Tuesday, April 9, 2013

2013 New Year's Resolutions Update

Can you believe that the year is a quarter gone? Hard to believe. It's been a terrific year for our family, that's for sure. I thought we would revisit our resolutions. How are yours? Everyone makes them. Let's see how I am doing.

Here is my post for my 2013 Resolutions.

Let's  take a look at the ones that really matter:
  • Loose 20 pounds...or convert to muscle
    • Down from 176 and 275 body fat to 159 and between 19.5-20%
  • Make studying the Bible a priority instead of "what to do when I am bored"
    • We have done a good job at reading the Word and having a discussion with the kids at least every other night. It gets missed sometimes. But, the kids do a fantastic job of reminding me.
  • spend more time with the kids developing their skills. My dad played football and baseball with me almost daily. As a result, I was a fantastic athlete, despite being vertically challenged.
    • This one has been tough. I'm not doing such a good job with Griffin. I am doing ok with Aubree, but mostly because I HAVE to, as coach of her team.
  • Spend more time working on our house and landscaping. I did a much better job this last year and it really showed. Turns out, it's pretty fun!
    • Garden has been started, brush piles are getting burned, taking care of the grass. Already way ahead on this.
  • Start playing bass guitar again
    • Complete fail. Sigh. Not enough time in the day. May have to get drastic and bring a guitar to work.
  • Get my kids more involved with the outdoors
    • Doing pretty good here. We turned the cable off and have been throwing the kids outside as soon as they get home.
  • Be the person I should be in front of everyone. I do a good job around acquaintances but a terrible job around my close friends.
    • Still not doing well with this. I am getting better about talking openly about my spirituality and my struggles, but seem to backslide around my non Church friends.
  • Make more friends, especially at Church
    • The Madison Church of Christ can take credit for this for starting "Connect Groups". It's forced us to do this.
  • Watch less TV
    • Big Success here. The only TV we watch is the news and MAYBE 20 minutes after we get in the bed. The kids hardly ever watch TV. We turned the cable off a few months ago and hadn't missed it. I recommend it.
  • Save more money this year. Last year we actually paid down debts and didn't add any new debts. This year I want to actually save some!
    • Well....good and bad here. Dont' have any credit card debt anymore, but we have a car payment and now a boat payment. But, it's reasonable.
Let's talk about the "Survivalist" Stuff:
  • Make my garden better this year. Sure, it was So-so. I learned some lessons like....
  • I need a rain water collection system for my garden. I learned this year how chlorinated water will KILL your veggies
  • Start my own seeds instead of buying pre-grown plants
    • Done
  • Build an AR
    • No chance. Anything gun related is ridiculous
  • Read more books about gardening, self sufficiency, etc.
    • Failure so far.
  • Take a weekend survival camping trip (or a few!)
    • hadn't done it yet
  • Start a EOTWAWKI vehicle build
    • eh. been looking around.
  • Find a way to Beta test stuff. Same as above. Maybe if I get more traffic, I can convince companies to let me review their stuff!
    • Trying....
  • Continue to accrue the tools I need. Not just for survival, but for around the house. Which also are good for EOTWAWKI....
  • Start writing post apocalyptic stuff again!
    • Hadn't done it
  • Get my fruit trees to produce better
    • Doing a better job and trimming 
  • Kill a deer and eat it at the kill site. Just sounds fun!
    • We shall see...
Let's talk about Fishing:
  • Don't be pressured to fish every big money tournament out there. Fact is, I fished 4 big tournaments last year and cashed a check in only 1....and in all honesty, that was Uncle Tony's doing...not mine.
    • Not a problem. I am B-R-O-K-E.
  • Go to the finesse baits earlier. I usually wait too long to throw the finesse baits.
    • Doing as great job with this. 30 minutes without a bite and I am throwing a stick bait
  • Don't loose any rods and reels this year. I lost 2 combos this year, totalling in around $500.
    • So far so good
  • Be adventurous. Try new spots.
    • Still struggling with this. A lot.
  • Spend more time using my electronics finding the fish. In late 2012, I started doing this REAL well and it paid off.
    • Well, sold the old boat with the good fishfinder. Don't have a good one on the Skeeter
  • Learn some new methods. Doesn't have to be a lot of new methods. In 2012, I learned to throw the jig, spoon, and shakey head. This year I want to flip. A lot. I want to learn the drop shot.
    • I am trying pretty hard on this one.
  • Fish with new people. Seriously. Email me. I want to fish with some new folks and learn some new things.
    • Doing pretty well here.
  • Find a way to Beta test stuff. I don't know what I have to do to convince bait companies to take a chance on me....
    • Nobody has any interest in sending me stuff
  • Do a MUCH better job managing this blog. People take time to read it. I need to do a better job designing and managing. If you have comments, I would love to hear them!
    • I think I am doing better.
  • Weigh in 20+ pounds in a tournament. Sadly, I haven't done this yet. I seem to win on tough days, but I can't compete on good ones.
    • Only fished 2 tournaments. The SNUFISH tournament was OH SO CLOSE to this goal.
  • Get to fish with my wife and kids more. My oldest and middle are old enough to really start fishing. I need to be less selfish with my time.
    • We have been out several times as a family.
  • Find ways to get the blog out there more. While I blog because I enjoy it, I also enjoy seeing the post count go up. I'd like to get invites to fish with bait companies and pros.
    • Alabama Mountain Lakes and Alabama Bass Trail have REALLY come through for me. Also, my Facebook page is helping.
  • Find other people like me with blogs and other social media and share!
    • I'm trying....
  • Not get skunked ANY this year
    • Eh......already failed.
  • Get a GoPro and make some webisodes!
    • Going great!
  • Fish Table Rock this year and do well.
    • Haven't gone
  • Fish more NASA tournaments
    • Hadn't made any yet.
  • Fish more Ditto Wildcats
    • Just started last week

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