I posted my yearly goals yesterday so now it is time to focus more specifically on what I want to accomplish in January. I took January 1-3 "off" and really started my focused goals on January 4th. I find that those first few days are filled with putting away Christmas decorations, having family time, and relaxing before stepping back into the daily routine of life. The added bonus this year is that I have an "extra" three weeks where school is not such a big focus because 1)Nate is done for the semester and 2) Josh will be done by Thursday. I will still have my "extra" kids here until at least January 15th (but I think it might be longer) BUT I won't be stuck on the couch (or in a chair) leading, teaching, and keeping my two on task with their things. It gives me time to organize, clean, and maybe even scrapbook. On January 25th, we will step into 2nd semester and I will be focused on helping Josh and Nate not only stay on schedule but hopefully get ahead in lessons so that when we reach May, we can enjoy beautiful weather without feeling trapped by school. Yes, a true benefit of homeschooling.
As a reminder, my word for the year is Purposeful. I want to BE more Purposeful in what I chose to do, how I spend my time, and how I encourage and guide my family. I want to make sure that what is in our home is Purposeful - so that means as I clean and declutter and simplify that I look at items with that mindset. What purpose does it serve? Things need a home - in a small house, that's hard sometimes. I've learned, though, that if it doesn't have a home it gets stuffed in a corner a forgotten about. When it has a home, it can be found when it is wanted or needed. I also want PURPOSE in what I do - whether it be scrapbooking, reading, or taking a walk.
My goals for January are as follows:
1. Complete 31 pages in Scrapbooking (towards my 365 total page goal)
2. Read my three books in my plan this month. Record them in my Pinterest folder of what books I read this month.
3. 1000 hours outside - There is a blog and a Facebook page about this concept but the tracker can be found HERE. The goal of the blog is to get 1000 hours outside in a year. That's not happening HA! Instead my goal is just to get outside more. I'm hoping that we can shade in lots of the chart over the next year - there is no "fail" because anytime spent outside is success.
4. 365 Declutter Calendar - Finish all 31 tasks on the list (or at least all that apply to me - sometimes there are line items that do not apply to my home or the way I do things here) This month is focusing on the kitchen so I plan to deep clean and declutter the kitchen along with the tasks.
5. Order the Macaroon making kit on Amazon
6. The basement - The end goal is to have a well organized, useful basement. So, my goal this month is progress. I'll try to remember to take a before and after photo so "you" can actually see that I make progress.
7. Read one chapter in my photography book and PRACTICE the skill.
8. Put all the page protectors on the pages that need them. Also put all completed pages in albums.
9. Pick camping dates for this summer and reserve the spots I can.
10. Go on one date with Darryl.
11. Pick out the song I want to record for Christmas on the piano.
12. Plan out the first adventure to visit at least one of the great lakes.
13. Get some spines imprinted - my consultant has told me there will be a sale this month so I'm hoping to get 10 imprinted (Buy 4 get 1 free).
14. Set up a schedule for the boys to accomplish seat work, regular school work, piano and AWANA lessons. We have to catch up on AWANA so they can finish on time (end of April).
15. Clean out my recipe box.
16. Plan the menu for the month and keep it (to use next year - to make planning easier!) Use the Air Fryer and make at least one recipe out of my new cookbooks.
17. Completely clean the master - I always have to totally regain the master after Christmas between wrappings, boxes, and bags it is a mess HA! It's time once again to totally clean, declutter and make sure everything is put away once again (I always tackle this room in January for this very reason!)
18. Help Nate finish up organizing in his room - we started it before Christmas but then things got moved in there to make room for the tree so we never finished. He wants his room organized and everything where he can find it and use it.
19. Help Josh finish up the last things in his room - we were 90% done before Christmas. We've moved his desk into his room too so we need to make sure that is also cleaned up.
20. Set up my scrapbook stuff on the bedroom shelf - I'm trying to simply the visual clutter on my desk - since I tend to scrapbook at a specific time (like one weekend a month) I would like my stuff more put away yet easy to grab to do a quick page.
21. Update my Holiday Journal with everything from Thanksgiving - New Years. Read ideas from last year on upcoming events. Plan the superbowl party, Valentine's Day, and Darryl's birthday.
22. (I was aiming for just 21 goals but I have this "misc." category that needs to be added!) So, here are my misc. items that need to get done. A) Josh got a punching bag penguin for Christmas that we need to set up - get some sand to add as a weight and blow it up. B) Josh and Nate each got a new desk chair for Christmas - we need to get those put together AND finally put away all of the extra folding chairs that are constantly floating around! C) My mom made beautiful shadow boxes for each of the boys for Christmas that we need to get on the walls. D) I bought a new Echo Dot for the living room so I can listen to our local Christmas Radio Station so Darryl needs to hook that up for me. E) Give Darryl a spot for his stuff F) Josh got a new solar system set to hang from his ceiling but he wants it measured out correctly so Darryl needs to help get that accomplished. G. I have a small box worth of Amazon returns that need to be taken care of by the end of January. H. Taxes - it is that time of year to start that process - I'd just like as much done as possible by Jan. 31st so we can file at the earliest date.
So, there's the plan. I'm hoping to get as much done as possible before we jump back into school full swing!
