Getting back to those resolutions . . .

Back in January I vaguely formed a mental list of goals I hoped to work toward.  To read more was one of them, which I've been enjoying doing here and there.  More slowly, I've been reading through this book:

but, I've been sneaking out-of-sequence from easiest chapter to easiest chapter, avoiding the ones that will really take effort.  And while I've come across some good helps, I should have researched the book a little better.  One thing is that lazy (or overwhelmed?) me wants someone to hold my hand and just tell me list-wise, what to prioritize and do.  I seem that I'll have to read many organizing books to get all those tips, which all takes effort and time.  And its certainly not my favourite genre of book . . .

Further,  Regina Leeds is an amazing organizer whose clientele live around Hollywood.  Quite different than my neighbourhood . . . and my budget.  In organizing the house, I'm trying to do it frugally with the motto, "Can I use something I already have?" If not, "Can I find it at the thrift store or on Kijiji?"  She's into throwing things out and buying whatever it is you need to make your space work.  I'd love to buy new closet organizers and totes galore, but money dictates, too.   Besides, just buying whatever I need new and chucking out the old goes against one of my biggest hopes of learning to live more sustainably.   

And so in random order, here are some of my quasi-resolutions, though I'm still feeling rather unresolved about some of them.

1.  Lights out by 11:00.

2.  Deal with paperwork as it comes.   I finally picked up a used file cabinet after two years of not having one.  My desk was packed with miscellaneous papers, others were tossed in boxes.  This is partially thanks to an 18 and 25 month old once finding my boxes of organized files and tossing them all in the air like confetti while I showered.  They thought it was a blast, I tried not to lose it and just shoved it all loose back into boxes.  I didn't have time to sort it then, but as of tomorrow, this project should be filed - hooray!  I really dislike paperwork . . . though I actually do like organizing and admin work.

3.  Really organize my kitchen and eventually, plan my meals for the week.  It just happened that a box or two of miscellaneous kitchen things somehow disappeared in the Winnipeg move.  Along with the paddle for the bread machine, I lost my huge basket of used-less-often spices and herbs, which was a real pain (especially mid-recipe).  I never realized how much I'd miss Save-On-Foods and the bulk bins!  But earlier this week I discovered the Bulk Barn - previously unknown to me - and spent an hour scooping.  Couldn't believe how happy it made me to shovel caraway seed and smoky paprika into little bags.  :)

4.  Re-introduce music back into my life - besides Raffi (as much as I love him).  Having married a guy who for many years was doing Master's degree work or preparing sermons (thus needing quiet), then having three easily stimulated babies with differing nap schedules, I somehow forgot how much I am uplifted by music.  Hearing it and singing it.  So I'm making an effort to say 'no' to just kids music and to turn on the radio or listen in on YouTube while doing housework or in the evenings.  

5.  Write letters.  Because I really do enjoy the extra time I take to sit and think of a friend, and because all of us love opening the mail box far more than opening the inbox.  It feels good all-around.

6.  Call friends.   Granisle was the remote town where every store and place was long distance or else I could walk there within ten minutes.  And we had no long-distance plan!  I learned from that and now have unlimited.   It's so good to keep up with family and friends and not be worried about the cost - I've just been forgetting that they're really 'just a phone call away' (for needs other than childcare and practical help, anyway).  :)

7.  Eat more healthy foods, drink water, take vitamins.  After the burn-out of the fall and all the wonderful processed foods I resorted to, my body has had it and is letting me know clearly.  Knowing something was up, I visited the doctor back in January and had some blood work done, then needed retesting as my bilirubin level was too high.  I've since been waiting for an abdominal ultrasound and thankfully, there was a cancellation last week.  Am guessing (and praying) it's gall-bladder related as its better than some of the alternatives in that general area. (I'll update later with this one when I know more).   I'm preparing to start a gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free diet, something I'll try for a while regardless of test results.   I've already been avoiding most meats, but find that way easier than saying goodbye to chocolate and cheese.  Anyway, the goal of eating more healthfully had been on my mind for months but I was waiting to be more organized for the challenge!  Darn.

8.  After that one and the effort it will require, I'm not really going to bother about an exercise plan or feel guilty about that.  With the return of warm weather - or at least with the melting of the snow -  I pumped up the tires on my bike and the bike trailer and have started taking the younger two around my area of city that way.  So the goal:  enjoy biking - because I really do.  It's flat terrain, but they're a heavy pull all the same . . .   

9.  Think more sustainably.  As a product, like shampoo or paper towels, runs out in the house, figure out how to replace it more environmentally before running out and getting more.  A good friend I've met here just uses baking soda every two weeks for her hair - and that's it!  She showers every few days, but no more products.  Surprisingly, she looks (and smells, I presume) great!  I'm not sure how I'll tackle this one yet as I still have a good supply of hair stuff on hand.  Phew!  Ask me later if you want :).

10.  Take time to be more reflective and to pray. This is always a tough one for me.  Some of you may be familiar with Laura Joffe Numeroff's kids book, "If you give a Moose a Muffin" (or her similar ones involving animals being given a food item).  The story has a cute moose going from one thing to the next to the next - following bunny trail after bunny trail (very ADHD).  I find I spend much of my day like that - getting up, seeing something out of place, dealing with that in one room and noticing something else that needs attention.  I flit from job to job, distraction to distraction.  Not all bad, as life with preschoolers lends itself to such behaviour - and I do accomplish things every day.  But being more intentional with my time would do us all some good.

11.  Figure out a creative outlet.  Life has been such a blur for so many years that I've forgotten some of the things I like to do.  And not being athletically-inclined nor particularly crafty, I never had a definite hobby.  I would like to organize our photos, finish at least one baby book this year and work on a photo book or two. But I feel there's a bit more in me that would like to be tapped.  Got to listen to my heart a wee bit more, maybe try something new.

12.  Love my husband and children more patiently, making sure to figure out ways that they can individually experience my love.  They're all such different characters - though one-on-one time doing activities of interest to each usually hits the mark.

That's it for now.  Just felt I wanted to get it out there as there's nothing like some blog-accountability <insert mild sarcasm here>.  Sitting on the couch, I can look around and think of a handful of things to do and each room provides more projects.  But keeping it simple, here's it for now.  If worked at, these things will more than occupy my time and hopefully help me enjoy it far more, too.