spot still hurts, actually...

Anyway, since I finally got to one of those new years resolutions, and since we're roughly half way through the year, I though I'd check in on how I've done so far!
Black Text is pasted in from my New Years resolution post. Green is updated comments.

New Years Resolutions 2008

Live a “green”(er) life
Contact our local recycling company to find out how and where we can recycle glass. Make smarter choices about energy uses. Conserve water where we can. I’d also like to invest in a compost bin so we can use our kitchen and garden waste in a productive way and start using cloth bags at the grocery store instead of paper or plastic.
I use my cloth 're-bags' at the store almost every time. Becki uses them, too!
We are recycling our glass, Matt takes it to a center that's at a golf course near his work. We seperate into clear/green and brown. We've recycled a TON of glass so far.
We installed a ceiling fan in our bedroom and we've been using the windows instead of the air conditioner in the mornings and evenings, when it's cool outside. I think we're doing a good job conserving energy and water.
I have not bought a composter, yet...but I'd still like to! I also plan to put barells at the bottom of our downspouts so we can collect rainwater for garden use :)

Be a better parent
Play with the kids! Use the Suncrest pool this summer, renew the zoo membership, and be sure to take lots of pictures of my babies having fun! Continue journaling so that we have a record of all the fun we are having while they are young.Work on being calm and serene. Cut back on yelling. Also part of my parenting goals…decide whether or not we are going to have another baby, and if we are – when.
I'm still journaling - yay me! We've taken several trips to the park this year - we often go early in the morning, pack a lunch, eat about 11:30 and then come home. That way we're home before the real heat of the day hits. It's been nice. Tessa is in swimming lessons, which she loves, and we're staying after to swim one day a week. I've been slacking a bit on pictures...
I feel like I'm yelling less and being more laid back with the kids.
Still have not decided on having another baby...

Weight loss!!!
I’d like to lose another 10-15 pounds this year – hopefully by my Birthday.
So I've lost about 5 pounds...but I feel better about myself! I think maybe I'm just accepting that this is it. I'd still like to lose 5-10 pounds, though...

Give to others
I’d like to donate blood once or twice this year. I’d also like to do something meaningful next Christmas for charity. Have Tessa help go through toys and donate to the DI.
We recently made a BIG trip to the DI! And I gave blood for the first time just last week :)
Still have a few months to work on that Christmas charity thing...

Be smarter about money
Save what we can. Pay off our Visa – the balance is far too high right now (nearly $5000!) Stop spending money on things we don’t need or won’t use.
I think I've done a good job cutting down on buying things we don't need or won't use. BUT we've taken a couple of expensive trips this year, and the balance on the visa isn't any smaller than it was back in January. Our savings hasn't grown any, either. This is the one that definitely needs more work!!!

Nothing too difficult, right? Right now I am very focused on the crunchy granola stuff that's part of the first resolution. Matt is being very helpful and is totally on-board, despite some early skepticism. I'm excited for this year!
I can't believe how quickly time flies. It's shocking!
Overall, I think we're doing a good job of making my resolutions reality. Feels good!