Moving forward in 2009

The last few months have been a little crazy for me. Actually a LOT crazy. Our project went live in December, so I spent most of the month in the command center, asking more questions then I answered. Actually, it was a great learning experience. Fred asked if I wanted to be Operations Lead for S&OP this year and I agreed. No more $, lots more responsibility and stuff to learn. When I look back over the last two years though, I’ve come a long way already. At least my job is challenging, and once in a while, rewarding. Heck, with all the bad news, at least I have a job.

Besides working like mad in December, I also had to deal w/ the holidays. It’s less and less like fun and more and more like work. I think Christmas is just more enjoyable and special when there are little ones around. I love my kids, and I love spending that time with them, but it’s just not the same. Christmas morning when they woke up at o’dark thirty and were jumping for joy to see Santa came, yet again. Kids make Christmas magical. We did have a day of baking which was fun. The girls invited over a friend and we made batches of cookies to share. We put up both trees, but only finished decorating one. At least that will make the un-decorating easier. Unfortunately, B was in the hospital for a week with terrible pneumonia. The docs weren’t sure if she had TB or not so they kept her quarantined until they could biopsy her lungs. There’s still a possibility she has the big C, but I’m sure it was just pneumonia. Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were at Mom’s. They were low key, but enjoyable.

Then we headed out to Albuquerque to do Christmas with A’s family. Nothing like four Christmas’s in a row. We spent a little time w/ P, T & the girls. C is so excited about coming to visit us this summer. I told A I’d like to take her and her sister to Disneyland this summer. Kids make Disneyland magical too. I sincerely hope we’re able to do that. This might be K’s last summer vacation w/ mom and dad. I doubt it, but you never know. She’ll be 18 in 4 months and lots can change after that.

I’m really looking forward to the New Year. I have great hopes for K after she graduates and T is doing spectacular in HS. I intend to write, write, write and really make my blogs a success. The extra income is nice, but ultimately I’d like to have something to fall back on if times continue to be tough. I feel like I took a few steps back in 2008 and want to move forward in 2009.

Before I make my list of resolutions I like to take a look back. It’s too easy to focus on the mountain to climb in front of you, instead of focusing on how far the journey has already taken you.

In 2008, I changed my resolution strategy. Rather than massive changes on day one, I planned to change one thing each month. I was much more successful than years past, because I changed more things and the changes have lasted longer. Of course some changes - Lose Weight, Exercise, Simplify, Organize, Write, Budget - are works in progress, while others were slam dunks:

Quit Drinking Sodas

Monthly Date Night w/ Kids

Cook Dinner 5 nights a week

Chore a Day

Watch less TV

I’ve made a lot of progress towards simplifying and organizing, but there are loads (literally) more to do. I’ve done considerable work on FW & ICE, but PF needs more attention and so does my fiction. My 2009 goals look similar to 2008.

Lose Weight

Eliminate soda

Reduce caffeine, sugar, sweeteners & carbs

Eat more protein, veggies and fruit.

Get Fit

Walk

Dance

Play

Develop Friendships

Work

Church

Finish Projects