New Year's Resolutions: mid-year update

Here we are, June 30th, halfway through 2014. Cliches become cliches for a reason: the older you get, the faster it goes.

Have I made 2014 count for as much I wanted it to, so far? I think so - we've had family fun, personal adventures, set backs and triumphs. But what about the list of goals and resolutions I laid out for myself at the beginning of the year? How am I doing on that?

The unvarnished truth: I'm doing... meh. Okay. Not perfect by any means, but not too bad, either. Here's my mid-year-in-review:

1.  Write one snail mail letter, card or postcard per week. Success! That's right - every week, I've managed to get a real, live, handwritten item in the mail to a friend or loved one. There have been a few random letters or notes sent out there, but nobody said they had to be manuscripts of the highest order. And it's been fun, too - I've remembered a few extra birthdays, reached out to friends who I thought might like a little cheer in the mailbox, and reconnected with friends I've missed keeping up with. Twenty six weeks down, and this is one I look forward to keeping all year long.
2. Achieve a higher Marathon Maniac level. And so begins the tale of woe... the biggest setback of 2014 was yet another broken bone, brought on most likely by a combination of too many miles and new shoes that didn't give my feet the support they needed. I was on track to move up from a Bronze Maniac to the Gold level, but just a few days after completing the Hogeye Marathon, I got that twingy (read: searing) feeling in my foot that indicated something wasn't right. Eight weeks later I'm still on the road to recovery, but at least I'm back to running. I won't manage this resolution this year and, frankly, this may never appear on the list again. I think a modification to "run injury free" is appropriate for the rest of 2014, and I'll reevaluate come January 1st, 2015.
3. Be on time to meetings and events. Better, but definitely not perfect. With a new job in a new office and in a new culture, I recommitted to this as of April 28th, but easier said than done. I can at least point to a few meetings where I've actually been early. And by early I mean, there a minute or two before the scheduled time. Baby steps on this one.
4. Treat myself to a manicure/pedicure/massage once a month.  I was doing so well until THIS MONTH! Maybe I'll go for two in July to make up the miss. My resolutions, my rules.
5. Make a list of scrapbooking projects and FINISH THEM. Forget finishing projects; I haven't even made the list. I do have a couple of adorable sewing projects to point to, though. Recommitting to this for July through December. First one on my list: getting my race album up to date. Second: Disney trip from 2012. There! List begun - positive progress.
6. No eating straight from the chip bag. I was doing so well with this, but fell off the wagon sometime in late March or early April. Actually, now that I think about it, the slip-up was concurrent with the broken foot. Doh! True confessions: I ate straight from the chip bag this evening as part of my dinner. I knew this one would be hard. But here we go - back on the wagon! Giddyup!
7. Stop using air quotes. Unqualified success!! I don't think I've used them one time this year - ok, maybe once, but I caught myself immediately and stopped. I did resort to the hashtag thing, but that was short-lived. Now if I can just break my not-yet-nine-year-old daughter from the air quote habit, this will be a major accomplishment in 2014.
8. Do pushups and sit-ups before every run. What is it with me and my weak-willed inability to do anything that remotely resembles weight-bearing exercise? I'm a cardio junkie and I need a 12 step program. Cutting bait on this one - know thyself, know thy limits. I can at least take credit for my running twin picking up this excellent habit. Shauna, you're welcome.
9. Mark at least one thing off of my life list. Now THIS one - I am so on track, I'm a steam engine!! More to come, but our upcoming summer vacation was in large part inspired by this resolution and some of the items on that list.
10. I need to try once again to stop messing with my phone while I'm in the driver's seat. Would someone please tell me why this one is so hard? There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that is so important that it can't wait. Recommitting to this one, too. If anyone has any tips or recommendations on how to get better at this, let me know!!

So there you have it - halfway through 2014, and about 50% success on my resolutions so far. I'm a big believer in things happening when you write them down and when you revisit them. If you made your own resolutions and set your own goals this year, tell me about them! Misery loves company; success begets success; and I'll be your cheerleader as we cram every bit of living we can manage into the second half of the year we've been blessed with so far.