Looking Forward to 2017

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.--C. S. Lewis

With the beginning of a new year, it is that time again to reflect on the past year and make some New Year's Resolutions.  I am pleased with doing pretty well at keeping mine from the last few years.  I know often times, people make them and by February or March they have gone by the way side.  The secret is to make ones that are practicable and obtainable.

It's funny how our dreams change.  When I was a little kid my dream was to grow up and marry a little league baseball coach, live in a big ranch house with a ball field in our backyard, have nine boys and a pet for each of them and be a stay-at-home mom. I think I gave up on this dream when I got to be about 11 years old, maybe even sooner--I at least have 3 pets.

My goals for this year are to (1) try something new or go somewhere new at least once a month; (2) play at least once a week--even during the winter months and (3) surprise people with kind acts.

My dream is to grow old with Gerard and both be healthy enough to be active, independent and have fun without going broke and serve the Lord all the days of my life. 

What about you?  Any dreams you would like to share?  How do you do on your New Year's Resolutions?

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Working On My New Year's Resolution: Eat Out With Co-Workers

I normally spend my lunch hour eating a quick lunch that I bring from home in the lunch room and then the rest of my lunch hour reading away from the office by myself. This year one of my New Year's Resolutions was to be more social at work by going out for lunch with a co-worker at least once a month. I got right on this and have lined up people to go to lunch with through August!  I know this sounds weird but I also know myself; if I don't intentionally plan ahead, it likely won't happen.

January I went with Marcy to Sammy's Grille, a little family run restaurant nearby that is inside our building. I've walked by this place so many times for the past 25 years but never once went in until this month. It reminded me of the soda shop on the Andy Griffith Show! The waitress was very friendly and the food was very good. I had a burger since I hadn't had one in a very long time. I resisted the malt (mostly because it was over $2 and I didn't want to spend anymore than $5 for lunch). I also resisted getting fries. We had a nice chat and it was fun just breaking out of my routine for a change of pace.

Sammy's Grille opens early for breakfast too, I believe at 6 a.m.  It's nice they have their menu posted right on the front window so people like me can plan ahead on what to order!  Where and when was the last time you went out to lunch with someone?  I highly recommend it!

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My 2013 New Year Resolutions

still working at skipping the donuts

I have ten resolutions/goals for 2013, some of which are repeats from last year because I still want to do them. Here they are:

1. Move: Don't lay if I can sit; don't sit if I can stand, don't stand if I can walk, don't walk if I can run.
2. Bank spouse's paycheck in savings.
3. Keep track of what charities I give to and just make one donation to those I do not support monthly. Support Samaritan's Purse monthly in place of Boys Town.
4. Park in the first open spot I see on nice days.
5. Love all, serve all. Show more kindness to people I actually see, including strangers..
6. Get new linoleum for kitchen.
7. Get new front doorknob--it's still broke.
8. Go out to lunch at least every other month with a friend or co-worker.
9. Get den closet cleaned out.
10. My word for 2013: declutter. I am going to try to throw something away every day.  Gerard was glad to hear this!

Take a guess as to which one you think will be my biggest challenge.  Go ahead, try and guess.

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If you guessed No. 8 is going to be my biggest challenge, you are correct!.

How's that? Which one do you like best? Feel free to use any of mine if you can't think of any.

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5 Friday Fragments (Klutzy, Tweets, resolutions, computer, book)

Friday Fragments is hosted my Half-Past Kissin' Time for bloggers to post a list of short things on their minds that aren't really enough for a whole post. Here we go:

Ouch!

Sometimes I can't believe how klutzy I am. Last Sunday I even got hurt sitting in church! I bent over to get my coat on and boom! I banged my forehead hard on the pew in front of me and my glasses fell off. Fortunately, it was at the end of the service and I put some ice on it right after. Kathy at the Junk Drawer agreed with me that I should win the "Klutz of the Year" award. Can you beat this?

My Favorite Tweets of 2012

Favorites
21 Nov Thangluai Family Thangluai Family ‏@TheGodTweeter

Out of difficulties grow miracles! http://fb.me/1JvIjk6IN

14 Nov mamakatslosinit mamakatslosinit ‏@mamakatslosinit

I put another dog to the IQ test...see how Jack did: http://bit.ly/PTiaRe

15 Mar Joel Osteen Joel Osteen ‏@JoelOsteen

When things don’t go your way, don’t get bent out of shape. Just go with the flow and let God use you in the way He wants.

Resolutions

I am happy to report that I kept ALL 8 of my New Year's Resolutions for 2012!  Unfortunately, after memorizing the book of James by June 2012, I have forgotten it already.  I still remember the concepts but not word for word.  I will post ones for this year soon--I wrote them on my calendar.  Did you make any?

No Internet Connection

Yesterday and today when we opened Firefox, instead of our ATT email page we got a goofy message that we do not have an Internet connection. Then have to hit "connect" and then have to enter our modem access code that is on back of our DSL modem. (After this happening twice, I wrote it down.) Anyone else experiencing this? Anyone know what's going on? We never got this message before in the whole five years we've had the computer.

The Titanic

Before I read I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshish,I didn't realize how big it was! It was like a palace, 11 stories high and only 16 lifeboats. After this event, it became law for ships to have lifeboats enough for all crew and passengers.  If you like to read, be sure to look at Our Favorite Reads for December and 2012 for some great book recommendations--both fiction and non-fiction.  

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6 New Year's Resolutions (Writer's Workshop)--UPDATED

I didn't make any last year and Gerard says he's not making any this year but I have a few so here it goes:

1. Get more active by taking a break from the computer every half hour, even if it's just standing up.
2. Do things standing up whenever possible.
3. In good weather, take the first parking spot I see.
4. Break out of my routine more often by varying my schedule, taking different ways to the bus stop and not always getting off at the same stop.
5. Eat more of a variety of foods.
6. Get an awning for our front porch this year.
UPDATED 1/12/12:
7. Bank Gerard's check and see if we can manage just on my income to see how it would be if he were retired.
8. Memorize the book of James by the end of June.

Some I got from reading "Keep Your Brain Alive" and some from my friend's blog, Think Like a P.T.
Did you make any this year? 

Part of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop to share your New Year's Resolutions and report how you did on last year's.

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How Did You Do On Last Year's Resolutions?

I always like to review my resolutions/smart goals from the beginning of the year to see how we did. Do you remember what yours were? How did you do? Here's how we did:

Karen's:

Have morning devotions in den each morning (which means less blog commenting).
YES, I did quite well on this one. I am in the process of reading the Bible through for the second time and it gives me some direction. I'm also jotting down what I read each day.

Have more fun--do something new or go somewhere new each month.
Nope, I didn't do too well on this one. I can't think of anyplace we went this year that was new for us. I'm going to have to use this one again for 2011 and see if I can do better.

Work out at home at least three times per week.
Nope, that lasted for about two months. Too many distractions! I do plan on working out at least three times a week in 2011 and rejoined Fitworks so that I can go before work or at lunch time. That works best for me.

Eat healthy--stay away from the donuts!
Almost! I was doing very well on this one for the first two months. Then I changed floors at work and thought I should be social so started eating donuts on Fridays again. I did limit myself to only one instead of three though so that was improvement at least.

Be spontaneous at least 5 times.
Yes, I did these:
1) skipped along down the hall before work
2) sing on my way to the bus stop
3) Went to the Browns Family Day Scrimmage on a whim
4) Started our book blog
5) made a snowman on my day off
6) cookie decorating at the rainforest 
7) I was very silly at puppet practice after the Brown beat the Patriots--I was in such a good mood!
8) Took Abby for walks on the spur of the moment

Make someone's day at least once a week.
Almost, I did try to do this. At least I thought about it practically every day. I'll try to improve on this in 2011 too!

Gerard's:

Spend less money on clothes.
Yes, done.

Both:

Read at least 50 books in 2010.
We both accomplished this one by a lot: Gerard (98), Karen (89)

No Pop in 2010 except at parties.
Yes for Karen, No for Gerard.

It rained all day today--so much for being active.

2010 New Year's Resolutions and Smart Goals

Karen's:

Have morning devotions in den each morning (which means less blog commenting).

Have more fun--do something new or go somewhere new each month.

Work out at home at least three times per week.

Eat healthy--stay away from the donuts!

Be spontaneous at least 5 times.

Make someone's day at least once a week.


Gerard's:

Spend less money on clothes.

Both:

Read at least 50 books in 2010.
No Pop in 2010 except at parties.

For more New Year's Resolutions, head on over to Nanny Goats in Panties or link up yours too!

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What's Your New Year's Resolutions

Gerard's resolutions for 2009:
Win at least one set of tennis from Karen.
Don't break anything when cleaning.
Don't take losses by my teams so hard.
Maintain good health.
Spend less money.

Karen's Resolutions:
Last year's resolution for me was to be a blessing to someone each day. (I think I did pretty good on this one and will use it again for next year.) Also, for me to grow closer to God and get back in shape. I already listed some definite goals in the prior post, "Smart Goals." We, the Zemeks, hereby declare 2009 as the "Year of Saving" since 2008 was a "Year of Spending."

Need some help in coming up with some resolutions for 2009? Take this little quiz and see what resolutions it says you should make. Then share them in the comments here.

Here are the ones it says I should make--getting fit is definitely one I am making! You Should Make 2 Resolutions Get Fit Take a Trip

What Should You Resolve to Change Next Year? Click here to find out!

Spunky Doodle wanted me to share this video with you showing part of her morning routine and says she thinks you should make a New Year's Resolution to read hers and Manny's blog at least once a week over at http://karen.pnn.com (Cat Corner-MEOW section):

Smart Goals

I found a good post about making New Year's Resolutions at Life's winks, blinks and tears...: Life's Winks - New Years Resolution. We need to think more in terms of goals that are measurable, simple, attainable, and time bound.

Here are the ones I came up with:

1) Take the stairs between floors at work rather than the elevator.
2) Read at least 50 books again this year.
3) Do not spend any more on any marketing endeavor for my book.
4) Keep on learning new things and continue to post them weekly every Friday on this blog.
5) Continue to write down the sweet things Gerard does.
6) Install CommentLuv on my blogs.
7) Join that gym and actually go 2-3 times a week.