Resolution Check-in 2019

Every year, I make 10 resolutions for myself and 5 concerning my kids. Then I don't look at them again until the next year when I see how I did. Usually I manage to keep 4 to 6 of them. Let's see.

10) Drink 4 glasses of water a day.

Did it. I found that drinking an entire glass of water at a time without even putting the glass down to breathe was the only way I could do this. I can't have something around to just sip, it will never get drunk. But I can force myself to drink four times a day. 1 point

9) Go to the gym and/or run consistently 3-4 times a week.

Did it. There were times when I fell short, but other times when I worked out every day each week. I even decided to train to be a body combat instructor, which will hopefully happen this year. 1 point.

8) Stop biting my nails

I did this, which is very weird. But I'm only giving myself half credit because my nails are shit and break as soon as they grow so they still look very short, though neater. .5

7) Do something at least once a week to help those in need, or resist politically

Half credit. I did not do something once a week, but I did do things. I hope that I can step this up, especially since it's 2020 which is a big year. .5
6) Fix three things about the house

I'll give myself this, although the things fixed were small. Carlos fixed the toilets, I redid the grout, and we have people coming next week to fix our chimney and reside wood rot. I count that because I scheduled it last year. 1 point

5) Make $90,000 and/or get a full-time position somewhere.

Last year, I said this was a huge stretch. I made $94K. 1 point

4) Publish 50 pieces and teach a full course load all year.

Half credit. I taught a double-full load, but I only published 25 pieces. So, twice and half. .5

3) Get my passport and Portuguese citizenship (if not for me, at least for the girls).

Half credit. We finally got our passports. I didn't even look into Portuguese citizenship though. That seems hard. .5

2) Start a vegetable garden and keep it alive.

0. Nope

1) Read 12 books.

I literally read 2.5 books. Fail. 0


6 out of 10. Pretty strong showing.



For my kids and I, I resolve the following:

5) Get them to stop fighting all the time.

.5 They fight...less.

4) Sign them up for separate activities they might enjoy.

1. One is doing basketball, the other did gymnastics and now cheer.

3) Save $10,000 more each for them.

.5 Almost. I managed $8,100 each.

2) Spend at least 10 minutes with them, doing something they want to do every day.

0. I spent time with them every day, but not necessarily doing things they want to do.

1) Have them do chores every day.

0. I did not even attempt this, even though I should.



2 out of 5, not so great. Will work harder to do better this year.