There are goals and then there are dreams.  I’m not sure I separate the two very well.  The idea of the “perfect” life I have in my head is, of course, unobtainable in a sinful world, but I can dream of peace and harmony and children who always cheerfully obey and a husband who is always understanding and supportive in just the right way, a house that looks like it belongs in a magazine instead of well, like it belongs to us.  So, to be realistic, I had to come up with some specific things that I feel are accomplishable. 

So, here are my goals for 2010 (in no particular order):

1.  Routines:  I need a routine for myself, for housework, for menu planning.  I crave some organization (perhaps it will give me the illusion of control).

2.  Housekeeping:  I need a routine, a process for the girls to follow.  We need to get rid of STUFF that is stifling me.  I really feel like this weighs me down emotionally.  I know it is inconvenient and costly when I can’t find something that I know we have and I need to use, so I end up going out to buy more…

3.  Use my talent:  I play flute.  I’m actually pretty good.  I was a music major a long time ago.  When I practiced regularly I was very good.  I play in the church orchestra with professionals.  I need to commit myself to playing regularly.  I also want to play special music.  It makes me feel good to use my abilities to help people worship. 

4.  Date nights:  This has been something that my family has struggled with.  We have issues with schedules and routines all around.  Except the Bug, who thrives on routine and schedule.  I want to make spending time with each of my girls and with my husband a priority.  Family nights would be good too.

5.  Budget:  The Dad and I have very different ways of thinking about and handling money.  We need to get organized and have a plan.  However, this is a monumental thing to accomplish due to the fact that we are polar opposites in almost all areas of communication, cognitive processing, etc.  This is something we have fought about and subsequently ignored for years.

6.  Get a job:  We need the money.

7.  Routines for Boo:  My youngest daughter is a little too much like her mom for her own good.  She needs routines.

8.  Have people over more:  I wanted this house, so that I would have room to have people over.  I want to be hospitable.  The dad prefers sitting at his computer playing a certain game to human company most of the time.  I’m going to have people over anyway.

9. The clichés:  What list of goals for the new year would be complete without losing weight (30 pounds), exercising, and eating/cooking better.

10. Write regularly:  A million years ago, I wanted to be a writer.  I still want to be a writer.  So for now, I will write this blog.  Who knows, maybe someone will read it.  (Other than you, Mom.)

11.  Fix up the house:  For almost 7 years I have lived with ugly 80’s wallpaper in my family room and carpets that needed to be replaced when we moved in 7 years ago.  Now, I have 6 years worth of fingerprints and marks on the walls that I can’t remove with endless scrubbing and which annoy me to no end.  I also have a large pile of framed photographs that are sitting in the extra bedroom rather than on my walls.  So I want to paint, hang up my pictures, and nag my husband into tiling the main floor which thanks to my wonderful brother an sister-in-law’s Christmas gift he now has all the tools we need to get it done!

12.  Have a successful garden:  This is definitely a wish.  I have the world’s blackest thumb.  My great grandmother had a farm and vegetables and flowers and it was wonderful.  I didn’t get that gene.  I usually get sticks instead of tomatoes.  Any suggestions or help would be highly appreciated.