An early 2013 goal recap

I know, I know. I have been horrible about updating lately. Mostly it's because I haven't had much I wanted to write about and am debating on whether I want to move blog servers...we'll see.

Anyway, another year is swiftly coming to a close. Remember when I listed my goals? Well I'm going to go ahead and mark them off (or admit defeat now) as I will probably be going to a different blog server and this may be my "good bye"!  Who knows?

2013 Goals:
-Make our lifestyle greener: After an adventure in making both my own face wash and laundry detergent along with reading a few blogs about making greener and healthier food changes I really think we can do it. By making our diets cleaner, our cleaning products both eco friendly and chemical free, and just making good decisions regarding our everyday living I think both D and I can do it! COMPLETE! We've still got a LONG way to go but we've adjusted some of our eating and living habits that I feel good about. YAY! 
-Bust my ass at my new job: I've got a new job which is to be incredibly fast paced and high stress. I hope to not only manage but work through any issues I have and come out a champion by years end! COMPLETE! I've learned SO much and am very thankful for all that I've been fortunate to have and experience with a really great team.
  -(Attempt to) travel: Because of said new job, I'm not sure how/when I'll be able to do any traveling besides small weekend excursions. If, after 6 months, things are going well and I can request time (and we have the funds), D and I will find somewhere to go and enjoy a new slice of the world. IF we get to, here are a few places I'd like to visit if possible: New Haven, CT (to visit Shelley which in turn could lead to a quick visit to NYC), Gatlinburg, TN, Chicago, IL, and/or Redlands, CA. I still want to see the Biltmore Mansion and Graceland but those may be a lot more "doable" since they can be quick weekend getaways. COMPLETE! Though we didn't go everywhere listed above we did go to: Gatlinburg for Valentine's Day weekend, Hawaii (again!) for my best friend's wedding, I went to CT (and NYC for the day) to visit my other best friend, D went to FL to visit his family, and within the next week we'll be going to FL again for family Christmas! Travel = success 
-Purchase at least 1 work appropriate piece per paycheck starting with my first check in February (this includes accessories). I was so fortunate to be given some funds for graduation and they REALLY helped me start gathering more work appropriate (and professional) pieces. I'll count this as a kind of...I didn't do it for every check but I did gather a lot of pieces throughout the year and feel pretty good about them. 
-(Really) learn French: Although I had more time without a job, I didn't find the proper motivation to go further than part 1 of my French Rosetta Stone. So 2013, I will! FAIL. I literally was SO into and then stopped at the EXACT same place I did last time! Here's to hoping 2014 will kick my ass into gear with this! 
-Attempt at least 2 vegetarian or vegan days per week. After attempting a meatless month I'd really like to progress into that. I think January will be tough since I've got to wait until the very end of the month for my first check but after that...bring it ON! I'll mark this as a kind of...While I don't know if every week I did this, I noticed I was eating a lot less meat in general this year and I feel better about it. 
-WRITE MORE! I find such solace and relaxation in writing and I want to do a LOT more of it this year. Whether it's poetry, fiction, journaling, or research I just want to delve in and really do it. I was so gung-ho for a bit and then I got writers block...again. I can't say I technically wrote more because in graduate school I wrote a ton. I wrote more via journaling and a bit in a "book" but I don't think I'd mark this off the list quite yet. 
-Save more money: With this new job I plan on putting more in my savings account than I had previously. If I keep it up and don't mess with it I can really rack up some funds for a big purchase later in life! With this also comes the start of paying off student loans. While it's intimidating to me, I know we can manage it and really start chipping away at it, slowly and steadily. Well, we did save more money...but then we ended up spending a lot of it on car repairs, vet visits, etc...so I'll mark this as a kind of? 
-Make a list of stuff I want for the home: If we decide to stay in our apartment for the next few years (which we may do), I want to add new things to it. Since it has been quiet some time since I updated about our home, I figured I might as well get the other stuff I want to really show you what it's become over the past few years =] FAIL-I didn't even attempt this 
-Craft more: My goal is to make at least one craft a month. This does not include making the greener stuff (unless I come up with something truly unique). I'm excited! I was doing really well until about mid-year and then I stopped...so not COMPLETE but not a total failure. 

Ya know what else I did this year?
-I lost 32 pounds through changing how I eat and a bit of exercise
-I read 41 books, most of which were GREAT.
-I was accepted to adjunct a class in a topic I adore this coming Spring
-I turned 26
-I was a matron of honor at my best friend's wedding
-I tried a lot of new foods for the first time
-I MADE A BABY. You read that right: I'm going to be a parent next year!!!! I won't lie-this has been the most exhilarating thing to happen this year.

If I get a new blog, I think it will be consumed with discussions and my thoughts/musings on parenting. I'll let you know if I move!