Looking to 2021-Goal Time

Happy Sunday everyone, and I'm hoping the Christmas background is not too bright for you all. I'm still experimenting with things. LMK if you object to the brightness.

Since I've been making weekend confessions lately, here's another one. Yesterday (Saturday), I went to my daughter's to do two large loads of clothes (towels, sheets, clothes, you name it). I had a full basket and a full bag plus things she gave me. I got Panera on the way home, and after dragging said clothes into the house, and eating my dinner, I sat and looked at the everything folded on the sofa. Then I looked at my messy, recently stripped bed, and said to myself:  Let's toss a coin, because it's either sleep on the recliner or climb into bed on the mattress pad only because that's all that is happening to day.  And so it was that I slept with my new comforter on my mattress pad last night.

I am on the search for a washer and dryer. I just know what I want, and think that the pickings in the used market may be greater after Christmas-I'm not looking for a new super de dooper front loading type.

Meanwhile, yes, I know it's still the beginning of December, but pretty soon the holidays will be upon us, and while it may be in a different form than usual, will probably distract me from some of the things I would normally be doing. And since I need something to look forward to in the New Year, even if it isn't all "fun stuff",  well, it was time to look forward. In more limited form than usual. Some years I tend to have twenty five or so goals that are all over the place. This year I know better. Better to add more later than to over extend now, so this is where I am as I look forward to the new year:

Healthwise:

• Increase to one hour of exercise five days a week (does not have to be aerobic, can be chair pilates, yoga, whatever)
• Do all appointments and scheduling for the coming year (with chronic conditions and a family history to be dealt with, these are alot)
• Try and increase fruit and vegetable intake to six to seven daily, with juice being allowed.
• Keep following the guidelines no matter how frustrated I get, and offer my arm up at the first opportunity I am able.

Financial

• Create a new post move budget now that I have received one full bill for pretty much everything, realizing when things open up this may change a bit or I may need to move categories around.
• Contribute quarterly to kids' IRAs in whatever way I can.
• Create separate dedicated accounts for a few things instead of one savings fund (mainly creativity, ten year old car, and travel)

Family:

• Plan a post Covid destination vacation for me, daughter and son-in-law, son and guest if he wants to bring one.
• Do something for each kid each month-financial, supportive, whatever.
• As soon as Covid is over, get my son into both a Career counselor and in person therapy (the virtual is simply not a good substitute, at least for him).

Community:

• Plan to create another retired women's group post Covid and consider starting a Facebook group meanwhile.
• Do one big volunteer thing each month, be it in person, donation, making things or whatever.
• Advocate and make my opinions known, all the time.

Personal Growth:

• Take an Olli course each term, obviously virtual for now-I've been doing online classes but really feel the need to have community and talk with others, especially since I usually take courses like writing or Great Decisions where input from others is helpful.
• Try and learn six new skills this year, no matter how small or simple
• Become more intense in my language practice and start watching original language TV shows without subtitles and read German papers and books to get my skills back where they were.
• Make a master list of all the "creative/handmade" projects I really want to complete this year.
• Plan my next two road trips (gulf coast from one end to the other and east coast and back two different routes) even though it may be a year before I can do it.
• Make a monthly reasonable goals list and bucket list so I am motivated to keep in gear, especially during our Covid days.

Spiritual:

• Read the Bible from beginning to end this year.
• Meditate ten minutes every day
• Do one group or book study or other event with my church each month.

And now, off to take a Sunday walk. And perhaps actually make my bed.