2007 Taking Care and Improvement List

It will come as no surprise to those who know me: I'm a list maker.

Here's my list for 2007, inspired by Crazy Aunt Purl.

Practical Stuff - Finances:

• Review and update beneficiary designations, including life insurance, retirement, savings.
• Continue contributions to savings account.
• Increase contributions to retirement accounts.
• Review and update budget.
• Buy ground coffee I like and use the coffee maker I bought for work. Buy fat free half-n-half because coffee with cream tastes better than coffee with milk.
• Reduce the number of before-work visits to Starbucks to 1 per week, to include 1 cup of coffee and 1 pastry treat (about $3.30) - a per-week savings of about $13.20, or $53.00 per month.
• Get my 1999 car a checkup. Preventative maintenance should help me not have to buy a new car anytime soon.

Practical Stuff - Health:

• Only 1 before-work visit to Starbucks each week will reduce calorie consumption by about 2,000 calories per week (about 500 x 4 days; see Starbucks Nutrition PDF file.
• Floss more often - works better than toothpicks.
• Gotta lose weight to get blood pressure down, to feel better physically, to feel better mentally, to be a better me.
• If I really do have exercise-induced asthma, go back on the meds (been off since mid-November). Regular walking exercise for a week or so should answer this question.
• Buy a new bed. Sleep better = Feel better.

Practical Stuff - Other:

• Get my hair cut and styled before it bugs me. Go shorter. Go longer. Don't be sloppy.
• Keep a closer eye on my appearance. It's OK to wear comfortable clothes, but don't look sloppy.
• Consider finding comfortable, supportive shoes to wear at work that aren't white New Balance walking shoes.
• Replace older windows in the house.
• Find out how much it would cost to get new kitchen cabinets, counter, sink, backsplash, flooring. I hate the jade green and lime green counters.
• Fix or replace the stove. Only 2 of 4 burners and 1 of 2 ovens work in the really old stove that came with the house when we moved in during late 1987.
• Continue to be involved in the goings-on at work, but also remember I have a limit.

Everyday Things:

• Get back on track with vitamins! Women's multi-vitamin with iron, plus calcium and vitamin C tablets.
• Walk at least 10 minutes each day - whether I want to or not. I can take 10 minutes to do this for myself and my family. Use the treadmill. Walk outside. Before dinner. After dinner. During a break or lunch at work (this will also make me get away from my desk!).
• Continue drinking lots of water.
• Leave the house for work by 7:15am at the latest. Not 7:20am or 7:25am. Driving time is shorter when I leave earlier; longer if I leave later. Not stopping at Starbucks each day will help ensure getting to work on time.
• Observe and appreciate who and what is around me.

Fun Stuff:

• So sew already! And quilt. More fabric can be purchased if I really screw up. Mistakes come with learning and growth and help me gain experience. There's no such thing as perfect.
• Photography. I (used to) love it. What happened? Get a better digital camera (with macro and advanced focusing) - some great photos are being taken and displayed out there on the Web. Join the fun.
• Been thinking about learning to knit (again - my 3rd time!) so I can knit socks - although working with 4 knitting needles at a time may be more challenging than I want to get.