New Year 2020

I wasn't sure I was going to write one of these this year. I've fallen off the writing habit pretty hard. There really is only so much time in the day and it's hard to feel like I'm putting enough time and energy in the posts to ensure that it's worthwhile reading to read them. After a while it can feel like just going through the motions.

However, I have also come to realize that the journaling is valuable in itself. I read so many books that if I don't journal them, I tend to get fuzzy on the details pretty quickly. Additionally, it's a nice habit to be in. It centers me whether I have anyone reading or not, so I'll give it another try.

Challenge 2020:

• Reading Goal - 175: I'm aiming to read 175 books this next year which comes to about 3 and 1/3 books per week. Doable, but a bit of a stretch. 
• The Twist: All the books (aside from a few exceptions defined below) will be things I already own. Last summer Ryan and I finally unpacked and shelved all of our books. We discovered that we have over 800 books that one or the other of us bought at some point and have yet to read. It sounds insane but the vast majority of those books were picked up used from various used book stores across the Eastern United States. A large influx also came in when Borders closed and from various library sales and culls. I additionally have a classroom library with a number of books I have not read yet, and should. People also give me books. . . a lot. The upshot is that we have a lot of books and it's time to start working through them: Reading, saving, regifting and selling as the book warrants.
• The Exceptions: I'm a lit teacher and a known reader which means if this is going to work at all there need to be some sanity exceptions that allow for new or previously unowned books.

1. I've had a long standing policy of reading any book that a student hands me. If a student loves a book enough to share it, I try to honor that by joining the experience. One of the most difficult things about being a reader is that it can be a solitary occupation. Unless someone else reads the book, it's hard to talk about. I try to be that person for the students and I'm going to maintain the policy.
2. Professional reading - I have a goal of reading 12 professionally related books a year that I rarely manage to complete. Even so, this is something that I will continue to work at and I need the freedom to pick up the books as needed.
3. Series Literature - There is nothing worse than starting a series and having to wait to read the next book. It's so frustrating. So, if it's part of a series that I've already started, I'm allowed to get the next book in series to read.
4. Gifts - If someone gives me a book, I'm allowed to read it...in fact, I'm going to prioritize it. Reading a gift book is a special experience because a book is so much more than just a thing. Too often, I put reading those books off to the point that I've forgotten it and probably so has the person who gifted it.
5. Book Riot Read Harder 2020 - to keep variety going I'm working through the Read Harder Challenge. In most cases, there are things sitting in the collection that will work to meet the goals, but if I have to, I can fill a gap.

• Writing Goal: Everyday without fail. I sometimes forget that I really love the creativity of writing. It doesn't really matter what I do with it or what I write specifically. 

1. Blogging - some sort of post every day, probably in the evening.
2. Creative Journal - one page every day for now and hopefully working up to about 5 by the end of the year, but frankly any kind of daily habit will meet goal.
3. Pie in the Sky - I'd like to start writing complete drafts of varying length by the end of the year. I'm not ready for that at this point and I feel like putting too much pressure on myself will be counter-productive. I'm just going to leave it floating out there as something I'm working towards.

• Cooking and Baking: I'm actually happy with how this is going generally, so it's more about maintaining. 

1. Baking - I'm teaching myself to bake and I bake a recipe once a week. Often it's a new recipe but sometimes I'm working to perfect a skill. It has been going well and even my "failures" tend to taste good.
2. Cooking - Cook most of the meals - try new things. I do this anyway, but I'd like to come up with a subset of family favorites. Maybe I'll make a binder of them.

• The Yards: I actually like working outside. I mean really enjoy it. Unfortunately, it is a fight against momentum to get out there and once I get out there I need to be really careful during the hot months to avoid overdoing it and giving myself heat stroke (which happens more often than I like to admit.) 

1. Front - I want to get out there and keep the yard in check, finish the garden hardscaping, and keep the garden going through all four seasons. One of the great things about living in the South is that there's really only about 2 months where nothing will grow most years.
2. Back - I need to clear out the scrubby tries and beat back all of the crazy vining nonsense. After I do that, I can look at what to do with the space - but pragmatically just getting it cleared is probably the year.

When I list it out like this, it seems like a lot. However, I'm not looking for perfection here and I'm more or less giving up distractions like video games for the year. Additionally, Thomas is to the point where he and Ryan can come and help with things like yard maintenance and cooking so it's not all me against the world for every one of these.