2012, A Year of Choice and Action

A few months back, along with myself, I asked Ella and Tyler
to write down the top 40 things we each want to do in our lives...
no matter how far-fetched.

Then I asked them to immediately cross off 10.
Then another 10.
Then another 10.
This wasn't easy. Hard choices were made.

We were each left with 10 goals.

Of course, the other goals are still there and will be striven for.
I just wanted each of us to understand what we deem most important now.

We've had great family meetings this past week.
I pulled out our goal lists and fantastic discussions about choices,
priorities and actions took place around the dining room table.



Ella - Hmmmmmm. Go to Italy, write a book or learn piano?

We took most of our goals and reduced them to the smallest nibbles possible,
to be accomplished this year.
Not all goals made the cut because they take longer than a year.
For example, Ella wants to become a gemologist.
She can take actions this year to work toward her goal
but won't be a gemologist by December.

Money Saving Mom wrote a wonderful post detailing exactly how to
break goals down into manageable chunks.
She also offers free, customizable goal worksheets.
Tyler used them and liked the structure.




Typing his "goals" into Word.
Nah, I kid, he likes typing words from his Smithsonian Handbooks.

Since Sam's testing and diagnosis with Autism, Tyler and I lost our creative selves.
We haven't been wallowing in pity,
we're just not balanced and healthy
because we're constantly striving to do the best for the kids...
which really doesn't make sense.

How can you give your kids the best YOU
when you're not giving yourself the best YOU?

Reading and researching,
making sure Ella isn't overlooked and gets equal attention/activities,
home therapies, special schools, special diets, etc.
have all been positive choices.
 Unfortunately, Tyler and I were withering without other personal priorities.

That said, we're back on track - again.
I know we had similar goals after the diagnosis but they weren't manageable.
Tyler would become overwhelmed trying to fit music in at home
and I was freaking because I never had personal or creative time for myself.
Well now, we figured out a way (small chunks) for each of us to aim for our goals,
feel balanced and whole,
while raising the kids the way we feel is right.
Everything is scheduled in small bits,
our days are mostly pre-planned and there's still just enough room for spontaneity.

So, hey 2012, bring it!

For me:

* 3 hours of walking/jogging/running per week.
This is more for my mind than exercise but my booty will appreciate the added cardio.
I have other exercise scheduled but I'm most excited about the walks.

* 3 hours of thrift refurbishing per week.
I really love working with wood
and making something discarded into something beautiful/useful.
My first project is making this old TV armoire into a proper sewing supplies cabinet.
Obviously, it's not working so well now!
I'm hoping for something more like THIS.






Yikes! Turn away! Don't look. Ugh.

* 3 hours sewing per week.
Although I'm not winning any sewing skills medal, I sure do love to make stuff.



The beginnings of a postage stamp quilt.

* 8-9 hours drawing by hand or digitally per week.
 My gosh, if someone met me today they'd have NO IDEA I went to an art college.
This is a part of me I miss the most.
I started teaching myself Illustrator for a bit last year -
it was always 3am. I now have a dedicated time.

























 One of my first Illustrator drawings, from last December.
I was happy with my new, super slow skills.
I imagine with consistent practice I'll get better and faster.


With those 4 goals I'll have:
12 refurbished items and 12 sewing projects for 2012.
4 illustrations/patterns/etc per month (good or not, I'll still have creative time).
And maybe a better booty.

I'll be blogging all 4 and updating you with my progress.
Of course, I have other goals I may occasionally mention:

* Financial goals.
Except for my student loan, we'll be debt-free this year!
Woohoo!
We've already been working on this for the last 21 months.
We'll also continue to save every month for us and the kids
as well as continue to donate to causes we believe in.

* Household goals.
Streamlining the monotonous...meal planning, laundry, cleaning, etc.

* Continue to be a champion/advocate for my children and their needs.
Once a week family outings, family game night,
still teaching and learning from each other, etc.

* Personal relationship with Tyler -
tending that love and respect fire, ya know?

* Supporting my family in their choices, goals.
Tyler wants to record another album this year
and Ella wants to play piano for an hour a day.
Although he doesn't know it, Sam really wants to use the potty.






















Photo by Michelle Penington.

* We're getting a puppy in January.
Potty training both the puppy and Sam are high on our combined priority list!

* Taking my Mom and daughter to Hawaii this summer.
Girls trip!

* Other various personal/combined goals.

What about you?
Have you set any goals or decided on resolutions?
Baby steps, baby steps will get you there.
Little nibbles, it should be easy easier to accomplish goals this way.

Good luck to you, good luck to us. Happy New Year!

P.S. If you're interested, this is an original by Tyler...



ETA: Final results from January: HERE