2008 Resolutions

So, generally I abhore resolutions on NY's day. Don't get me wrong, resolutions, in general are a good thing - making a firm committment to get something done, something that is generally positive and will bring about change, that's a good thing, right? That said, for New Year's resolutions, I do actually usually most times agree with Tink's position. But, not today. :) Sorry - I'm a chick. I can change my mind/position/opinion at will.

So, in honor of that. And, before I change my mind again. I'm starting my list here. It's really more of an ongoing list of sorts, a list of goals more than resolutions - but really, what's the difference? I resolve to work on our goals. How's that? :) It's something I'll (we'll) add to. Cross off from. Delete, 'cause I change my mind. Etc. Maigh told me not to long ago that people who set and evaluate goals on a quarterly basis are happier with themself and with life. I want to be happier too.

Last night over our NYE dinner at Thrive. Baby and I established The K's 2008 Goals. Here they are:

1. Work on/Reduce our Debt Significantly - we decided we're going to do whatever it takes to reduce our debt. I'm thisclose to selling my car (well, putting it up for sale). I won't replace it. Not right now anyway, I think I'll become a Flexcar girl. There are actually at least 6 different Flexcar parking spots within 2 blocks of our house. We have some other thoughts/ideas on this item as well, we're going to get serious about it in 2008.
2. Travel but smarter and more budget conscious - we kicked ass in the travel department in 2007. We hit (in no order) Charleston, Romania, Pensacola, Italy, Costa Rica, Seattle, Cumberland Island, Tennessee, and Greensboro twice. If you look at that - we almost did basically a big trip a month. Although, in reality we cram packed several of those trips into the summer months - which made for quite a hectic summer. In 2008, we'll still plan a big trip or so, but we're going to work on more budget consious trips for the rest of the year - trips that are achieved by driving instead of flying, and involve camping and hiking instead of expensive hotels and shopping.
3. Develop our Hobbies - You've all been part of my own little hobby development, photography. In 2008 I want to continue to develop that hobby. Baby wants to focus, as money allows, on his hobby - flying. Why and when exactly did we pick such expensive hobbies???
4. Fitness - we're getting fit in 2008. Financially and Physically. Damn it.
5. Communicate More/Better - We'll probably start seeing a marriage counselor to help us learn how to communicate with each other better. Looking back over 2007, we both felt that it was our first year that we felt any pressure. Probably, mostely, related to finances. A significant cut in pay for me plus the lack of travel related perks made our life and travel expenses grow exponentially. We fought about that and didn't communicate with each other as frequently or openly as we should. We're gonna fix that.
6. Have More Sex - I mean really, why not? It's free, you know. Oh, and fun. :)

To create our list of goals, we brainstormed important/significant things that happened to us in 2007, then evaluated what was important to us as a couple. In 2007 - we were blessed with many great opportunities and experiences. We traveled a LOT. I got a new job and traveled less for work. Baby and I spent more time together and learned how to live together 24/7 instead of 2 days a week. We learned to share the TV. We survived the side effects of me quitting smoking - which lasted several months, not just a few weeks. They aren't all withdrawal related. We cooked more (ok ok - BABY COOKED MORE and I drank more, but whatevs). We saw Costa Rica and Italy (within the same month!). We made new friends - lots of new friends - this year. We reconciled with old friends. Friends married, moved, bought houses, or stayed as they were. We paid off a lot of debt at the beginning of the year - then built it, plus more, right back up again. We struggled with living on less money. We drank a lot of good wine. We made financial adjustments. I shopped a LOT less. I took up photography. We got bikes. We tried (and I failed at) boot camp. We camped. I blogged. We hung out with good friends - shared food, wine, stories and jokes. We whitewater rafted. Our careers changed. Baby's job changed a bit and they started something new and different at work that will really allow them to grow in 2008. I felt like I took a big step back at work, but did allow myself to grow personally. We spent time with family - cuz visited and we attended a newly annual family reunion on Baby's side of the family.

We are so lucky.

So, here goes. My new running list of things to do, places to see and people to visit. I don't plan to do all this in 2008, but we'll see what I can start crossing off the list and what else I can add to it. K? Remember, it's just a start, so if you think there is something I've left off my list - remind me or give me suggestions! :)

1. Lose weight and get healthy.
2. Put money in my savings account. One that isn't tied to 401K. One where I just put money in randomly (or regularly).
3. Go on safari in Africa.
4. Take more pictures.
5. Find a new job.
6. Visit C~ in Australia.
7. Spend a weekend in Houston with Cuz.
8. Visit the H's in Houston.
9. Write to my grandmother more frequently
10. Learn another language - french or spanish, or both.
11. Read more.
12. Write more.
13. Sell at least one photograph to someone I don't know.
14. Learn how to give myself a manicure/pedicure. Then do it.
15. Take Baby to Ireland.
16. Learn to sail.
17. Learn to mountain bike (and learn to enjoy it).
18. Buy a house with a yard and porch.
19. Make a dream house wish list.
20. Learn to cook indian food.
21. Run a 5K.
22. Run a 10K.
23. Keep up with the book club reading and attend meetings.
24. Blog more - about interesting stuff, not just "this is what I did today".
25. Volunteer more - find something that you love.
26. Replace the shower in the master bath.
27. Scrape all the plastic off the bottom of the lower oven, finally <--I'm gonna shoot for doing this one in 2008, k?
28. Visit CDG.
29. Visit MMH & MTH.
30. Visit BlondiePi.
31. Respond to each and every commenter on my blog by name.
32. Take down the Christmas tree before the middle of January.
33. See/visit Lake Lanier.
34. Buy everyone in the bar a drink
35. Swim with dolphins
36. Climb a mountain
37. Drive a Ferrari
38. See and go inside the Great Pyramid
39. Bungee jumped (you know I'm afraid of heights right?)
40. Conquer my fear of heights
41. Conquer my fear of drowning
42. See and photograph the Northern Lights
43. Touch an iceberg
44. Take a trip in a hot air balloon
45. Watch a meteor shower
46. Hold a lamb
47. Visit all 50 states
48. Backpack in Europe Take a midnight walk on the beach with Baby
49. Go sky diving
50. Visit the Great Wall of China
51. Start a business
52. Visit Thailand
53. Take a cruis on a cruise ship
54. Take an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
55. Go on an African photo safari
56. Hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
57. Visit more foreign countries than U.S. states
58. Visit all 7 continents
59. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days