New Year 2010

Hello again to everyone in the blogosphere, welcome to 2010! (sounds like it could be a TV show... you know 90210 kinda?)

After quite a hiatus I have a new year goal to make an entry on my blog at least once per month this year. This actually means two entries as I will also be making an entry on my gardening blog each month .. well, attempting to!

So what's the haps? Here goes:

Children:
Still living at home, one working part time with same employer, other has just finished Bachelor of Contemporary Visual Arts. Eldest may move out this year. 21st birthday for the other one this year.

Things I've Done/Am Doing:
Haven't been doing much Reiki nor meditation, both have made it to my new year goals.

Became one of the EMRCs inaugral Earth Carers and have already volunteered on an info stand. Intend to do more of this during the year and there are some great workshops planned for the Earth Carers. This has been a great thing to do and I recommend if it's available in your area, and you are even a little concerned about our planet then do it! Some of my years goals are related to reducing waste/caring for the planet.

Ride my bicycle to work generally about 3 times a week (weather permitting). I really enjoy it and it gets exercise built into my day. Also saves me money (either fares or fuel & parking) and is kinder to the planet (smaller carbon footprint, uses no/little fossil fuels). When I reach my weight loss target this year I will buy myself a new road bike!

Employment:
Working full time in government - this is from where I will retire, but hope to be working part time before then. Applied for 2 weeks additional leave for this year however it has been rejected for now, to be reconsidered at a later time.

Going through a restructure currently so will be interesting to see where that takes me. Possibility of applying for a promotion; undecided as yet whether to apply - do I want the stress and responsibility that it will bring? Probably not, though the $$ would certainly not go astray.

Finances:
Not in great shape so this also made my new year goals which are to reduce debt and start/continue saving - one holiday, one retreat and one new bike are already on the spending plan, so I need to get going with the saving plan! Also will be looking to replace my car soon-ish, last year I said it would be this year, but looking at the finances I'd say it is more likely to be next year.

Gardening:
Getting back into the vegie patch - planted it out several days ago. I hope to maintain it all year this time, even if it's just growing a green fertiliser crop.

I've put shadecloth over the clothesline (under which is the vegie patch), so hopefully it will make it through the summer - already had a 40 degree day (before planting) and two days time is forecast for 39 degrees, so fingers crossed.

Great new vegie gardening book - One Magic Square.. if you're in Australia and want to grow vegies but no idea how to start then get this book! Written by a South Australian.

Weight Loss:
I managed to only reduce my weight by about 3kg last year, a pretty dismal effort in my opinion. As I don't have a lot of weight to lose it is proving a little difficult. I have set a goal of exercising 4 times per week (includes riding to work) and losing 1kg per month. I'm aiming to weigh 57kg by 30 June, at which point I will go into maintenance mode for a while whilst deciding whether I feel I need to reduce any further.

Self:
Quite happy within myself. Feeling no need for a partner. Main personal goal for the year is to be less slothful (ie get off my lazy arse!), particularly in regards to tidyness/organistaion of the house.

So that's where I'm at, and where I'm hoping to go this year.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous year!