Go somewhere/do something new each month:

January:

Brazilian wax

February:

Ghost hunting in Anoka

Eyelash extensions (Link will probably only send you to the info page on these during February)

Keratin Complex application

March:

Dance 101 (Adult Dance Class)

April

Alexis Mateo @ Basix, Cedar Rapids, IA

Sharon Needles @ The Garden, Des Moines, IA

May

Family vacation to Omaha, NE & Henry Doorly Zoo

June

Aerosmith concert @ Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

July  

Zero Gravity Trampoline Park

August

September

October

Family vacation to The House on the Rock, Spring Green, WI)

Joined LA Fitness & committed to training twice a week w/personal trainer

Run a 5k (Monster Dash)

November


December

Boudoir photo shoot @ Pixie's Photography

2012 Goals & Resolutions

Boosting Energy

• Get a minimum of 8 1/2 hours of sleep per night
• Be absent from the house for a minimum of 24 hours at least once a month
• Plan meals monthly and do not repeat a dish more than twice
• Create a master chore checklist

Boosting Spirituality

• Meditate at least once a week for a minimum of 30 minutes
• Journal (pen & paper) at least once a week

Boosting Parenting

• Plan one fun/educational outing per month (Aim to have it be previously unknown)
• Complete annual photo books for each child

Boosting Finance

• Re-evaluate 2012 budget so one of the outstanding debts is paid off (credit card/windows)
• Try one month cash only

Boosting Relationships

• Plan monthly meet ups (families & kids/adults only)
• Practice honest & direct communication
• Don't settle
• Keep in touch with long distance friends (with the internet, there is NO excuse)

Boosting play/Challenging myself

• Go somewhere/Do something new at least once a month
• Begin Jobs People Have
• Monthly drag night

I just ordered a book from Paperback Swap called What to Read: The Essential Guide for Reading Group Members and Other Book Lovers for my Boosting Play/Challenging Myself resolution. I read an article she wrote in one of my back issues of Bookmarks magazine on book clubs and it was really interesting. I'm hoping this book has more information on starting book discussions or clubs too.

And, since I have a public forum for asking now, are any of you interested in starting a book club online or in person? Online might be easier since most of the other avid readers I know are some distance away from the Twin Cities. Thoughts?

Boosting Play & Challenging Myself

• Make time to read
• Incorporate music
• Try new foods/cuisine
• Learn new skills
• Ask for help
• Take time for mini-adventures
• Spend time with bookish people
• Enjoy the fun of failure
• Do something unexpected
• Push myself
• Be Anna
• Avoid time wasters
• Utilize opportunities the Twin Cities offers

Specific steps:

1. Blog regularly (post progress on happiness project, reviews of books, etc.)
2. Jobs People Have project
3. Post book reviews online (Amazon, Paperback Swap, Library Thing, Goodreads)
4. Join/start a book club?
5. Learn to create something through crafting (sew/knit/crochet/etc.)
6. Take at least one day trip a month
7. Limit time online that's not productive (especially Facebook lurking)