New Year, New Me

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. 

We did manage to get one trip in before the world shut down (Don't Stand So Close to Me). 

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.

This past December, as I sat down to create my Goals for 2022, I reflected on my 2021 Goals. 

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 1^st, 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.

I want to sell stuff that I no longer use and think maybe someone else might find them useful.  Golf equipment (because I haven’t picked up a club since 2005) and scrapbooking supplies (because … Photobooks.)

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 1^st trip to Walt Disney World!

And then … we’ll get to watch the youngest Stringer marry one of the very best dudes in all of England.  We’ve known Georgia since she was a wee girl and wouldn’t think of missing the opportunity to see her say “I Do”.

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. 

I’m four weeks into my Couch-to-5k program and I haven’t given up yet!  I’m also finding running a lot easier with each week.  Though … I have to run a 1k later this week and can’t say I’m exactly looking forward to it.

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!