2017 under review

Apparently getting older is just a series of me saying “how is it already another year? How is it New Year’s Eve? Wasn’t it just Halloween?” My weeks just fly by lately. 

But here it is. New Year’s Eve again. As I reflect back on the year, I feel a great deal of ambivalence. There was so much good—in our home, our work, and within our family and friends’ circles. There was also uncertainty. In some ways, I feel like it was my least productive year in terms of professional and personal goals and in other ways I know that cannot be true. 

I am so very thankful for sweet pea. She has grown and matured so much in the last few months and while that is bittersweet, she is among my very favorite people to spend time with each day. Five is not easy. But five is fun. Five is also kindergarten. And that thought remains completely impossible. 

Our job situations are great and we both are so happy where we are at work. The house is good. Chad and Alaina love our dog and I am developing tolerance for her (sometimes I even like her...a little). This year saw our first family vacation where we managed to also go with close friends, which is a tradition we look forward to repeating for years to come.

I love lists, goals, and critically evaluating myself so this end of the year task is always a favorite for me (Want to see how much I love it? Here are links for the last 4 years! 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013). Below are my goals and success ratings for 2017. 

▪️Read approximately 4 books per month
Yes, I read 48 books. I have five other books started that I haven’t finished that I plan to get to soon. Favorites were A Man called Ove and The Hate U Give.

▪️ Try a new recipe each month
Yes, most months I tried multiple new recipes. Favorites this year were lasagna in the instant pot, fontina mushroom pasta, and salted caramel Kentucky butter cake.

▪️ Submit 6 new manuscripts per year.
While this is technically true, most of this comes from outside of my research lab and away from my students so this one feels a bit unfinished.

▪️ Track calories
This has not gone well.

▪️ Treadmill 2-3 times weekly
While I sold my treadmill, I did join a gym, go at least twice weekly, and hired a personal trainer. I did best from June through August but started slipping once the new semester began. I made it to 116 miles running/walking on the treadmill. This is better than 0.
That said, I also gained approximately 12 pounds. So that is clearly not a win (see calorie tracking, above).

▪️ Submit 1-2 grants
Yes, and while neither were funded, both were scored. So, very very small yay for that.

▪️ Reduce phone usage
I downloaded the Forest app which is really very cool…when I remember to use it.

▪️ Sleep 6-8 hours/night
I forgot this was even a goal. And no.

▪️ Download DuoLingo
I love this goal. Yes, I downloaded the app. We have not made it very far, however.

▪️ Complete a no-spend challenge
Nope

▪️ Apply for licensure
I actually did this. It has been an enormous and colossal pain but I am at least moving forward.


▪️ KM: digital, sentimental
Nope.

▪️ Create Christmas budget
No, I also forgot this was a goal.

▪️ Create Disney budget
Yes, and we are ready to pay the remaining balance this week to leave next month.

▪️ Be a thoughtful friend
Still working on this one.