“Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.” ~Henry Ford
Rather than writing a list of goals I’d like to accomplish this year, I’ve decided to make a list of things I’m going to do this year instead.
Sometimes it feels like there are so many things in our lives that are out of our control, but when you really stop and take a good solid look around, you realize, or at least I have these past few months, that attitude is everything. And the way you view things can greatly impact how you feel and how you approach not only your life, but the lives of others as well.
I’d like to think I’m a pretty positive person, with a can do attitude. If I see something in life I want, a place I want to go, or a project I want to accomplish, I go after it. I don’t make excuses, I just figure out how to get from point A to point B and I do it. Accomplishing goals is a big part of my life and I know I wouldn’t be where I am today {living a life I don’t need a vacation from} if it weren’t for all those little goals I made {and accomplished} along the way.
Having goals and moving forward give me a purpose. They make me feel good. And having something to look forward to and to work towards each day helps me get through the less than ideal or mundane parts of life.
My BIG LIST of things I’m going to do this year.
Stay Healthy!
Do all those things that old ladies do. Get a colonoscopy, get a mammogram, go to the dermatologist, put lotion on everyday, eat better and up my activity level a little more. I will however refuse to wear elastic stretch toddler pants of any kind, wear large pieces of jewelry, or talk about medical issues with random strangers in the grocery store checkout line.
Weigh What I Weighed When We Got Married {128 pounds}
Weigh ins will be on the first Sunday of the month. My current weight is 140.7. So basically a pound a month. That seems pretty doable to me.
I’m not going to obsess about it, and I don’t plan on doing anything drastic per se but make eating a little less more of a gradual thing. The first few months might be a little rocky as I’ll soon be on thyroid medication, but hopefully that will all get sorted out quickly and I’ll be on my merry way.
Keep My Husband Busy
The HH’s Honey Do List {so far} for 2021 🙂
- Build a new set of stairs down to the water. The old set… it’s not exactly useable.
- Build a firepit near the edge of the property. {He’s handy, he’ll figure it out}
- Build a picnic table near the birch trees for summer lunches
- Build 4 or 6 garden boxes for his little lady
- Build a boatload of birdhouses for the {soon to be} bird sanctuary
- Remodel the bathroom in the hallway
- Install some sort of driveway border
- Install a workspace for me in the basement for dying wool.
Things We’d Like to Buy
- A dingy for zipping around the nearby islands and for summer ice cream runs
- Archery Set {every camp should have archery!}
- Kitchen table and chairs
- Sideboard
- Bench for the entryway
- A full size washer and dryer set {the house came with a small stackable w/d set}
- Deck chairs and a patio table set
- A set of 4 Adirondack chairs for the fire pit area
- BBQ {Sayonara smoker?}
Unplug As Much As Possible {but still keep the blog, FB and Instagram}
I wasted waaaaaaaay too much time online last year going down rabbit holes and thumbing through movie selections {99% of which were unappealing} and putting things into my cart that I never bought. So I decided the New Year would be the perfect starting point to cut out the noise.
So much time is wasted these days on nothingness {HELLO SOCIAL MEDIA}. And I can’t help but to think our ancestors would be bewildered at all the idleness and self loathing and sheer energy people seem to throw away each day.
So this year I plan to step back more and cut the fat.
- Goodbye Amazon Prime {Done!}
- Goodbye Hulu {Done!}
- Goodbye Netflix {Done!}
- Goodbye keeping my cell phone in my back pocket and checking it constantly
- Limit time online to 3 hours a day {for writing, working, and Etsy}
I want to live a more intentional life. Not one that’s glazed over.
Try 24 New Recipes {and remember to link them here}
Maybe I should make it a pie theme? 😉
Read {or Listen to} 12 New Books about Maine {or written by Maine Authors}
If you’ve read any good books by Maine authors please share in the comment section below.
Get 24 Stories Off My Phone and onto the Blog
I have SO MANY stories that are stuck on my phone that I need to tell you about it’s ridiculous! Some are things we did / places we visited when we still lived in Washington but I haven’t gotten around to sharing them.
Get the Photos on My Phone Down to Less Than 1,000 {started the year with 2863 photos}
And by get the photos off my phone I mean printed or deleted.
Clean Out My Closet
I don’t know about you, but I feel like I wear the same five articles of clothing every week. And if that’s the case, then why is my closet so full of stuff I don’t wear?
So to help solve this problem, yesterday I turned all the hangers around in our closets. Have you done this before? Well if not, the idea is that you turn all your hangers around and so when you do go to wear something, you put the hanger back the correct way. Then after 30-60-90 days you’ll be able to see what clothing you actually wear, and what’s just hanging there collecting dust.
Because here in Maine the seasons are so distinct, I may have to wait to make my final purge more towards the end of July. But still, I know I’ve got things in there I haven’t worn in 2-3 years… SO WHY AM I HANGING ON TO THEM!?
My House Projects For This Year
- Figure out new window treatments for the back of the house
- Come up with a game plan for the kitchen remodel {for 2022}
- Paint the family room walls and trim
- Paint the entryway trim and doors
- Paint the dining room walls and trim
- Paint the master bedroom walls and trim
- Paint the barn and add a new fixture {okay, so the HH will be adding the fixture}
Have I ever told you how much I like to paint? 🙂
My Garden Projects For This Year
- Install a simple flower bed border in front of the house
- Install a boatload of birdhouses/feeders in the side yard
- Transplant evergreen saplings to the side of property for a privacy border
- Clean up and prune the area that faces the road
- Install a vegetable garden
- Install a sunflower patch
- Plant 2,500 flower bulbs {Why 2,500? It seemed like a good number to start with}
Reach 10,000 Sales on Etsy {as of this morning I’ve made 5,918 sales on Etsy}
Only 4,082 to go! It sounds like a lot, and IT IS, but I’m all about GO BIG or GO HOME so I’m going for it!
Create 12 New Rug Hooking Patterns or Kits
I currently have 41 rug hooking patterns and 32 rug hooking kits in available in my Etsy Shop and I hope to get at least another dozen hooked and ready to offer by the end of the year. I have a bunch of ideas for new patterns swirling around in my head, but getting them down on paper and then hooked, then into kits is a whole different matter entirely.
Create 12 New Ornaments for 2021
I LOVE making ornaments, especially during the cold winter months when it’s too cold outside to garden and the desire to hop in the car for a long adventure is slim to none.
Discover 12 Made in Maine Products and Share Them on the Blog
While in theory, this should be a relatively easy goal to reach, but getting out and visiting shops and seeing products up close may prove to be a little harder during the first half of the year. BUT, I am very excited about meeting fellow makers and sharing their creations with you here on the blog.
Visit 6 Lighthouses in Maine
Did you know that Maine has 65 lighthouses? 65! And while we’ve visited three of them since we’ve been here, I think we need to see a few more.
Here are the three we’ve been to so far:
So that’s it. Those are my goals for this year? How about YOU? What are YOUR goals for 2021? How are you going to make this year count? We want to know. 🙂
~Mavis
Lynn Culpepper says
When I was in Downeast Maine (Machiasport) several years ago (the best trip of my life), I bought a raw honey that was the best I’d had before or have had since. I cannot remember the name of it, but it was definitely local. In your quest for all things Maine, perhaps add that to your list? I would sure love a fox ornament in your Etsy store. I love your to-do list! I can’t wait to see you check off the boxes.
Gigi says
I’d love a fox too! My dog’s name is Fox and he looks just like one.
Linda says
My mother-in-law loved reading books by Elizabeth Ogilvie.
I would love a German Shepherd ornament.
Beth says
I agree with you about the German Shepherd ornament!
Jennifer Jo says
Impressive, Mavis. The “cut out Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu” feels like you’re issuing a personal challenge….to me. Not sure I’m ready to match it….yet. Happy New Year!!!
Melissa says
Years ago I read We Took to the Woods by Louise Dickinson Rich and I still think of it often. I think you’ll love it.
Kara says
I love that book and highly recommend it as well! So witty.
Tracey says
Y’all beat me to it!
Sandy says
I too love that book! Own it and read it about once a year or so.
Linda Simons says
I like the way you think. I filled my planner with birthdays, dr app, etc but on Sundays I will add weekly goals. Something project related (closet clean outs, restaining hardwoods). Something for me (working on yarn projects, reading, ) something for someone else. ( reach out to my older friends on messenger who are isolating, gift some of my yarn projects ). Rather than set yearly goals i will adjust them weekly. So, my yearly goal is to have weekly goals written down and followed through.
Heidi P says
Hi Linda,
I love your idea to have weekly evolving goals that you categorize. I think I too will lean towards weekly goals. Thanks for the great idea.
Heather says
I love the idea of small weekly goals/projects.
Kristina says
My goal plan is similar! It’s nice to know we can all be different, but also there are people out there that think/function in a similar way. I’ve got 4 categories: better care of self, better care of home, better care of others, and bonus business (sewing/baking/crafting fun for me!). I have a few objectives laid out in each category, but specifics will be weekly goals.
Day by day says
Well…the obvious Maine titles all involve Stephen King 😉 I have two of his on my book stack right now (I’m a big fan). I did something similar with goals this year….I made a list of things, but them got more granular for January. My resolution is to have monthly goals!
Ann Whelan says
In your efforts to create a bird sanctuary, will you be adding native plants to your garden? Will your evergreen screen be native? Just curios about your bird friendly plans.
Annette says
This list makes me tired
Jennifer says
Thank goodness you said it first!! I was thinking what a slug I am.
Naomi says
Yeah, me too! Maybe reading all the goals will motivate me.
Christa H. says
Wow- What a list! I second a cute fox ornament! Would love that for my fox Christmas tree.
Here’s my list including the 5 at the bottom that I didn’t get to last year.
1. Take better care of myself
2. Take a stock market course
3. Take another beekeeping course
4. Learn a new craft
5. Build back yard vegetable garden
6. Start mushroom log garden
7. Increase apiary
8. Paint garden fences
9. Complete one embroidery project
10. Complete one painting
11. Reframe old stitchery
12. Clean out magazine stash and tear out recipes I want to keep
13. Design or carve an address stamp for holiday mail
14. Do something with the postage stamps I collect from our mail
15. Beautifully wrap all and personalize all presents
Bobbi says
Awesome list!! Y’all are inspiring me! Thanks
Marilyn says
What’s a mushroom log garden?
Christym says
I’m so glad you are going to get your mammogram and colonoscopy. Preventative care can help catch things early, when things are easier to treat.
Penny says
You may not have thought about this, but the colonoscopy will help jumpstart your weight goal by making your insides clean and flattening your belly prepping for it.
Sarah Hamilton says
Marjorie of Mohegan! I loved the book when I was young!
Carolina Cooper says
The island where the book takes place is MONHEGAN ISLAND, MAINE. My family has been going there for 5 generations. The beautiful thing is that the place does not change. If you ever visit, you will recognize completely the setting for the book, which I believe was 1943 (published in 1973). It is out of print now, but available on Amazon. I hope that Mavis will put it on her list of light houses to visit in 2021. The lighthouse is now a lovely museum.
Lissa says
I’ve been looking forward to you 2021 list :). I have a nearly finished list, but it certainly isn’t the physical list you have :). Kudos! For the first time, (at your urging) I made a list and while not 100%, I’m very pleased with my accomplishments and really urge people to give it try.
Questions: if you had it to do all over again, would you have preferred to raise your family in Maine? Do you and the HH go through your goals together? hahaha…. quite a list for him.
Very intrigued by the deletion of Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netlix. I don’t watch many movies, but my husband loves movies on Prime and Netflix. Where will you get movie access? No more shopping? I am appalled by how my life has become so dominated by the vortex of the computer and your comments will help me reevaluate how I’m spending my time…aka wasting my life away on a screen. It’s a crazy addiction isn’t it!! I’d would have months/years of my life saved if I didn’t hang out on YouTube all the time.
I hope you’ll read lots of things besides books about Maine :). I have loved nearly all the books you suggest. Sadly, not living in Maine you do, I hope you’ll still suggest lots of other books for us to enjoy.
I imagine your surgery will be coming up soon. All my best wishes for great success and a return to your normal, busy life. xoxo
Sue R. says
I googled “books set in Maine” and a big list of fiction and nonfiction comes up.
Debi says
My goals are just upping last year’s. I had a heart attack on Oct as I am the sole caregiver of my mother who has dementia. According to 2 drs, nurse practitioner and social worker, I had mine due to stress. In fact, 69% of sole caregivers have health issues. So I am taking more “me” time. BTW, my mother has been here 6 years and her dementia has definitely gotten worse the last 2.5 years.
Christa H. says
Sorry you are going through this Debi
Linda T says
My mom died last year after a long hard time with Alzheimer’s. Such a terrible disease for both the person who has it, and the entire family!!. We live for the rare times when our loved one will show signs of remembering. Remembering even who we are! We worry about whether we have or will have the disease every time we forget something. Stress at every turn.
My mom was a dollmaker, an expert seamstress, a quilter and crafter. I have many of the things she made pre-Alzheimer’s to remind me of the person she was- the good times. I hope you have good memories, too.
Get as much “me” time as you can. I will be thinking of you. God Bless you!
Daria says
Richard Russo is an excellent Maine author. Empire Falls was popular, but he also has others.
This Maine gal is a big Stephen King fan. The Stand is my favorite – his son Joe Hill reworked it interestingly a few years ago, too. The Eyes of the Dragon is an easy toe dip, or go whole hog into The Gunslinger series. Misery is a fun, scary read. His most recent, The Institute, was very good.
I’d recommend The Beans Of Egypt, Maine by Carolyn Chute, but it was super depressing.
Andrea says
I second The Beans of Egypt, Maine.! I read it when I was in middle school for english class and really enjoyed it.
Also as a Maine gal, I love anything by Stephen King! Every summer I pick a new King book to read. I especially like his novellas. I’m reading Four Past Midnight right now, but my favorite story is The Long Walk.
Jane says
I loved “Beans” too. Of course there are the great Olive Kitteridge books, but I think you’ve read.
Mel says
I was just thinking the other day that there’s a fine line between goals and a to-do list. Here’s my plan for the year:
1) Health:
-Continue running and hydrating.
-Add in rowing and weights.
2) Savings:
-Redo our budget to save more effectively and purposefully.
3) Continue the positive habits we’ve developed in 2020.
-Eating mostly local meat.
-Sharing things (garden produce, eggs, baked goods) with friends when we have extra.
-Going canoeing, etc.
4) Break some of the negative habits/byproducts of 2020.
-It’s hard to eat as many veggies when we only shop once a month, so I’m hoping we can get back to eating more.
5) Fun Stuff:
-Go for a bike ride (I got a bike for Christmas)
-Play ping pong more often.
-Decorate a cake or batch of cookies or cupcakes (I got a decorating set for Christmas)
6) House Stuff:
-Experiment with a cleaning schedule with a mix of daily and rotating tasks instead of trying to tackle whole rooms and remember/prioritize tasks on the fly. (I started this a bit already, and it’s too soon to tell for sure, but I think I love it.)
-Declutter the basement
-Reorganize the coat closet
-Reorganize our master closet
-Install a temporary pantry until we get around to major kitchen renovations (super excited about this)
-Hang more pictures and maybe install another gallery wall
-Use up our freezer meals (our freezer routine got a little out of whack due to the pandemic)
-Reorganize the kitchen cabinets (done!)
-Reorganize the kitchen junk drawer
-Replace or remove things that don’t work for our kitchen (especially things like dessert carriers)
-Reseal our bathroom grout
7) Painting (we loaned out our painting stuff, so some of this may need to wait):
-Paint the trim and railings in both staircases
-Paint the walls in the basement staircase
-Paint the living room trim and one wall
8) Garden Goals
-Try out a different tomato trellis system (I get closer to the perfect one every year)
-Restore the herb garden (my oregano lost its flavor, my thyme might need to be replaced, and we had to rip out the onion chives to stop a garlic chive invasion)
-Potentially plant spring-blooming bulbs and a new asparagus bed
9) Change Goals as Needed
-Who knows what curve balls this year will throw.
10) Bonus Goals
Not listing these just yet as they depend on many things out of my control falling into place.
Mrs. M. says
Mel,
Maybe Mavis will let you do a guest post about your tomato trellis system. I’d love to see what works for you!
Mel says
Maybe! I was planning to send her one last year, but I went back to work 5 weeks early last summer, and our garden seemingly went from “growing well” to “jungle” overnight, so I missed the window where I could take decent pictures. If all goes well this year, I’ll try again, but I’m currently slated to work the whole summer.
Gigi says
One of my goals is to eat at least one fruit a day. I was doing well with this last year and then COVID hit and being at home and rationing fruit for the kids, so that goal went out the window. Better luck this year.
Mel says
I hear you. We get a weekly CSA delivery, so that helps, but we used to supplement that with store bought. We only shop every 3-5 weeks now, so it’s difficult to stretch veggies from a single trip. It was easier in the summer when we had garden veggies rolling in.
Have you tried freeze dried fruit? I don’t like regular dried fruit, but I love the freeze dried ones. They’re a little pricey for what they are, and it’s not quite the same as fresh, but they are very shelf stable. https://crispygreen.com/
Gigi says
I like dried and freeze dried, but somehow it just seem the same as fresh. I do have frozen. Maybe it’s just a mindset and I should go eat any fruit.
Mel says
I hear you. Lately I’ve been snacking on frozen mixed veggies–just dumped in a glass measuring cup, microwaved, and seasoned. Strange times.
Laura L. says
Hi Mel,
Are you still using the same CSA as you orignally mentioned in one of your guest posts and if so, are you still like the selections and the freshness of their products? I like your goals especially #9 since that’s a must with the world as it is these days.
Mel says
Yes! We are still using and loving Chesapeake Farmery as our CSA. The selection and freshness are great despite it being nearly year round (they close one week in summer to plant and are closed this week to feed the homeless). I believe most of it is hydroponic or greenhouse grown, so that helps. I’ve considered simply getting a larger share to compensate for not being able to shop as often, but what I’m mostly missing is veggies to snack on, like carrots. So I think a larger share would definitely net us more veggies, but they might be things that aren’t super great as snacks, like mushrooms or kale (great for dinner or salad, but not ideal for snacks per se).
Ranee says
You probably have all kinds of ideas for your hooking patterns but I was just thinking, since you live in Maine, a state with 65 lighthouses, maybe you should do some of the lighthouses as patterns for your hooking projects. I live in Minnesota, but my guess is there are a lot of people in Maine and other areas that would have an appreciation for a lighthouse, as another option on your Etsy account. Just a thought. Best wishes for success in all of your endeavors this year. Ranee (MN)
cheryl says
This post has made me realize I live an incredibly “glazed over” life.
Laura L. says
You and me both, Cheryl. I need more intentional moments in each day and more awareness of those moments. Life is short and I’m finally realizing that my entire life has passed me by without my conscious participation in some cases, so that has to change, asap.
Dawn says
Already been mentioned, but Louise Dickinson Rich is one of my favorite Maine authors. We Took To the Woods is her most famous book, but she wrote many more, including one on the coast of Maine. Fields of Home by Ralph Moody is another very favorite of mine. He was the cousin of Ralph Gould, also a famous Maine writer. His books The House That Jacob Built and Farmer Takes A Wife are full of genuine old fashioned Maine humor. Happy Reading!!
Lesley says
Lost on a Mountain in Maine by Don Fendler is a favorite of Maine school children.
Margery says
I made some simple goals for this year, as I really have no idea what life will be like in 6 months. If the husband gets offered his temp position as a permeant position we will be moving 1/2 way across the country, selling and buying a house, finding a new school for the teen and new jobs for me ( maybe ) and the one adult son that would be coming with us. If not then he returns to his job here and we would be looking for a bigger home where we are at. Going to try very hard to not be touching the income I currently make as I would like the option if we move not to work right away
1) Stay on menu budget.
While my husband may be living out of state this year, I do have 3 young adults and one teenage boy to feed. This means planning a menu, keeping to the list, and so on.
2) Take care of myself- This past year I had some health issues that I kept putting off as I didn’t have “Time” So I am planning I making time. I also want to make sure to take care of my mental health. I do have monthly massages scheduled, and looking forward to some lunch dates with a friend.
3) Stay on a cleaning routine- If everyone in the house keeps up with the chore list, and I delegate the deep cleaning regularly this should work.
4) Be Creative- somehow each week do something that is creative, cooking, décor, painting, card making just something.
Catherine says
My goals for the year:
-Pray more,
-Read more,
-Weave more.
I want to make sure I do those three things each day. There are many other things I want to get done but I will slot them in when there is money, time and desire.
I’m adopting a keep it simple attitude this year! Hope your surgery goes well and you get your medication adjusted quickly. Thanks for keeping us all inspired.
Laura L. says
Love your goals, they are similar to some of mine, and the only one I would change for myself, is knit and crochet more! ☺
Bobbi says
I am totally inspired to set myself some goals this year. Thanks everyone!!
Michelle says
Hello Mavis! I just finished reading A Year in the Maine woods by Bernd Heinrich and loved it. I am also working my way through Walden by Thoreau. I love non-fiction accounts by naturalists though, so these might not be everyone’s idea of a good read. I believe I might be moving to Maine this year and am trying to read everything I can about the state!
Sue says
Two Maine books I recommend:
The Good Life, by Helen and Scott Nearing
and
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extrordinary Story of the Last True Hermit, by Michael Finkel
Joely says
I second The good Life. I love four season farm and Eliot Coleman who got started from the Nearings. Year round gardening is my continued goal for this year. It gives me so much satisfaction.
Tom Just Tom says
I was going to gently lecture you about not visiting more lighthouses in your own “backyard” (I’ve been to Maine twice in my life and have been to two of the three you’ve visited!) until I remembered that I’m from Canton, Ohio and have only been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame twice in my life… both times with out-of-state visitors…
I hurt my knee when I slipped and fell on some rocks at Portland Head but there was no way I was going to spend my vacation “recovering” in a hotel room. So I bought a knee brace and a cane and hobbled all the way out to the lighthouse on the Rockland Breakwater. Took me FOREVER but I have the pictures to prove it (along with the memory).
I do hope you get to visit more lighthouses and I’ll be eagerly awaiting your reports, young lady. I’ll be taking notes for my next trip to Maine.
P.S. – Old lady. You make me laugh! But I applaud your efforts to take better care of yourself.
Heather says
Definitely want to create goals per month this year. Otherwise they just seem to be put off. Taking care of myself (the hard appointments) definitely has a higher priority this year.
Linda T says
Some Time ago, I read the book “Here If You Need Me” by Kate Braestrup, a woman whose husband, a Maine State Trooper, was killed leaving her alone with 6 children. She decided she would follow her husband’s drem, which was to become a Unitarian minister. Along the way, she joined the Maine State Game Warden Service as a Chaplain. I guess my view of game wardens til that time was that they were killjoys who enforced the Maine fishing ang hunting license program. Not so!
Check it out!
Sue says
I would love a lighthouse ornament, star fish?
Mary Neathway says
I highly recommend The Detective In the Dooryard by Tim Cotton. He is a Bangor Maine police officer and manages the Bangor Police dept facebook page. If you aren’t following him, you should. The book has little to do with police work and much to do with life…. and his writing is witty, sometimes gently sarcastic, always humble and accepting of others.
Kate says
I came here to suggest Tim Cotton. He writes beautifully, doesn’t he?!
Judi Y. says
You have a barn!!!!! I can’t wait to see it!
tia in boise says
Going to hold myself accountable and review my goals for last year first:
1. Organize 20 areas of the house. oops–only did 3–probably because wasn’t interesting enough.
2. Pay down 20% of debt on one card. Was on track until we had to shell out $5,000 for a new AC during 100+ temps. booooo
3. Cut back on sweets. did a decent job
4. Soda only on pizza night. did a good job
5. Create and implement cleaning schedule. made it–lost it–shrugs
6. Set up sewing machine and complete 20 projects. killed it! completed about 100 projects! (about 70 were masks–others were bibs, napkin sets, and hair towels/bath mitts.
7. Go on 20 dates with DH. only made it to 14–due to COVID–but realized that we’ve been stuck in a movie/dinner rut, so working on new things to do
8. Lose 20 pounds. DID IT! (and then gained 5 back between Thanksgiving and now)
9. Exercise 20 minutes every day. meh….i did lots of exercises in winter and then ran often in summer and fall–fell off a bit this winter–so didn’t work out every day, but did make more of an effort
10. Make 20 new recipes. Rocked it! tried 22 new recipes
11. Get rid of (trash or donate) 20 things. guess this wasn’t so important either–got rid of 3 things
12. Never be without water. hmmmmmm–gotten better at this
13. In bed by 11:00 on weeknights. was doing well until COVID–and then this school year has been tough–a lot more work to do…
14. Complete 20 acts of kindness. i completed 13 acts! not bad.
15. Purchase and use journal–food, exercise, gifts… I put it all together and used it occasionally but need to be more dedicated
16. Classroom: Stay focused and leave by 4:00 each day. again, did well until school “ended” mid-march. i have been trying to leave “on time” so far this year–doing pretty well.
17. Stop swearing. ha! that’s a no. still working on finding suitable substitute words
18. Complete Book Nerd Challenge–50 books. did it! read over 50 books this year!
19. Track found money and items. My average each year is between 7 and 8 dollars. I thought this year’s amount was going to be a bummer since I wasn’t in stores/parking lots as much, and neither was anyone else, but I found a $5 bill in the road in November, which put me at $8.20!
20. Put stuff away once used–each day. I’ve gotten better…still needs work.
Christa H. says
Great job! I hear you about covid and teaching! LOL
tia in boise says
Last year I had 20 goals for 2020–cause that was clever. I decided to scale back a bit this year.
My goals for ’21:
Inspired by Mel, I decided to group them:
Mind
*Say what you mean; mean what you say–Sometimes I want to kick myself because I haven’t said something when or how I should have…
*Read 50 books
Spirit
*Plan one fun outing a month like meet a friend for coffee or walk….may be tricky the first couple months of the year–we’ll see. I just know that I can’t keep being a homebody (too easy)
*Have one date a month with DH We’ve already had one–a walk down by the river.
Work
*Work 1 hour/day to plan, prep, grade I can let a project stretch out and I drag stuff home each night and on the weekend. I’d like to monitor the time I actually spend before and after school working on what I need to get done. I think I should be able to get it all done if I’m focused and dedicate an entire hour each day—and NOT work late or have to bring as much home.
Home
*Put away the thing–NOW This is a continuing goal. I’m so good at just dropping stuff–especially if that items doesn’t have a space (because it’s new, so I don’t know where “it goes”). So much easier to take 5 minutes to put one thing away than to spend 2 hours putting several things away!
*Complete 1 cleaning/organizing project/month This is definitely doable–not like 20! and with a monthly deadline, I can keep myself in check!
*Create and implement cleaning schedule If I can bust this one out in January and get DH on board, it will be a smooth year!
*Try out 1 new recipe/month Excited to do this one again!
*Decrease credit card debt (1) by 33.3% Going to try this again and increase the amount paid off!
Health
*Lose 20 pounds (I figure I can lose 15 pounds and the extra 5 had already been lost, so tacked that back on there!)
*Always have water Just not a habit I’ve ever had, so a work in progress.
*Run a 5k, 10k, half, and marathon I loved this goal that Mavis had a couple years back. I already banged out the 5k on January 1 (virtual). And will probably complete the 10k in February. The half will likely be a walk/run event that takes many hours, but I’ll finish. I’m not sure what the marathon will look like….but it will get done!
*Track daily exercise I saw a cool calendar (size of a door) that you color in each day you go for a run—but of course, i’m not shelling out $30 for it! I printed a small calendar and placed it in my Goals Journal. I know that marking off each day will give me a visual chain that I will not want to break!
*Track desserts Doing the same thing with desserts (but marking days I DON’T eat dessert)–I’m on day 3! (baking pies on Friday, so I know the first chain will be short, but will be fun to see how long I can get that chain—I love me some sweets!)
Gigi says
Have you seen the photos of bulbs planted in the lawn grass? Early bloomers like snowdrops, crocus etc. When they’re done blooming, it’s about time for the first lawn mow and poof it’s back to yard. I did this in the fall and my HH was so mad, I hope it works out, cause I promised I’d dig all the bulbs up if it didn’t.
I also discovered Rancourt and Co. from Maine. I’m in love with their handmade slippers.
Emily says
Please keep us updated on your yard bulbs. I snuck in just a couple crocuses this year and plan to add more if it works out
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes Gigi! I want to know too. I’ve been thinking about planting bulbs in the lawn for years now.
Carol R. says
Rachel Field is a wonderful Maine author, particularly her book Hitty, Her First Hundred Years. Another older novel I think you’d love Mavis is Here I Stay by Elizabeth Coatsworth. That one in particular is about Maine life around 1818 -1820. Kenneth Roberts is also a great Maine writer. As you can tell, I have a passion for Maine and it’s writers. There are so many to enjoy!
Nancy says
Mavis, inspiring post and great comments. I would like to recommend Adirondack chairs made by The Carpenters Boat Shop in Bristol, ME. Also check out their dinghies. The furniture and boats are beautiful, and it’s a great cause. Call ahead for tea and the tour of the shop.
Julia Park Tracey says
The Maine book I have always loved is Blueberries for Sal. Worth buying in hardcover to have on the table or for young visitors.
I admire your goals list so much that I have copied you in the past — visiting 12 new bakeries, etc. We have had two bad years — 2019, when our son died, and 2020, with my MIL dying (dementia/hospice) and also coronavirus. So my goals for two years obviously went nowhere. We are in a new home in a new town now that I’d like to explore, when we’re free to roam around.
Here are my goals for 2021 —
1. Learn a new skill (already downloaded Duolingo to practice French)
2. Take a class (already signed up for a class in SEO for web sites)
3. Buy or cut fresh flowers every week. (Started this in mid-December and it makes me SO HAPPY.)
4. Earn $20,000 with my writing this year.
5. Revise novel, get agent.
6. Submit work weekly — aim for 100 rejections. (The life of a freelancer….)
7 Live my best life. Do the things. Don’t do the things. Be ok. (This one encompasses self-care and healthy boundaries and self-love.)
There are lots of things to do for the house and the garden but I don’t want to to-do myself to death. I want to enjoy these projects and so I am not setting them as goals. Same with dates with DH.
Thanks for the inspo, Mavis. And I second(third) the fox, the starfish, the lighthouse, and how about a red barn? A deer or a seagull?
Shelle says
I love your list! Two years ago we were planning a Maine vacation and I read several books based in Maine just to get in the proper spirit of the trip. I listened to Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool and loved it so much! The audio presentation was just so good and the story of two boys having an amazing adventure in the Maine woods was perfect to read as we were planning our trip to the Maine woods. The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve is based in Maine and takes place during one of the worst wildfires in Maine history. It was incredibly interesting and deals with some heavy themes. It’s good, but not as easy to swallow as kids having an adventure in the woods.
Emily says
I enjoyed John Hodgeman’s Vacationland which is predominantly set in Maine.
Tricia says
For Maine products to check out, you simply must go to Raye’s Mustard in Eastport and sample all the different stone ground flavors…OH MY! You WILL NOT regret it! While you’re “down” that way, you can check out West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Lubec—the eastern most point in the US.
Books: Edmund Ware Smith books are all classics. “The One Eyed Poacher of Privilege” is a fun one (but hard to find). I also like the fictional Paul Doiron “Mike Bowditch” series about a game warden in Maine. And Sarah Orne Jewett’s ” The Country of the Pointed Firs,” is a classic worthy of your shelf!
Great goals…inspiring me, as always!
Julia Park Tracey says
Try the library because on Amazon those EWS books are rare and pricey.
Louise from London says
Long time reader. From London .I wanted to recommend a book which you might enjoy post op. Leslie Land- The 3,000 mile garden. A written conversation about gardening and
food between Leslie Land and Roger Philips from Maine to London. She doing a famous cooking of salmon over stones in a dug down bath/tub. And he cooking a ham in a hay box in a London square. Amongst other stories. Sorry,but an older book that probably only available thro’A…N.
I wish you well for the op. Thank you for your lovely blog.
Laura L. says
The second place I always wanted to visit was England (the first being Maine) and I’ve never made it to either place! Obviously, something is wrong with my priorities.
Cyndi Parido says
I’ve been reading Stephen King since the ’70’s. He is a most remarkable and talented writer. I’ve never read anyone that is so easy to read and he draws you within the first chapter. He has several novels that are not horror and I would recommend the Shawshank Redemption to start with. And 11/22/1963 is extraordinary. It is a little supernatural, but the story of an alternative Kennedy assassination is so full of history and novelty that I think you would love it. I can not emphasize enough what an excellent writer he has become after reading him most other writers pale in comparison.
Melissa D says
If you buy a new washer, get a Speed Queen. It’s a Buy It For Life kind of product. I’m old enough to remember when laundry was actually *soaked* in the washer tub (not sort of halfway dunked) and rinsed thoroughly in a full tub of water (not sprayed, WHAT EVEN IS THAT). SQ users are practically a cult, but there’s a reason, and now that I have one, I see why. Go for it. I bought one from a local small business guy, and he was intensely thorough in his description of the ones I picked from (and contemptuous of many of the other brands).
Yay for decreasing media and social media use. Let’s all make that our goal this year. 🙂
Sue says
I agree! I bought a SQ a few years ago, chosen because it has no “phantom load” of electricity usage (I use off-grid electricity). When I hired someone to replace the wall hose bibs which started leaking right as I installed the washer, he commented on the good quality of SQ and said it’s the only domestic washer left with metal gears instead of plastic, which break down sooner. Go Speed Queen!
Lisa says
I loved a book that I read about 8 years ago called Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. I loved it. “For the Kellehers, Maine is a place where children run in packs, showers are taken outdoors, and old Irish songs are sung around a piano. As three generations of Kelleher women arrive at the family’s beach house, each brings her own hopes and fears. ” Made me want to visit Maine and then about 5 years ago my son moved there and currently live there! Covid has been keeping us away but hope to get back to visit again later this summer.
Melissa says
About 20 years ago a girlfriend and I visited Maine in the Ocean Park area. We had a great time and while in Camden I picked up the book My Love Affair With the State of Maine, I absolutely loved it!