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Before I think about resolutions for 2008, I thought I should see how I fared this year.

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Nope. Don't think I did that. But it's a worthwhile effort. I'll keep that one for 2008. I have a cruise in June for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, AND my 30th high school reunion!

2. I resolve to make more time to work out ...
Nope...at least not till the last month or so. But, (see above), I'll have to stick to this one. The Y recently started aerobics classes. I used to LOVE aerobics and tried it again. Ummm...my poor knees. And jumping jacks? I've had two kids! Ya know? Soooo...I've discovered YOGA! I really, really, like it. And the instructor promises I can lose weight doing it. Three times per week. I'm committed.

3. I resolve to submit more.
Boy, am I glad I listed this one! In my post a year ago, I listed that I'd rec'd 22 rejections since June of 2002, which included the "mass mailing" of atrocious submissions when I was a newbie and just didn't have a clue. This year I've sent out 27 submissions! Wahoo!!! Of those, 5 are still out, one, making the rounds of editors! I've gotten some awesome, encouraging rejections in the process.

In 2008 I want to maintain this. I don't want to mass-mail willy-nilly, but I want to be aggressive in the submission process. Stay on top of them better. Follow up. (I just discovered a submission that's been out almost a YEAR that I'd forgotten about.) I will also continue to read/review books to better target my submissions. BTW, writing reviews has made writing the dreaded synopsis SO much easier!

4) I resolve to write more.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Maybe not every day like all the experts tell you. But I did a pretty good job of using the time I had this year. As a teacher, I have those breaks. Especially summer. During the year, I tend to do more revisions, crits. That's the mode my mind is in. I have to have time to decompress to be able to create new stuff. During the summer, I had that time. I had only three chapters of Vanishing Teachers written at the beginning of the summer. I wrote, revised, rewrote, and finished it. I plotted out a new YA. I started a sequel to Black-Eyed Susans. And, after an awesome rejection that really helped me figure out how to make BES stronger, I'm thick in the midst of revising it. I've already cut about 5000 words from the beginning of the book. I still need to write three more chapters for the middle. Then I'll let it rest and submit it again, stronger, and better! And, if I'm very lucky, I might get to write another Squirrelly book! I won't count those nuts yet....

5. I resolve to become more confident using technology.
Success here too! I've become much more comfortable using html. I have this journal, as well as a MySpace. I'm using
clickers almost every single day in my classroom. (Teachers...check this out! My students LOVE them. I do too!) Next on my list is a website. I'll have to do some research on that one. Or maybe I'll wait till I get the coveted book contract. Not sure.

So, year in review....I'm doing GREAT on  my professional goals. It's those personal goals I'm not doing so well on. So, for 2008:

6. Continue working on those professional goals.

7. Focus on the personal goals.
I owe it to myself and my family to work toward personal health and fitness.

8. Learn better money management.
This year I promise my husband that I'll take a more active role in our family finances. I wish to also be in better fiscal health by 2009.

9. Unclutter my life.
This year I want to get rid of things that are clutter. Not just the obvious house clutter. But also those things that clutter the mind. Stress from family issues with my brother and niece. I can't change anything. Let it go. Job stress... I can only do so much. I am only one person. Do the best you can, let the rest go. Taxi stress... you know, teen schedules...again, I'm only one person. I can only do so much.  Let the stress go. Enjoy my teens. Unclutter my home so I can feel at peace.

10. Show my husband more appreciation.
He puts up with so much, and supports my dreams. I need to reciprocate better. I'm want to spend the rest of my life with him. I want him to continue to want to spend his with me.