2009 Goals!?!?!?
Um...maybe I should rephrase that. How about "Goals for 2009." Yeah. That's better. Because there are only 13 of them, not 2009. That would be vast.
I also need to make one thing perfectly clear here: These are NOT resolutions. I am not that highly resolved to this list. They're more like things I'm striving for. Or maybe "strong suggestions to self." That way, if my resolve fails, the guilt doesn't mess with my already questionable psyche.
Got that? These are not resolutions!
Just so you know...
So! Looking forward to 2009, I really should...
1) Switch from paper calendar to hand-held. My new, hip,urbane iPhone's calendar synchs with my family's frumpy, shared Google Calendar. Yay! I am so going to miss my darling Moleskins, though. I adore Moleskin and all their sleek, organizational, note-bookish practicality. Truly. (C'mon, Moleskin guys! Develop an iPhone app! Hurry!!!)
2) Actually record appointments and other scheduled events onto the calendar. My Moleskins were not always consistently utilized to their *ahem!* full potential. *cough, cough* Will I do better with the urbane hand-held? One can only hope.
3) See Steely Dan live in concert. They call me Deacon Blues, y'all!
4) Ditto Led Zeppelin. But only if Robert Plant joins them. (Jerk!)
5) Get serious about purchasing some decent shoes. And clothes. In other words, do a little shopping, fortheloveofchic! If anyone needs a wardrobe consultant, it is moi. Seriously. I need one of you uber-shoppers to go with me to teach me what is cute. 'Cause I am the Queen of Frump, people. It's not for lack of funds; it's for lack of concern. (There should be a reality TV show. Most assuredly.)
6) Unpack and rid myself of the contents of the remaining boxes in the guest room closet that contain my kids' toys and books from when they were little. They're 16 and 12 now. We don't need Talking Big Bird and Goodnight Moon anymore. And no, I'm not saving everything for grandkids. Mentally, I just can't go there.
7) Have more attic space floored so I can at least save a FEW things for grandkids. (I love Talking Big Bird, man.)
8) Be invited to guest post on a super blog. I know I have some serious expertise in...something. I mean, I could write a book about everything I know. Or maybe a pamphlet. Either way, I would rock a guest post off it's axis. Spread the word!
9) Continue to avoid signing on for every stinkin' volunteer position that comes along. I was way more selective in 2008 than previous years. (Yay, me!) I wasn't on the board of directors for ANYTHING last year and actually led a semi-normal life. (Yay me, again!) For for the first time in ten years! (Umm...yay?)
10) Read all the books currently on my TBR shelf. Yeah, those need to all be gone by this time next year. (Except maybe The Historian. That one might creep me out too much.) Good thing there aren't very many books on my TBR shelf, huh? Plenty of room for me to add more along the way.
11) Obtain an extra amp that I can leave at the studio. Okay, two extra amps - one for each studio - so I can stop hauling my main rig around everywhere. (Note to self: Shop used!)
12) Seek and find a different church. Nothing's wrong with the current one. We need one where the family can serve, though. (Totally unrelated to #9.)
13) Visit and read a minimum of 25 quality blogs/day, leaving a thoughtful comment
on at least half of them. Which means that each day there will be 12.5 of you who won't even know I was there.
That's 13 things. Yeah, I know Thursday 13 is no more. But old habits are hard to kick. Even in a New Year.
Let's rock '09!
Bonus: Felt led to share this - To be more purposeful in my prayer life. I now have a way to keep better track of prayer requests using rocking, new, iPhone technology. I intend to put it to good use! My first prayer of the New Year is for all of you. Be blessed.
Happy Near Year!!!
Is that a left-handed bass guitar?
Posted by: Mulled Vine | January 01, 2009 at 03:22 AM
This is a great list of non-resolutions. I haven't made any non-resolutions yet. But your list gave me a few ideas. Like I need to read more. And ironically, I just bought three new pairs of shoes, they haven't even arrived yet, but I can't wait. And I'm going to be a cuter dresser, too. But all of that is so superficial. I want to do something meaningful.
My husband asked me last night what I wanted to see when I looked back on 12/31/2009, and I said, "I just want to be a better mom."
And that really says it all. Now, I've got to figure out how to get there...
Posted by: Kristen@nosmallthing | January 01, 2009 at 06:56 AM
Happy New Year, Carol. I am impressed with your list. Those are ambitious goals. We have no kid at home anymore, but we still record things on Outlook's calendar, on the wall calendar, and in the hubby's planner. I wonder if our ancestors needed a list. What do you think?
Posted by: Becky | January 01, 2009 at 07:00 AM
what a wonderful list of goals! mine is somewhat more......um.......er.......ahhhh......non-existent? lol
c'est la vie!
happy new year!
Posted by: jayedee in the lost world | January 01, 2009 at 08:32 AM
I don't do resolutions myself. Too depressing. But you gotta keep Goodnight Moon! I love that book!
Posted by: Paperback Diva | January 01, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Mulled Vine: No, just a rotten artist.
Kristen: When you figure it out, let me know.
Becky: They had hammers and chisels for making lists on rocks. Maybe that's the real meaning behind all the cave drawings. "Don't forget to go kill some bison today. Be sure to defend the cave from bad guys." Stuff like that.
Jayedee. Lists are painful. Spare yourself.
Paperback Diva: Yeah, that's a good one for sure.
Posted by: Carol | January 01, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Great list of non-resolutions. Funny I don't see "Go visit Canadian friend" in there anywhere! :v)
Posted by: Susanne | January 01, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Have a wonderful 2009. Maybe we could get you on What Not To Wear...so you can get spiffied up for 2009 :)
Posted by: Andrea | January 01, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Ha - like Andrea I was going to suggest What Not To Wear!!! Although I do love to watch it and think I might have learned a few things from it, I am now paranoid to leave my house in comfy clothes for fear that hidden cameras are capturing it for future humiliation!
Posted by: Bumbles | January 01, 2009 at 11:53 AM
A wonderful list. But you may not realize the battery's will be more harmful for the environment than the paper calender. Happy new year. May all your dreams come true.
Posted by: Grammy | January 01, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Those are great goals. I don't know if I could ever part with my paper calendars though. It would be a stretch. Congratulations on not over-committing yourself in 2008 - that's no small feat these days.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Deidre | January 01, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Well done for keeping the TT flag flying!
I share at least one goal with you, which is to read everything on my TBR list. I won't finish them all in one year though, because there must be about 150 books there, and at least another half dozen on order from Amazon.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Nicholas | January 01, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Great list! I too love the look and feel of real notebooks... and I can so relate on the "keeping the kids' stuff"... I have boxes and boxes of toys in the basement. And I only have one child!
Good luck with all your non-resolutions, and all the best to you in 2009!
Posted by: Maureen | January 01, 2009 at 03:36 PM
I enjoyed reading your list, some made me chuckle. I pray the Lord leads you to the right church.
Happy New Year. Rock on.
Posted by: Lori | January 01, 2009 at 04:26 PM
No lists. No resolutions. Less pressure. Welcome to my list for 2009. :)
Posted by: Leanne | January 01, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Hi Carol-
Thanks for the comment and well wishes. Hope you have a great New Year!
Posted by: Niki | January 01, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Andrea and Bumbles: I've never seen the show, but I'm aware of the basic premise. I so need them. They would be appalled at my wardrobe. It's frumpsville for certs! Tell them to hurry, though - I have a bunch of gigs lined up and I'm tired of looking like a fashion reject on stage.
Nick: I'm making a new rule - I don't get a new book until I've finished reading one. Shelf space is valuable at Hacienda She Lives.
Grammy, I'm not as concerned about the environment as I am about my back right now. Smaller purses means each thing in it should be able to multi-task. So far, I'm hating the whole digital calendar thing, though. (Moleskin! I'll never forget you!)
Maureen: I am such the notebook junkie. I'm already feeling withdrawals.
Lori!!! Thanks for coming by, friend!
Posted by: Carol | January 01, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Interesting list ... balanced in many ways. I'm thinking of creating 'reminders' rather than resolutions ... and/or coming up with a word to guide me next year, but I've not done so yet ;--)
Happy New Year and much success to you and yours.
Hugs and blessings,
Posted by: storyteller's other blog | January 01, 2009 at 07:57 PM
*Love the list, because I LOVE a list.
*Love that you have an iPhone, because I LOVE my iPhone (and my Macbook and all things Apple)
*Love that you want to learn to say NO, because I LOVE that I've FINALLY mastered that one. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but SO. WORTH. IT.
*Love that you want to guest post on a mega-blog, because I would LOVE to do that too. Hook me up, girl.
*Love that you keep showing up on my blog, because, well, I LOVE when people show up over there.
Praying that you master the list!
Melinda
Posted by: Melinda | January 01, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Not trying to be mean and mess you up but about not saving things for grandkids... you don't know yet how awesome it is to see your grandbabies playing with Daddy's or Mommy's favorite childhood toys! A saved favorite stuffed animal, favorite shirt, giggling at a favorite movie...
See? Maybe mean and I don't want to be but some things, SOME things, are worth saving!
Posted by: TMinut | January 01, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Great list! And, Thursday 13 is no longer with us? Goes to show you how long it's been since I wrote them!
I'm making no list, no resolutions, just vowing to change a few things around here! (around home, that is)
Posted by: Barb | January 01, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Susanne: Sorry. Didn't see you waaaayyy up there buried in the snow like that. Uh...yeah. Send the ticket and I'll make the flight!
Storyteller: I let the Word guide me, too. When I don't is when I get in all kinds of trouble.
Melinda: I love that you love!! Yay!
Tminut: You are so right. I'm sure I'll keep the favorites and all the toys their grandfathers made for them. Otherwise, they have little cousins I can dump 'em on. Heh.
Barb! So good to see you!
Posted by: Carol | January 01, 2009 at 09:53 PM
Wonderful list.
Posted by: Denise | January 01, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Love your list, Carol! I'm also one of those who need a wardrobe consultant! I also need to get rid of my huge TBR list too, and visit more blogs, because I've met so many great people already!
Happy new year! And thanks for visiting my blog!
Posted by: Betty | January 02, 2009 at 02:47 AM
You've inspired me to make a list! Happy New Year. :-)
Posted by: Jacqueline | January 02, 2009 at 07:27 AM
Happy New Year!
I love Steely Dan too.
Posted by: Lidian | January 02, 2009 at 07:37 AM
Hooray for learning more things about Carol. So, you are in a band? After reading non-resolution #11, I have a slew of music-related questions for you.
Your list is a good one...especially #13...25 blogs a day is very impressive. I am lucky if I get around to about 10.
-Francesca
Posted by: Three Bay B Chicks | January 02, 2009 at 08:21 AM
You know, (and please don't lose respect for me!) I think I saw Steely Dan live in concert when I was in college and dating a hippie. Obviously did not appreciate what I had at the time! (and I don't mean the boyfriend!)
Posted by: Jen | January 02, 2009 at 11:23 PM
I'm not sure I can keep up with all of your non-resolutions! I was laughing so hard (I hear you on the inability to get there mentally regarding grandkids. My oldest is 23 and I've only JUST started to consider it a possibility!!!) I can barely remember resolution #1 (If your husband has a phone with a calendar - be sure to do what I did. Schedule him to be reminded each week to buy you a pretty! :) It works...every 3 weeks or so...). Thank you for sharing your great list and all of the wonderful lists. I'm not a great blog (almost no one reads me) but if you ever want to guest-post for me, let me know. Maybe I can be your practice blog! Blessings.
Posted by: Bonnie | January 03, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I just wanted to pass on info about The Historian (if it's the Elizabeth Kastanova version) it's a good Dracula story that will seriously make you want to visit Eastern Europe and Turkey. No, S.E.R.I.O.U.S.L.Y.
it's a good read though... and not terribly creepy.
I love the idea of goals rather than "resolutions" I refuse to make those this year, just to forget them within 2 weeks. I updated my 101 in 1001 instead... and was glad to see that I actually had completed some of those goals this year!
I just found your blog, and I'm loving it thus far... thanks for sharing it with us!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 03, 2009 at 11:39 PM
I just posted a new TT. Why stop, I like making them. :)
Posted by: Tink | January 07, 2009 at 05:14 PM