2013 Reading Challenges

Last year I read more than in 2011 but I didn't read as much as I'd like. And I was not nearly as organized about keeping track as I would have liked. This year I have a few goals and I'm going to do a few challenges.

First, my plan is to Read 73 books. That's only 1 every five days. There are a lot of books for me to read in the challenges but many of them overlap too.

6/73 books

We use our library quite a bit for books so it only makes sense for me to join the Library Books Challenge 2013. I'm starting for Level 1 "Board Book" (1-3 books).

2/3 books

Next I'm going to try for the 2013 A-Z Reading Challenge and try and read one book (at least) with a title starting with each level of the alphabet.

3/26 Letters

I'm always wanting to read more classic literature so this year I'm joining the 2013 Classics Catch-Up Challenge. I'm going to aim for the first level of 4 books "Freshman".

0/4 books

As a feminist woman I particularly enjoy books written by women. The 2013 Women Challenge is perfect for this. Aiming low to start with the first level "Baby Girl" (1-5 books by a woman author).

2/5 books

As an incentive to challenge myself outside of the usual categories I read it (which admittedly are fairly varied at this point already) I'm joining the Eclectic Reader Challenge 2013. There are eight categories of books to read.

1/12 books

The last adult reading challenge I've joined is the Literature and War Read Along 2013. 12 books from 12 different countries, written in 8 different languages and covering 6 different wars.

1/12 books

Now for the kids. Two challenges for all of the reading we do with them.

First we are joining the 2013 Pre-1960 Classic Children's Book Challenge. Going to aim to read at least 12 of these.

0/12 books

Also with Tobias blooming into wanting to be read chapter books on a regular basis I'm going to aim to read at least 6 novels with him that he chooses.

0/6 books

Let the reading begin!!!!

7 weeks in... Update on my 2012 Goals

First let me say that I *cannot* believe that we are already seven weeks into 2012. Crazy how fast time goes. Life got very crazy with illness and I've not been nearly as disciplined with my goals as I would have liked. However I know that there is no time like the present to restart and so I'm going to renew my dedication to doing just that :)

1. Make a budget every month
-We still have not made a February budget :-( We've been flying by the seat of our pants on this one.

2. Attend 13 weeks of FPU classes
-The class that we were enrolled in ended up being a conflicting time that wouldn't work for us so we have to find a new one.

3. Get a job
-I have made progress on this! Some of it I'm not ready to share yet but it's good stuff *squee*

4. Read 100 books
-I'm done eight books so far. I have a LOT of them on the go though so I need to get on the ball and finish some of those.

5. Go on at least two dates per month with James
-So far we havn't made it past the first date (mostly because of illness). Need to add this to this weeks priority list!

6. Organize each room in my house
-We moved a whole bunch of stuff into the house from the old house so I need to get those boxes unpacked ASAP!

7. Complete The Love Dare
-We are going to restart this, this time together <3

8. Get rid of all remaining TAPS inventory
-This goal is actually going to change. More on this coming soon ;-)

9. Send out cards and letters on a regular basis
-Still havn't done this.

10. Get all three boys sleeping in their own beds and the two little ones out of diapers
-Big boys in their own bed we are still making progress on. Diapers not so much.

11. Complete C25K and the Walk With Leslie program
-I didn't do any of this this week :-(

12. Read through the bible
-I have finished Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and I'm done the first 18 chapters of Joshua.

Goals for 2012

The title of this post sums it up. I have some big plans for 2012 and some little steps along the way for things to do to help me along my way. I want to keep myself accountable and so that means starting with a list. And what better day to do that on than this first day of the week, month and year?

OK my 2012 list:

1. Make a budget every month
-we are firmly planted on the Dave Ramsey bandwagon and this is a major part of that

2. Attend 13 weeks of FPU classes
-another part of our Ramsey plan

3. Get a job
-as soon as we have James' physio figured out this will become a huge priority

4. Read 100 books
-I actually started this on Christmas Day and have finished two so far

5. Go on at least two dates per month with James
-living in Niagara Falls means we can trade date nights with El and Ry which means no babysitting costs

6. Organize each room in my house
-would like to get at least one fully done per month

7. Complete The Love Dare
-I just got this book and I am excited to read through it and do the exercises

8. Get rid of all remaining TAPS inventory
-I am ready to have the space back

9. Send out cards and letters on a regular basis
-I got behind on this when James was in the hospital and I want to get back on it

10. Get all three boys sleeping in their own beds and the two little ones out of diapers
-this might well be the hardest one on here LOL

11. Complete C25K and the Walk With Leslie program
-I want to get in shape again

12. Read through the bible
-I'm hoping this will take me less than a full year and I plan on carving out time to tackle as big a section as I can during these cold months that keep us inside so much.

I can't wait for this year to unfold!

A