1. Read more and write more

I plan to read two books a month, which I have achieved this month, as for write more I’m blogging regularly and am going to start spending more time writing on other projects….

2. Travel more….

I have managed to get out to three places this month one new and two infrequently visited places (Cwmcarn and The pumping Station)

3.  Take more photographs

I am making a conscious effort to take a camera out with me to as many places as possible… one of my fave photos this month…

4. Knit for ME!!

This month whilst I have knitted for others I have also completed some projects for me and my home and made some serious progress on the Blue blanket!!

5. Complete at least 6 things on my Bucket list

This month one thing is ticked off as I have adopted an elephant!! Emily Kate an African Elephant via Born Free

6. Be in Vibrant health!!!

I’m moving towards my 5 day well and seem to get there most days… I’ve taken on board the 23.5hours principle and am using the Wii (Biggest Loser game?zumba game) to do some workouts and some zumba for at least half an hour day.  I have also been on some long hikes/walks with the dog and started doing my yoga DVDs again. I have been using My Net Diary app to log my calories in and out.  I have also lost a total of 5.6 lbs so far since 1st Jan!!! Hurrah!!! (weigh in was Friday 27th)  February is the month I restart Running using the Ease into 5K app and I’m quite excited about this!!  So far I’m feeling good!! though I do wish the weight would come off quicker!!

7. Continue to grow more, process more and give more…..

I need to rack some blackberry wine now and I’m thinking of making some peach wine and I have managed a small garden harvest even in the winter!!!

8. Build an emergency fund (this is getting there) and clear the last of the debts

Hurrah ding dong the credit card is gone!!!! and thanks to an inheritance I have savings!!!!! so now to divert the credit card monthly payments into a savings account and work towards killing off the car payments, but I intend to do this by saving until I have  enough to pay it off so an emergency fund is always in place now!!! phew!!!

9. Do one thing for a charity each month

I’ve adopted an Elephant!!!!

10. Gain a work/life balance ….

I have enjoyed January No Markets month and exercising has made sure that I am leaving work on time more regularly…. but the extraneous activity still needs to be reduced!!!

So all in all pleased with January!!!

This month I have read:

The Temple Mount Code: Charles Brokaw

From the cover:

” Indiana Jones meets The Da Vinci Code. Look out, Dan Brown (Booklist )

A rollicking adventure, with nonstop action and suspense (Publishers Weekly ) “

I read this book quickly and it was adventure packed from start to finish. The plot zipped along nicely!! A good bit of conspiracy theory too.  I agree with the first cover comment and wonder if and when a film will come out of this book!!

Secondly I read….

Snuff by Terry Pratchett

From the cover:

‘To keep it fresh into the 39th volume of a series deserves a knighthood…Snuff is entertaining, with all Pratchett’s genius on display. He still makes you care about his creations and, amid all the funnies, he can turn on the pathos.’
–Sunday Express

`Is there any sign of a falling-off in Sir Terry’s extraordinary abilities? No. Not one. This is another brilliant, bravura command performance of comic fantasy. Terry Pratchett with Alzheimer’s is still up there with PG Wodehouse. Amazing. Wonderful. Fantastic.’
–Harry Ritchie, Daily Mail
‘The Discworld novels have always been among the most serious of comedies, the most relevant and real of fantasies…Pratchett has been rightly praised for comic invention and whimsy; he does not always get enough credit for the psychological comedy of embarrassment which makes us blush with self-recognition…at once hilariously cynical and idealistically practical.’
–Independent”

I LOVE all things Pratchett!!!!

This book was no exception!  Great story of Commander Vimes in the country!! Funny and also a more thoughtful note to his books these days!!

Now on to start February books a couple of days early!!!

This time a cardie for a teeny baby girl, named Ava!

For anyone who wants the knitting details I’ve Rav’d it here!!

But squee!!!!

Another badge!!!

This time in the States!! As part of a gift package sent to the Podcasters!!!

Hooray!!! And fab Podcast too am definately bookmakring that in my google reader!!!

Its LUSH!!!!  I love it (well apart from the nagging thought that the ribbing needs to be longer)

I have Rav’d it here

So here goes….

The shelf is up (AND DEAD LEVEL!!)

The scarf hanger is up by the front door and hopefully now means I will remember to wear a few of them!! (and the pictures are moved around that needed to be to allow me to put the scarf hanger up)

The Tree I bought at the Pumping Station is up….

And it goes wonderfully with the  Elephants I have collected more recently and the little clock I picked up in Ikea….

And finally….. the picture I also bought at the Pumping Station is up on the landing….

Here are a few of the nice bits and bobs I found….

I bought some bits too….. but thats a whole other posting!!

Now bear in mind it was a grow sack thing of potatoes…… disappointing!!! but yay for the parsnips!!! and Yum!!