Goals

It’s still January, so I feel like I can still post some goals for 2011.

Goal #1:  Be happier.  My default state of mind seems to be “stressed.”  I would like to change this to “happy.”  It might take me all year, or the rest of my life, but I’m really going to renew my efforts this year.

Goal #2:  Be more organized.  I’ve got myself a mommy planner, I’ve updated my ravelry queue, and I’ve started an account on Mint.  Surely this is my year for organizational success.  I used to be organized.  But then I graduated, and slowly began to unravel all the organizational skills I had picked up over the years.  So 2011 is my year to change my lens from “student” to “mommy” and get my home and my mind into shape (organizationally speaking).

Goal #3:  Knit myself a sweater.  Seriously, 2011 is my year.

Goal #4:  Knit a pair of socks.  I’m thinking I might tie this in with Goal #5.

Goal #5:  Knit Kev something.  Sorry Kev, baby knits are just so tempting.  But this year, you’ll get one too, I promise.

Goal #6:  Be a nicer, more patient momma.  This is directly connected to Goal #1.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m no terror, but patience has never been a strong suit of mine.  Maybe this year, I will learn patience.  Hey, it worked for Luke Skywalker, the learning patience part I mean.



And now let’s check in on my goals from last year:

Goal #1:  Success!
Goal #2:  Well...almost.  No projects for me, but one is in the works!  And no projects for Kev.  See Goal #5 above ;-)
Goal #3:  Ha!  I've just deleted the list entirely.  I think I read about 3 books, maybe.  It's read or knit.  We all know what wins.

Book #1

I finished my first book of the year!  I feel so proud of myself for such a small success, but I think that's probably a good thing.  So the book I read, about a million years after it splashed around everywhere, is The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.  I found it really enjoyable, with enough suspense to keep me reading, but without any scariness (I am a wimp, just so we're clear). 

I've now started on a two books that are entirely different, both from each other and The Da Vinci Code.  The first is called The Compassionate Instinct, which I found on my local library's blog.  And the second is called The Omnivore's Dilemma, which I've been wanted to read for ages now.   

I know once the baby arrives in (oh-geez) 5 weeks or so, there won't be much time for reading.  But today, being a snow day, is a perfect day to cozy up and read a book, or knit a baby hat :)
 

Sundays Are Better Than Mondays

So this week has been a bit of a trial.  Having a chest cold and being pregnant is not so much fun.  Plus, I feel bad for the baby - she must be getting jostled around quite a bit with all the coughing.  But, the doctor says it's nothing serious, and he very nicely gave me some medicine to get me back on my feet. 

I finished all that I'm going to read of Everyday Blessings.  I really enjoyed the first part, and I think the book has a lot of good things to say.  The second part seemed a bit more opinionated about the "right" way to parent.  I started to feel almost defensive while reading it, so I took Kev's advice and stopped reading.  Simple solution.  I feel like I can't add it to my list of ten books, because I haven't read the entire book.  But that's alright, it was worth reading the first half, even if it doesn't make the list.

New

Everything is new this year.  I know, everything is new everyday of every year, but there are a few things that feel decidedly new.  Like the fact that I'll birth a child this year.  Still not used to that idea.  I'm not really one for New Year's resolutions, plus I'm about 9 days late, but I do have some goals for 2010.

Goal #1:  Birth a healthy child.
Goal #2:  Knit 10 projects, at least one of which is for me, and one of which is for Kev.
Goal #3:  Read 10 books.

I feel like I have a pretty good start on goal #1 (we'll see come March).  And actually, I've already started two projects since the new year.  But I never knit for myself, and I rarely knit for Kev.  So goal #2 is really about spreading the love around.  As for goal #3, I feel like I stopped reading once I graduated from college.  Pretty bad for an English major.  So my goal is to read more.  First book on my list: Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn.  I'm a big fan of Jon Kabat-Zinn so I'm sure this will be a helpful book.  I guess I should really finish this one by March :)