Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Year's Resolutions

Do you believe in New Year's Resolutions? I do. I get that they can be hard to follow and are often abandoned by February. However, I have followed through on one or two of my resolutions in the past, and it seems like it's a good time to at least set some goals. Even if you're re-setting them, it's a reminder that this is a fresh new year and a great opportunity to think about the things that might be coming your way!

Here are mine (hopefully you all will hold me to them!)

1. Lose 30 lbs (anyone NOT want to lose weight this year?!)
2. Increase the use of technology in my business (create my own website, hone my photography skills)
3. Buy a real camera. Since I started blogging, I am jealous of the photographs out there. I would love some recommendations for a starter camera in the $500 range.
**ETA: 3(b). And/Or buy a piano. Is this too many resolutions? One or two of these might have to wait for 2010 (wink).
4. Join Facebook. My only easy one.

In addition, I want to make sure to walk with my eyes wide open so I don't miss any of the gifts God presents.

I wish you a safe New Year's Eve, a blessed 2009 for you and your family and success at meeting your New Year's Resolutions!

31 comments:

Elizabeth Halt said...

I believe in them. I just don't make them. I usually set goals but I don't consider them resolutions. :)

I do like your resolutions. I like my Sony DSC-F80. Of my two non-DSLR cameras, it's the one I use most. Small size, and it still takes decent photos (it'd take better photos but I am lazy to learn how to use the feature, LOL).

Hmmm .. maybe I should make a resolution though - to take a photo a day and actually use my Flickr account. Must consider.

I wish the same to you!!!

Laura Jean said...

I dare you to conquer #4 BEFORE 2009. How many people actually meet a resolution before the new year??? Double dog dare you!

Leanne said...

Libby - watch my ignorance come out here...what's non-DSLR?

Laura - I thought about it. But then I thought I should wait until tomorrow so I can officially check it off my list as a New Year's Resolution. Cause if I do it today, does it really count? I like to cross stuff off lists.

Anonymous said...

ohhhhh- we should start a photo a day.. that would be so cool... that's gonna be my resolution.. really.
Happy New Year, Leanne!

Leanne said...

I know, Julie, but my photos leave so much to be desired. You and Libby should do it though. PLEEEAAASE!?

Laura Jean said...

Well, once you ring in the new year tonight you can log on and open an account! Since I KNOW you won't be sawing logs at midnight! :D

Elizabeth Halt said...

Leanne - I think you should do the photo-a-day too! It's a good forcing function if you want to take more photos. :) I can assure you that mine will have lots of Atlas shots, meaning there will be lots of disgruntled Atlas shots, LOL.

digital SLR - can't remember what SLR stands for, single lens reflex maybe. It's a camera where you view the subject through the same lens that you take the photo with. In simpler terms, it's not a point-and-shoot. :)

Laura Jean said...

Too many resolutions? Back when I was a young 'un I used to have 10 to 15 resolutions! Hm, perhaps this is why I can't KEEP a resolution. If you have a prosperous year in real estate- and you will, because the market is going to turn around (and I say that because I am determined to sell our house and MOVE)- you will have no problemo getting a camera and piano. How was that for one big fat long sentence? ...I'm bored. Davin's snoring in the bedroom- there's nothing good on tv, I don't have a good book, so I'll just ramble here. Oh, and you should get your deck while your at it. Why not, you know?

Leanne said...

I know. Too bad all that stock is crap. Not even sure about the deck now.

I'm bored too. Actually, not bored, just don't want to do anything else. The kiddos are watching Shrek (well, Maylee & Matty are annoying Cole because they're being loud) so I'm just sort of refereeing. It's a pretty fun job.

Matty keeps asking me when they can have the "New Years Eve" party which consists of popcorn and peach sparkling cider. Guess I'll get that together now. :)

Laura Jean said...

Can you hold onto that stock and wait for the market to turn or do you have to cash this year? That would be a big bummer!

Leanne said...

No, we'll hold it. It's about half the price it was six months ago. No sense in selling it now :)

Anonymous said...

There aren't any rules about how good or bad the photos have to be as long as they're taken... I like the ones that kind of represent the day in a nutshell or the high point or the low points... I think I'll just put a side album on my blog 'cuz I'm too uncool for flikr'...

I'm bored too.

Leanne said...

Julie - at this moment it's 2009 where you are...well, if I wait two minutes to post this...let's see how I can do. Happy New Year! (Sorry yours was boring...) :)

Leanne said...

Would have been a good night for the Ted Danson Hot Name Game. *Sigh* I'm not waiting 'til midnight. Good night, all.

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm currently coveting a Nikon D80, but that's in the $850 range. But if you get it before me, I'll be very jealous.

So did you join Facebook? I'll have to go check.

Leanne said...

Nope, not yet. I have 365 days, right? :) Kidding. I actually started to do it last night, but I was up with kids until about 11:30 so I didn't get the time to devote. Maybe if we get quiet naptime today...and if I don't fall asleep...

MindiJo said...

Wow! Lotsa comments going on here. Love your new year's resolution. For some reason, I think New Year's resolutions should come in sets of three. Don't know why, I've just always thought that.
Mine:
1) Become a little smarter financially.
2) Sculpt my guns. They aren't shaping up as quickly as I had hoped.
3) To steal from Elizabeth: find beauty and/or joy in the ordinary and extraordinary.

Have a fabulous new year, my friend. Can't wait to see you and your pics on Facebook.

Elizabeth Halt said...

mindi: it took Michelangelo almost 2 years to sculpt the Pieta, so just remember that a masterpiece takes time. ;-)

Elizabeth Halt said...

I hope you had a good New Year's Eve! Happy 2009 !!!

andy said...

I was wondering if you were on Facebook or not...for some reason, I just figured you were. Get there! Run, don't walk! Happy New Year, too. :)

Anonymous said...

Joanna-
My 2 cents on the d80 is maybe if I were to spend that much money on a camera again I would go for the
d90 and spend a little bit more. I have the d80 and the noise on it drives me batty. I'm learning how to beat it by using a flash system but I sure do wish I didn't have to. I hear the d90 is better and so is the d300 and d700.
In saying that I've been really happy with my d80 for 2 years- but now that I"m getting more and more into photography- I know it's quirks and am kind of outgrowing the camera.
Just thought I'd give you a heads up. I love Nikon, the focus and flash systems are super- I'm gonna love it more when I can upgrade.
Off of my soapbox now...lol..
Have a Happy New Year.... sorry for highjacking your post, Leanne :)

Leanne said...

Julie - exactly what I'm looking for, actually, don't apologize! I'm just starting my research and opinions from those who use them daily is my fave. :)

MindiJo said...

Lenny- I have the Nikon Coolpix
S210 and I don't know what the world these people are talking about. But I felt the need to say what I have. I know mine has a flash and you push a button and voila! It takes a picture. Amazing.

Laura Jean said...

Mine too, Mindi! Isn't it amazing? :D

Laura Jean said...

BTW, Leanne, when you get your fancy shmancy camera, I want your coolpix. It'll be an upgrade from my casio.

Leanne said...

I hated my basic Coolpix camera. So I upgraded (the guy at Ritz assured me I'd be much happier $75 higher). I wasn't. So I brought it back and I'm back to a Canon Powershot A1000. Much happier. But my picture still aren't good like Nancy's or Libby's or the other photographers out there. Laura - you can have my Canon if you want when I'm done with it.

Laura Jean said...

I've heard from many sources that Nikon is the best brand out there- especially for point-and-shoot. I got a free one when I got my last cell phone- it's really basic but I've been meaning to try out some shots with that one and my casio and see if there is a difference in quality- they have the same "specs".

Leanne said...

Laura - that's why I bought the Nikon. And the second one. Everyone said that and I the guy at Ritz told me that but I could not get a good shot. Maybe it's me. :)

Anonymous said...

Julie L,

Hey, thanks for the advice!! :) I will definitely check into the other models!

Anonymous said...

I'm loving the dialog here, especially Julie's feedback on the Nikons. Like Joanna, I've been coveting the D80, myself, so I really appreciate the info!

I didn't make any resolutions. Although, I do believe in them. My only big huge hope this year is to get Whimsical Junk up and running online! (Gosh, I hope so, it's been over two years since I started dreaming of going online!) Oh! And I have another one that I've been sort of focusing on, losing 40-50 pounds. I'm on may way! Good luck to you!

Anonymous said...

P.S. I'm loving that we have 'built-in' inspiration with Auntie Tricia. Doesn't she look amazing in her Christmas card? She's my greatest inspiration!