18 Goals For 2018

I’ve always been a huge fan of New Year’s Resolutions and the like. Doesn’t mean I’m any better at keeping to them than the next person, but I’ll always give it a go. My most favourite resolution (I think the term is goal these days) was when I vowed to keep to my 5-a-day for the entire year …AND I DID! Sadly, the years when I was determined to half my body weight and earn over £200K weren’t quite as successful but it won’t stop me trying. A bunch of fellow bloggers have been setting 18 goals that they would like to achieve over 2018 & I’ve been tagged by Lisa at Mummascribbles to do the same. I’ve even pinched one of her goals as it is so me. Head over to her post to see what Lisa is hoping to get up to this year too

Right let’s kick off with …Have a Bath.

It’s been over 4 years (Christmas Eve 2013) since I last had a bath so definitely time to take the plunge (Pun completely intended) I’ve even bought a LUSH bathbomb to make it a special occasion. It’s just the age old problem of not being able to wash my hair in the bath that puts me off. Do I miss that day or do it before/after? Answers on a postcard please.

 Swim regularly.

I’ve definitely got out of the habit over the past couple of years. When you spend as much time poolside as I do, you just don’t fancy it. I love actually swimming though so have bought a 20 sessions for £20 voucher from our local gym. Watch this space for how I get on. I also promise every goal isn’t going to be water related.

Watch 20 Films:

I’m renowned for never having watched any films. I’ve seen a few kids movies at the cinema but hardly any major films. (News flash: I did actually watch Its A Wonderful Life for the first time this Christmas!

55 Books:

I’ve already set my target on Goodreads to read 55 books this year. I’d really like it to be more but need to be realistic. I actually think this is one goal I will achieve. One of those will be to read Pride & Prejudice (Who knows, I may even watch a version of the film too!)

Comedian:

Go to see a comedian live. We would really love to watch Michael McIntyre but not sure will all our trips away that we will fit in one of his shows. I have this week booked to watch Sarah Millican in December with our WI so winning at this goal already.

Organisation & Timekeeping:

Yes I know they are quite wooly but I will know if I’ve improved. I’m sick of piles of paper and rushing around to meet deadlines. I want my girls to know that we have things in order & no more last minute running around to buy birthday /Christmas presents. Timekeeping is not exactly a strong point in our family but this will certainly be the year that we improve. (As a side, what exactly do people do when they are early? Read a book?)

Recipes every week on the blog:

Its a huge amount but I’ve got so many recipes to try and in my head that I’ve got to put them somewhere! I’d really like to get more confident with vegetarian and vegan cooking aswell this year.

120 Blog Posts:

In total, I would like to achieve 120 blog posts this year – if its more, then great but baby steps hey? Bake of the Week will continue every week (shared between me & Jenny plus I’ll be joining in with lots more linkies & random posts (There’ll be more about what we all get up to as I said I’d like to do last year too.)

Back ups!

We learnt the hard way last year, how important a back up of the computer is. Luckily our Time Machine came to the rescue but I’m not taking any chances this year and doing it every week. I’ve also backed up the blog today so starting as I mean to go on.

Friendship:

I feel a bit teenager-ey saying this but I’m definitely going to spend more time with my mates this year. I had a lovely evening with some friends last night & feel so much better for it today. Our difficulty is in planning ahead with Millie’s training schedule but where there’s a will … I’m not daft, I know that there are some people that are just not good mentally for me, friendships take both sides. I’m really looking forward to a lovely year with many lovely friends up & down the country.

Paint our bedroom:

I’m sure I’ve been saying this for the past 2 years. The paint for the furniture is bought though and before long our boudoir will be a place of luxury and calmness. (I may even splash out and buy a cushion!)

Slow Cooking:

Our pressure cooker and slow cooker are making a reappearance as part of our aim to be organised & have meals ready straight from the school run.

Sleep:

I’m sure this is a popular one. We just need to go to bed earlier! How this will fit with Number 3, I’m not sure.

Bookshelves:

This will be the year our books will be organised. Ideally, I’d like to have the conservatory converted into a real room (that isn’t so cold you can see your breathe when you walk in there during winter) but finances might not stretch there just yet. We are talking about selling the piano and making room for a wall of books (I realise this is very extravagant when I’m actually the one voracious reader in the family).

Earn from the blog:

Casa Costello turns 10 in March. About time she started earning her keep!

Go to a blog event:

2017 was my quietest year for socialising on the blog. I couldn’t make any of the blog conference dates & really missed my catch up with blogger mates. I’ve heard a few people talking about Northern blog getogethers so hopefully these will happen.

Waste & Plastic:

I’ve always been a bit too blasé about the environment. Like a lot of people, I stopped using aerosols when talk about the ozone layer was everywhere and promptly went back to my old bad ways. I can’t help but be horrified about the amount of plastic we use unnecessarily. I really believe if we make several small changes to our routines, we can make a different for our kids’ worlds. I’m planning a blog post about the small steps we are introducing but I’m learning so much every day. This also ties into how much waste we get rid of every day. Over recent years, we’ve definitely cut down how much food we throw out from the fridge but there’s still a long way to go.

And last but not least … Its got to be the good old 5-a-day!

An extra …You may have noticed there’s not an awful lot about spending time with the kids, teaching them new tricks, encouraging them to read. This isn’t because I’m not interested, its just that it never stops. Everything I do is mainly centred around the family – We’ll just continue doing what we are doing!

I’m quietly tagging a few of my blogging friends that I’m so desperate to catch up with to find out their plans for 2018:
Jennifer from My Mummies Pennies

Pippa from Red Rose Mummy

Claire from She-Eats