evaluation of goals, looking forward to february!

At the beginning of 2010 I set up a list of goals I have for the New Year. I think the only way to keep myself accountable is to reevaluate my goals each month to remind myself what I am not working on, what I am doing well (because I love accomplishments!) and to add anything new to the list that become important throughout the year.

January has been a good month for us.  I think having these goals in place really helped to keep on track and set my to-do list each week. I don’t think I will be adding any goals to the month of February because I just want to lie low this last month before baby girl gets here.  (I took off the goals for my 2010 list that can’t apply to this month, just so it’s not long and overwhelming. Bold is what was completed in January)

Personal Goals

•  Keep on track with my way of eating- This is going great for us and has really opened our eyes to some wonderful new meals! February might be harder with getting down to the uncomfortable days of pregnancy but I plan to try my hardest on keeping on track and not letting convenience take over.
• Read at least one book a month (can be an audible book if need be!)- In January I read the Happiness Project, will post my review very soon! I am also still working on What to Eat by Marion Nestle, great book but very long! In February I hope to finish What To Eat and Food Rules by Michael Pollan. During all my of NSTs I plan on listening to Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver.
• Be a better wife to my husband- this is something I need to work on every day. In February my goal is to let him do things he loves before baby two gets here and life is going to change!
• Be resourceful with my garden- I plan to start getting the garden seeds sprouting at the end of the month, so I need to get my plans in gear this month!

Family Goals

•  Be more active with Avery (just cause I love being at home doesn't mean Avery does)- with me having so many doctor appointments Avery gets to play with my sister twice a week and is loving her play time away from home!
• Set up a learning schedule each week – this is going very well, while I have changed several things, it is working great for us and I see improvement in Avery each week. I hope in February to plan two months of school in advance so we don’t get off track too much with baby around the house.   
• Have a date night with my husband at least 2 a month (hey we already get to see free movies, shouldn't be too hard right!)- we had a few nights this month where we were able to just stay at home and relax with some movies and go out to dinner with friends a few other times.
• Have 2 nights a month (not including date night) that we don't have distraction such as TV, computers, video games, cell phones! Just time to talk, read books and play games together.- work in progress. Goal to get this started this month!  
• To be more patient- work in progress

Blogging Goals

•  Setup a schedule and stick to it- so far doing pretty good on a blogging schedule each week, January has been my best blogging month since moving to Squarespace in July. I have several recipes I have ready to post and my schedule of Menu Planning, To-Do List, Preschool and Project Life all help to keep me up-to-date with posting
• Try to post every day of the week (planning in advance of course!)-  I have posted all but one day this month, including several days with more than one post! Above should help with this.  
• Try more foods I have not had and blog about it- I just started this last week and posted about my try of the week, eggplant! I already have one new ingredient to try in February planned!  
• Share my passion about food- still nervous to do this, my passion is a little over the top and afraid I will scare you all. Look for a post about chicken very soon; it was so passionate I had to take a lot out!
• Just be consistent, really!

House Goals

• Get and keep areas organized on a regular basis. I can’t believe how much I was able to organize in January! I will soon post about all that has been done! Apparently my need for nesting is working out great! For February I want to finish organizing the nursery, finish organizing closets and figure out recycling area.
• Setup a schedule and try to stick to it 
• Be more consistent on menu planning and sticking to it. So far so good!
• Recycle more than I throw away- work in progress but doing great!
• Create a workspace for me- got storage area for workspace all in place, putting up the desk this month!
• Create a learning area for Avery- finished!!
• Finish up the nursery- This is pretty much done!! My mom is making a few more things and we have a window picture frame to hang up and we are done! Pictures coming soon!
• Organize closets- only need to organize coat closet and nursery closet, rest are all done and looking beautiful! Should have both completed by the end of the month.  
• Clean Carpets- this was finished this weekend! My in laws came over and helped do much of the work and they look beautiful! The best part is the carpet machine is not toxic at all!

Comments

[Cara]

I think it is such a smart idea to review your goals on a regular basis to see how you're progressing, and what you still need to work on. It looks like you had a VERY productive January!! Seriously, if only my January had been half as productive... I'm looking forward to that post on chicken that you mentioned...I think some of the best blog posts are those where the blogger's passion really shines through! :)