| Author |
Across the Fence:  New Year's Resolutions  |
|
|
soapmommy60543
True Blue Farmgirl
2197 Posts
Ann
Oswego
IL
USA
2197 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 09:33:15 AM
|
Because of where my birthday falls in the calendar year, I make my New Year's resolutions about 3 weeks before the general population. Here are some of mine for the coming year:
1. Walk more and drive less - even in the winter. Yes, Midwestern winters are cold, but if I can strategize my walking for days when the weather is a bit warmer (and believe me, warm in Illinois in December is a relative thing!), there is no reason the kiddos and I can't bundle up a bit more and take the little hike into town.
2. Try to buy less "new" - there's plenty of stuff out there at the thrift, waiting at garage sales and for barter, on freecycle, etc. These things can be repurposed. All you have to do is look and ask...
3. Eat more local food - yes, we are already looking at ways to find more local food. We do have a local farmer's market, but the organic farm near us grows pretty much the same vegies that we grow in our own garden, which will be expanded this spring. Meat and eggs are the main sticky issue - we can't have chickens in town, and definitely can't have a cow. Yes, I suppose we could go vegetarian, but when I was a vegetarian, I was sick all the time. No thanks. I've seen the concept of the 100-mile plate, and may be trying to get the book from the library. Even if we can only do 50%, that's a step in the right direction.
4. Do more for charity - those of you who follow the stashaholics thread know I'm cleaning up and cleaning out. I'm trying to use my stash for the greater good. There are so many needy people (and the number is going up as the economy is coming down) that could use the items I can make. Every week it seems I learn of another project for knitters or crocheters, whether it's scarves for the Special Olympics or our local food pantry, caps for newborn babies around the world for Save the Children, lap robes for our wounded soldiers, the list goes on and on. If I can make my craft time work for someone else's benefit, that's a really good thing.
5. Since I will probably never give up my two real vices (coffee and chocolate), I am going to be more discerning about the products I buy. Only fair trade, and possibly going only organic. I'm even thinking of switching to Kona coffee only, because I know it's produced in the USA. I wish we could grow cacao in the Midwest! Yes, I'm hoping to cut back on consumption for my health, but if I can make the fewer sips and bites I consume be better choices for myself and my planet, well all the better.
6. Buy handmade - I'm taking the handmade pledge, and I hope you join me. The ultimate small business in our country is the lone craftperson. There are lots of girlfriends here on the farmgirl site who make their own goods - everything from aprons to dolls to homespun yarns from their own sheep and beyond. There are many many more out there - you just have to look. The money these folks earn helps support their families and their farms.
7. Watch less TV - and that one is for self and kiddos. You know it's bad when even THEY complain there's nothing worth watching on! We spent my birthday afternoon watching Schoolhouse Rock on DVD from the library. We also recently bought a game from learningherbs.com called "Wildcraft" that we all love playing (check it out at their website!). We are also card game players and board game players. Hubby and I have talked about having TV free nights forever and never really done much about it. The time has come...
8. Use my crockpot everyday - have you seen this blog? It has really inspired me to do more with my crockpots. It will also help with #9...
9. Be more frugal with our dollars - See the other items about freecycling, etc. If we can buy our non-local food in bulk, preserve what we grow ourselves, and use my favorite small appliance (Stephanie, you are not alone girl), that's one way we can stretch our budget. By going TV free one night a week, we will cut our electric bill. If we can go completely TV free by the end of the year, we can also eliminate the cable bill. I already avoid buying new books (unless it's a gift or I can't get it either through the library or used), and last year, I took advantage of a "free shipping on any order over $35" coupon and stocked us up on homeschool books for the next several years (I don't think the company realized what they had done when they sent me that coupon - shipping, even at book rate, was close to $40). Check out my page about being thrifty on my blog and follow our progress there...
10. Be more active with our neighbors - Our neighbor, Ellen, called me yesterday, and we chatted about how we basically all hibernate all winter, then come out of our shells in the spring. There's no reason why we couldn't do fun indoor things over the winter together. We have great neighbors, whom we adore, and it seems such a shame that we don't do more together in the winter.
I want to make some changes for the better - for myself, my family, my community and my planet. Join me on this journey through the year on the NYR page I'm adding to my blog.
What are your New Year's Resolutions?
Ann in Oswego
http://suburbanprairiehouse.wordpress.com
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher!
Craft Fasting since October 21, 2008 |
|
|
catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 10:05:52 AM
|
1. Get my health in order. Right now, I am re-doing family favorites into healthier recipes. I have also decided I will only drink water or sweet tea. Walk more and get lots of sun. Eat more organically, less packaging
2. Get super organized- I really need to do the finally push to get paperwork, clothing, kitchen stuff in order for an easier life.
3. Work had to bring my GPA up to a 3.5. Right now, it is a 3.1 and I want to apply for my dual Masters and I only need a 3.0 but I like goals.
4. Go tubing- didn't go last year, going this year.
5. Have another yard sale and really start the year with just what I love.
6. Remember to bring canvas bags to the store and utilizing my Klean Kanteen more.
7. Dye my hair red. : )
8. Find the ultimate desks for me and hubby, refinish, mine in PINK of course.
9. Teach Charlie to start writing and reading a little and develope his love of activities, More projects.
10. Start developing deeper girlfriend friendships
11. Start networking for a job.
12. JUST BE HAPPY AND LET IT GO!! It is what it is...2009 is our year!!!
I can add some more later...have to clean up the kitchen. : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
|
Edited by - catscharm74 on Dec 30 2008 10:06:43 AM |
 |
|
|
City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
|
|
catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2008 : 05:51:55 AM
|
13. Learn to eat with chopsticks...yep...never learned.
14. Go bowling
15. Have pictures taken on your 5 year anniversary- 09.09.09- we didn't have a wedding and realized we don't have many pics of just me and Scott.
16. Find the perfect couch- we still don't have one after 4 years of marriage : o
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
|
|
|
|
soapmommy60543
True Blue Farmgirl
2197 Posts
Ann
Oswego
IL
USA
2197 Posts |
|
|
catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2008 : 05:59:54 AM
|
Ann- it is very pitiful..trust me..!!! : ) LOL I will keep trying though..
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
|
|
|
|
City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
|
|
Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2009 : 6:28:15 PM
|
I'm going to go do my list NOW!!! I'll check back in later or tomorrow! Thanks for the inspiration but what's that crockpot site?
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
chessie
True Blue Farmgirl
403 Posts
Karen
Vista
CA
USA
403 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2009 : 7:52:49 PM
|
hey heather, my girlfriend took pity on me and my chopstick ineptitude and got me chopstick "training wheels", a little plastic piece that attaches to the sticks & helps keep the sticks in place while learning to eat with them. I think the Asians use a band of some sort around the sticks to teach their children, I don't know. I'm sure someone here will know and can tell me. You could use a band if someone knoes how... However, My friend got the plastic piece for me from her local Japanese restaurant, where they usually give them to small patrons. It really helped me. I have since collected a few more and they are in my cutlery drawer with my chopsticks and i still use them periodically. I like them.
www.edgehillherbfarm.com "where the name is bigger than the farm, but no one seems to mind"
blog http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
happy farmgirl #89 |
|
|
|
chessie
True Blue Farmgirl
403 Posts
Karen
Vista
CA
USA
403 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2009 : 8:15:20 PM
|
Hey Ann, good for you to make resolutions! I like yours. Happy Birthday, by the way.
I hadn't thought to make resolutions 'til this post, but If i were to make resolutions, & I guess now I will make them, - here they are:
1. pray more and worry less.
2. walk the dog more and watch tv less.
3. grow more food and less weeds, etc...
4. save more money and spend less
5. sing more and squawk less
www.edgehillherbfarm.com "where the name is bigger than the farm, but no one seems to mind"
blog http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
happy farmgirl #89 |
|
|
|
Alpaca Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
59 Posts
Katy
Fairhope
AL
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2009 : 9:47:29 PM
|
Mine is to spend more time being "present" with my kids. They are growing up too fast. I want to freeze frame some time with them in my brain this year.
Katy
Alpaca Farmgirl
Visit me at www.alpacafarmgirl.com |
|
|
|
soapmommy60543
True Blue Farmgirl
2197 Posts
Ann
Oswego
IL
USA
2197 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2009 : 05:56:25 AM
|
AMEN Katy!
The crockpot site is:
http://www.crockpot365.blogspot.com
Yesterday, I had hot apple cider and chai tea going in my two little crockpots. I'm still trying to figure out what to throw in one of the big ones for dinner tonight.
Enjoy!
Ann in Oswego
http://suburbanprairiehouse.wordpress.com
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher!
Craft Fasting since October 21, 2008 |
|
|
| |
Across the Fence: New Year's Resolutions |
|
|
|
New Year's Resolutions
