January check-in

One month of the year down!  Sadly, I am ending this month sick which I have been afraid would happen.  However, this January I was much more focused on my goals and working towards them than I have been in a long time!  I got a lot done and though the month is ending on a bleh note, I feel pretty good overall!

So let's break it down:
1.  Lose at least 20 pounds.  I'm down a little over 3!  This was one of the most frustrating things for me this month.  I started out so well and for two weeks exercised & tracked my food every day but only lost a few ounces!  Finally things started picking up and by the end of last week I was down 3.4 pounds total.  I am kinda nervous to step on the scale this week b/c w/being sick I have not worked out as much and have not eaten as well :/  However, I am not going to let this derail me as I have in the past.  Going to the dr. tomorrow, and still trying to eat well and do a bit of exercise.

2.  Read through the Bible.  I think I'm a day behind, but I've been consistent with my plan and am really enjoying it!

3.  Read at least 5 of my religious/devotional books.  I finished one (I had already read the majority) and am 1/4 of the way through another, so doing pretty well!

4.  Use it or Lose it! I have made it through all the January magazines that I own!  I know that sounds silly, but I have my "shelf of shame" in the front room where I had been shelving my magazines that I got but didn't get around to reading.  I have divided them by month and am going through each of them in that month time frame--tearing out a few articles & recycling or giving away the rest!  Seriously, there were about 20 for January.  I'm doing this each month too!  I also donated a TON of stuff to goodwill--literally filled my van so that I could barely see!  I also reorganized my kitchen cabinets, and organized our bedroom closet & have consistently been keeping our room clean.  Feeling good here!

5.  Eat more fresh food.  Hmm...I've done a bit better--had several salads & wraps but have also relied a lot on my lean cuisine paninis....room for improvement for sure.

6.  Redo our bathroom.  Not yet.  But I did get a new bathmat.

7.  Complete at least one scrapbook.  Haven't worked on one yet :/  And the table plan that I had thought about...well, my Bible study just doubled, so instead of a scrapbook table, I just have a super long dinner table to hold 12-13 girls + me! I kinda prefer that use though :)

 

8.  Limit coupon use to what we NEED.  I think I'm doing better here as well...and also at eating what we have in stock.  Not sure how to quantify it though.  We still have too much cereal :/

9.  Focus on friendships.  Improvement--I made a trip to AL to visit my bestie and saw two other really great friends on the way down & back as well.  Also making more of an effort to hang out w/the church ladies.

10.  Quality time w/hubs each week:  The beginning of January we were just off somehow, but we are definitely making more time to sit and talk to each other lately and it helps a lot!  Also praying together before bed :)

  

11.  Focus more on my appearance.  Also improvement.  I got some more "trendy" clothes & got complimented by my college students :)  It is still more comfortable to wear my slobby clothes, but I'm making an effort!  I even noticed the other day that I've gotten used to who I look with eye makeup, when before I rarely wore it.

12.  Finish raising my monthly support for CRU.    Not one bit.  

So, all in all, I've at least been working on these areas and have made a lot of progress in my habits!  Definitely have room to grow, but change takes time right?

Goals: 2011 vs. 2012

Once again, I am making resolutions & evaluating last year.  Some were big fat failures, some I actually accomplished! 

So here are the goals for 2011:
1.  Lose at least 30 pounds.  Big fat failure.  Basically I maintained from this year to last.  I actually gained over spring semester of 2011. Then lost about 5 pounds since the summer.  I can do better and I will this year!

2.  Eat a salad for at least 4 meals each week & exercise at least 5 times a week. Nope.

3. Focus on quality time w/hubs & a focused dinner at least once a week.  Not every week, but we did better at this.

4.  Give myself freedom to throw things away.  Much improvement!  Donated & recycled a lot!

5. Declutter & organize. Always room for improvement, but we got rid of a lot this year for sure!

6.  Start a cleaning schedule for non "common areas".  Not great at a regular schedule, but I did this much more over the past year

7.  Time w/God daily.  I would say I did this 85% of the time.  The end of the year is always hardest for me so I struggled some, but still improved.

8.  Do the 90 day Bible challenge again.  Nope.  Tried this over the summer but just wasn't motivated enough to keep up w/the reading load.  I'm ok with that though.

9.  Learn to coupon!  Complete success!  Have a stockpile, binder, and lots of savings!

10.  Catch up on my scrapbooks.  Not at all...

11.  Cook from my cookbooks.  I think I did a little better, but not enough to support having so many.




So for 2012 resolutions--this may be a bit repetitive, but we're going for honesty here!


1.  Lose at least 20 pounds!  I have been thinking a lot about what I did when I had lost weight a few years back and how it was different & here are some things that I need to do better:  1.  Track my food!  I was about to eat lunch today & I entered what I was planning to eat before I had lunch...well, that changed my lunch plans!  I vastly underestimate the calories I regularly consume so tracking really helps. 2.  Exercise at least 5 days a week--even if only for 15 minutes.  I got my gazelle back out today & it was so easy to do that while watching TV!  There is no excuse not to do something each day. 3.  Get accountability.  I joined a SparkPeople group for a January challenge, and it is just easier for me to do what someone plans for me than trying to pick f/m all my options.  These things will equip me to do better this year. I'm lowering my goal loss to make it less daunting, but I can do this.


2.  Read through the Bible.  I've started a read the Bible in one year plan which is much more achievable for me than the 90 day challenge.  It's only about 4 chapters a day (though if I keep reading the notes in my ESV study Bible as I go through can still take a bit of time) and it includes bits f/m 4 different books which is nice for some variety.


3.  Read at least 5 of my religious/devotional books.  I have so many devotional books on my shelf that I have not read yet!  Got to remedy this.  I've started the year picking up a book I had started but never finished, so finishing it will be quick & easy!  Last year I had a devotional that was for every day of the year, this year I will be able to switch it up more.


4.  Use it or Lose it!  Time for me to purge things that I am not using.  I started making progress on this last year, but I have a lot more to go.  Specific areas to do this are clothing, magazines, books and cookbooks, and craft supplies.  For magazines (all but my cooking subscriptions that I use & a few other favorites) that means recycle, donate, or give to a friend when I am done reading it.  For books I am reading through my vast library, and if I don't like the book enough to either finish it or read it again, I take it to consignment.  New book acquisitions need to be for my Kindle!  For cookbooks, I am going through them, marking recipes I want to try, and if I don't try them I will start getting rid of them.  Clothing--if it is out of style, doesn't fit, or is too worn out, it's time to go!  No more stressing about getting it to consignment, I need to cut my losses & take a bunch to Goodwill.  When it comes to craft items, I have a lot that is ready to go on ebay so I need to list those.  In general, I need to see what is realistic for use & get rid of the rest.  Then find a good way to organize--we are talking about getting a large craft cabinet to go in our front room where all my crafts can be stored...except maybe the yarn.


5.  Eat more fresh food.  Couponing has been great, but has also increased my dependency on processed things.  Not good!  Use what I have left but stop buying cookies & chips--homemade snacks are better anyway!  Also, I tend to make hubs a dinner f/m scratch each night, but then do something processed or packaged for myself.  I am worth a fresh meal too!


6.  Redo our bathroom.  I've wanted to do this since we moved into the house but just haven't made the time.  I have to do it this year!


7.  Complete at least one scrapbook.  I'm setting up a table in our front room where I can leave my albums out so I can work on them more consistently. 


8.  Limit coupon use to what we NEED.  Started couponing & stockpiling...we probably have more cereal than we can ever eat.  Even if it's a great deal, it's worthless if don't use it before it goes bad!


9.  Focus on friendships.  Working in ministry wears me out relationally, and I can tend to forget about mutual friendships and focus on "solving other people's problems" instead of sharing about what is going on in my life.  I need at least a monthly phone date with one of my long-distance friends, at least a monthly lunch date with a lady who is in a similar stage of life/not one of my students, and monthly messaging with other friends.


10.  Quality time w/hubs each week: Whether that is a date out or eating at the table so we really talk, each week we must have some time that doesn't involve watching TV or a movie.


11.  Focus more on my appearance.  That may sound vain, but I am a very low-maintenance lady and I honestly dress like a slob too much.  Especially on days that I am home, I tend to just wear yoga pants & a v-neck T w/no make-up & air-dried hair.  I think the slobbiness has contributed to the weight issues b/c stretchy pants don't let you know when the weight is creeping up!  I feel even worse about myself since I'm always around skinny trendy college kids.  It's time to stop telling myself that I don't deserve to look nice until I lose weight--I need to take pride in my appearance wherever I am.


12.  Finish raising my monthly support for CRU.  The ministry I am involved in requires you to raise donations to get paid.  Right now I'm working at less than half of my monthly goal--much less than I made in a day at my old job.  I don't like fundraising.  It stresses me out and I feel guilty, but this is what God has called me to, and it's part of the job.  I know God will provide but I have to be faithful to work on it as well.


Well, that's it for my 2012 goals.  It's a lot but so much is what I'm already working on that I feel I can at least make progress.  What areas of your life are you working on for this year?

2011 Year in Review

Hello there!  Are you surprised to see me here!  You should be...I have been the biggest slacker when it comes to blogging this year.  23 posts all year long, and only one post since the summer- *shame*  I have been keeping up w/reading my blogs that I follow, but not as much commenting or posting over here.  Not sure exactly why, but I just haven't been motivated.  I've continued w/lots of baking & a good deal of crafting, but just haven't written about it.

Oh well!  I really enjoyed looking back on my year in review f/m 2010, so I thought that I would go ahead and post one even though most of 2011 isn't chronicled on the blog in the first place--thankful for facebook timeline so I can have at least some idea of what happened last year!  This isn't too interesting, but oh well!

January: once again, lots of goals, and I started off pretty strong with lots of goals and plans for what to do w/my long break--and then chaos broke loose!  I went to visit my best friend at the beginning of them month & we went to a couponing seminar to learn how to save some money!  Then right after I got back my mom broke her ankle very severely. I was able to go to visit my friend again towards the end of the month, but then I got the flu and was in bed for a few weeks!  My first few weeks back w/my students were pretty much confined to being in bed.  Needless to say, it was a frustrating month!

facebook status of the month:  "evidence of the craziness of today: i've been running around with a meat mallet sticking out of my back pocket!" (jan 24)

February: Mostly I was just sick.  Sad :(  We did a big outreach event on campus, and most of my time was spent w/my Bible study girls in ministry--my group grew by 3 and our relationships got much closer--definitely the highlight!  Also had another visit to Spring Hill for time with friends--so good!

facebook status of the month:   "patrick: "it seems like i always see wrecks on memphis junction rd" me: who is rex?" #facepalm" (feb 7)

March: Honestly don't remember much about this month...seems like it was mostly cleaning, Bible study, and still a bit of sickness!  Did spend a lot of time w/mom while she was still off her feet.  I also had a spring break for the first time in forever, but just spent it recovering f/m so much sickness and cleaning.  Hubs & I did celebrate 9 years of being together on the 10th, as well as Butch's 4th bday (same day)

 time to clean!

facebook status of the month:  "Was telling my mom about the show "animal hoarders"... She thought that it was about animals who have too much stuff!" (march 8)

April:  Finally mostly healthy!  Lots of visits from former Bible study girls which is always fun :)  One of the highlights of the month was a retreat w/our CRU ladies out at lakehouse.  I was part of a panel to answer questions about life, love, faith, etc... Then the CRU guys "surprised" us (I knew about it) by singing to the girls, quoting Prov. 31 to them, and bringing carnations & cake. So sweet.  I love getting to witness the college students as they grow in fellowship, but I discovered that I am too old for all-night slumber parties & sleeping on screened porches!  Also, TWD was featured in Oprah magazine, and my pick was on the 11th!  Most visits to my blog EVER that day!  Also did lots of knitting :)

facebook status of the month:  "Butch just lost her mind & was cowering & growling in fear over.......my new toothbrush. Who says bulldogs are ferocious?" (april 11)

May: I turned 27!  Hubs gave me a beautiful sapphire ring :)  Had our final Bible study with that group, spent a night out at the Lakehouse w/the lovely ladies, and then most of them graduated!  My sister went on a mission trip to Japan...and then ended up staying!  Began "summer break"--love doing college ministry!

facebook status of the month:  "Terrifying=hearing a banging sound come fm your closet, then seeing the door slowly open by itself... stupid ninja cat. #heartattack" (May 1)

June: Started the month with a visit to Spring Hill, then my sweet friend Lacey came home from Ethiopia!  We had lunch and discussed the option of her moving back to BG & working w/CRU... Celebrated 5 years of marriage!  Started leading a summer Bible study w/my co-worker Jacob--loved that so much!  Started really working on exercise/weight loss, but no real improvement.  Developed SEVERE insomnia & sleep problems.  Then my grandpa passed away on the 23rd--while my dad was in Colorado, brother in NY, and sister in Japan.  It was extremely hard.

facebook status of the month:  "tonight, in an attempt to punish kitty for scratching him, hubs chased down our cat with the vacuum cleaner. It literally scared the crap out of him (kitty). He sat in a corner with his eyes all wide and when he stood up there was a little pile of kitty droppings. Biggest laugh we have had in a while!" (june 17)

July: My cat became extremely attached to me.  We had a memorial service for Grandpa.  My nephews turned one.  Discovered Pinterest!  And saw the final Harry Potter.  Enjoyed lots of time w/Lacey & other friends, and loved doing summer Bible study!  Hubs also started branching out a bit in our normal food rotation :)

facebook status of the month:  "i showed my husband one of my favorite boards in Pinterest w/tons of beautiful room designs that I love. He said "Ugh. I wouldn't be caught dead in any of those rooms." *sigh*" (jul 23)

August: My little brother got engaged.  Another Spring Hill trip.  Got involved more w/the women @ my church.  Lacey decided to stay here!  Started a whirlwind of planning, retreats, and MASTER PLAN to get geared up for the 2011-2012 school year!  Met my new group of Bible study girls!

facebook status of the month:  "I watch Hoarders...then I watch Pickers. I feel like I'm getting conflicting messages about stuff." (aug 10)

September: Women's social events w/CRU started.  Bible study & discipleship in full swing.  A last trip to Spring Hill before Jordan moved to AL.  Edmundson family photo session.  Went to CRU Fall Getaway for the first time since I graduated--learned that I CANNOT sleep on 4-H camp mattresses!  Met lots more CRU ladies.

facebook status of the month: "I was asking hubs about a coffee cake recipe I was making and mentioned that the sour cream would give it a fluffy texture. His response: "ugh.  you know I don't like texture" (sept 28)

October: Hubs turned 28!  Got to tell some people about Jesus :)  Hosted another CRU women's pumpkin carving party.  Enjoyed a Halloween at home with hubs--first time we were both free since getting married!  Got sick again :(

facebook status of the month:  "Who just found & replaced a blown fuse on her car? This girl! What-What!! ;) Needed a win today after dumping a whole cup of water on myself while out to lunch!" (Oct 18)

November: A month of extremes.  Loved leading a women's purity event and speaking to a large group for the first time.   Good Thanksgiving though both families felt the losses.  Heartbroken for a friend who lost her daughter, then we lost Patrick's grandma the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  One huge joy--God provided a new car for us!  I've been driving my '89 camry since I was 16 & we were planning to get a new car this year.  Then a ministry supporter contacted my parents & wanted to donate a van to the ministry--we now have a 2001 Honda Odyssey!

Bible study Thanksgiving dinner

Hubs' grandmother

facebook status of the month:  "sitting in my living room watching all 3 other members of the household nap...and snore. Yep, the hubs, dog, and cat all snore ;)" (Nov. 3)

December; Enjoyed the "Evening of Elegance" put on for the CRU ladies by the guys. However, the same day one of the girls I discipled was killed in a car wreck.  Heartbreaking.  I was blessed to be able to share the gospel w/a school reporter in an interview about her for the school paper though. Got to go to CRU and a party after which was a blast w/our students.  Then it was Christmas break!  Hosted 3 Christmas parties within 3 days--but didn't get sick!  I was able to really take it slow & enjoy Christmas this year which was such a blessing.  Lots of time w/good friends and family :)

Sarai--my student who passed away

facebook status of the month: Dec 13: "So first I set the timer to reheat pizza but forget to put the pizza in the oven. Then, I put the pizza in but forget to set the timer. Of course :/"