Happy February, y’all! When last we spoke of goals, it was the beginning of January and new year’s resolutions were shiny and new. Since you all are awesome, I bet you’re still feeling good! Whether or not that’s true, here’s a chance to take a look back and ahead… Banana chocolate chip pancake recipe here — YUM! I am happy to report that I checked off every single one of my January goals — whoo!! And, not only did I obtain the biography, I read it! Thank you, Lisa! (I started 7 post-Julia and am already almost finished – highly recommended.) On to February! This month, I will: — Nail down date for camping trip (for no. 34) — Print out a darn poem and tape it to the bathroom mirror (for no. 56 — this one has proved difficult in the past) — Send Valentine’s Day packages to five friends (for no. 87) — Make dentist appointments for both John and myself — Plan something sweet and simple for the 14th — Help John complete our taxes — Send a thank you note and a few wedding photos to my house angels — Send in my passport for surname updating You can see all of my 101 in 1001 goals here and my 2013 daily goals here. Now, off to schedule each of these in my planner! If you’d like to share your goals for February, I’d love for you to either list them in the comments or leave a link, and I promise I’ll check them out! P.S. Get excited — next week, we’re taking a break from regularly scheduled programming for a full slate of wedding-related posts, including our rehearsal dinner, our budget breakdown, a few DIYs, and extended looks at our ceremony and reception! YAY!!

Sheesh, y’all are probably sick of my goals by now! (I hope not, because I’ve got lots more where this came from!) Well, they’ll actually go back to being more “behind the scenes” for awhile, as I work on what I’ve set out for January, but I promise I’ll be back in February to report on my progress and set out some new ones. I firmly believe that writing goals down is essential to sticking to them, so here we go! This month, I will: — Find something to turn into a prayer journal around the house, or buy something new if necessary (for Daily Goals) — Complete list of power foods and post (for Daily Goals) — Schedule visit with my Dad’s mom (for no. 10) — Make 2012 contribution to my IRA (for no. 18) — Brainstorm get together and dinner party plans for 2013 and commit to months for each (for nos. 41, 78, 82) — Decide on the next biography I’ll read and obtain it (for no. 61) — Conceptualize, make, photograph, and list one entirely new product in my shop (for no. 72) — Upload first Friends of Em banner (for no. 73) — Wear my updo at least one more time (for no. 93) — Submit our wedding announcement (for no. 97) You can see all of my 101 in 1001 goals here and my 2013 daily goals here. Now, off to schedule each of these in my planner! If you’d like to share your goals for January, I’d love for you to either list them in the comments or leave a link, and I promise I’ll check them out!

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is one of my favorite weeks of the year. I like setting goals, and this quiet time is perfect for looking back at what I’ve accomplished (or not) throughout the past year, and looking forward to what I hope to do and be in the coming year. I’m entering the second year of my 101 in 1001, and am continuing to check things off that list (so far, I’ve completed 14 goals, and have another 35 in progress!). Those are my more experiential, overarching, life-enriching goals. In 2012, however, I feel moved to make a second set of goals that are more quotidian. These are basic things that should already be a part of my life, but aren’t for a variety of reasons (and yes, that reason is most often laziness). That being said, I think it’s unproductive to set a goal of doing something every day when trying to establish a new habit, because if you miss one day, or even a few days in a row, it might seem like there’s no point in getting back on the train. SO. Here’s what I’m going to do instead. I’ve made a list of twelve daily practices that I want to become habits by the end of 2012. They include: wake up at or before 8am, go to sleep by 11pm, go for a walk, floss, read the Bible, eat breakfast, do the dinner dishes before I go to bed, make the bed in the morning, and a few others. In January, February, and March, I’m going to do at least four of these practices every day. In April, May, and June, I’m going to do six. In July, August, and September, eight. In October, November, and December, ten. I’m not sure