2018.... almost over--how'd I do?

Sometimes you finish your list, and sometimes you don't.

So my previous post, from the very first day of the year, had a list of things I'd like to do this year.  I thought I'd check in to see how I did.

1.  Read 24 books. More specifically I would like to read 2 books a month.  I usually go through spurts of reading where I read several books within a few weeks and then go two months without reading anything.  By the end of 2018 I would like to have finished 2 books a month and read at a steady pace.  I have a running list at Goodreads so that I can easily choose something of interest.

UPDATE:  So I've read 21 books so far with 2 that I'm currently reading and I still have a month to go--so I feel pretty good about this one.  I think February is the only month I didn't read a book--but that's ok as I was crazy busy doing the play Steel Magnolias which was SO FUN.  So I will let that one slide!

2. Spend more time with friends. This idea is rather vague I know, but I struggle to get together with friends on a regular basis.  So my idea is to put this at the forefront of my mind this year and be intentional about coming up with ideas and calling people and getting together.  Last year on my Idea list (I have done this for awhile--just haven't posted it publicly) was to say "yes" whenever I got invited to hang out with someone.  That worked out well to touch base with people and I know it meant a lot to me when someone would go out of their way to say "hey let's spend time together".  So this year I want to do more inviting.

UPDATE:  Hmmm....it was a vague idea.  So did I actually spend "more" time with friends?  Not sure.  I did start a Book Club.  Another friend asked me to start a bible study with her, so that was created.  I could do better here I think and I need to get more specific on this one!  

3.  Host at least 4 Game Nights.  I love to play games!  It's so much fun and an easy way to spend time with people.  So my idea is to host at least 4 Game Nights, get some snacks and enjoy some time with other people.

UPDATE:  Nope, didn't make this one!  I only hosted one Girls' Night Game Night--that was SUPER fun.  And we'll have our yearly New Year's Eve Game Night--so I fell 2 short on this one!  

4.   Host 4 dinner parties.  Nothing fancy.  But just have a few people over for dinner, enjoy a meal together and each other's company.

UPDATE:  Well, this one didn't exactly happen.  It sort of happened though not the way I had meant it when I wrote this one down!  We did have people over for dinner--our bible study has dinner together when we meet!  :)  But I did not intentionally have Dinner Parties.  

5.  Try 12 new recipes.

UPDATE:  I had forgotten about this one.  I know that I tried at least 8 new recipes.  I was looking for new recipes for chicken breasts and ended up with several marinades that I did up and put in the freezer.  Not sure I got to 12 though--although I do have one month to go!!

6.  Happiness Jar.  A friend on facebook posted about a Happiness Jar where everyday for a year you write down one good thing that happened and put it in the jar.  At the end of the year you read all the good things that happened.  I LOVE the idea.  So it's an idea that is happening.

UPDATE:  Loved the idea, but my follow through...oops.  So I think I did pretty well until March and then it kind of fell apart.  I'm not even sure where the jar is right now.... I will have to go look for it!!

7.  Blog at least 12 posts.  Ahhh... I love reading other people's blogs.  I love sharing ideas.  I love writing.  However, I really don't love criticism, nor do I love when I screw up and say something stupid--and then when it's written down, well it's rough.   But I do want to share more of myself with the world at large and also to gain insight from the feedback of others--so I will start with the idea of blogging at least once a month about something.

UPDATE:  Bwahahahaha....obviously this didn't happen.  

8.  Go to the Beach.  Toes in the sand.  A book.  The sound of the water.  I don't know what beach or when or with whom.  But at least a day at the beach this year.

UPDATE:  Nope, didn't happen.  And I'm sad about this one :(  There's always next year right?  

9.  Spend less time online and watching TV/movies.  Alas I love a good story.  I also can be incredibly lazy with my free time.  Instead of watching other people's stories, I want to be an active participant in my own story.

UPDATE:  Sometimes you just have to realize who you are.  I am actively participating in my story.  But I am a story junkie--so I probably am not ever going to consume less stories via TV and movies.  I LOVE movies.  I LOVE the visual aspect of a story coming to life.  This is one I'm not going to worry about--nor am I going to put on my list again.  Instead I'm just gonna be ok with it!


Time to begin brainstorming next year's list!!  What did you accomplish from your list this year?  What things would you want on your list for next year?