Charting Our Course: A Reflective Look at 2012 Goals and Ambitious Plans for 2013

One of the most rewarding aspects of engaging with the vibrant blogging community is the inherent drive for continuous self-improvement and progress. Whether it’s discovering ingenious DIY solutions, cultivating a deeper reading habit, or embarking on the journey to financial freedom, blogs have consistently served as a wellspring of inspiration, education, and motivation for me. They’ve provided the tools and encouragement needed to build a more fulfilling life for my family. This very spirit of growth and aspiration forms a core part of my mission here at An Oregon Cottage (AOC), where setting clear, actionable goals and diligently working towards their fulfillment is an integral part of our shared journey.

Witnessing the progress and achievements of others in their personal and professional pursuits not only galvanizes my own efforts (prompting those “oh! I need to be working on that, too…” moments) but also frequently sparks fresh ideas and new perspectives. It’s truly a powerful reciprocal relationship within this community.

It is from this vantage point of shared inspiration and accountability that I am excited to present a comprehensive recap of our accomplishments and learnings from the past year. Following this reflection, I will outline the ambitious goals we’ve set for the upcoming year, acknowledging that it’s perfectly acceptable for some of them to be carry-overs from 2012—goals that, for various reasons, didn’t quite cross the finish line but remain vital to our vision. Additionally, I’ll reveal the guiding word I’ve chosen to help steer my intentions and actions throughout the new year. (Curious about this tradition? You can learn more about my “word of the year” concept in last year’s post).

To ensure my goals remain achievable and don’t become overwhelming—a sure path to early surrender—I strategically categorize them into three core areas: Home, Financial, and Business/Blog. Within each category, I limit myself to selecting just 3-4 primary objectives to focus on. This manageable approach helps maintain clarity and momentum. First, we’ll revisit our performance against last year’s aspirations, offering candid insights into what worked and what didn’t. Then, I’ll lay out our exciting plans and aspirations for 2013.

Reflecting on 2012: Our Progress and Lessons Learned

The year 2012 was a period of significant undertakings and valuable learning experiences. Here’s a detailed look at how we fared against our defined objectives:

Home Goals: Cultivating Our Sanctuary

1. Finish the laundry/mud room: This goal proved to be a persistent challenge. While the initial vision for a fully functional, aesthetically pleasing space was clear, progress was slower than anticipated. We did manage to make a tangible start, gratefully, by installing some much-needed shelving. This small victory, however, highlighted the larger scope of work remaining, which includes painting, curtain sewing, and addressing the flooring. Consequently, this project confidently makes its way onto the 2013 list, reaffirming our commitment to completing this essential space.
2. Chicken coop: Building the chicken coop has been a journey filled with both excitement and practical challenges. We’ve made substantial headway, transforming a mere idea into a tangible structure. The framework is solid, and we’re envisioning the day when we finally welcome our feathery residents. This project has certainly garnered significant attention, with friends and family frequently inquiring about our progress and whether we’ve acquired chickens yet! While not entirely finished, the bulk of the construction is behind us, and we’re eager to put the final touches on it to bring our homesteading dreams to life.
3. Updating the kitchen: This was a monumental undertaking, and I am absolutely thrilled to report that we not only completed it but exceeded our own expectations! The transformation from an outdated 80s ranch kitchen into a fresh, inviting farmhouse-style space was nothing short of miraculous. Despite encountering a few bumps and unexpected hurdles along the way, our DIY kitchen remodel turned out wonderfully. Every effort invested was worth it, and we now cherish this beautiful, functional heart of our home. #kitchenlove indeed! This achievement stands as a testament to perseverance and careful planning.
4. ELIMINATE (My word for 2012): The intention behind “Eliminate” was to declutter and simplify our lives, making space for things we truly loved and valued. We made significant strides in this area, particularly with a successful garage sale that cleared out a substantial amount of unused items. However, I must admit that I didn’t eliminate nearly as much as I had initially envisioned. There are still some larger, less-loved items that I haven’t yet found suitable replacements for, items that don’t bring joy but serve a functional purpose. This ongoing process of thoughtful decluttering and conscious consumption is a continuous journey, demonstrating that “eliminate” is more of a lifestyle shift than a one-time project.

Financial Goals: Building Security and Pursuing Dreams

Our financial aspirations for 2012 were focused on a blend of responsible stewardship and joyful experiences:

1. Give generously. This is a goal that deeply resonates with our values, and I am profoundly grateful that we were able to continue our commitment to giving generously throughout the past year. While it’s not a quantifiable item to “check off” a list, as it’s an ongoing practice and a core principle for us, I wanted to acknowledge its successful continuation. In a year where not all goals were fully met, maintaining our commitment to giving brought immense satisfaction and perspective.
2. Six-month emergency fund: Ah, the emergency fund. This goal, as many can attest, is notoriously difficult to achieve. Despite our best intentions and diligent efforts, we still have a significant way to go in building up a full six months’ worth of living expenses. Life inevitably throws unexpected curveballs, and prioritizing this fund requires unwavering discipline and foresight. We recognize its critical importance for financial stability and will continue to make steady progress towards it.
3. Pay cash for our spring break family vacation to Arizona: This was a delightful success! We meticulously saved and planned, ensuring that our entire spring break family vacation to Arizona was paid for entirely in cash. We had an absolutely wonderful time, creating cherished memories without the burden of post-vacation debt. This achievement truly underscored the power of setting a clear financial goal and working systematically towards it.

Blog Goals: Expanding Our Reach and Enhancing Our Platform

For the blog, 2012 was a year of significant technical and creative advancements, aiming to improve user experience and expand content offerings:

1. Move from Blogger to WordPress: This was a monumental undertaking and a huge success! The migration from Blogger to WordPress was completed smoothly, opening up a world of new possibilities for An Oregon Cottage. A special shout-out goes to the incredibly talented team at Honeycomb Design Studio, whose expertise not only facilitated the transfer but also gifted us with a beautiful, functional new design that perfectly captures the essence of AOC. This move was foundational for future growth.
2. Indexes and better navigation: With the new WordPress design firmly in place, navigating the blog has become immeasurably easier and more intuitive for our readers. The streamlined layout, coupled with the introduction of a new Project Gallery, makes finding specific content a breeze. Furthermore, I’m incredibly excited to be unveiling another comprehensive index in the coming days, which will further enhance discoverability and user experience.
3. Publish ebooks: This goal was creatively fulfilled through the release of our seasonal menu ebooks. We successfully launched free Summer and Autumn Menus ebooks, providing valuable, curated recipe collections to our readers. The Winter Menus ebook is also nearing completion and will be released very soon, completing this seasonal series. These ebooks have been a fantastic way to offer structured, thematic content and were well-received by our community.
4. Improve my photos for the blog: I’m genuinely proud of the strides made in this area over the past year. I feel that my photography skills, composition, and staging for the blog have improved significantly. While there’s always more room to grow and learn (photography is an endless journey!), I confidently mark this goal as achieved. The enhanced visual quality has undoubtedly made the blog more appealing and professional.

Ambitious Horizons: Our Goals for 2013

With the insights gained from 2012, we’re approaching 2013 with renewed vigor and a clear vision. Here’s what’s on our agenda:

Home Goals: Completing Projects and Enhancing Comfort

Our focus for the home this year is largely on bringing lingering projects to completion and enhancing key living spaces:

1. Finish the laundry room. This essential space is finally getting the attention it deserves! “Finishing” means meticulously painting all the moldings and cabinets to refresh their look, touching up the beadboard to ensure a pristine finish, sewing custom new curtains for the laundry counter to add both function and charm, and, crucially, figuring out a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for the dog-scratched floor. Our aim is to transform it into a fully functional, beautiful, and resilient mudroom and laundry area that serves our family’s needs efficiently.
2. Finish the chicken coop – and get chickens. The dream of fresh eggs is almost a reality! We are determined to complete the chicken coop this year. The remaining tasks include finding and installing two used windows (that actually open!) for proper ventilation, installing a secure door to the outdoor run, constructing proper nest boxes for comfortable laying, and building a 2×4 and wire wall to effectively separate the chicken area from our storage space within the coop. Finally, we’ll paint the exterior to protect it from the elements and ensure it’s critter-proof. Once these steps are done, it’s time to welcome our new feathered family members!
3. Continue to eliminate. Although “Eliminate” was my word for 2012, the philosophy behind it remains incredibly relevant. I have a couple of specific, larger items around the house that I truly want to replace with pieces I genuinely love and that better suit our style and needs. Beyond that, there are always more things to declutter and simplify, ensuring our home remains a place of peace and purpose. You might wonder if it’s “allowed” to carry over a word’s objective when it’s not the new word of the year, but for us, it’s about embedding a lasting lifestyle change.
4. Replace the crumbling (decorative) front fence. This is the only entirely new item on our home improvement list for the year, and thankfully, it’s a relatively small one. The current decorative front fence has seen better days and is visibly crumbling, detracting from our home’s curb appeal. We hope this will be a straightforward project that we can easily check off, making a noticeable improvement to the exterior aesthetic and welcoming visitors with a fresh, updated look by this time next year.

Financial Goals: Strategic Savings and Milestone Celebrations

Our financial objectives for 2013 are quite ambitious, balancing long-term security with once-in-a-lifetime experiences:

1. Six-month emergency fund. This goal remains a top priority and a consistent challenge. I’m convinced we struggle with achieving this because we don’t consistently make it an absolute, non-negotiable priority. But honestly, how *can* we, when exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like the one below arise? Nevertheless, the commitment to building this crucial financial buffer for unexpected circumstances remains strong, and we are redoubling our efforts.
2. Pay cash for a trip to Greece. Yes, you read that right—Greece! We have some incredibly dear missionary friends who have been serving there for years, and 2013 marks their final year in the country. It truly feels like a “now or never” moment for our long-dreamed-of trip to visit them. So, we are absolutely going! Our strategy involves meticulously saving cash, primarily through various gifts and taking on odd jobs, to ensure this trip is entirely debt-free. Brian and I are the only two traveling, which certainly makes the budgeting a bit easier. We’re fondly calling it our 25th-anniversary trip, as we’ll be celebrating that significant milestone in September. Wait, isn’t that usually for old people?
3. Replace our 250,000-mileage Jeep with a newer vehicle that can still tow our vintage trailer – with cash, of course. Our trusty old Jeep has served us incredibly well, logging a quarter of a million miles! We’ve actually been prudently putting a little bit of money into a dedicated fund for a couple of years now, and we feel incredibly blessed that the old Jeep has continued to run so faithfully, allowing this fund to grow substantially. The goal is to purchase a newer, reliable vehicle that meets our needs, especially its towing capacity for our beloved vintage trailer, all paid for in cash. This is a significant investment, but one we’re prepared for.
4. Continue to give generously. This commitment remains a fundamental part of our financial philosophy and, perhaps, goes without saying. It’s a practice that enriches our lives and the lives of others, and we intend to uphold it wholeheartedly.

Business & Blog Goals: Growth, Organization, and Balance

On the professional front, 2013 is about expanding the blog’s potential, streamlining operations, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance:

1. Expand online income to replace teaching income. The blog currently brings in a modest but appreciated stream of income (a heartfelt thank you to all you sweet readers for your visits, reads, and occasional clicks!). However, I need to significantly ramp up this income to fill the void left when my teaching job was cut last June. I’m actively exploring a couple of promising avenues to achieve this, including delving into virtual assistant (VA) work and developing and selling new ebooks. You can undoubtedly expect to hear more about my progress and insights on these ventures throughout the year as I navigate this new chapter.
2. Complete the updating of posts needed from blog transfer. The monumental blog transfer to WordPress, while hugely beneficial, came with a significant backlog: every single post required meticulous updating to integrate seamlessly with the new layout and functionalities. I don’t believe I’m even halfway through this extensive task. It’s a slow, painstaking process, but it’s entirely doable in manageable chunks. My commitment is to keep chipping away at this throughout the year, ensuring that all archived content is optimized and beautiful for our readers.
3. Make a new system to track income for taxes. As the blog’s income streams diversify and grow, the need for a robust and reliable system to track all financial transactions for tax purposes has become paramount. I’ve already taken the crucial first step by setting up a basic spreadsheet, which I anticipate will be immensely helpful. Now, the real challenge, and the next step, is to consistently use it and maintain accurate records throughout the year.
4. Balance online work with real life. This is a goal that deeply resonates with many in the online space. Last fall, my work-life balance got way out of whack, leading to burnout and a sense of overwhelm. I now recognize the critical importance of creating a realistic daily schedule for my online work and, more importantly, sticking to it. This means setting clear boundaries and limiting the time I spend in front of the screen each day. I take comfort in knowing, however, that I’m certainly not alone in this ongoing struggle for balance, am I? We can navigate this together!

And my new word for 2013 is….

CHANGE

This powerful word encapsulates my intentions for the year. More on how this word unfolds and shapes my actions as the year progresses, but let’s just say I am embracing it with a positive and proactive mindset. It’s about adapting, growing, and transforming. Have any goals you’re making for the new year? If you’ve written a post on your own aspirations and plans, please feel free to leave a link in the comments below! I absolutely love to read (and be inspired by!) the goals and journeys of others in our incredible community.