Dear 2016-

YOU SUCKED!

This past year has been absolutely horrible for humankind. More attacks on the innocent and more Entertainment Icons that left us too soon.

I just revisited my goals for 2016 and I feel a bit defeated. Sadly, most of what I had set up for myself was never finished. (which is typical of all of us.. isn’t it?!)

2016 was to be the year I simplified things, slowed down and focus more on myself rather than others. Yes I know that sounds very selfish but considering that I have been putting everyone else first for almost 7 years, I think it’s about time!

Cleaning and getting organized was probably my biggest project or 2016. I started with lots of enthusiasm and motivation. I made an organizer, printed a calendar and cleaning schedules. All was well until summer hit and it started to slow down a bit. I didn’t get discouraged. I just picked up when school started up again. While I wouldn’t say that my house is always spotless, I have been able to keep up with the main cleaning schedule and that’s enough. I do have some projects that didn’t get finished, like decluttering my bedroom but that can still be done. Overall, I am very happy that my house is usually somewhat presentable and… decluttered. As I write this, I DO NOT have a box of random stuff in my hallway or kitchen! That is huge. For that last 6 years, we’ve had a stroller or boxes of stuff to give away/throw away lined up in the kitchen or hallway. Not anymore! Decluttered. Organized. Sometimes tidy… That’s good enough for me!

Running-  I continued my running but bronchitis and pain found me again. This time it included some nerve damage. Somehow I coughed and sneezed so much (and hard) that I pinched a nerve or something. There were days were I couldn’t walk, bend over, or carry Miss C. Luckily I got an anti-inflammatory and was able to continue but not to the point where I wanted to be. Stretching/Yoga seemed to help a bit.

Reading started out well. I read a few books and magazines but after our vacation, it just went down hill. I only have 50 pages left on Persuasion yet I can’t get past a page before I fall asleep.

Some unofficial goals I made for myself also included learning photography, knitting more and learning a few new dishes.

The new year is just a day away and I have been thinking of what I hope to do. I have so  many ideas but I’m not sure if I’ll even have the time to get them started so I don’t want to say too much. However, I know that my theme for 2017 is: MORE.

READING: I will read more this year. I want my girls to love to learn to read. I’ve mentioned before that I didn’t grow up in a house of readers. My husband loves to read and he continues to inspire me to read. I want my girls to get excited for books which they do but watching TV always wins. Reading comprehension is so important and I need the girls to be ready by the time they get to 1st grade.

COOKING/BAKING: I will spend more time in the kitchen. My parents are probably laughing at this one because they already tell me that I spend too much time in the kitchen. Last year, I set small goal: to learn how to make gnocchi and pesto. Two things I love and that are easy to make. Pesto quickly became a weekly staple in the house during the summer months, while gnocchi was only made once.  I started baking again and my husband was grateful.. although his pants are not! With that said, I have a few dishes I want to learn how to make and I vow to crack open all of those cookbooks that line my shelf!

Photography: My secret obsession.. or maybe not so secret. I finally started reading all of those articles I pinned on Pinterest over the years. I convinced myself to read a magazine in Italian to learn the terminology. I upgraded my equipment and got a new lens. This year I will learn more. I will continue to practice, read all articles, and watch any video that comes my way.

Knitting: I will knit more. I will learn to knit a hat. As easy as it is to knit scarves, I need to learn how to make hats. I will force myself to finish.. even if it comes out all wrong. I will learn from my mistakes and try again.

Running: I WILL KEEP GOING.

Serve: I want to give more of myself. I’ve been thinking of donating blood like my husband. Perhaps if I learn how to knit hats, I can be like those cute old ladies that knits hats for babies or the homeless. I’ll find something.

Whatever ever it is.. I will do more.

What do you want to do in 2017? Tell me in the comments!