For as long as I’ve known Keith, he’s taken the last day of the year to write down his goals for the following year. Before he retired, he actually had two sets of goals: one for business, one for pleasure.
He encouraged me a few years ago, to put into writing, my
goals for the following year. That was
December 2019.
My list consisted of Health & Wellness goals, as well as
Travel goals (Don't You Ever Stay Home?) And I threw in
some objectives for Creativity as well.
As you might imagine, there were very few goals that were
met in 2020, the year that, along with Bruno, we don’t talk about.
And I did manage to create one photobook every month
(and in some months, two). It happens
when you’re stuck at home with no place to go.
And I can concretely say that neither of us had on
our 2020 Goals, to serve as Grandparent Day Care for two months.
The goals which sat on the end table in the living
room.
The goals that were buried under Keith’s goals, various
pamphlets, and all of the remotes.
The goals that I hadn’t looked at. Since January 1, 2021.
And I crossed off one goal.
ONE.
And even that was only partially complete.
The goal: to meet our friends from England, the Stringers, at Walt Disney World in the fall. Evan and I, along with our friends Susan, Anne, and Rob made it to the House of Mouse, but sadly, our borders did not open up in time for the Stringers to make the jump across the pond. They were there in spirit, at least (and on cardboard).
In all fairness to me, where my Health & Fitness goals
were concerned, rotator cuff surgery (Twist & Shout) hampered my ability to achieve
several of them.
A couple of the goals (specifically those related to the home) should have been achievable. Should have.
Cleaning out the garage would require Keith's help, yes. The man has more tools than a mechanic and carpenter combined (but I'll be damned if he doesn't have use for every single one!).
And cleaning out the pantry. We've done this one time in the last 10 years. One. I'm happy to report that we didn't find any canned goods that were congealed to the pantry shelf (which has reportedly happened in his pantry before, complete with the guts of said can spilling out onto said shelf.)
Having beaten me to the punch, Keith produced his 2022 Goals
first. And kept asking where mine
were.
Um … “I was just going to work on them when you commandeered
the computer!”
Never one to say never, I dutifully transferred several of the tasks from 2021 onto the list for 2022. And in keeping those lofty home-related goals from 2021, I'm still aiming to clean out the garage and the pantry.
And I’m happy to report that I’ve already crossed one off of
the list! Actually, it was crossed off
before the clock struck midnight on January 1st, 2022!
To clean out the front closet.
It had become the somewhat of a hoarder’s dream. With everything from a Bosu ball to an old,
dusty mattress topper thrown in with our luggage, backpacks, Christmas wrapping
paper, a high chair, an old VCR, Evan’s baptism outfit (you can’t stick
something that precious in the attic!), a foam roller, a pack-and-play, and
a partridge in a pear tree.
Check. Done. Onto the Next.
I’ve dusted off the self-inflicted expectation to create one
photobook per month. Here it is,
February 3rd and I can say that …
I am already behind.
At least I have started the first photobook. At least.
I also recently and very accidentally deleted a photobook
that I had started a couple of years ago (and that I had summarily forgotten
about). When you do stupid stuff like
that, it doesn’t exactly help you to meet your goals, now does it?
I’ve replaced my goal of writing one children’s book with
writing a totally different children’s book.
It’s one that I started last year and I would love to see it published
before we change out the calendar for 2023.
This. Is. Accountability.
And BOOM! The golf clubs sold this week!
Under the category of Travel, well … we’ve already lost some and we’ve won some.
We made the painstaking decision to cancel our trip to Spain
and Portugal, which we should be on as I write this. We simply didn’t want to hassle with all
of the Covid restrictions, paperwork, and because they’re currently
experiencing a surge like we are, and masking the entire time. First world
problems, I know.
We do have on the calendar, time with the Grands at
the lake. And have booked an RV trip
with the little nuggets too. Ten days to
take them to Arkansas and introduce them to Keith’s family. (My, aren’t we brave?)
And remember that partially completed goal of meeting the Stringers
in Walt Disney World? Well … we’re
planning to see them not once, but TWICE this year.
We’re getting a re-do on our visit to see Mickey. And as an added bonus, we’re taking our
pumpkin-girl along for her very 1st trip to Walt Disney World!
Keith and I are celebrating our 10-year anniversary this year (I know – we can’t believe it either!). That definitely calls for a special trip. Somewhere.
Technically, we’ll celebrate on the day of, while we’re at Walt Disney World. But this anniversary deserves something a bit more. We have a couple of trips in the planning process (one very exotic one that will take us half-way around the world). Surely one of those will be worth consideration for celebrating our “Aluminum Anniversary”.
I can assure you it won’t
be the 10-day camping trip with the Grands.
And I’ve vowed to find inspiration. Of some kind.
Every month. And produce at least
one blog post. Every month.
Fail. (see the date
of this posting.)
I had a difficult time in finding inspiration last year. It was tough for many reasons but losing my
friend Lisa the day before my birthday, impacted me more than I realized. And when I finish the afore-mentioned
children’s book, I’ll dedicate it in her honor.
Lisa was a runner.
Also in her honor, I’m training to run a 5k. Her memorial 5k.
If you know me, you know how much I despise running. I abhor it.
I detest it. And I always
have.
But this feels right.
For you, my friend, I will not quit.
Like eating an elephant, I’ll tackle my goals one bite at a time. Perhaps this saying (one of my favorites!) will help you in tackling yours.
To your health, wealth, and happiness in 2022!
Cheers!
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