Goals for 2015

New year resolutions.  I resisted this tradition for years.  "Why should I make goals for a whole year that I won't even remember in a couple of months?"  I was obviously missing the point.  I don't think you have to make goals at the beginning of each year to be driven or successful, but I do think it helps to write down some things you'd like to do or make happen for the coming months.  I like getting a clear picture of what I want to make time for, what risks I'd like to take, and what I want to change in the new year.  It helps me see who I am and who I want to be a little more clearly.  :)  The same thing can be accomplished by making monthly goals for yourself.  I like to do a little of both.

The topic of resolutions came up in a group of friends this week, and I realized I hadn't had a hard sit down/list making session on this particular subject yet.  My goals aren't super lofty this year, just little things to help me manage my time/over-commitment issue a little better, and doing more things for the sole purpose of leisure.  Here's a peek:

**Take at least one full day off a week.  Honestly, this is easier said than done, but I'm going to try to schedule my work time so that I have a day to let my mind rest.  I've spent the last however many months with basically no days off, and I have only myself to blame.  So now, I'll have myself to thank when I make this right.  :)

**Hobby.  You'll probably notice a theme throughout this list.  I want to make time for a hobby.  A hobby I do multiple times a week because I've made the time for leisure.  I could put "getting back to knitting, guitar playing, etc." but I want to leave it open-ended so I can change my mind throughout the year when I feel an interest in something different.

**Family Vacation.  Johnny and I haven't taken the girls on a real vacation since Poesy was 1 and too small to remember.  We want to take them somewhere super fun this year, now that they BOTH can enjoy it!

**Move into a place we love.  Johnny and I are planning on moving out of this lovely rental we've been calling home for the last 2+ years.  Initially, we thought we'd buy it when the time was right, but the thing about rentals is that you get to test drive before you buy.  There are a few things that don't work well for our family here, so as sad as it will be to say goodbye to our first Springfield home, our intention is to move.

**Daughter dates!  Hope and I love to grab a burger just the two of us when we can, but I want to be more intentional about spending time with both girls one-on-one.  This (again) goes along with being less bogged down by work and making more time for important things.  That's kind of my theme for 2015.

**Make at least 5 animals a month.  It's nothing new for a maker to start preparing in advance for a busy season, but my intention is to make at least 5 animals (or more) a month this year.  It keeps my craft sharp, and relieves stress when the holiday season approaches.  Who knows?  Maybe I could even do a Renegade this year.  I miss it!

I could ramble forever about what I've learned over the past year and what I intend to change this year, but all it comes down to is being more available for people I love (friends & family) and taking more time for myself.  You have to let that brain recharge every once-in-a-while.  That's important!

Oh, and just for fun, here are Hope's resolutions:
1.  "Lose all my teeth."
2.  "Try crab."
3.  "Try playing 'Chubby Bunny'."
4.  "See Paityn and Jaelie."  --those are her best friends that live in CO.
5.  "Go to the beach."

I hope you are all having an amazing start to the new year.  Even if it hasn't been exactly what you were hoping for, there's always time to turn it around!  Happy Thursday!  xo.