new year = resolution list.

last year i shared my resolution list here.  what was my score at the end of the year?  50%.

i did lose weight before my best friend's wedding.  i had lost 15 pounds before i squeezed into a bridesmaid dress so i was happy about that.  still not at my goal weight, but better than where i was. 

i have stepped my photography up a notch.  however, i'm still not where i want to be.  i think i overloaded myself with clients this fall and currently i'm dedicating my time to finishing up with current clients.  i'm not taking new clients until i'm caught up.  working a full time job on top of photography isn't all that easy.  i'm getting sick of taking time away from my family and i have to learn how to manage my time better.  i also need a better work flow.  there are lots of little kinks i want to work out.  i still have not 'advertised'.  i do have my website up and running now, but that's about it.  most of my clients have been from word of mouth and for that i'm so grateful.  i've had awesome clients.  in 2010, i'm going to change a few things up.  more on that later.  :)

i failed on the movie nights.  we've watched movies together, but i wanted to make it a fun experience.  bring the movie to life.  maybe this coming year i can take a shot at this again.

birthdays.  all i have to say is i totally failed on this one.  i seriously need to slow down and simply take the time to send them a birthday greeting.  how hard can this be?  gah.

so there you have it.  two for four in 2009. 
i'll try to take care of those other two this year.

i just have a few more i want to add to the list for 2010...

with the anticipation of big things happening this year, i really want to try to capture a picture a day again.  i've tried this before and failed, but let the party start again.  i'll have a link up soon.

create an album for tucker's artwork.  his artwork is all different shapes and sizes, so i'm not sure which is the best way to do this right now.  do any of you mom's have a fun way to keep all their scribbles and masterpieces?  i'd love to hear your ideas.

get my paperwork/bills under control.  i'm so unorganized with paper clutter that it is unreal.  i need to process mail as it comes in, i need to set up bill pay for all of our bills so i don't have to worry about them, and i need to purge any paperwork that is not needed.  again, any thoughts on this will be appreciated.  what is your system for bills?  what do you do with random paperwork you need to keep?  i need to work on organization in this area of my life and i know it will lead to less stress.

purchase real curtains.  i have valances in our living room, but no real curtains in the main areas of our house.  we have mini-blinds in our bedrooms but i'm so sick of having cheap or no curtains!  this seems so simple, but i have to get them!  we've lived here for over 7 years!  frick.  i need to take the time to order what i want and get them in. 

well, i think those are some good enough (and reachable) goals for 2010.  i would add losing weight to the list, but since i'll be gaining until june, we'll just worry about that later.  :)

Comments

[Adelia]

As for the artwork I have heard a couple different things I have totes for each kid (by the time they all graduate i will have a garage for each) but my intentions are good. One of the things I have heard is to take pictures of the artwork pic on of your favorite to actually keep and make a collage of the others than take a pic, the pic will take up less space than a full size or oversized piece of paper and then you have all of it but in a less cluttered way. Another thing that I have seen and heard about is turning all his artwork into origami that folds into the page, you unfold it to look at the full picture and fold it back into a little 2x2 square or triangle or another shape if your really creative! You can also write the age and what he says the pic is of on the little outside square with that method. The second is my fav method i've heard but it will take me burning the midnight oil the day before their grad parties to get it done cuz i'm really bad about procrastinating and that seems like a daunting but worthwhile task! If you want more suggestions search scrapbooking blogs and websites!

[juliP]

I use e-bills through electronic bill pay and it's great! I have control of when they get paid and get an e-mail when each bill for review, etc. I love it... and it works for me so far!

[renee]

Jen, Good for you! At least you have goals to work towards. I'm at a point where I feel like giving up, especially with the paper clutter. And I mean ALOT! I just don't think I have an area in my brain that knows how to deal with it. I keep thinking to myself that it shouldn't be that hard. But, you're right, we should deal with it right away. That would make it so much easier, wouldn't it?? Would I like easy? Yes, but I have an attitude problem with easy. I just don't want to take the time to deal with easy...I don't want to deal with paper clutter and easy at all!!...I don't even want to look at it as it comes in. I wish I could just throw everything away as it comes in. Then that would be way too easy. Then I wouldn't have anything to complain about...ooh such a dilemna...:)I need help, too. If you find the answers, let me know.

[Nicole]

I agree with hope - 50% isn't too bad! I think your list for 2010 is completely managable and I look forward to reading about your progress in the coming year!

As for the paperwork . . . several years ago we bought a lateral filecabinet for our 'office'. The hanging folders are labels for every bill that comes in (ie., 'Electric', 'Water', 'XYZ Credit Card', etc.) Everything gets filed as it comes in/gets paid so that it is kept in order.

I look forward to ready others' responses on the artwork . . . so far I just have a folder that I keep most of Cooper's pictures and school projects in - usually 1 or 2 pieces a month so that I don't get overloaded.)

[Hope]

I think that 50% is probably better than most people manage!