Before I make my 2009 resolutions, I thought I'd review '08...
So here are my goals, as I wrote them last January. New comments are in red.
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.
We worked really hard on this one this year and happily, all the changes we made have become habits. I bought a book called It's Easy Being Green last January that was FULL of great tips, It's been a big help.
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.
We worked really hard on this one this year and happily, all the changes we made have become habits. I bought a book called It's Easy Being Green last January that was FULL of great tips, It's been a big help.
I use my cloth 're-bags' at the store almost every time.
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 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.
I bought some sturdy plastic plates, cups and bowls for our many get-togethers. We never use paper plates anymore!
We installed a ceiling fan in our bedroom and used the windows instead of the air conditioner in the mornings and evenings, when it was cool outside, clear until the end of July! There was only a period of about 6 weeks this year that we had to use the a/c all the time.
We installed a ceiling fan in our bedroom and used the windows instead of the air conditioner in the mornings and evenings, when it was cool outside, clear until the end of July! There was only a period of about 6 weeks this year that we had to use the a/c all the time.
I bought an old fashioned push mower this summer and used it a lot of the time instead of our regular gas mower. We also shovel instead of using a snow blower. Trying not to be too dependent on fossil fuels (outside of my truck, of course ;)
I think we did a really good job conserving energy and water this year.
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 :) I have more 'green' goals for 2009 :)
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 were at the park constantly in the Spring and early Summer last year. Tessa took 2 sessions of swimming lessons, which she loves, and we stayed after to swim one day a week. I did slack a bit on pictures...my camera is amazing, but it's a bit big to lug around everywhere.
I feel like I'm more laid back with the kids.
Still have not decided on having another baby...I thought I had, but then I started to question myself again. This part definitely still needs to be addressed.
Weight loss!!!
I’d like to lose another 10-15 pounds this year – hopefully by my Birthday.
Weight loss is a goal I've got to give up. I'm always going to feel like I could lose 10 pounds. Today I think I weigh 6 pounds less than I did this time last year. This goal is going to be tweaked going forward.
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 made one BIG trip to the DI, along with a couple of smaller ones. We also have a whole bunch of stuff ready to go that we didn't get to last month. I gave blood twice (happy to see this goal, because I mistakenly thought my goal had been to donate 3 times, which I did not do. I'm glad I was wrong!)
I was very happy with my Christmas charity this year, also.
Be smarter about money
Save what we can. Pay off our Visa – the balance is far too high right now. 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 everything is more expensive in this economy! Also, we took a couple of expensive trips this year. The balance on the visa isn't any smaller than it was a year ago. Our savings hasn't grown any, either. This is the one that definitely needs more work!!!
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 :) I have more 'green' goals for 2009 :)
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 were at the park constantly in the Spring and early Summer last year. Tessa took 2 sessions of swimming lessons, which she loves, and we stayed after to swim one day a week. I did slack a bit on pictures...my camera is amazing, but it's a bit big to lug around everywhere.
I feel like I'm more laid back with the kids.
Still have not decided on having another baby...I thought I had, but then I started to question myself again. This part definitely still needs to be addressed.
Weight loss!!!
I’d like to lose another 10-15 pounds this year – hopefully by my Birthday.
Weight loss is a goal I've got to give up. I'm always going to feel like I could lose 10 pounds. Today I think I weigh 6 pounds less than I did this time last year. This goal is going to be tweaked going forward.
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 made one BIG trip to the DI, along with a couple of smaller ones. We also have a whole bunch of stuff ready to go that we didn't get to last month. I gave blood twice (happy to see this goal, because I mistakenly thought my goal had been to donate 3 times, which I did not do. I'm glad I was wrong!)
I was very happy with my Christmas charity this year, also.
Be smarter about money
Save what we can. Pay off our Visa – the balance is far too high right now. 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 everything is more expensive in this economy! Also, we took a couple of expensive trips this year. The balance on the visa isn't any smaller than it was a year ago. Our savings hasn't grown any, either. This is the one that definitely needs more work!!!
Not a bad job, overall.
1 comment:
Mandy, I am so impressed at the way you stuck to your goals. Most of all I am amazed at the changes you guys have made to go GREEN. So many times we opt for convenience. You guys are so smart to see the big picture and make better choices for a bigger cause than yourself. What a good example! I won't even tell you how I am doing with my goals....
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