2015 not-resolutions: don

And the slacker of the group, my lovely husband!

From 2014:

  1. Make more beer – including a lager
    = Achieved! (But I won’t be making a lager again anytime soon. The payoff’s not worth the effort.

  2. Make sausages
    = Fail (didn’t really cure much meat even after buying a fridge for a “curing chamber”. Makes an awesome place to ferment beer in hot weather though so no harm)

  3. Get handicap under 18 at home course
    = yes, but only temporarily. its back up to 20

  4. Make play-offs in fantasy football and fantasy baseball
    = 50% acheived (made football playoffs but not baseball)

  5. Go camping at least once
    = miserable fail

2015 – we have six (always the over-achiever!):

  1. Go camping at least once (carryover from 2014)
  2. Get handicap back to 18 or under and keep it there for a significant time (at least 6 months)
  3. Start running again and do it twice a week (diet’s worked wonders, but need some exercise for the health)
  4. complete the implementation of the workplace wiki
  5. get some of the financials sorted. as in long to mid term goals goals set, and wheels in motion to reach them (including investments, etc).
  6. make decision on US citizenship (keep it or chuck it?)

carolbaby note: well, that last one is a bit unexpected!

2015 not-resolutions: bessie

And it’s Bessie! Interestingly, both she and Joan were quite a bit keener on the not-resolution project this year than they had been previously.

Results of 2014 not-resolutions:

  1. Get a (part-time) job
    – I don’t think having 2 jobs for a week counts

  2. Enjoy my course
    – yes I am very much enjoying my course

  3. Go to festivals and see bands
    – pretty sure I saw 1 band this year, so no

  4. Finish my quilt (flanelette, girly patchwork) and continuing making things and being crafty
    – yeah … No

  5. Travel
    – went to Melbourne twice, don’t know if that counts

And for 2015:

  1. Find a form of exercise that I enjoy and do it regularly
  2. Have a credit + average on all my courses
  3. Have a job or internship for more than a week
  4. Be creative and make things that aren’t for uni
  5. Stay social, go out with a variety of people

carolbaby note: I like to think that the recurring desire for fitness theme is because of my excellent example – but I’m aware that this is a little delusional!

2015 not-resolutions: joe/frank

Next up, Joe/Frank:

To review 2014:

  1. A firmer idea of what I want to do with regards to working
    – yes!

  2. Become fitter. Start exercising more.
    – Sort of. Did exercise a fair bit with Transition To Work but it didn’t really pan out well in how fit I am

  3. Finish in top 8 of AFL and NRL fantasy leagues
    – yes to AFL. No to NRL, losing interest mid-season killed me.

  4. Get driver’s licence
    – yes! Though I haven’t actually done anything about it.

  5. Cook at least once a week and expand cooking repertoire
    – the amount I cooked was pretty close to once a week. Didn’t really expand my repertoire though.

Not-resolutions for 2015:

  1. Start actually learning to drive. Get on the track towards my P’s.
  2. More socialising. Don’t spend so much time in the house.
  3. Successfully complete TAFE, obtain paid employment or future university study.
  4. Expand my current interests by trying one ‘new’ thing a month or expanding current ones.
  5. Improve personal fitness.

carolbaby note: There are definitely some recurring themes developing across the family so far

2015 not-resolutions: joan

A couple of days into the new year and it is time for the family’s not-resolutions! As a reminder, as is traditional around these parts, I force the family to compile a list of 5 things they might like to think about maybe doing during the coming year. There is no pressure to Achieve these things (hence the not part) – it is purely and simply a list and a good indication in future times of where everyone’s head was at.

I’m posting these in order of receipt and with their own comments.

First up, Joan.

Outcome of the 2014 not-resolutions:

  1. Achieve savings goal
    – Yes.

  2. Determine future education and career goals
    – Definitely not achieved.

  3. Cook more in the home
    – Achieved to some extent, now need to focus on cooking healthier meals and expanding my repertoire.

  4. Continue travels
    – Very much achieved, I went to Mudgee, Cradle Mountain, Launceston, Hobart, Berry, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Jervis Bay, Taupo, Rotorua and Auckland.

  5. Learn foreign language
    – Nee, ik spreek geen Nederlands and nein, it spreche kein Deutsch. I suppose I have made a bit of progress with Dutch but I have a very, very long way to go.

And for 2015
Here you go, a mix of easily quantifiable and not so easily quantifiable not-resolutions. Bet you didn’t think I’d be the first to get this to you! (she’s right, I didn’t at all)

  1. Finally learn to drive and get my Ps.
  2. Lose 15 kg by the end of the year (or not continue to gain weight at the very least).
  3. Achieve new savings goals.
  4. Decide whether or not to leave my job and Sydney to do some extended travel and/or work overseas.
  5. Take myself out of my comfort zone and start exploring potential new hobbies, interests and activities.

the coleslaw of awesome

The excellent anyresemblance requested Don’s coleslaw recipe, so I’m attempting to channel a food blogger:

This is seriously the best coleslaw I have ever tasted. According to my resident American, this is in the American style. I have not counted how many times we ate this in 2014, but it was a ridiculous amount. No wonder we had to go on the 5:2 diet! I have no idea of the caloric value of this, but I suspect it is quite high.

The key here is using American mayo, Australian mayo is too sweet and will give inferior (and possibly disgusting) results. You could probably also have success with home-made mayo, but we have not tried this.

Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise (this must be best foods or hellmans)
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp cracked black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/8 tsp ground celery seed

Mix together. Adjust to taste. Let dressing sit in fridge for a couple of hours before mixing into salad/veg.

Salad/Veg
Prior to yesterday we had been using one of those packaged coleslaw salad mixes from Coles / Woolies (which weirdly occasionally contained corn or beetroot).

Since the duopoly ban I convinced a reluctant Don that we could easily to this ourselves. He is now a convert and will not go back to pre-packaged.

We used a quarter of a small green cabbage, an eighth of a small purple cabbage and a grated carrot.

You could add other stuff if you like, I’m planning to add spring onion/green onion/scallions/sybies next time – though will probably just have to add that to my serving as I have to compete with the purists.

Toss dressing and salad together.

Serve immediately.


Evidence that I need a new camera

This was more than enough for 4 with leftovers for the next day’s lunch.