My goals for 2017
Get 7- 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
I am doing really good with this goal so far this year and I can tell a difference in my attitude and how much more I am able to get done each day. Oddly enough it’s helping me to prioritize my time a little better too.
Make Saving a Priority, Not an Idea
This past week found $0.11 on the ground {for a total of $0.90 for this year}, stacked thin soaps on top of one another, ate oatmeal for breakfast almost every single day and analyzed our gas bill to figure out why it was $52 more than this time last year. {There were 2 more days in the billing cycle and it was 2 degrees cooler outside on average for the month}. Some weeks you save big, some weeks it’s just pennies.
Live a little
When Mrs. HB and I were grocery shopping this past week I wasn’t planning on buying a chunk of Yancey’s Fancy Horseradish cheese but I decided to splurge because it truly is delicious and something I only buy once or twice a year.
Visit 52 REAL Bakeries
Hess Bakery in Lakewood, Wa seriously has the best pretzels on the planet. So far I’ve been to 4 bakeries this year…. so only 48 more to go
Have 1 “no spend” week each month
I did this last week and it was super easy. You should try it!
Start a Line of Rug Hooking Patterns
So far I have created two rug hooking patterns. One for Halloween and one for Christmas. I think I am going to wait to share them with you until I have them all done and available for sale.
Turn My Wool Stash into $2,500.
I made $490 this past week on ebay with my rug hooking! That’s almost a 1/5 of the way to reaching my goal for 2017. Hobbies. They are fun. Especially when you can make a little money on the side.
Play in The Dirt
I spent all morning yesterday cleaning out the garden boxes and raking and pulling up weeds on the side yard. Lucy was right by my side to help of course. You can read all about it over on Dig for Your Dinner.
Purge 250 Items Including Selling Larger Items We No Longer Feel We Need
Yesterday I added a large chicken wire board, 4 canisters, 3 roasting pans and a square bowl to my garage sale pile. That means I only have 230 items left to purge for this year. Giddy up!
Learn to Crochet
I signed up for a class and hopefully by this time next week I should have the basics down. I know I could have probably stopped by a senior center or retirement home and asked for someone to teach me, but since I don’t know anyone in a facility, or who works for one for that matter, I’d just feel awkward about the whole thing.
I tried watching some videos on youtube but just couldn’t get the hang of it and decided that before I acquired any bad habits {from not really knowing what I was doing} I’d just stop there and sign up for a class instead. I’m not really one to part with $35 when there is a free way to learn something… but hey. I really want to learn.
Dote on My Husband Even More Than I Do Now.
Poor HH. His nasty cold is back and he’s been coughing up a storm. I guess this means I won’t be asking him to do anything on his honey do list today.
Lose the Muffin Top. {again}
Ya Ya. I need to work on drinking more smoothies and eat more salads. I kind of got off track this past week.
Wear out {most of} the clothing I already own.
You probably think I’m a total sicko for not wanting to buy any new clothes for a second year in a row but I am really enjoying this goal. I have so many friends who are addicted to buying clothes when their closets are already stuffed. Seriously. You have PLENTY of things in your closet. You don’t need one more item. You need money in your retirement account.
But what do I know, right? I’m weird.
Try 52 New Recipes
New cookbooks? Are rad. I think this week I tried 3 more recipes. This goal will totally be wiped out by the end of April if I keep at this pace.
Read 52 Books
No new novels this week. 🙁
Give Back to 12 Different Organizations in My Community
I finally got a hold of the quilt organization and will be dropping off our fabric donation at their next meeting. I’m excited to share with the quilters about why their work is so important to the community and how meaningful it was to our family.
And then, there’s those top secret goals we’re not talking about yet.
- Secret Goal #1
- Secret Goal #2
- Secret Goal #3
- Secret Goal #4
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2017? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2016 Goals HERE.
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Tamara says
You’ve got some great goals, Mavis! I always enjoy reading about them and being inspired. I have to chuckle thinking about the bakery visits paired with losing the “muffin top”! I have no doubt you can do it! Re spending: I do the same as you, wear it out or use it up – learned from my grandparents. My MIL, on the other hand, is 84 and buys the latest trendy clothing. She goes to Goodwill every two weeks to lighten her closet so she can buy more. No interest in saving! Or being content.
Keep up the good work. This is one of my two favorite posts of yours each week-the other being your & Mrs. HB’s new mission!
Mable says
At 84 I would not be interested in saving for the future either. I’d want to indulge myself as much as I could before going 6 feet under. At least she passes things on to Goodwill instead of throwing them away or leaving her poor relatives to clear out her closets after she dies. This reminds me of my uncle, who yelled at me for bringing my 99 year old grandmother full sugar Pepsi and donuts when she asked for them. She was 90 freaking 9, still living on her own but found it tiring to shop (no car, took the bus!!) so asked me to bring her pop and donuts, and my uncle was trying to deprive her of the few pleasures she had left. I say good for your mother in law for still wanting to be trendy and having the energy to shop!!
Judy says
Wish you lived in my town, would be happy to teach you to crochet. Grandma taught me and it’s been a delightful hobby all my life!
Melissa says
Curious where you signed up for the crochet class? I only learned a very basic stitch from my mom, but I don’t know how to turn to the next row without adding a stitch, so I can’t really make anything right now!
Melody A. says
yes, I could teach you to crochet as well. Attic 24’s blog has many tutorials that are very good at showing how to go about it. She is an amazing crocheter. I see that you have your hand made rugs on Ebay, I looked in Etsy and could not find you . Did you decide to only be on Ebay? is it the cost, did you determine that Ebay is actually cheaper? would love to know this, I have a quilt fabric shop on Etsy, http://www.etsy.com/shop/theredhenshop
Love all your advice. we need it. thank you.
Delores says
Keep up the great work! Sleep is so important and I think I tend to take it for granted; your increased sleep is impressive! And motivating!
*I lost another 1.8 pounds, so 5.8 so far. And kept up with training for pushups, situps, squats. (Reaching 100 squats is going to be harder than I thought.)
*Had a date with my husband.
*started more seeds
Habits: I did well overall and hit all of them almost every day. Some of them are definitely harder than others!
Michele K says
Yancey’s Fancy cheese is made 15 minutes from my house! I had no idea they sold it on the west coast. Enjoy!
Cari says
Me too! Love the Champagne cheddar and the buffalo wing – Yummy!
Teresa YOung says
I was just coming to post the same – so excited to see a NY local brand go national!
I was at a Nascar race in Richmond VA & Yancey’s Fancy was there giving out samples & selling their cheese. It was a fun moment when they saw me in my ‘Watkins Glen’ T-shirt. I love ALL their flavors.
Jenny says
I made it a goal to start a master’s degree and I finished my first class this week.
Toni says
Go Jenny! Let us know how it’s going!!
Rebecca says
I’ve also made it a goal to buy no new clothes this year – – – particularly since I am retiring at the end of June. Can’t wait to donate my “career” clothes to charity this summer! There is a women’s shelter nearby that can use clothes for women who are entering/re-entering the workplace. I have lots of nice stuff for them!
Susan says
We’ve been battling the cough/cold/flu all winter, too. An Asian friend recently recommended we try drinking ginger tea. It really works! I used the recipe on Dr Deepak Chopra’s website.
Lauren says
I’m absolutely obsessed with ginger, I’ve now planted it in my garden (Australia) I usually drink it with lemon, lemon grass or lemon balm, adding some honey when you have a sore throat helps so much.
KAYTHEGARDENER says
I make the following for coughs during the colds/flu season —
Heat 1 mug of water in the microwave till boiling, stir in 1 -2 TB honey, pinch of powdered ginger, squirt of lemon juice & stir until all is dissolved & then sip slowly… Have one every couple of hours while awake & lastly before going to bed…
Carolina says
I have several goals for 2017, doing well on some, but not so well on others. But progress, not perfection and baby steps, right? The goal that is progressing nicely is saving all of the $ from coupons used. So far I have saved (as of 1/20/17) $26,25. Not bad, considering that I live alone. The best coupon was one that you especially highlighted, Mavis–$2 off 2 packages of Earth Bound Farms Greens. I scouted all the ads and found the cheapest price at Target, of all places. Who knew?
Kitty says
GOAL SETTING! A much better idea than MAKING RESOLUTIONS, which sounds like you’ve been remiss/ bad somehow.
New GOALS sound like a fun challenge. Read Novels! Wow! Try new Recipes! Yay!
I’m encouraged.
Deborah says
I learned to crochet in my 20s but was 54 when I learned to knit. I learned from a book with lots of pictures. I am a visual person. But I did learn how to read a patter from the book.
I am working on my closet. My goal of 10 things per month is going well. (I already have more than 12 from the closet. After I do my side, I’m going through hubby’s. After that . . . The dresser drawers. I will be saving som of our travel T-shirts to make a quilt. We have more shirts than we need. Also, I just read a blog about having only 10. 10 each of summer tops, winter tops, long pants, short pants, skirts and dresses. Plus shoes. Then it went on to ha d bags, Not 10 of those. Only 1-3.
Jamie says
So far I’m doing good on my goals!
General Health – I’ve logged religiously on MyFitnessPal and have joined a StepBet challenge to keep myself walking.
Be Creative – I’ve kept the juices flowing by reading some books from the library and played with Photoshop this week!
1 Extra Mortgage Payment by June – I’m up to $58.55 towards this by using the Qapital app
Boost Savings – I got a $25 paypal giftcard this week using Swagbucks. This will pay for a month of my gym membership and half of a spotify month when I turn the subscription back on.
Continuing Education in Career Stuff – I was out of work all week from surgery sooooo we’ll work on that.
Keep Blog Posts Going and Do Weekly Updates – I have my Week 3 recap scheduled to post tomorrow morning! I even made a feature photo for it using my newfound Photoshop skills.
Suzetta says
Our natural gas bill for December was the highest since we has natural gas installed. But it said that the average temperature was 10 degrees colder than last year’s same period temps. So guess I won’t scream too loud.
On setting goals I renewed the same one I’ve had the last three years: to knit or crochet 500 caps for charity. If you lived in Bellingham or even Mt Vernon I would be happy to help you with your crocheting.
Toni says
My goals include:
Finding and saying something sincerely complimentary to everyone I interact with every day – being positive and looking for positive characteristics in others;
Finish craft/clothing projects I’ve started but not completed over the years;
Make all presents – or get them for free (sound familiar?), and,
Clean out and organize the yarn and material closet by July 1st.
Wish me luck!
tia in boise says
This has been a so-so week for my 5 yearly goals. It’s report card week, so that’s been my focus, and I also have been down with a cold. I will not be reporting on those goals today…
A group of online “friends” has started a bulletin board for Monthly Challenges which I’m doing in addition to Goals for the Year. This month’s challenges for me: 1. Don’t buy anything for the classroom. I was touching some clearance gum for the Prize Box the other day, but I put it down! Success this week there.
2. Don’t use the credit card. I wanted to buy a couple TV episodes on Amazon that I missed live, but I earned a credit from a survey website (got hooked up through a survey on Swagbucks) and then bought a $3 GC from Swagbucks, so I dodged that bullet!
Lisa Millar says
I am a little far away to help you with the crochet – but good idea having a real person sit with you to get you going. It makes the world of difference! Be looking forward to seeing your projects!
Not weird about clothes… honestly I think its at least 2 years since I bought anything.
I laugh when I see the older facebook post ‘memories’ come up and I see photos from 8 years ago and think – hey! I am still wearing that t-shirt! 🙂
Hope the HH is feeling better really soon!
Maria says
What?! You got to play in the dirt already? I’m so jealous Mavis! We still have a ton of snow on the ground and everything is frozen. I’m in Idaho. Really looking forward to spring. Way to go on your goals!!!!
Marcia says
Weirdos unite! I had a longer post but my tablet ate it.
Marie M. says
You are doing well on your goals already.
We live a few miles from the factory that makes Yancey’s cheese. We stop there 3-4 times a year and stock up. We love their horseradish cheese, Buffalo wing cheese and their champagne cheese amongst many others.
Teresa YOung says
I’m nearby too – see some posts above – Mavis has several NY readers.
judy says
Unsweetened pineapple juice is the greatest thing ever for colds and congestion! Please give it a try.