Goals for 2013

I don't really like making resolutions, because I always fail at them; usually within the first month. This year I'm settings goals- things that I want to achieve by the end of the year or manage to consistently do throughout the year. I figure if I put them on my blog I'm held more accountable than when I write it on a sticky note and promptly lose it.

• Do 1 random act of kindness every week for the entire year (and hopefully record it on this blog so I know I did something)
• Blog at least 4 times a week. I've had this blog for 4 years and every year I go MIA for months
• Exercise every single day for a minimum of 30 minutes regardless of the weather, if I'm working or not, or my mood. This doesn't include the 2 walks/day the dogs get. I'm not aiming for weight loss this year but I would LOVE to be more in shape- preferably a 6-pack although even a 2-pack would be fabulous
• Get back into riding horses and comfortably be jumping 2' by the end of the year (my first lesson is next week so that's a start)
• Relearn to play "Wedding Day at Trouldhagen" on the piano. It's the last piece I played when taking lessons from my Grandma; it was long and hard so if I can play it again I'm doing well
• Buy a bike and then start riding it. AB loves mountain biking; I don't think I've even sat on one for several years
• Visit somewhere tropical...b/c it's time to and my passport never gets used
• Read at least 1 book a week (and be sure to list it on here for others to try)
• Pay off the vet credit cards- while this is personal everyone on here knows my dog is being treated for cancer and most people can assume it's not cheap
• Start writing a book. As a second part to that, write several chapters before giving up and dumping it in the recycle bin. I'm thinking I should participate in NaNoWriMo 2013 in November...
• Find a job I enjoy (don't laugh, I'm sure it's possible)
• Do a better job of staying in touch with relatives. How I plan to do that TBD
• Be done with Facebook...for real this time

There are plenty of other things I need or want to do, but maybe if I aim low[er] I'll actually succeed at most of them. Any support is appreciated.

Updates & All

It's been a busy week, mainly because I've been working every day while still managing to cook, exercise the pets, run, and get my required 8-9 hours of sleep a night. Yes, I require that much; if I get less my eyes get red, my face swollen, and I trip over my own feet.

So here goes- my updates in bullets:

• Work actually went smoothly- I don't have any patient stories but it's because I honestly can't remember any. After a while, they all start to blend together.
• I have not managed to study for the GRE but that's not surprising considering I'm a master procrastinator.
• I don't think I want to go to grad school - quite yet. Mainly because I really have no clue what I want to do (other than knowing that I don't want to be a nurse forever) and I don't need more student loan debt for something I'm not passionate about. Which leads me to...
• I've started looking into other RN jobs to apply for in the new year. My contract is up March 1 and I'd like to try something else...something that doesn't require paging doctors that never respond for orders, trying not to spill bedpans, and sucking copious amounts of mucus out of a stranger's mouth.
• I've got an idea for a new blog- one that will simultaneously fulfill a New Year's Resolution and make me a better person (or at least look like one)- and no, it has nothing to do with looks!
• I got new boots. That's right- rain/snow boots. My husband has turned me into a North Face whore (I never used to buy NF- too expensive) and now I'm in love with pretty much everything they make. I will be taking these to Seattle next week:

• As mentioned previously, I get to spend some time with my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew next week (this also means I get a break from work...double awesome)
• I'm up to 3.2 miles of running; not every time but I can manage it...which is good because the costume 5K is next week (stay tuned for the absurd candy my sister managed to get me to agree to dress up as)
• I purchased a Living Social deal for a box of fresh produce from a local delivery company, DoorStep Produce and it was well worth it. I chose the Fruit & Salad box and ended up with a hearty serving of fresh turnip greens, pears, apples, onions, tomatoes, green/red/orange peppers, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini.
• This evening I wanted to finish up the veggies from above mentioned salad box so I cut up the onions, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and peppers, coated them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and had AB toss them on the grill. I also cooked some 3 cheese tortellini with Ragu sauce and it made for a filling dinner (followed by the fabulous Apples & Pears Foster).