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ORIGINAL: hizgeorgiapeach

I don't do the whole "resolutions" thing myself - though I do set goals every year, some that I manage to achieve some that I don't.  This year's list is relatively short, and almost everything on it has to do with the changes that have come about from moving dad back in with me.  Ultimately, the "one" thing is to make what time dad has left as pleasant for both of us as is possible - both physically and emotionally - and changes being implimented are all aimed at that goal.  Granted, there's more than one change being implimented, and several of them didn't wait for the new year by any means - but hey, life doesn't wait for a certain date on the calendar to reach up and smack us and say, "Do This - NOW."
 
I'm trying to quit smoking.  I figure if *I quit, then I'll have more room to kevtch at him about HIS smoking, and more sucess in getting him to actually carry through with hsi perpetual promises to himself to quit since he's got emphasymia and asthma anyway.  This, more than anything else, is gonna be a hard one for me.  Ciggarettes have been one of my major stress crutchs for years now - and with dad home, the stress level is up, which means I've been smoking More rather than Less.  (If any of yall who have sucessfully kicked that habit happen to have any suggestions - please, feel More than free to email me on the other side for helpful hints!!!!!!!)   I'll be going to the gym more frequently - because it's something that I can do to get away from the house for a few hours a few times a week while the home aide is here with dad.  It'll do me good to be out of the house more regularly to manage the stress - and have the added benefit of getting me into better shape physically, which I've needed for a while.  (And since I can't smoke while I'm at the gym, that's all to the good as well - it'll be several hours a week when I have no Choice but to Not smoke.)

You and your dad......

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ORIGINAL: PanthersMom

i have two goals for this year, complete my degree and finally resolve the issues regarding my foot.  either it heals or they take it, but resolution of the problem would be a great relief.  five surgeries since july 29th is just too much bs, i don't want that to haunt me all of 2009. 

we should dig this thread up next year about this time and see how many of us reached our goals or how far we've come in the journey.
PM

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ORIGINAL: MzMia

This is a good time to be a "buyer".
Queen Anne Victorians are beautiful homes!

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ORIGINAL: windchymes

Well, I have been working toward a goal for the past almost 8 years now.  Since I had to sell my former home as part of the divorce, I swore that someday I would buy my own house, on my own, all mine, and no one could take it away from me......except the mortgage company, lol.

In the past eight years, I have taken four different jobs (in the same field, just moving up), had several second jobs, moved six times, the last move to another state a little over a year ago.  I have lived in some really crappy places while cleaning up my finances and my credit report. I have finally settled in Northern Virginia (waving to Mia).  One of the reasons I moved down here is because of how the housing market was dropping, and dropping, and owning my own home seemed like it could be a reality.  My job has worked out great, I'm happy there, and I'm making almost double what I was making at my former job a year ago.  I've cleaned up my credit.  I got pre-approved for a mortgage and started looking.

Unfortunately, the amount I was approved for was pretty low.  Nothing gorgeous in that price range, but a few with potential.  I got outbid a couple times.  I walked through homes that were pitiful in their state of disrepair, some with trash left behind by those forced out by foreclosure, a few even vandalized, not to mention the cockroaches and the backed up toilets.   But I kept looking, and the deadline for when my lease was up was approaching fast. 

I found it.  A 3-level townhouse/condo, 3-bedroom, 2-full, 2-half baths (FOUR freaking bathrooms!), cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors, fireplace, second-story deck, close to a major interstate, but still in a nice neighborhood.  Exactly the amount of cosmetic fixing up that I had been looking for.  I took a gamble, based on the trends, the comps in the area, and my gut feeling, and sent a low bid, which they agreed to and also agreed to pay half the closing costs!  I've been on pins and needles, waiting to hear if all the inspections passed, and if I would get final approval.

I did.  Got the word today!  I'm buying what was worth over $300K a few years ago for a little over $100K.  And as long as no surprises come up, the settlement is Jan. 8, 2009.  So yes, I had a goal for 2009, and in a week, it's going to be a reality!  When the last paper is signed and those keys are in my hand, you're going to hear a big, screeching, "I DID IT!!!!" echoing through the hills, lol.

Congratulations windchymes!
I had no idea we were neighbors!

THANK YOU so much for sharing your story!!!
Good luck with the closing next week!
This post has indeed brightened my day!

You are a poster child, for ONE goal, dream, challenge, objective!
Happy New Year to you, windchymes!!!!!!