Goals for a New Year!

I have had the last two weeks off, from work and University and it's been a great chance to stop, take some time to get caught up on sleep, crafting, dog training, family but mainly to do some reflecting. And, in the tradition of New Year's Resolutions, I know I want to set some goals for the New Year as it helps to focus my energy and drive.

I have lots of things whirling around in my mind, as I am pondering what I want to accomplish in the new year. Lots of them have to do with the dogs, but there are lots of personal goals too.

Personally speaking, I want to accomplish the following....
1. Finish my MEd. I could be done at Christmas, next year if I focus and get busy on my research. I only have one class left, then I am on to Thesis work and this is really, REALLY important to me.

2. Work. I need to make some serious decisions about work as I am finding my job to be a little more stressful than I thought possible,  this year. Yes, I am a teacher and I work with Special Needs kids which automatically makes it a difficult job, but I am finding that I am carrying more worry, related to the job than I really should be. So, I need to find ways to let it go or I am going to find myself ill. And, I guess I know I am on the verge of some changes, as I finish up my education and think about my PhD, so I need to figure out the next steps. Do I take a leave from my job next year to focus on my Thesis? Do I take a chance and leave teaching to do something else? It's unclear right now!

3. I need to focus on ME. I am busy, there is no question of that. But, in the midst of that busy life, I have forgotten to take care of some of the things I need to focus on: proper eating, cooking more, sleeping enough, not being such a stressball. So, in the spirit of taking care of me, I want to focus on my nutrition. I want to cook more from scratch and to actually savour and enjoy what I am eating. Hopefully along the way, I'll lose a pound of two as well!

4. Writing. I love to write. This blog is a bit of an outlet for me, but it's pretty raw and thrown together most of the time. I really do love working with words and I want to find some time and space to weave something together. I want to dust off my short story writing and get back to it. It's a big part of who I am, but I've lost it over the last while.

In terms of the dogs, I want to accomplish the following:
1. Spike: I want to actually get a Q in agility! I want to keep on trucking with the agility work and see where he can go! Specifically, I want to teach him directions; Switch with a left/right command. I also want to get his weaves and contacts even more reliable. I also want to work on teaching him some new tricks. I want to continue his therapy dog work and get him certified to work with children as well.

2. Sophie: I want to continue to improve Soph's health. She's happier than she's been in over a year; the sparkle is back! I want to continue to foster that. And, if we can manage to do some Obedience and Agility along the way, that's a bonus!!  I would love, LOVE to get her CD, in Obedience. Sophie is the reigning queen of tricks in this house and I want to continue to work her magic and learn a few new things.

3. Murphy: I want to do some basic obedience with her. She needs more attention and focus, so I figure if I can teach her some basics, maybe I can increase her capacity to focus and learn. As well, I want to continue with agility with her. She's got a LONG WAY to go before I can run her in a trial, but whatever... it's a fun journey training a terrier, right?  I also want to work on some trick training with this poochy of mine.


I have some big ideas of what I want to accomplish in 2011, and I have no idea if I have the ability to actually stick to it, but I know that if I don't spell it out for myself, I won't actually do anything. So, here goes to a new journey.... I have no idea where I'll find myself next fall, or really even next December 31st, but I can tell you this much, I'm hoping to enjoy the journey a whole lot more than I did in 2010. It wasn't an easy year, personally, but I feel like this is a chance to get myself back on track and loving the life I am creating. Here's to health, hope, happiness.  May you find the same things too!