Duck Duck Goal

In January I shoveled sooo much snow, painted my nails with Gilty Pleasure Gold, fell down more than once, read 7 books, turned my dining room into an office, cooked pizza on a grill, took 2 field trips to IKEA, laughed at John Boehner for crying in public, saw Black Swan, said goodbye to my Christmas tree, put on pants, and got started on The List.

Goal # 1:  Work toward/complete 3 things on the list.
Although many of the things on my list are more warm weather activities and long term goals, I did manage to begin several of my goals and I finished one of them.  Here's an update:

#2 Read 56 books:  I actually read 7 books this month which puts me ahead of the game!

#4 In Progress

#12 Read all of Roald Dahl's books:  I made this goal before realizing how prolific a writer Roald Dahl was.  This month I compiled a list of all of his children's books, novels, short story collections, poems, and plays.  I quickly realized that this is going to be a much bigger goal than I anticipated!

#18 Turn my mess of a dining room into an office/craft space:  After two trips to IKEA I have a new desk, desk chair, and storage solutions.  Before and after pictures will follow shortly.
Status - ACCOMPLISHED

Goal # 2:  Find a reason to put on pants at least five times a week.
Originally, I was going to keep a Pants/No Pants calendar so I would have a graphic to add to this post.  But then I realized that actually recording which days I got dressed and which days I didn't put me way past cute and quirky on the crazy scale.  I did end up getting dressed most days this month...with the exception of all the snow days we had. 
Status - ACCOMPLISHED

Duck Duck Goal - December

In December I decked the halls and the walls, got a new camera, admitted my love of Katy Perry songs, visited with wonderful friends, completed two minibooks, had lots of cookie baking dates, made a trifle for the first time, ate a lot of chocolate oranges, shoveled snow, had many pizza fails, sent out holiday cards, and cuddled with the cutest baby ever.  

Goal # 1: Fully embrace the holiday season.
I hugged the holidays and hugged them hard.  I made so many decorations and homemade presents that by the time the middle of the month rolled around I was kind of over Christmas already.  While Christmas always seems to sneak up then pass so quickly, it seemed more real this year because I made an effort to appreciate the season. 
Status - ACCOMPLISHED

Goal # 2: Clean and decorate my apartment.
I had the best of intentions to begin the new year with a tidy and organized apartment.  Instead, I spent most of the month fervently focused on my first goal.  Maybe the new year will awaken the obsessive compulsive in me.
Status - NOT ACCOMPLISHED

Goal # 3: Enforce a maximum one night stay policy on any dish in my sink, i.e. do the dishes on a regular basis.
While there were often dishes in the sink, they did not stay for more than one night.  Gone are the days where my sink is overflowing with dishes to the point where the cabinets are empty and the sink is so full that even if I wanted to wash them I didn't have space to...well hopefully those days are gone.
Status - ACCOMPLISHED

Goal # 4: Get an iPad.
Rumors abound that the iPad 2 will be released in February (or April) 2011 and since February is my birthday month I decided to give Santa a break and will instead ask the Birthday Fairy for an iPad.
Status - TEMPORARILY PUT ON HOLD

Duck Duck Goal

In November I went on several job interviews, baked the best biscuits ever, wore heels like a lady, let my apartment get messy, ran over a possum (which is STILL laying dead near the edge of the road...are there no vultures in MA?) celebrated Thanksgiving in Maine with the family, did lots of block printing, attended my 10 year high school reunion, voted, folded 118 paper cranes, and FINALLY finished a book!

I have decided to indefinitely forgo my duck counts as it seems foolish to count and recount things that rarely change within a months time.  Instead, let us discuss my inability to accomplish goals that I set for myself.

Goal # 1:  Find a community service opportunity and volunteer. 
I had the best of intentions with this goal and I fully intend on making this a goal in the future.
Status - FAILED

Goal # 2:  Read at least four books. 
I haven't finished a book since August and I needed to get back on track with my 1,000 book challenge.  I procrastinated AND took the easy way out in order to accomplish this goal...no judgement!  I finally finished The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (which I started in August) and I read three Roald Dahl books: The Vicar of Nibbleswicke, The Twits, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Status - ACCOMPLISHED

Goal # 3:  Limit myself to one non home-cooked meal per week.
I set this goal in an effort to save money and cook better meals at home.  It turns out I don't like to cook meals at home and meeting a friend for lunch is often the only reason why I leave my apartment during the day.  In attempting to accomplish this goal I did realize how often I was eating out and made an effort to curb that habit.  But let's be honest, I broke this goal by November 3rd.
Status - FAILED