Goals, Desires, Dreams 2007

I don't like the word "resolution"--it has connotations that feel as if it is almost designed to set us up for failure. But I do like having the ritual of evaluating the past year, thinking of goals for the upcoming year, and daydreaming about the future.

So in that spirit, I'm recording my goals, desires and dreams as well as reflecting upon those from past years.

Goals:
1. Hold my nose with the bureaucracy, and actually take a couple of college classes. (Fingers crossed for a statistics class starting next Monday.)
2. Floss almost daily.
3. Feed my family in a healthier manner, and utilize meal planning to aid in this.
4. Minimize my sugar intake.
5. Read aloud more to the boys. (Hmmm. . . I'd really like to have certain books/series set as a goal, but not sure which ones to choose.)

Desires:
1. Get a bike (my Christmas present!) and take regular bike rides with the boys.
2. Go on a road trip with the family. Chicago? Arizona?
3. Weekly photos, in the spirit of Project 365--only downsized.
4. Simplify. Beautify.

Dreams (ala Mondo Beyondo):
Still pondering. . .

This is not a definitive list, and is open to updating and modification. . . *grin*

Update on Goals, Desires, Dreams 2006

Goals:

1. Couch to 5K. The sloooooow plan. Nope.
2. Develop more family routines, ala Flylady. Somewhat. Definitely have made progress in the boys' daily routines.
3. Take a college class this year. Nope.
4. Finish memorizing the Children's Catechism with the boys. Nope
5. Floss more. More, yes. Daily, no.

Desires:

1. Find a friend to whom I can be spiritually accountable, and will encourage me in my walk with the Lord. Somewhat.
2. Reconnect with family, friends, supporters. Not how I wanted.
3. Be more comfortable with techy stuff. No.
4. Read more. Write more. Nope. Have checked out a lot of books from the library though, and paged through them even if I haven't read them.
5. Go on more dates with Hubby. Yes! *mush, mush*
6. Start vermicomposting. Yes, and my worms are still alive. Though, the herbs I tried to grow in my kitchen died a slow and painful death.

Dreams:

Nothing yet accomplished on the Mondo Beyondo 2006 list.

Posted by TulipGirl | 11:40 PM| TrackBack (0) | Words

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Greetings TulipGirl, An idea for the book series to read aloud. Have you heard of the Redwall books? Author Brian Jacques. We loved these and read them for many years (there are quite a few).

I just found your site and am enjoying it. Bless you... Sally
Posted by: Sally at January 2, 2007 04:27 AM

Try Freddie Goes to Florida. I think your boys would like it. There are several others by the same author, Walter Brooks. Some are out of print - they were written years ago - but a few are available at the library.
Freddie is a wonderfully smart pig; the other animal characters will also remind you of people you know!
Posted by: FLGrandma at January 2, 2007 08:47 AM

I'm not sure what kinds of books you're looking for, but there is a great series by Mary Pope Osborne called "Tales from the Odyssey." She basically took Homer's Odyssey and rewrote it in six volumes for kids. It's a great summary. My sixth grade students loved it as a supplement to their unit on ancient Greece. She leaves in all the gross parts, which the boys particularly enjoyed.

Growing herbs inside is difficult.
Posted by: Amy at January 2, 2007 10:52 AM

I remember really liking the Danny Dunn series when I was your kids age. Not sure if they're still available but you might be able to find them at your local library.

Also anything by Lloyd Alexander, the Doc Savage books(Kenneth Robeson), the John Carter series by E.R. Burroughs…. ok, I’d better stop there.
Posted by: Brian at January 2, 2007 12:07 PM

You probably already know about these, but we loved the Little Britches books growing up (author is Ralph Moody). Great boy books. And I loved them too.
Posted by: CharityGrace at January 2, 2007 02:52 PM

We read the "Wizard of Oz" series (there are 5 or 6 of them). They are very different from the movie, and the boys enjoyed them. I'm planning on doing White Fang with my 8 and 7 yo boys.
Of course, the Chronicles of Narnia are timely right now!
Last year we also read Gulliver's Travels and Moby Dick - the boys really, really liked Moby Dick.
Posted by: Milehimama at January 2, 2007 05:42 PM

read the little house books! you've probably already read them aloud, but i'm really excited about them lately and had to suggest it. farmer boy, ahhh.
Posted by: mollie at January 4, 2007 10:25 AM

I don't have any suggestions, but i'm taking notes on all the other suggestions! You family picture is great :D
Posted by: Amie at January 4, 2007 05:50 PM

I second the Redwall series - my son, now 13, couldn't get enough of them. Even my girls enjoyed them.
Posted by: Patsy at January 4, 2007 06:38 PM

I second the Little House books!

Happy New Year and all the best with your resolutions!

~Mother's Milk is Best~
Posted by: MMIB at January 5, 2007 10:24 AM

They certainly qualify as "read them before reading them with your kids" books but I really recommend "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snickett. Not the best choice for kids with attachment issues or who are especially empathetic but smartly written.

Also, your boys may be ready for Holes by Louis Sachar. Newberry Medal winner, Scholastic recommended.

Posted by: jonathan at January 6, 2007 11:53 AM

Tulip Girl, the Kowald family has thought of your family often lately. Don't know why God brought you to mind but would love to catch up. We have news, no not another baby, but news in the church realm. Let's just say God has opened our eyes to many things.
Miss seeing you and hearing from you. I just found your website by googling Barry's name and finding the pic with Barry and John in Charleston.
Posted by: Tracy at January 6, 2007 11:29 PM

I've always thought that I would like to read the Mary Poppins books. I figure I loved the movie so surely they were based on great books. All of this to say that in truth, I've not gotten to them yet, but they are definitely on the list. Just need to get a new nightstand or wait till I clear it off. The stack is a little teetery:)
Posted by: A moore at January 7, 2007 07:42 PM

I just put a hold on Potatoes not Prozac at our library. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Thicket Dweller at January 8, 2007 02:50 PM

Hey, yeah, Shainy loves the Redwall series too! Maybe they would be better for boys than my beloved Little House series. Yes.
However TulipGirlie, In the FUTURE, please read my novels for kids. STAY TUNED. Ive got plans.
Posted by: Jenny Shain at January 11, 2007 02:19 AM

Hey TG,
I love your goals list, but I dont want u to get discouraged if you haven't completed what you had hoped. Promise me that u will remember that being a Mother to 4- FOUR- WOW- boys, an AMAZING FEAT, is an INCREDIBLE accomplishment. Also, being the faithful & wonderful WIFE- wow!-what a responsibility!- that YOU ARE- THAT is a great gift to your family & a wonderful example to the WORLD! So.... CONGRATULATIONS! on accomplishing those TRULY REMARKABLE acheivments. If that is all that you do, and you do it well I know, That will be enough. CONGRATULATIONS! keep up the Fabulous work TulipGirl!
Posted by: Jenny Shain at January 11, 2007 02:26 AM

Hey, I know this comment doesnt really belong here, but I need help (& am not sure where to post it)... Does anyone know about vitamins/herbs, etc: I buy several things at the health food store, but Im wondering if some things I could by at WalMart & cheap places. At the health food store (which is great) they always say you should by this certain kind bc it is higher quality, etc. But there must be some vits/herbs/minerals that I could by much less expensively at Walmart. So, my question is, Does anybody know which vits that it doesnt matter if you have to worry about buying the higher priced ("better quality") ones? I mean, how do I know that the WalMart brand isnt just as good? Like Chromium or Calcium/Magnesium... Do those matter where you buy them? How do I tell. Does anybody have any real insight in this? Need help... getting poorer by the hour & I definately cant keep this up on the mission field in the future!
Posted by: Jenny Shain at January 11, 2007 01:55 PM

I have to second the sugar thing...too much dental decay and weight for me. No more!
Posted by: Stephen Shores at January 12, 2007 08:11 PM

Happy New Year to you!

I remember studying statistics - to my surprise it was quite interesting.

I don't make "resolutions" either - like you I reflect on where things were and where they might go. I enjiyed reading this post.
Posted by: Catez at January 13, 2007 08:11 AM

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