It’s that time of year where we analyze the current year ending, and create new goals for the next year.
I’ve never been big on making resolutions but the start of a new year does give us all a good opportunity to introduce new goals. Of course, as caregivers there are many things beyond our control, so those fall into the hoping and wishing category.
2014 has not been a bad year for me. I finally was able to reestablish full-time employment and I’m very happy with my job. The ability to work remotely from wherever I want is a huge burden off of me, in case I do need to leave my home city for an extended period to take care of Mom again.
I had a story published in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias.” That was an exciting accomplishment.
I was able to begin chipping away the debt I accrued while taking care of Mom. While I haven’t reduced my debt to nearly the point I want to, I know it can’t happen overnight, and am thankful that my job allows me to pay off significant chunks each month. Slowly but surely on this goal is the only way I will succeed. (Or winning the lottery, haha.)
Mom’s health has been a bit of a roller coaster ride this year, especially the last half of the year. Today she is supposed to finally meet with the surgeon, but there is a snowstorm in her area and I don’t know if she will make the appointment. The delays in securing a diagnosis is frustrating. I can only hope that we figure out what is wrong and get her the treatment she needs soon. I’ve helped stabilize her financial situation by picking up most of her bills to pay myself, but I hope she can continue to live independently so we can avoid another financial crisis.
I’m taking a writing class in January, a weekend workshop kind of thing. I’m finally starting to pull together a plan for a book idea. We’ll see what comes of it, but it is definitely a goal of mine this year to continue writing, and that includes blogging!
Thanks to all of you who read my posts and take the time to comment, it is greatly appreciated. I hope 2015 is good to you and your family.
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The Memories Project 
Joy, I can understand needing to be there for you mom. My mom is all alone and 1,200 miles away from me. She has COPD that is getting worse. My goals this year are to lose weight, and to try to find a way to move closer to home (nearer to mom). I’ve already talked my husband into looking for jobs in any states that bring us farther north.
Congratulations on the Chicken Soup story. How fantastic! I’ve submitted stories there before and never got recognized. What type of novel are you working on? Is it fiction or nonfiction?
Glad to hear you’re working and able to do it remotely. That’s great. May your blessings continue to multiply.
You are wise to plan ahead with your mom, I wish I had done some steps sooner but live and learn.
I hope to write a memoir/self-help book about caregiving, but for those reluctant to do so, and especially the younger generations. The book will have a humorous, edgy tone. I’ve been writing essays, poems etc. but I think this year I really need to buckle down and write that book!
Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂