New Year’s Eve/Day is my favorite holiday. I like the fact that it comes after the somewhat stress-inducing Christmas holidays. For me, it’s usually spent with friends. The air is crisp, ballgames are a-plenty, and it’s a time for introspection, reflection, celebration, and resolution.

Part of me was thinking one of my resolutions would be to blog something every day, but even I know that it’s not very likely that that will happen.

I found a neat site earlier this year called “MindTools.com” and on it, it listed some questions that helped me focus my thinking on my goals. I also read another article yesterday about how to make sure you set goals that are not overwhelming, making sure you frame your goals positively, etc.

So with those things in mind, I’m actually making my goals public. Here they are for the world to see. If I don’t mention a specific time frame, it just means that I want to accomplish the goal by the end of the year.

Artistic:
Do you want to achieve any artistic goals? If so, what?
- I want to either take a pottery class, or create at least one sculpey figurine.
- I will take at least one “good” photo a week.

Attitude:
Is any part of your mindset holding you back? Is there any part of the way that you behave that upsets you? If so, set a goal to improve your behavior or find a solution to the problem.
I have to stop procrastinating when I have things I NEED to do, but don’t want to do.

Career:
What level do you want to reach in your career?
I don’t really have anywhere I can advance where I’m currently employed, and I don’t want to leave either, so I guess I will just keep doing the best job I can where I am.

Education:
Is there any knowledge you want to acquire in particular? What information and skills will you need to achieve other goals?
I want to get a masters in marketing, but I don’t know if I can afford to start this year. After I take a look at my finances later this year, I might be able to take at least one class.

Financial:
How much do you want to earn by what stage?
Regular job: I need to save as much as possible. My new budget will help me in that regard. I will increase my contribution to money market by $100 per month by the end of the first quarter.

Freelance: I am going to update my Web site and actively seek new work. I will have updated my site by the end of January, and I will have a marketing plan in place by the end of February. Would like to make at least $7,500 a year on freelance.

Physical:

Are there any athletic goals you want to achieve, or do you want good health deep into old age? What steps are you going to take to achieve this?
- I will lose two pounds by the end of January.
- I will eat less fast food… no more than three total meals a week.
- I will drink at least one cup of water a day for one month, increasing as I get used to it. As I increase water consumption, I will decrease other sugar drinks.
- I will do at least thirty minutes of something physical at least twice a week for the first quarter of the year.

Pleasure:
How do you want to enjoy yourself? – You should ensure that some of your life is for you!
By the end of the year:

• Coke Museum
• Fernbank Museum
• Atlanta Zoo
• CNN Center
• Stone Mountain
• Go to the lake as much as possible
• Take one real vacation

Public Service:
Do you want to make the world a better place? If so, how?
I will volunteer to recycle aluminum cans at work.

I think these things are doable and good for me. How about you? What are your goals for the new year?

Now Jane and Sandee do not despise grocery shopping nearly as much as I do (It’s only one step above ironing pleated pants, as far as I’m concerned), so they were eager to go to the store to see how it compared to stores like Kroger and Publix. I, on the other hand, had heard from co-workers that it really was cheaper than more mainstream stores, and since I’m on a very tight budget, I was willing to check it out.

So the three of us drove over to the one nearest my house (about 1.5 miles away…not too bad). We went in without a cart, because we were not intending to buy anything. What we didn’t know was that you have to deposit $.25 to unlock a cart from the chain, then return the cart to the chain to get the money back. This “bring it back to get your money back” method keeps carts from littering the parking lot, as well as needing to hire people to gather them up. (Good idea #1)

First impression of the store itself… it’s small. Not a whole lot bigger than the small Piggly Wiggly I used to be dragged to once a week with my mom, growing up in Tallassee. (Side note: I used to be scared to walk by the area with “Red Devil Lye.” It had a picture of a red devil head on it that scared the bejeesus out of me as a little kid.)

From what I read, the store stocks about 1,400 different items, as opposed to the more than 40,000 items the bigger stores stock. So if you’re looking for exotic ethnic foods, or if you need 10 different varieties of grapes, you’re not gonna find it here. They offer the basic staples, and that savings on spaces allows for a much smaller building translating into lower overhead. (Good idea #2)

The trip down the first aisle (plenty wide and very clean) was not that impressive, as it was mostly junk food, which all of us are trying to avoid in an effort to be healthy. So we didn’t really pay attention to the prices. However, I did notice that the items were stocked in their boxes, not on shelves, so there’s no need to pay someone for stocking shelves. (Good idea #3). The prices were clearly marked above each item… helpful to someone like me who has trouble reading small type.

Sandee’s first spotting of a good bargain was a bottle of EVOO. It was approx. 50% less than what she would have paid elsewhere. Now granted, most of the products in the store are not nationally recognized brands, but most are the ALDI brand, which has the “Double Guarantee.” If you don’t like their product, you can take it back and get a replacement AND a refund. (Good idea #4) From everything I’ve read, their items are made by well-known makers like Campbells and Kraft, they just sell it under a different brand name. More on the items I got later.

We were most impressed with the cost of the milk…$1.79. What bothered me was that they didn’t sell half-gallons. But I went ahead and got the gallon. I need to drink more anyway, and hopefully, trying not to waste the gallon will help with that.

They had a large choice of meat that was really decently priced and  “looked” good. The cuts were generous portions and appeared to be fresh. They also had a large choice of processed meats as well. None of us purchased any meats, but I will go back and do that.

I bought one can of chili, because I’m picky about my chili, so if it’s good, I’m excited, because while I know it was a good price, I can’t remember the price. I bought a four-pack of toilet paper (not as soft as Angel Soft, but not too bad either) for $1.00. Jane got a loaf of honey wheat bread for $1.29, and we all tried it when we got home. It was just fine, compared to Nature’s Own, my favorite.

We didn’t really loiter and look at every item, but I did notice the selection of fruits and vegetables was minimal. What was there looked fresh, but there just wasn’t that much of it. They also have select items on sale every week that are not there all the time, mostly non-food items.

Anyway, we got up to the checkout, and found out they don’t take checks nor credit cards (which none of us were planning to use anyway), but only cash and debit cards. That way, they do not have to recoup the cost of using credit systems nor chasing bad checks (Good idea #5).

None of us noticed that they sell their grocery bags at a minimal price, but we didn’t have enough to need bags anyway. This keeps them from having to cover the cost of bags, and also encourages people to bring their own bags (Good idea #6… and “green” too). No baggers either… no cost for laborers.

Anyway, I’m totally sold on it as long as the items I get there are decent. I am a “brand name” person on a few things… QTips being one of them… so if they products are anywhere close to brand names, the cost difference will soooo be worth it.

If there’s an ALDI near you, give it a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. (Good idea #7)

“Balloon Boy” was such a temptation to just flail all over those crazy parents. The economy is another. I’ve put myself on a strict budget now, so I’m sure that the daily logging of spending will keep it in the fore of my thoughts and is sure to spill into the blog. Then, of course, there have been all sorts of goings on that show up in the news… murder, mayhem, odd, bizarre, funny videos, and heartwarming stories as well.

Of course, the college football season has been interesting… not too bad for the Auburn Tigers, considering they have a new coach, but certainly, they have played with an inconsistency that is hard on a fan’s heart.

I guess what’s surprising me most right now is that it really doesn’t seem that long since I last posted. My life is good and satisfying, but sometimes, it feels like it’s slipping right through my fingers. I find myself wishing I was more “aware” of the special times in my life, and valuing them for the treasures they are. And by special times, I don’t even mean things like vacation, but just little things like times with friends, laughing at crazy things… enjoying the devotion of my aging pets… a relaxing weekend, etc.

It won’t be long before I enter the last year of my 40s. I’m going to use this year to get physically healthier so that I’ll enter my 50s with a real good chance to (at least physically) do the things on my “Bucket List.”

Now, to figure out what to put on the Bucket List!

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.
~Louis Hector Berlioz