Resolution update

It’s been a while since I thought about my resolutions.  Here’s my update:

1.  Do something each week that lasts beyond the week:
I have been doing pretty well.  A few weeks ago I worked on a couple of sewing projects for my home.  However, they didn’t turn out as well as I wanted, so I kind of got discouraged and quit.  The curtain for my kitchen window is still sitting where I put it a few weeks ago.  I did do a few organizing projects today–straightened the bookcase by my computer, cleaned out the freezer, and straightened up my sewing room.

2.  Socialize with another couple or family at least once a month.
We got together with our next door neighbors at their house for dinner and games.  We have really gotten along well with our neighbors–how come we didn’t know they liked playing games sooner?  We have lived here almost two years!

3.  Document our personal family history more.  (by updating this blog, working on our journals, taking pictures, etc.)
Could use a bit of work here.  I keep meaning to pull our our video camera, but I keep forgetting.  I will work on this more.

4.  Set a goal date to pay off our house so we know how much we need to be pouring into our home every month.
We have a goal date set…however the economy is making me slightly nervous and I am not sure I want to pour in extra money in our home right now.  I might just want to save it.  We’ll see what happens.

5.  Keep up my level of fitness by running 2-3 times a week and strength 1-2 times a week.
I am doing well at this.  I run on average three times a week and usually do at least one strength training every week.

6.  Attend the temple regularly.
I went today early…so I’m keeping up on this.

Resolution: Something lasting beyond the week

(Not such a happy product model today…although she insisted in being in the picture!)

This week, I started working on my three month storage again.  When I originally began thinking about it, I got frustrated and gave up.  The problem was that I didn’t know if I should plan my meals around non-perishable foods or not.  And when I started to plan the meals, I realized that many of my meals required perishable ingredients.  So I gave up.

When I revisited my three month plan, I realized that I had not read the counsel (linked above) closely enough:

“Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.”

Foods that are in my “normal, daily diet” include perishables and non-perishables alike.  I decided that my meals would include ingredients that could keep for three months–including both non-perishables and items that could be frozen for that long.

I have almost completed an Excel spreadsheet of two weeks worth of meals that have ingredients with shelf-lives of at least three months.  I will then repeat those meals for the remainder of the three months.  The spreadsheet calculates all the ingredients and tells me how many of each I need to store.  Then I will keep my eyes out for sales at the grocery store so that I stock up quickly and as cheaply as possible.

Resolution update

Here’s the link to my New Year’s Resolutions!

1.  I cleaned out, straightened up, and threw away items from my bathroom closet.  It needed a through cleaning–I had been just throwing bags of items in there as I bought them.  This way I know what I have and what items I need to purchase.

2.  We’ve invited another couple over to play games on Saturday night.  Put the kids to bed, pull out a few games, a dessert, and this is a cheap date night idea.

3.  I am updating the blog occasionally, but not as regularly as I would like.  I am also thinking of setting aside a little time each week to focus purely on getting to know my ancestors better.  I’m planning on using this site to start.

4.  We have searched the web for amortization calculators and found an excel spreadsheet that works for our method of paying our mortgage (which involves paying extra each month plus two bigger payments every six months).  We have a feasible date in mind, but have not actually figured out what that actually means for our budget.  That’s the next step–to sit down and figure out how to squeeze our budget to make that date happen.  (Obviously this is a goal that is somewhat flexible.  The date that we have in mind is feasible on our current salary, but should that salary decrease, we will reevaluate when we can pay off the house.)

5.   I have been running 2-3 times a week doing some strength training with my new weights and Bosu ball!  I am thinking of running another half marathon in May.  Anyone care to join me?

6.  I have been attending the temple regularly.