Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The year in review- 2009

It's almost New Year's Eve! EEEK! Where did the year go? It seems like just last week that I was setting goals for the year, now it's time to take stock of my progress and think about what I want to accomplish next year.
This has been a HUGE year for us. So much has happened and our lives have changed, for the better, I think. But how did I do on the goals I set last January? Let's see:
1- Food production- plant, weed and harvest a garden. Well, it was planted and harvested but the weeds were an issue this year. The combination of having no time and the unusually wet weather sabotaged my efforts to keep up with the weeds- but all in all- I didn't do too bad. The fact that this was the first time this land had ever been worked was definitely NOT in my favor on the weed front.
2. Food security- I had hoped to reach 50% of our food produced at home or locally grown. I don't think I made this one. We still do a much better job of eating locally than many around here do but I'd like to do better. We're probably at about 30% for local foods but honestly, things have been so crazy this year that this is one area I let slide.
3. Home Front- find and purchase our acreage. This one is a big definite accomplishment. There are still days that we wonder if we bit off more than we can chew with this house and how much work it needs but we keep plugging along. Having our own land is such a sense of security, now we're looking at the overall plan for developing it to it's fullest potential.
4. Health- Well, this one was hit and miss. I definitely am physically stronger than I was. Working on the house has helped that one along. I did not manage to lose any weight though, In fact, with the decrease in exercise that I'm getting since I no longer walk to work, I have put on a few pounds since we moved. grrrr...
5. Learn something new- well, I didn't learn to knit but I have learned several new skills. I can now add dry walling, tiling and framing to my list of skills. Not too bad.
6. The three R's- we have been really good about this one. We've become much more deliberate in our purchases- partly due to finances and partly due to being more conscious about it. We have also been good at reducing waste while we worked on this place. We have repurposed as much as was feasible and have scrounged many of the things we needed when we could.

All in all, not too bad of a showing for this crazy year. Now, we're looking down the barrel of a new year and a new decade. But more on my plans for the next step later.

Have a happy and safe New Year's Eve celebration. Welcome the new year.

9 comments:

  1. Two thoughts: Weight gain via SCALE? Then useless. Via jeans - oh well, it is what it is, adjust and move on.

    Knitting. I'll accept no more excuses. Mostly 'cause I'm learning and want everyone to suffer along with me.

    You've actually made incredible strides. Continue to march to the sound of battle, my friend. :)

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  2. Thanks Meadowlark- My old jeans still fit- just not as well. And I know- I'm a bad knitter. It is on my to-do list for this winter- right up there with tiling the kitchen island, painting the walls and building bookshelves. It really is my project for cold winter nights this year- honest!!!
    Judy

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  3. The find, purchase, and rebuild the acreage is the trump card in all this, I think. Even though you might not think all the goals were met, a HUGE one was, and I think it can help to get to some of the others (e.g. food security, food production)
    And on the knitting - you and me both! I feel like I'm at the same place. This winter, we'll make progress (or start, in my case!)

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  4. I agree, your homestead purchase trumps all! This one will enable you to accomplish all your other goals in the future! You did great this year, and I am so glad you are taking us along for the ride! Happy New Year Judy & Family! (Grrr, I can tell you are going to post goals again soon, which means I will have to start thinking about that too!)

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  5. What a great year for you all Judy! I wish you another great one next year and beyond. I am so happy to have "found" you this past year. You teach me so much about life and how to live it. Thank you and Happy New Year! xxx

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  6. I really like your goals list and I'm starting to fill mine in. I knit a little, but am going to try to learn to crochet and/or knit a sweater I can wear.
    The weight - always an issue. I'm not a dieter, but I'm trying to ear better.
    I really want to learn to tile, too. We are looking at someone coming to do our bathroom next week. Plumbing is not something I'm ready to tackle..and the hubby's not any handier than I. starts with a new shower stall to replace the tub...

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  7. Congratulations on your progress! You have been an inspiration to me this past year.

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  8. Congratulations on all that you guys accomplished in 2009. May you reach all goals and more in 2010!

    Happy new year!

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  9. hey judy! i'm skipping about through your archives trying to catch up and get a sense of where you've been and where you're at, since you so kindly commented on my blog recently. i must admit i left off reading yours consistently a while ago (i tend to have blog-reading 'binges' and then forget them for awhile).

    maybe when we meet up this spring/summer/fall we can knit together! last winter i made a hat (my first project) and this winter i just finished a pair of long fingerless gloves. they even have cables!

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Glad you stopped in. I would love to hear from you.