resolutions

Today is a work day.  Right now, I'm still at my parents' house in our tiny snow-covered town (been here since the day before Christmas Eve), working with meine Mutter today to get a bunch of year-end stuff done.  Literally, there are three computers up and running right now, accomplishing a number of different goals.  To give you an idea of the scenario, I will tell you this, dear Reader:  I'm blogging between printing reports for her, the dog is on my lap trying to get her fair share of attention amidst the craziness, and it's proving quite difficult to think since Mom is on the phone with a client across the desk from me.  Whew.  But I wanted to post this while I was thinking about it and the thoughts escaped me... that being thoughts of New Year's resolutions.

So far the list includes the following:
1. Investments.  This is an area in which I really need to start making progress immediately.  Retirement will come all too soon.  A little bit each month will add up eventually and a little is way better than nothing.  I'm thinking bonds or an IRA.  But something.
2. Quickbooks / Accounting.  I'm self-employed.  And thank God my business is expanding enough to actually have to enter stuff into an accounting program.  But I need to get on it or it's all gonna pile up... all of a sudden, it'll be June and I'll be looking at 6 months' worth of input.  Oy.
3. Summer Classes / Plans.  I need to put plans into place for what I'm going to do this summer.  I'm thinking of offering some group music classes for my students and anyone else that might be interested... maybe 2 or 3 different sections.  My accompanying contract with Lutheran will end in May and you know, I need to eat and pay rent.  So I'm thinking some 5-week group classes might be the answer.  I need to have this figured out no later than March 1.
4. Fall Classes.  This fall I'd like to be able to teach through the Learning Center in St. Peters, such as some music history or music theory classes for homeschoolers looking to take a structured fine arts credit.  So I need to get some things in order for that asap, since those teaching slots fill up quick.
5. Running.  I will run a 5k this year.  Maybe two if my schedule allows.  Maybe a 10k if I make some significant progress as far as distance is concerned.  But at least one 5k, an extremely reasonable and realistic goal.
6. Piano / Professional Development.  It's my intended goal to study all of the Bach Inventions and Sinfonia this year with Professor Burkhart, as well as several of the Beethoven Bagatelles (hopefully all of Op. 126?) in addition to some bigger pieces to prepare for grad auditions in the next year or so.
7. Church / Community.  Especially male community, although female community is really important as well.  The goal is to join a church, find three good guy friends, and three new good girlfriends in the St. Louis area by the end of the year.  Seems ambitious but you sorta have to be that way when there's a drought.
8. Food.  Starting this past weekend, the gluten has to go.  Or at least, as much as possible.  Along with as much sugar as possible.  I'm renewing my commitment.
9. Health / Dental.  If I have to pay for my own medical and dental bills, I'm determined to be as pro-active in preventive health as possible.  This means eating well (see resolution 8), taking vitamins regularly, and keeping my mouth in good shape.  A little bit more at the grocery store will equal lower medical costs in the long-run.
10. Bible Study.  I'm gonna join one.  It just needs to happen.  ASAP.  Enough said.

The list could go on and on but ten is more than enough for now.  The rest will come along later.