Hello, twenty-twelve!

With a new year comes new goals {or resolutions}. 

Whatever you want to call them.

I call them motivators.

Jeff calls them pointless.

Either way, I do have some goals for this year.

Goal #1: we have got to get this house organized.

Especially before baby #2 arrives. In all of his or her chaotic newborn wonder {hopefully I'll be able to start calling it him or her as of next Monday around 9 am. Poor little sexless baby}. Jeff doesn't really believe in closet organization systems. Thinks they're overrated. And expensive. It took me two years to convince him that we needed one in our closet. I have wanted one in Sadie's closet since before she was born. And one in the office closet for 4.5 years {I am this close to getting one in the office. JOY!}. And I haven't told him this yet, but I'm also going to want one in the baby's room. Before the baby comes. He is slowly crossing over to my side. Seeing the so-called light, if you will. I think it's because you can no longer walk through our office without tripping over something {recall this post with a picture of our messy office...and then multiply by 10. It's. a. mess}. Because it has this giant, beautiful closet with no shelving in it. So every time I need something from the closet, I have to pull everything out. And why bother putting it back when it doesn't really have a spot? 

So alas, goal #1 is to get organized. No matter the cost. If it saves my sanity, I think it's worth it. 

Goal #2: Re-learn to sew. 

My mom--bless her heart--bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. My grandma taught me how to sew when I was little, and I think I just need a refresher course to get going again. {Side note: both of my grandmothers are pretty great seamstresses. My dad's mom reupholsters her own furniture. 

Can you imagine?}

I'd like to set up a sewing area in our office, but...{refer to goal #1}! 

Goal #3: Explore/expand my freelance career. 

I love writing. I know I'm good at it. I have a BA and MA in English. I'd like to make more money with my talent. Whether that's through blogging or freelancing for magazines or both, I'm not sure. 

Goal #4: Learn how to better use my fancy-pants camera. 

Jeff is so gifted in the technology area, and I just am not. It totally baffles, frustrates, and annoys me. But I have this wonderfully expensive camera that takes amazing pictures {if I happen to accidentally stumble across some good lighting} and I'd like to learn how to use it to its full potential. 

Goal #5: {this is not a fun one and that's why it's last} Get those finances in order. 

Ugh. I feel like we are constantly bouncing back and forth with our budget. One month we're over, the next we're under, then we overspend, then we break even. Good grief. First order of business: make a more functional menu planner. This one, to be exact. It may look complicated, but you can actually order the pre-made vinyl sticker for $8.50, and then all you have to do is make the magnetic meal tags. Since I'm not very creative in the kitchen, this will work perfectly for us. Genius! 

What are your goals/resolutions?