2011 has been one hell of a year for me. It was not altogether nice. Between my son telling me he was hearing voices, my daughter going blind and fainting in the shower- causing a 911 call, my own issues with my kidneys, some pretty serious fights with my boyfriend, and having to go back on state aid- I've had about more stress than I can handle. It has affected my health. It's affected my job. It's affected my overall general state of mind.
BUT, fortunately I can say that all but one of those has fixed themselves. We are still having to use state aid to get by, but my son, my daughter, myself, and my relationship with my boyfriend are all fine and going strong. I am thankful for that.
I don't feel like I got very much accomplished this past year. A lot of wants. A lot of ideas. A lot of talk. No doing. That is the one thing I hope to change with the new year. More doing. Like the Home Depot commercials say. Yeah- I want that to be me.
Along with doing, I want to simplify. This is where I hope having to go on state aid helps. By giving me a kick in the pants and forcing me to stop and reevaluate my surroundings. Where can I cut back. Where can I do-it-myself? What can I do to make my life simpler, healthier, and more satisfying? How can I do this in a way that will be self-sufficient? How will it help the environment around me? Etc etc etc.
I'm planning on really digging in and get my hands dirty this year. Literally. I'm going to make that garden bed out there flourish. I want to build a compost system so I can make use of all those leftovers that make my stomach squirm every time I throw them in the garbage. I want to plant fruits and veggies so that I can have fresh, healthy food for my family. Eventually I'd like to get a chicken coop built so I can have a few chickens, too.
I plan on cooking more at home. With limited funds with which to spend going out, or on frivolous food, we will be forced to sit down and actually think about what we want to eat. We will be more apt to plan menus and actually shop for and prepare what is on them. By doing so, I hope to eat more health-conscious. I am a bit worried about this part, because I've noticed that it seems the more healthy a food- the more expensive it is. But by preparing our meals at home, and utilizing what I'm able to grow in the garden, I hope to have a better idea and control of what I am actually putting into our bodies.
I want to work on crafting. I want to make it more of a priority in my day-to-day life. I am hoping that tomorrow I will be able to get in and nab that table/desk down at the Goodwill to turn into a sewing station. I already have a few beginner-type projects in mind that, if they turn out right, will become gifts for a pregnant friend of mine. (Ssshhh... she doesn't know!). My daughter has gotten very into crafting lately, so I'm hoping that her drive helps push me along, too. If I am focusing on helping her achieve her goals, then I will help mine by helping her. =) Win-win.
With this in mind, I sat down and compiled a short list of my goals for 2012. These are not resolutions. I always fail at those. They are just goals I've set, and I hope to have them all finished by this time next year.
1. Build that composter system.
2. Finish writing Bone & Silver.
3. Blog on each of my websites at least once a week.
4. Do some sort of craft once a week. Even if it's working on an ongoing project- do something!
5. Visit Mount Saint Helens with the kids.
6. Visit Mount Rainier with the kids.
7. Start using my sewing machine.
8. Make my own soap.
9. Learn to knit &/or crochet.
10. Cook and eat at home most of the time.
11. Eat less processed food.
12. Grow my garden and eat it!
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