Goals for 2013 Part 1

It has been a really long time since I made a post. I decided that I would work on my New Years resolutions a little early this year. I know that many people do not make them, but I feel that this is one of the only chances I get to focus on what I want to accomplish over the next year. If my goals are not written down, then I have a habit of failing to work towards them.

Here is my first 13 for 2013 and some steps towards achieving them:

1. Construct a (3) compartment compost bin (in addition to the round bin I am using now) by  June 1, 2013.
• Find out if there is a place still giving away pallets in town
2. Purchase a canning jar lifter and can at least (5) homemade applesauce pint jars. (I have made it before, but I have not tried using the hot bath canning method yet.)
• Jar lifter onto shopping list Accomplished!
3. I will purchase a shed for the backyard by June 1, 2013.
4. I will make sure that I am purchasing eggs not in Styrofoam (which means not getting them at Dollar General.) 
• Make sure we have enough eggs when I am going to Wegmans
5. I will make one dessert a week from scratch. I have already been doing well at this for the last month.
• Plan for the ingredients needed when making monthly grocery list
6. I will keep the living room presentable. I have been steadily working on the clutter. It is not at the level that I want, but it is getting there. 
• Take stuff to be donated weekly
7. Before going to bed each night, I will make sure that the dishes have all been washed. This will cut down on my overall stress level. Some improvement on this, but I need to keep working on it.
8. This spring I will grow 2 beds worth of Peas to have enough to eat fresh daily.
• Make sure I have enough seed before I place my seed order. Done!
  
9. Find more alternatives for avoiding new plastic! I did purchase some vintage Pyrex that I am currently using for making, serving, and storing food. I am purchasing about 1/3 of my fruit juices in glass now. Also I have another source of milk in glass bottles that also accepts the bottles for return too.
• I will continue to read the  My Plastic Free Life Forum for inspiration.
10. I will collect blackberries during the season. If I have enough, then I will make jam. This year I ate a few here and there, but did not take full advantage.
11. I will make a cage during the early spring to go over my raspberries after the end of June. It seems that this is when I get the Japanese beetles. 
12. I will check the caulking around the exterior of the house in early Sept to prepare for the cold weather.
• Make sure already have a small amount of caulk purchased in Aug
13. I will take advantage of the neighbor's offer for manure and fruit. 
• Purchase wheel barrel or cart