10 Things to Accomplish in 2010

  1. Focus on buying more organic or local groceries
    Ever since I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle I have been bitten by the "going green" bug. And I am by no means a "green living" person. But I value the ideals of supporting the local farmer and trying to eat better by cooking more basically. In addition, understanding the additional hormones that are put into our milk supply have meant nothing to me until now, but now I have three little girls who I want to stay little girls as long as possible. And if there is a connection between added hormones and earlier puberty, I will try what I can to avoid the latter. I have been hit or miss with milk and local produce, so I want to do better. I know this will mean a slight elevation in what we spend on produce and dairy, but we will make adjustments elsewhere.
  2. Complete my daily Bible journal (that I got last year for a present)
    I am not even going to attempt to read through the Bible as some will this year (I know some bloggers that are going to do it in 90 days) but a daily devotional and journal is something that I need to do. Not just want. Need. Finding quiet time with the Lord each day is difficult for me. Just when I determine to get up early, the girls thwart me and get up early that day too. I know this is the anthem of young mothers everywhere, so I am not complaining or anything. But I need to come up with a plan and make it a priority. Which is what I am doing now.
  3. Master the art of breadmaking (and possibly pie crusts)
    I have been working on my breadmaking skills since Thanksgiving with Momma Kay's help. So far, so good. But I want to take it one (or two) steps forward. I can bake a loaf of wheat bread, but I want to be better at rolls, artisan bread, pizza crust, etc. I would also like to learn to make yogurt, cheese, and dressings and never buy them again.
  4. Visit a State Fair
    My ultimate dream fair - Texas. What's not to love about the Texas State Fair? Every kind of fried food known to man, livestock pavilions as far as the eye can see (I imagine), delightful home economic projects, and a state that celebrate all of the above. Ah, yes. My dream. We have several friends in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and we would love to be able to visit them. But we shall see. The Utah State Fair is my back-up plan.
  5. Attend a Continuing Education class
    The University Extension is alive and well in Nevada. As is the Le Cordon Bleu Academy to pick up some cooking tips. And I hear BYU has excellent summer programs, most of them geared towards the art of homekeeping. Which to choose, which to choose?
  6. Attend a blog conference
    Truthfully this will probably not happen, as the conference I am dying to attend is Blissdom, which this year will be held in early February in Nashville. With Piper still being so young, going out of town and leaving Elliott with all three kids for several days is simply out of the question. But I am aiming to attend Blissdom in 2011. I have a whole year to prepare Elliott mentally for my absence. And until then perhaps another event will come along. You never know.
  7. Attend my MFA reunion
    Many of my classmates are currently arranging a MFA reunion during the summer, so as to take advantage of the Utah Shakespearean Festival and the gorgeous National Parks we came to know and love during our tenure at SUU. Although Elliott's work schedule during the summer is horrendous I am hope to be able to work around/with it so I can attend as many activities with my friends as possible. It will be so much fun!
  8. Go on a family vacation
    Elliott and I are in agreement that we want to attempt to take all three kids somewhere (possible San Diego for Piper's first birthday, seemingly a tradition for our girls) but we are undecided as to where. Maybe the Texas State Fair? Kill two birds with one stone?
  9. Lose 10 pounds
    I have to admit this isn't a huge priority on my to-do list. I am at my pre-baby weight (yes all three babies, than you) so I don't beat myself up over my weight too much. But I do know I am 20 pounds heavier than when Elliott and I met 6 years ago. Yes, it would be nice, but I am not going to alter my life extraneously to achieve it. I know people who do it, but I can't figure out how to fit gym visits in to my daily schedule (shhh, don't tell Bob and Jillian I said that). So Elliott and I are getting back on the bandwagon of dieting, following our DEC diet: Don't Eat Crap. Amazing what you can accomplish on that diet!
  10. Read one book per month
    I have no shortage of books that I want to read. Since I am focusing more on homekeeping this year, slowing down many of my other commitments (namely teaching coupon classes and blogging about saving money), and still without cable television I have more time to accomplish this goal. I would even like to read with the girls more - real stories and not just picture books, like Charlotte's Web and the Little House on the Prairie series.
2010 will be the year I focus on my home. I want to craft more, sew more, bake more, cook more, play more, explore more, learn more, and love my family more.

1 comment:

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