Resolved: 2015

 

 

      If I were to 'name' the year or give it a word, as is so common on the internets (as Matt and I call them), this years' word would be UNCLUTTER.  As you'll see in my list, many of my goals revolve around uncluttering my life.  This year I am in need of some space.  Space in my brain, space in my home, space devoted to worthwhile things and thoughts and void of clutter.  I want to be rid of the excess that only serves to bog me down- both materialistic and otherwise.

I know that I will not meet every single goal written here this year but I know that I hit more than I miss and I wouldn't hit anything if I didn't first aim. 

In order to be more successful, I try always to keep my yearly goals both attainable and measurable.  I love to be able to check things off- and "be kinder, exercise more, etc" are not things that can ever be checked off.  Whether you have been kinder or not, you can always be kinder still.  Also- every month I look back over my goals for the year and make a goal list for that particular month.  In this way, I am able to put my goals in the front of my mind and set myself up for success.

With that said, here are my hopes for 2015~



The Year of Dwindling

* Sort through all clothing bins in Granary.  Get rid of at least 10 bins worth of clothing.  (Sell at yard sale/consignment shops.)  We have too much.  I have clothes for both genders, from newborn on up which I keep for the next baby. But the Lord isn't giving me any babies so...I guess it is time to cut down that supply a bit.  If the Lord ever gives us more children, I will be happy to head out to yard sales to restock if necessary.  ;-)  This is going to be a big job-and if I know myself, a hard one too.

*.Don't buy a skein in 2015.  I have quite the pile of stashed yarns.  Several very generous people have given me yarn throughout the years and I have contributed to my piles too.  This year I am resolved not to buy a single skein of yarn- and to use my stash yarns in as many projects as possible in order to dwindle its' size.  Since the yarns I have are in all different color lots and leftover amounts, it will be challenging to find suitable projects- but I am up for the challenge.  I may even come up with a button- if anyone is interested in joining me.

*  Sort through all bookshelves.  Sell unwanted books at yard sale and try out selling books on Amazon.

* Downsize school supplies, movies and games never played.  Sell/donate

*  Get rid of 2 garbage bags of my own clothes that I don't wear but keep around anyway.  (Why do I do this?)  Sell/ donate.

The Year of Strategic Spending
We work hard to spend less than we make, so that we have some excess money to work with throughout the year.  Instead of blowing that excess on cool things or vacations (though sometimes I WISH!), we put it directly toward strategic spending.  Things like home repairs, mortgage principle or necessities that we'd rather pay for outright.   And this year is going to be a doozy of a year.  I don't know how it is going to get done, but I am going to work really hard to get there.  And I remember wondering how we would ever possibly make our financial goals for last year and yet, we DID IT.

* buy a new (to us) van with as much upfront cash as possible since our old one is on its' deathbed.  Praying it waits to die until we can get our tax return back!  :-)  I have been setting aside money for several years to replace our vehicle because I hate (Hate HATE) making car payments.  While I don't know how we'll be able to buy one outright, I'd like to make sure I have as few payments to make as possible.

* Set aside money enough to re-do boys room and then re-do it!  We have to re-do the electrical work (it is the original electric and is scary unreliable),  add insulation to the walls and thus, new walls etc.  Another BIG job.  But necessary.  I am always praying our house doesn't set fire, that's how bad it is.

* Save up enough money to finish the porch in spring.

* Put an extra $200-$300 toward mortgage principle every month in addition to monthly payments.

* I really really really want to replace our couches.  I've been saying that for years but the money I save up for that purpose always goes to another, more pressing need.  I am hoping this is our year.  The springs have been broken for a while now, and the couches have been stained looking, but now the cushions are ripped as well.  LOVELY.

* Update Budget for this year to get all the above (or as much as possible) done.




The Hopestead Goals
( I was pretty overwhelmed with garden things last year so I am keeping things to a minimum here.)

* get pigs

* start own seedlings

* devote some serious attention to strawberry patch (maybe even move it.)

* keep eyes open for deal on fruit trees.  Possibly add pear and apples. 

* Possibly add grapes.

* Replace growing potatoes with growing dried beans.  (Storing potatoes lures the rodents in the house and boy, am I sick of that.  SO done with potatoes.  Beans can be put in jars.  The end.)

 The Me Goals
(These are the ones that I rarely meet- but I just keep chugging along...)

* Exercise 3 times a week- even just for 10-15 minutes a day.

* Personal devotions daily- even just 10-15 minutes a day.   While we are in the Word every day, I rarely make the time for my own private, personal time in the Word.  We are given 24 hours each day- what is 15 minutes?  Why are we here?  To glorify God and enjoy Him.  How can that be done well if I can't even devote 15 minutes a day focused solely on Him?  I'm going to shoot for 5 days a week because I want it to become habit and having skipped days hinders the whole habit formation.

*  Make it a priority to have a date night with Matt once a month. 

* write 5 letters a month

* record books I've read at Good Reads

* Make at least one Christmas gift every month.  (I already know what I will be doing for quite a few people on my list and I have been gathering the supplies with 40% off coupons so for a while it will just be a matter of doing it.  When I have done Christmas making throughout the year before, it has been such a pleasant way to calmly and quietly prepare for Christmas giving.