Peanut and Chicken: New Year's Resolutions 2016

Yesterday, I graded myself on my efforts, goals, and accomplishments from last year. Today, I am creating a list of resolutions, goals, and things to work on for 2016.

Last family photo of 2015. Some members of the family were not cooperating properly!

Instead of thinking of a few categories and writing about them, I wanted to create a giant list of things I want to do, big or small. Some of the items I want to do daily. Some I want to just get done once. Others might be a work in progress. The idea is that I'll check in each month and see how I'm doing.
By the way, I love lists! There is something immensely gratifying about checking things off the list. Also, I'm not breaking these into categories. I'm simply typing them into the list as they come to mind. The items with stars are personally more important to me than others.

Here goes:

1. Read at least 10 pages a day of a self improvement book.*
2. Read at least 30 books this year.
3. Drink at least 80 ounces of water each day.*
4. Give up soda. Diet included.
5. Hit goal weight.*
6. Run at least five half marathons.
7. Run one marathon.
8. Wash, fold, and put away one load of laundry each day.
9. Never leave dirty dishes in sink overnight.
10. Wipe down both bathrooms each day.
11. Dust once a week.
12. Change sheets once a week.
13. Organize shoes.
14. Pay off half of student loan.*
15. Post macros every day.*
16. Run at least three times a week.*
17. Develop and be consistent with a weight training program.*
18. Run in as many local races as possible.
19. Start volunteering at Poverello House.
20. Vacuum and mop floors at least twice a week.
21. Lesson plans finished by Thursday each week.
22. Read the Bible each day/find an app for this.*
23. Find an online Bible study to participate in.
24. Take vitamins each day.*
25. Meal plan each week.*
26. Never start a Monday without grocery shopping.
27. Complete Insanity DVDs.
28. Complete PX90 DVDs.
29. See three movies this summer by myself.
30. Wear a bathing suit.
31. Go to Wild Water as often as possible.
32. Make bed each day.
33. Make "girl" doctor appointment.
34. Get mammogram.*
35. Track miles ran.
36. Enroll in or find online iPad training classes.
37. Attend Mass over 50 times (not including Fridays).
38. Pray each day.
39. Finish will.
40. Blog each day.
41. Begin #myjoyproject2016 on Instagram.
42. Look into options for printing #dailyforcey2015.
43. Compliment someone each day.
44. Get blood work done.
45. Cook at least four nights each week.
46. Don't leave classroom without a clean desk.
47. Clean classroom once a week.
48. Don't leave office without a clean desk.
49. Finish letting go of items that don't spark joy.
50. Be patient with kids.
51. Send cards to people.
52. Send out Christmas cards.
53. Go to Yosemite.
54. Do a squat challenge.
55. Do a push up challenge.
56. Work up to being able to do five minutes of planking.
57. Watch at least 10 old movies I haven't seen before.
58. Walk at least 70,000 steps each week.
59. Start working on outdoor landscaping.
60. Begin planning Summer School in May.
61. Check Hudson's folder every night.
62. Figure out how to reorganize makeup.
63. Decorate office at school.
64. Decorate for Fourth of July.
65. Find interesting/informational podcasts.
66. Don't let the counter get cluttered.
67. Plan out remaining weeks leading up to Academic Decathlon.
68. Do my Aca Dec homework to help kids.
69. Plan two Buddy activities before the year is over.
70. Start yearbook before January is over.
71. Organize school photos.
72. Color
73. Maximum three weeks between nail appointments.
74. Snuggle with boys at least twice a week.*
75. Start playing piano again.
76. Wash face/use night cream every night.
77. Floss/brush every night.
78. Eat more soup.
79. Clean inside of car once a week.
80. Look into cost of getting car detailed.
81. Run at least 500 miles this year.
82. Use planner more effectively.
83. Complete at least one destination run.
84. Stretch or do yoga at least once a week.
85. Never miss a Monday of exercising.
86. Don't go more than two days without exercise.
87. Purge kids clothes/rooms at least twice this year.
88. Decorate for Fall.
89. Come up with one "to do" each night for the next day.
90. Look at school planner every day.
91. Find one new app each month to use with students.
92. Pray intentionally for my Prayer Pal.
93. Make at least one Fourth of July Pinterest inspired craft.
94. Be ready before kids each day.
95. Be ready before sitting down to relax each day.
96. Think positively.
97. Don't gossip.
98. Fill all picture frames with photos.
99. Keep dresser clear and pretty.
100. Clean out purse once a week.

Phew! I think 100 is plenty of goals and resolutions. Is this a lofty list? Sure, but every item on this list is either something I have the ability to do or something I really want to do.

Now, I've done enough reading on goal setting to know that goals have to be written down, they must be attainable, there must be a plan, etc. For some of these on the list, I will have some specific plans in mind to attain them. This isn't just a list of "I hope I can do all this! Let's cross my fingers and see how it goes!" No! I fully plan to put habits and plans into place to be able to complete these items.

One last thing: While I am pretty much an open book, I do have a few goals that are private and just for me and my brain. There are four private goals to be exact that I will work on within my own space and time.

This was fun coming up with a giant list of things I'd like to accomplish this year. My plan is to visit this list often and possibly once a month on the blog to see the progress I am making. Maybe I'll go check an item or two off the list today!

And here are some more photos from our last day of 2015. We rang in the New Year in pajamas, eating yummy snack foods, and playing video games or watching tv. We are pretty exciting up in here!

Happy New Year!

Little Chicken has been pretty snuggly all day in between his video games. He'll run in for a hug and then go back to his games.

I thought we had managed our photo in one shot. Then I looked at it and saw that Eric had stuck his tongue out and we cut off most of Hudson's face. Evan was not thrilled to be called back for more photos.