Happy New Year! I hope you spent the first of the year doing what you love. We had a houseful of friends for New Year’s Eve. It was a casual affair, more of a football party than a NYE party, with good food and wine. Not much makes me happier than that! Speaking of football, my Irish prevailed against the Gamecocks in the Gator Bowl. Bodie’s buddy watched the game with us. He’s a big SC fan, but was a really good sport about the outcome.
Friendly Rivalry
I didn’t take a single picture on during our NYE celebration, which is always a sign of a fun night.
New Year’s Day brought our traditional meal of hoppin’ John, cornbread and collards. None of us particularly love collards, but we always have them on January first. I’m not one to buck tradition. I’m also superstitious, so the menu is what it is. I doused mine in Tabasco sauce, which does wonders.
New Years Day Menu
While eating our health, wealth and luck meal we discussed goals for 2023. The trick for setting goals is to come up with something tangible that can be measured. Several years ago (like ten, now that I think about it), I wrote down several goals on New Years Day and taped the sheet of paper to the fridge. Every single thing on that list was crossed off by the end of the year. Six years ago I did the same thing, and the results were the same. Keep in mind I’m not putting anything too crazy on the list, such as “lose thirty pounds” or “exercise every day.” Ten years ago the big items were “run a marathon” and “get dining room and study fully decorated.” Six years ago I decided to finally get scuba certified. My point is, writing something down and seeing it every day does wonders for my motivation and keeping me on track.
I had to coach my family a little, but I think we each came up with a fun, realistic, attainable goal for 2023. Ben said his goal is “ski more.” I explained he needed to set a certain number of days or choose specific locations, and we finally landed on planning an epic ski trip for the fam to a place none of us have ever visited. Hello, Idaho!
Bodie came up with his goal of all A’s. This is doable if he stays the course. Hopefully having this on the fridge will give him the extra incentive when he starts to slack off.
Emery’s goal is my favorite! I’ll have a dive buddy in the family!
We did not take a beach trip with the kids last year and I feel like I failed as a mom. I will not let that happen again! Hence, my goals for 2023 include beach travel. Hopefully we can take a trip back to my beloved 30A and also hit up someplace tropical should Emery get her scuba certification. My hope is that Ben will take the class with her.
I participated in a triathlon at Furman University last summer for the first time in ages. I was late signing up and didn’t allow myself much time to train. The swim was fine but the bike and the run were not my best. This year is my redemption. The event was really well organized and Furman’s campus is beautiful. But, I didn’t get to enjoy any of that because I was dying. It’s a sprint tri and great for first timers if any of you want to join me!
The JK on the bottom of our list belongs to a friend who happened to be with us while we were working on our goals. Makes me laugh. I’ll make sure he follows through with his pickle ball ambitions!
2023 Goals
What are your goals for this year? Help keep me accountable!
I hope this is your best year yet.
