New Year's Resolutions - 1/4 year check-in

Since the year is now officially one quarter of the way through I thought I would check back in with my resolutions and see how I've been doing. I wanted to give anyone reading an update, and more importantly see what I have and haven't been sticking to doing (or not doing!). Here's my progress thus far:

• Turn off the lights when not in use.
  Sometimes I remember to do it for a few days, but then I forget again. J is constantly turning lights off after me.
• Work on my handwriting, script and calligraphy specifically.
  I now have a pen pal (yippee!) so I'll be writing letters more often. 
• Shop at farmer's markets more.
  The market a few blocks away starts in April, at which point I'll be going every week.
• Learn how to use my old Leica camera correctly.
• Finish the quilt I started last year for my good friends' wedding before their 1 year anniversary.
• Finish all the books in my 'to read' pile.
  I am currently reading one of them.
• Walk Bella every morning.
  We were really good and did this all January, now she gets more walks in the evening, but not nearly enough.
• Be more patient.
  I think I've been generally a little more patient, but definitely not while driving. 
• Plant a successful garden.
  I have four flats of starter seedlings and will be transplanting them soon.
• Buy less in general, buy less items that are manufactured in other countries.
  I have been checking manufacturing labels more often, but when I really like something I tend to ignore where it was made and whether or not I really need it.
• Make a few skirts and at least one dress before spring time.
  I made one skirt and have fabric for a dress.
• Cut down on my overall sugar intake.
• Think about starting a ladies activity group where each meeting is hosted by someone who teaches a new skill/craft.
• Get a physical checkup.
• Balance my checkbook.
• Take a multivitamin and calicium every day.
  I remember about 3-4 days of the week.
• Take part in a craft fair as a vendor.
• Stay in better touch with friends and send surprise packages or letters.
  I've sent out a few cards and surprises that weren't tied to birthdays. 
• Make a few new friends.
• Learn how to screen print.
• Save up for and purchase a new computer.
• Add a new item to Etsy every two weeks.
  So far so good!
• Blog at least once a week.
• Do more silly creative things that make me happy.
  I have definitely been doing this and it feels great!
• Travel more.
  J and I are planning a trip to Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland for 2011.
• Be brave.
  I've had a couple moments of braveness. Or maybe just un-afraidness. 

I have felt like I've been working through a lot of them, but now that I've taken a closer look at the list it seems I have a lot more to accomplish. I am really pretty surprised that I was only able to cross one item off of the list, and the fact that it directly contradicts another one of my resolutions is totally disheartening! I also have a few more resolutions on my more personal list that I have yet to tackle and feel even more of an urgency to finish, so this has been a good exercise to keep myself motivated and moving towards accomplishing these goals.

But all in all, I have to say that I am content with where I am at this point in my life and if I don't meet all of my expectations by the end of the year, I guess I'm not going to beat myself up over it. Because really, I'm happy, healthy and enjoying my life just the way it is.