Thursday, December 29, 2011

Thursday Thirteen

I just read back over my list of resolutions for 2011, written on January 6 as a Thursday Thirteen. I wanted to see how I did.

I didn't do too badly. I did okay on seven out of the thirteen. Better than half. Many of them were health-related, and I have some of that under control. However, new issues have cropped up.

But anyway, with the new year coming up, I thought I'd finish out 2011 with a list of resolutions for 2012.

1. Write my thesis. This has to be done if I am to graduate in May with my masters of arts in liberal studies degree. I have about 20 pages but am seriously running out time.

2. Graduate. Obviously this is the next step after the thesis. It is step two leading to the next item.

3. Find work. This could be a job "working for the man," as my husband calls a salaried position, or a strong return to freelancing, or adjunct teaching, or something I haven't even thought of yet, but it needs to happen.

4. Continue with Weight Watchers. I lost about 25 pounds, then the holidays came, and I've fallen off the potato cart and landed in the potato pile. Or something. Anyway, I need to get back to this in earnest.

5. Find an organization to volunteer with. I spent 10 years volunteering as an appointed member of the county's library board, and my time ends December 31. I enjoy doing things that help the community, so I will be looking for someplace to give of my time. We'll see what comes about.

6.Exercise. I did well with this until September of this year, when I was overcome with health issues that basically stopped most of my exercise efforts. However, I have started back on the treadmill, albeit at a little slower pace for now, but I have hope that I will be able to manage this.

7. Keep my journal. I used to journal every day. Then I stopped, and I have not been able to pick it back up again. Part of that is because I began blogging instead of journaling, but writing in a journal, which is private and secret, is much different than writing for this blog, which is read by oodles of people I don't know. I need to do both, and better. I want to reread The Artist's Way and go from there, I think.

8. Write fiction. Most of my writing career has centered on nonfiction. My thesis is creative nonfiction, which is to say, mostly nonfiction with a lie or two thrown in. I would like to try my hand at writing fiction, though.

9. Finish my local history things. I have started a couple of local history books and I have a local history blog. I need to work on all aspects of this. This project has languished for several years now and I want to finish it.

10. Organize the closets. We have lived in our house for 25 years. We have stuff crammed everywhere. I have slowly been tossing things but it seems more stuff comes in than goes out. I am interested in moving some things out of here, somehow.

11. Read the books in my to be read pile. I used to only have a couple of books in my to-read pile at a time; now I have shelves full of books that I want to read but seldom have time to get to. I would really like to make a dent in this pile before I go spend all of the Barnes & Noble gift certificates I received for Christmas. But I have a feeling the gift certificates will be spent long before I have made a dent in the book pile.

12. Learn website design. This is something I sort of know how to do but I don't know how to do it well. I would like to take a class or something.

13. Take a vacation. I haven't had a vacation away from home, at least not one that involved more than an overnight stay, in almost three years. I think I am overdue.



Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 222nd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

13 comments:

  1. Well done for completing so many of your goals. I definitely need to do the diet thing. Good luck with completing your goals for 2012.

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  2. I don't do "resolutions" per se - but try to set reasonable goals for the new year

    happy tt and wishing you a happy new year

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  3. I know how you feel about the exercise stuff. Ugh! I was doing well and then got sidelined by a few issues which made it hard to keep going. Now I'm missing my bike, and I'm sure she's missing me, too. :(

    You did well with last year's list, though, so there's no reason to think you won't follow through this time around. We've got your back! More power to ya!

    Happy TT! Happy New Year!

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  4. I'd say that was a pretty successful year! I want to continue organizing the house, which has gone pretty well, and get to work on the garage.

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  5. 20 pages is so close, and yet so far. You'll have to give it priority.

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  6. Good luck on each and every one of these!

    I got injured at the end of October and haven't recovered the full out exercie habit yet, but I'm almost there. Greatest of luck to us both!

    Happy T13,

    ~Xakara
    Year in Review

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  7. Wow, Anita...I'd say you did very well indeed. Congratulations on your accomplishments! Here's hoping you're equally successful in 2012.

    I got derailed a bit on my resolutions, but I did do pretty well earlier in the year. I'm hopeful that I'll get back on track in 2012.

    All the best to you and your family in 2012, Anita. Happy New Year!

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  8. That's an ambitious list. Go for it :)

    Have a great day!
    http://harrietandfriends.com/2011/12/gallops-most-admired-2011/

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  9. I'm late but I listed one resolution but will add getting rid of ill fitting clothing and junk and going to San Diego and LA.

    Blogging makes it easy to track accomplishments. Have a happy one!

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  10. Well, it is nice to know someone did a great job on 2011 goals. I have no idea about my own; I am all over the place as usual. I love your 2012 list - all practical. Best wishes on your thesis, you are almost there. I will be joining Weight Watchers in January; we must keep in touch. Thanks for visiting my blog throughout the year. Happy New Year!

    The Food Temptress

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  11. I feel inspired and enjoyed reading all of these. I hope you have a wonderful new year.

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  12. I love this list! Many of your goals for 2011/12 mirror mine and seeing it here makes me feel like I'm not alone. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Good luck with finishing your thesis (we know you can do it!) and completing more of your goals this year. I too want to try to make a dint in my TBR pile, to catch up on some favorite authors and series. Seems a bit daunting right now, but I'm sure I can do it.

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