Monday, January 25, 2010

Discipline is good for you...

...right? Instead of resolutions this year I decided to set goals for myself. I set short term and long term goals and I'm working diligently to achieve them without seeing it as a failure if I don't. One of my goals is to read a nonfiction book each month. I finally finished January's with one week to spare! (I started it in mid-December) Now I need to start my February one and thought that since Feb. is short I should choose a short book. My choice, the 50 page "Short Guide to a Happy Life", by Anna Quinlan. (Is that cheating?)

Another goal is to take a dream vacation this year. I'm up in the air about this one. I really thought a cruise on the Music Boat 2010 would be great, but knew that I wouldn't enjoy it if I had to go by myself so as a second option I'm considering a trip to Italy with my aunt and cousin. This requires a passport and a BIG step out of my comfort zone. So even the 'fun' goals require decisions and follow through.

I'm also trying to enlarge my social networking skills off the computer. In an effort to do that I'm trying to invite people over ever so often. The tough part will be when I go outside of my family to do this and planning what to do to entertain said company. I have until the end of February to have my first 'party', anyone interested in coming to my house for games, movie, or just to borrow my sauna?

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

When nothing exciting happens...

...it's time to get creative. After reading my sister's inspiring blog about living with kids on a low income budget I have realized that my life is only boring because I don't want it to be anything else. There are a lot of things I could do and many places I could go if I just had the energy and desire to get out of my comfortable rut and go.
I have been playing with the idea of taking a cruise in November, but have to book before the 25th to get the best deal and I can't afford to go by myself nor do I have the nerves to take an adventure like that on my own. So right now I'm praying that God will make a way for my Aunt to go with me. If He doesn't I know that there will be other opportunities that He will provide.
My biggest adventure in 2009 was weight-loss. It will probably end up being my biggest adventure/challenge in 2010 because I still have a long way to go. I've set up goals, both long and short term, for 2010 hoping that it will keep me motivated. The last couple of months have been the yo-yo months. What comes off one week comes back the next week. I'm really struggling to make my diet a lifestyle and not a diet that I'm getting tired of. I tell myself that I won't give up, and I don't believe I will but I know that I will struggle for a while.
One of my goals is to read a nonfiction book each month. Some months it will be a child's nonfiction because I'll need a head start on the book for the next month. I've spent several weeks reading "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale. I've learned some good tips and practices but I'm still struggling to read it. (I'd much rather read the newest Jayne Ann Krentz and Julie Garwood.)
Maybe I'll make it a goal to do something 'exciting' before the end of January. Then again reading a new release can be exciting!