New Years Thoughts

I don't like making New Year resolutions. I am not one for making goals, because I don't tend to keep them, just like I don't keep my resolutions (generally). I do like making a decision that I'm going to make a change, and then following through with it. That's how I got myself to brush my teeth regularly, and say my personal prayers every morning and night.

So, I avoid the whole new years thing like the plague. But this year, a friend posted an idea about things accomplished during the past year, so I'm thinking I want to do that. Kind of the whole positive reinforcement thing...grin. I liked her spin on things, but I guess I'll have to come up with my own...

The thing is, upon pondering the idea, I'm not sure I accomplished very much.

1. Participated in Nano again -- finished before the deadline.
2. Finished the nano write from 2007.
3. Made homemade marinara for the first time, from tomatoes from our garden.
4. Made homemade salsa from our garden.
5. Painted a painting for the county fair and got 2nd place.
6. Joined a critique group.
7. Painted my front room.
8. Gained back most of the 20 lbs I lost last year...sigh.
9. Survived my son going to basic and being gone for 5 months (precursor to mission -- dang it's gonna be hard)
10. Didn't kill or maim any of my children. (and while it sounds bad, believe me -- it's a temptation some days)
11. Survived our daughter's boyfriend going back to prison (AGAIN) and the resulting emotional roller coaster. (only 10 more times...?)

There are some things I want to do this year, so lets see if I can put them in a semblance of order.

1. Finish nano write from 2008.
2. Submit at least 12 items to a publisher.
3. Paint the rest of the 12 days of Christmas.
4. Paint and submit to the State Fair and win a 3rd place...
5. Submit as illustrator to LDS publishers.
6. Get my house in order.
7. Do better on our food storage.
8. Loose the pounds I gained and loose more.
9. Keep my children out of the ER. (second year in a row!! I know, now I've jinxed it.)
10. Keep coming up with blog ideas....lol

oh well...I guess that's about all I can come up with. Keep in mind that these are NOT goals...just thoughts about what I'd like to accomplish this year. I know -- I know it won't happen if I don't plan for it.