New Years Resolutions;
Our Best Intentions

As December 31st, 2009 rolls in and crosses the threshold into a new year, I for one, sit with my family to make a list of the 2010 New Year's resolutions. A serious and annual activity. Every year we hum and haw over the challenges ahead and the stretching we know we'll have to do.

The best way to determine our success for next year is to measure how well we achieved this year's "best intentions." So, tonight, Paul and Katie and I sat down to review the list of 2009 accomplishment. Here's the a brief look at the success we enjoyed.

• Paid off debt
• Purchased a 2009 Dodge Caliber
• Sold the old Van
• Traveled to five different states
• Made our fourth visit to Disney World
• Re-painted the house and purchased a new couch. (The old one was 20 years old)
• Helped charities raise funds (Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester and Serenity House)
• Increased involvement in our church.
• Visited New York City at Christmas and saw the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall
• Katie achieved Novice status in Irish step dance
• Paul increased sales on Ebay by 33%
• Gina achieved her dream of having a summer off after 38 year in the workforce
• As a family, we increased our activities together and had more family time

Not bad for one year; ...and those are just the highlights. In total, we accomplished over 53 goals combined. So, for 2010 we have created another list of things we'd like to do, which includes more fitness, weight loss, educational goals and some personal desires. At least for me, I have set a goal to study photography, watercolor, tap, accounting and learn more about the universe.  Now that the list is made and each of us has a vision of what we can achieve, the marker is set and the quest begins.  All we need is for the ball to drop at midnight. Then "BANG" and we're off.  I hope you are too.

Happy New Year