I have been thinking about New Year's Resolutions, practical ones that is. It's been a few years since I last put forth effort and tried to have a New Years Resolution. I'll admit my last resolution sounded nice and easy, but ended up not being practical. I was attempting to try and remember everyone on their birthday. I can't even remember to take my medication on a daily basis - what in the world was I thinking? Not to be surprised, I didn't even make it through the month of January. That's right, I missed the first birthday that I was supposed to remember.
Now that I think about it, my only successful New Years' Resolution was to stop biting my nails. I think that resolution was from the 1990's - but hey I did it!
This year is going to be a great year! I have big plans for this year. The first plan I had started in the bedroom. Get your heads out of the gutter people...I only re-arranged the furniture. We've been living in our house for almost 5 years now, and I didn't think that our bedroom furniture could fit or be arranged in any other way. I proved that theory wrong. I bet I could exercise in the new area. Not to mention the carpet looks really weird....there is actually an area of carpet with no tea stains or anything on it - yet.
None-the-less I have some of the same old goals that have failed in the past.
This is my year to get in shape. I started off really good last year. I would like to put some blame on my parents though. My good deed last March of weeding the garden...I mean...weeding the poison ivy left me covered in hives and on steroids from March until June. Sorry, it wasn't very fun to blog about...I left it out. Steroids made me EAT - and what was weird was it felt really good to eat. Not only was I still trying to shed off baby weight from Quintin, I had now gained an extra 20 pounds. Plus, I'm not turning 30 - being 40 pounds over weight.
Paying off my debts. I wouldn't call this a failed resolution from my past, but one that I am getting a better handle on. I am determined more than ever to succeed. With Eric working in the construction business we've had our share of lay-offs the last two years and realize the importance of financial freedom. Last year, we cut up ALL credit cards and have not used them since. We use cash only. With my larger goal comes smaller goals:
- Payoff Eric's car in a few months, which is earlier than expected.
- There will be no more fast food for the Manlove's (which will help with my first goal)
- I look through the grocery ads & use coupons now (which I've never done before)
- I'm not going to the store unless I have a list, and I'm sticking to it.
I have a network of support to help in my new found frugality. I call my dad & my friend Dawn my financial advisers. I also have subscribed to a newsletter from the Grocery Shrink who has tons of ideas and advice for other people who want their financial freedom.
Continue on with my schooling. My friends and parents still have my permission to drag my butt to class. I'm glad to say that no one has had to do this. If I calculate write, I'll be done with all of my general education requirements this summer. I'll get to start what I call the "Fun" classes this fall.
Pictures. I realized just before Christmas that I have not taken my kids to a picture studio since Wyatt was 2...mind you, he'll be 4 in April. That's bad! No, I'd say that's horrible! I remember telling myself that I wouldn't be "that mom" that has millions of pictures of the 1st child, a few of the second and NONE for the third. Glancing at my pictures on my desk at work, Quintin's picture is from when he was 6 month's old. Most recently our church was updating the directory - our picture doesn't even have Quintin in it!
I love a challenge, wish me luck!
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