Resolutions 2014

I'm excited to start my resolutions for 2014.  When deciding what my resolutions should be this year, I thought back over the past couple of years.  Some of my decisions will be similar and some will be new.  Here they are:

1.  I want to run 1,000 miles this year.  I was about 50 short this year.  I think if I add a mile a week that should be close to hitting the 1,000 mile mark.  I want to keep doing races, but the races won't be part of my resolution.

2.  I want to read at least 10 books this year.  I get stuck reading magazines or the newspaper, and I don't read that many books.  I want to change that and do more book reading this year.

3.  Continue giving away at least one bag of things a month.  I fell behind last year, and since we will be moving in a year (or two), I'd like to get rid of more stuff!

4.  Continue spending time with Jeff on a regular basis.  Last year it was trying to get away at least every other month without the kids.  I'd like to continue that.

5.  More blogs!  I want to keep writing. 

6.  Go off Facebook.  I will be deleting my account on January 1.

I hope all of you have a wonderful 2014!  Happy New Year!

Christmas Tree 2013

A couple of Sundays ago, we got our family ready to go to the tree farm that we like so much and go cut down a tree.  We've been going to the same farm for the last 4 years since living here on the west side.  They have live trees, and we enjoy picking a tree out and cutting it down.  Then they wrap it up for us, tie it to the car and away we go!  Last year they added a bonfire to the area with hot cocoa or cider.  We had fun again this year getting our tree.  Here's a picture recap....

choosing the right tree

we found our tree

enjoying some hot refreshments

"me tired"

the finishing touch

Resolutions 2013 Update

I've decided to check in with my New Year's Resolutions for the year and see how things went.  Here's a recap of what my resolutions were last January:

1.  Run in at least 6 races this year.
2.  Donate at least 1 bag of items a month to charity (hopefully more than 1).
3.  Keep on blogging, ideally once a week.
4.  Spend more quality time with Jeff, perhaps a weekend away now and then.

#1.  This coming Sunday will make 6 races for me this year.  I'm happy to report that this was a resolution I was able to keep.

#2.  I was good about this one till around half way through the year.  Then things started to slow down.  But not for lack of stuff to give away.  It became more about the time it takes to go through closets and cupboards, bagging things and driving them somewhere to donate.  I am hoping to do another BIG purge after the first of the year.

#3.  Last year I blogged a total of 36 times, and as of right now, this is my 34th blog of this year.  I'd say I didn't do as well at blogging as I had hoped.  But at least I've kept it up.  I did hit my 100th blog this year!  I was happy about that.

#4.  Jeff and I were able to get away from the kids for a night or weekend at least every other month.  So I'd say we did well with this resolution.  It has really helped us stay connected to be able to spend time with just us, away from the kids.  

That's how things went this past year.  I'm going to start thinking up some new things, or maybe just tweak the old ones.  We'll see.