2010 Resolution Status Report: January

I really meant the new year's resolutions I made for this year. I'm thinking one way not to forget them is to reflect on my progress once in a while. Maybe after each month.

Where am I in my resolutions after January?

1. Start a sinking fund savings account. Done. I started one with Ally. I've made our January deposit for the areas that we need to save up through out the year. I'm including areas like car maintenance, gifts, travel, and medical bills. I'd like to add vacation, but right now that  money is just extra money that we don't expect and I'd rather put it toward our debt. We're still evaluating. Now, I just need to keep up with it by not spending the excess money before it is relocated to the savings account.

2. Learn to knit. In progress. Well, I've started. I got my kits for Christmas and I'm working on it. I have made my first attempts at casting on - which for now I stink at - and the knit stitch. Keeping the tension even is really difficult for me. I'm hoping consistent practice will help. I definitely haven't put the time into it that I would like, but progress is something. I consider it good that I've gotten the materials out of the package already.

3. Books. In progress. I wanted to read more intentionally. I think I've been good with this one too so far. I didn't work out a good system yet like I wanted, but I still can eventually. Maybe this month. I really want to make a list of the books I'd like to get to. I have been reading a book at all times this year. I finished The Five Love Languages with Jason and even posted my review. I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights and I may reflect on them together sometime soon. Hopefully, tomorrow I can go pick up Les Miserables from the library to start next. I guess I'm spending more time in the classics section right now. I like it though. Jason and I are still reading The Lost Symbol, but making very slow progress. We'll finish eventually and then we are going to start His Needs, Her Needs, I think. So yeah. I'm good here too.

4. Pictures and Photography. Needs attention. I've definitely been using my cameras, but I'm not making much progress in learning how to use the new one most effectively. I'd like to read a book Laura mentioned on my last resolution post, but I've not even looked for it yet. Whenever, I pick up the new camera I do think a lot about what I am doing, angles, light, shadows, etc. That's good right? So yeah...this one needs more attention.

5. Teach Ariel more purposefuly. Needs attention. I'm trying, but just not making the time to work on this consistently. I still want to do it though and I will. In fact, I was on the computer this morning looking for activities that are just right for her age. We'll get there. I guess I shouldn't be so hard on myself I have been more purposeful, but just not as structured as I'd like. You might have realized, I like to have a system for things and there is no system yet. We are reading more consistently together everyday and when we play I try to throw in more details about what we are doing, colors, shapes, numbers, etc. We're making progress, but I'd like to do more.

6. Read my Bible more consistently. Started good, but now poor. I got a system worked out, but didn't stick with it. Maybe the system isn't as good as I hoped. Maybe I'm just not focusing on the important Thing. Today, I will begin again. This is a "must-do" resolution. It must move to the top of my list.

See you next month for a new update.