It is the midpoint of the year, precisely six* months after we all resolved to better ourselves in some way in 2013. You did do that, right? I always like to spend some time on June 1 checking in on those New Year’s resolutions.  Several readers pledged similar goals to the ones I wrote about in my Don’t Judge post, so I thought I’d share my progress here:

1. In 2013 I will learn how to keep house.

I’m rocking this one.  I figured out a housekeeping schedule that works for our family, and after six months, it has become habit.  I don’t worry about unexpected guests, or feel like I need to go on a cleaning spree when we have friends over.  I clean on Wednesdays, now with the company of podcasts, and the house is generally tidy and comfortable.  It’s pretty awesome, I have to say.  I feel good about this resolution.

Monday: laundry (clothes)
Tuesday: menu plan/grocery list, ironing
Wednesday: laundry (linens), clean house top to bottom (bathrooms, counters, sweep, mop, vacuum, dust)
Thursday: laundry (clothes)
Friday: grocery shopping

2. In 2013, I will begin to build a grown-up wardrobe, with timeless, classic pieces.

I’ve still got a few gaps to fill – a spring jacket/cardigan/wrap, a brown belt, a new handbag – but I’ve got most of the basics down now.  With these foundation pieces, I can put together an outfit for almost any occasion, and I can build on them to expand and add fun:

pumps in black and nude
sandals (okay, flip flops) in black, brown, and nude
boots in black and brown
2 pairs jeans, 1 pair capris, 3 pairs shorts, 2 pairs trousers, 1 black pencil skirt
camisoles and tank tops in white and black
several tailored button down shirts
1 peplum blouse
several easy tees
2 casual maxi dresses, 1 summer surf dress
little black dress
2 accent belts
denim jacket, wool coat

3.  In 2013, I will read five biographies or memoirs.

Dang, I’ve done this one too!  Wow, what an annoying overachiever.

Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox and Martha Kaplan (Goodreads review here)

Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn by Donald Spoto (Goodreads review here)

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail by Cheryl Strayed (blog post here, Goodreads review here)

Albatross: The True Story of a Woman’s Survival at Sea by Deborah Scaling Kiley and Meg Noonan (blog post here)

I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections by Nora Ephron (Goodreads review here)

Now what?  I could take it easy the rest of the year, I guess.  Or I could reward myself with another set of goals. Fun goals. Writing goals.

• Post at least once, preferably twice, per week on blog.
• Complete a tight 2000-5000 word essay that I’m really proud of.
• Finish three unfinished pieces that I began in the first half of the year.

I hope my overachiever momentum will carry over into the second half of the year.  I’d really like to accomplish those last two.

* Math is not my strong suit. I was travelling after this post went live, and I had this interaction with my husband via text:

Husband: I like your blog post but… it’s only been 5 months 🙂
Me: D’oh!
Husband: Well, at least “precisely” doesn’t have strict definition or anything…

So we’re not halfway through the year after all, which means we have 7 months instead of 6 to accomplish our goals.  Bonus!  Also, I need an editor.