Out With the Old, In With the New

This past year has been full of ups and downs for all of us, though it seems that this year has been better to my family than 2008 was. As the year draws to an end, we often reflect on choices made in the last year and think of ways to help the new year go better.

As I sat and filled out yet more paperwork for our 6 + month long loan modification process this evening, my mind whirled with things that most people might make into resolutions a little later tonight. I don't do resolutions though, I prefer to think of them as life style choices.

Finances jump into my mind first (gee, I wonder why). I want to pay down as much of our debt as possible, hence the loan modification. Most people don't think too hard about the money they spend every month. Hard times make us examine much more closely our financial situation. I have been thinking long and hard about buying those things that I don't really need and have gotten an excellent start down this path. It's hard sticking to a budget, but I am going to work even more diligently on this goal as the year progresses.

Having to fill out endless piles of paperwork and finding w2's and pay stubs among other things has really gotten me thinking about my organizational habits. While I am probably more organized than many, I hate to have to dig through the same pile of papers more than once, what a waste of time! I want to become even more organized in the coming year. I will make several folders for my file cabinet to organize anything I may need to keep handy to send to the bank. I'm not sure why they would need so dang many updates anyway, but I'm going to be ready for their request when it comes.

My exercise habits also leave a lot to be desired. All of this cold weather we get in northern Wisconsin makes me want to retreat from the outdoors and hibernate until spring rolls around. To combat that thought process, I am looking for ways to get some fun exercises done inside our house. I hope I am able to break out the Wii and get more exercise with some of the games we have for it, though it would have been nice to get a dancing game for the kids and I to do together. I have also set up some second hand exercise equipment in the family room for us to use while we watch tv. I hope I can do a better job of enforcing the rules this coming year, maybe it would even help us all to loose some weight?

Then there are fruits and vegetables. It is getting a little easier to work into our diets, but I am still working on ways to get my family to eat healthier. Last year we started a small garden that seemed to be rather successful. I want to expand that operation in the coming year and get the kids involved in choosing which vegetables we should grow. I built two more raised beds last fall. In the spring we will plant lots of seeds, I have even gotten a canning and preserving book of my own. No more relying on the books being at the library for me to check out.

Most of us also probably spend way too much time sitting around, don't we? Whether it's using the computer, watching tv, or sitting on the couch playing video games, I think we all have our weaknesses. To combat this bad habit, I have purchased video games that we need to be active to play. I will also be trying to set a better example for my children by trying to follow the same rules I set for them. I only allow them one hour of "given" game/tv time, the rest has to be earned by being active and/or doing chores. I guess that means I won't have as much time to surf the net then unless I can figure out a way to use my laptop while I ride the exercise bike. Hmmm...

Lastly, I will take better care of myself. I will spend more time doing things I want to do than what I have to do. This includes making craft projects with my kids, I have a long list of things I want to make with them that I have been putting off in order to get various home projects done. I will take some long bubble baths just because I enjoy them, I will read some books that don't have anything to do with learning how to do something, I will draw something that doesn't include redecorating a room, I will write more things that are not lists of things I need to do, and I will take more time to play with my kids.

Will I do everything I want to do? I sure hope so! 2010 will be a great year if it's as fun as it sounds like it will be. What are you planning on doing to make this year go better than the last one did?

Thank you for stopping by to chat with me. Please leave me a message, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Cindy