peaks, pits, praises, prayers (2)

My intention is/was to post these on Friday, but I missed out on posting it on 9/20.  Oh well.  Better late than never!

Peaks, Pits, Praises & Prayers is basically an overview of whatever time frame you choose {typically a day, but well, I'll probably do a week}.  And overall, I think it might be a fun way to remember what happened during the week.

{peaks} - highlights of the day {week}; overall positives
{pits} - low points of the day; instead of complaining, consider these blessings in disguise
{praises} - praising God for specific things through out the day {week}
{prayers} - prayer requests that arouse during the day {week} or have been lingering

{peaks}

we got an unexpected day off last week.  on thursday, the water main broke in our office.  the building opened up again at 1p, but instead of coming in, i decided to use a 1/2 day of vacation to just chill at home.  it was a much needed break.

{pits}

other than a bit of financial stress in relation to school, i can't really think of any pits.

{praises}

a and i were able to have a fun filled weekend, and it was also much needed.  dinner with friends on friday, a drive-in date on saturday, and a wonderful church service on sunday.

{prayers}

for all of the ladies dealing with issues in my hello mornings morning group.

peaks, pits, praises & prayers

Have any of you heard of this idea?  I first saw it on Pinterest, but then, the picture that was posted didn't have a link.  I loved the idea, and thought about just ordering a journal (which I still very well may do).  I tend to write a lot of things down as the day goes, so I think this journaling idea could be a good one.

Anyways...

Peaks, Pits, Praises & Prayers is basically an overview of whatever time frame you choose {typically a day, but well, I'll probably do a week}.  And overall, I think it might be a fun way to remember what happened during the week.

{peaks} - highlights of the day {week}; overall positives
{pits} - low points of the day; instead of complaining, consider these blessings in disguise
{praises} - praising God for specific things through out the day {week}
{prayers} - prayer requests that arouse during the day {week} or have been lingering

{peaks}

i'm really enjoying my tax classes this semester, which is something i never thought i'd say.  i have a really awesome professors, and i feel like i might actually learn something this semester instead of walking away frustrated and overwhelmed.

{pits}

i got a $50 ticket from the dart police this week.  for fare evasion.  and really, it wasn't fare evasion more than it was my lack of reading skills.  it wasn't done on purpose, but i either suck it up and pay the $50 or try to convince a judge that it was an honest mistake.

{praises}

i realize (well, every day) what an amazing support system i have in my friends and family.  and more than that, the amazing boyfriend that i have.  he's never without encouraging words.  and it's funny when God puts you through pain and heartache only to deliver you on the other side.  it teaches us to lean on Him more and on ourselves less.  it's a good lesson to learn.  :o)

{prayers}

i'm not sure if any of you have heard, but there was a major fire on the Jersey boardwalk yesterday. prayers for the lives affected by these fires.  they had just finished rebuilding from the damage from flooding last year.

a prayer for the dart officer that was having such a bad day that he felt the need to take it out on me. i'm not talking about him writing me a ticket, i'm talking about the attitude he had when he made the comments towards me that he made.  i really hope he finds peace and patience in this world.

prayers for A as he tackles some health issues with his doctor today.

September Goals

Starting in September, life is going to be CRAZY!  Between work, school, packing to move, etc. there won't be a lot of time for extras, but I'm going to still create goals, because well, I can. And I'm going to do my best to keep going!

Health

1.  Continue with the weekly work out routine.  3 days during the week, 1 weekend day.  
2.  Continue to drink more water.

Home

1.  Menu plan, and stick to it. 
2.  Start trying more gluten free and paleo recipes.
3.  Pack up all the stuff in the "office" area downstairs to prepare for MOVING.  
4.  Pack up all glassware, etc. that is not being used.

Personal

1.  Sign up for professional pictures.  Start researching prices.  
2.  Stay caught up in school.  DO NOT GET BEHIND.  
3.  Accomplish 3 items from my 101 things list.  
4.  Accomplish 10 items from my "running" to do list.

August Goals - Recap

Here's the August recap...

Health

1.  Start a weekly workout routine.  Focus on gaining momentum.  A total of 10 work outs for the month.  While the end of the month fizzled due to work and school, I did pretty well through the month as a whole, and got in the 10 work outs that I had planned.  I'm going to count this one as a success!
2.  Continue to drink more water.  I've been trying to limit my intake of Diet Coke.  I usually only have one per day, during lunch.  While that's more than I want to drink, sometimes I just need the caffeine boost.  But... I've been drinking nothing but water at home, and through the rest of the day at work.  So SUCCESS!

Home

1.  Make a minimum of one new recipe per week for dinner.  Healthy!  FAILURE!
2.  Menu plan, and stick to it.  Another major fail.  I think because I wasn't menu planning, I didn't cook, at all.  
3.  Pack up all the stuff in the "office" area downstairs to prepare for new furniture, and ORGANIZATION! I skipped this one, but on purpose.  We decided instead of renewing our lease, we're going to move to a new apartment.  Instead of organizing, we're packing for good.
4.  Paint the curtains for the living room, take the curtains for the bedroom to the cleaners.  Another one I skipped - on purpose.  I'm going to wait until we get moved to figure out what I want to do in terms of decor, and we'll go from there.

Personal

I'm not even going to bother with these individually.  It just didn't happen.

1.  Sign up for professional pictures.  Start researching prices.  
2.  Read five + books for fun.  
3.  Accomplish 3 items from my 101 things list.  
4.  Accomplish 10 items from my "running" to do list.

August Goals

So we're already 1/3rd of the way through August.  Where in the world has the time gone?  This year is simply FLYING by.  A and I are less than two months away from celebrating our one year anniversary.  It seems like I just met him yesterday.

Health

1.  Start a weekly workout routine.  Focus on gaining momentum.  A total of 10 work outs for the month.
2.  Continue to drink more water.

Home

1.  Make a minimum of one new recipe per week for dinner.  Healthy!  
2.  Menu plan, and stick to it. 
3.  Pack up all the stuff in the "office" area downstairs to prepare for new furniture, and ORGANIZATION!
4.  Paint the curtains for the living room, take the curtains for the bedroom to the cleaners.

Personal

1.  Sign up for professional pictures.  Start researching prices.  
2.  Read five + books for fun.  
3.  Accomplish 3 items from my 101 things list.  
4.  Accomplish 10 items from my "running" to do list.

July Goals - Recap

July was an insanely busy month at work.  I felt overwhelmed 90% of the time.  We had THREE back-to-back audits without a break, and since a big part of my job duties are to assist with the audit, I didn't feel like I had much time to breath.  But, thankfully, August is starting out *much* slower.  I know it's already the 9th day of the month, and I'm just now getting around to this recap.  Better late than never!

Here are the July goals, recapped.

Health

I'm not even going to bother with these.  I didn't do anything in July.

1.  Continue with my weekly workout routine.  A minimum of 3 work outs per week, no matter how small.
2.  Continue to drink more water.
3.  Start and finish the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.

Home

1.  Make a minimum of one new recipe per week for dinner.  Healthy!  I feel very successful with this one.  I cooked more in the month of July that I've cooked in a long time.  :o)
2.  Menu plan, and stick to it.  Because of my cooking, we were able to menu plan and stick to it!
3.  Bring lunch to work a minimum of 3 days a week.  This one has actually become very easy for me.  I loathe leaving the office for lunch, because there's so many people all cramming into the same restuarants.  Oh, and we're supposed to do it in an hour.  Riiiiight.
4.  Grocery shop on the weekends, or Thursday evening.  This one kind of goes hand in hand in my menu planning and cooking.  I can't cook without groceries.

Personal

1.  Sign up for professional pictures.  Start researching prices.  
2.  Read three + books for fun.  Done.  I miss reading!  :o)  I actually think I accomplished more than 3, but I'd have to go back to my TBR list to double check.  
3.  Accomplish 3 items from my 101 things list.  I'm not going to mark this one off, but I did complete 2 things.  I finished Carie's embroidered towels.  Um - it was part of her Christmas present.  And, I made homemade brownies from scratch.
4.  Accomplish 10 items from my "running" to do list.

Hello Mornings

Do any of you ever feel like you could utilize your mornings better?  You know - the hours before the rest of the world gets up.  I feel like that's the only time I have left in the day that isn't already occupied by work, school, preparing for the next day, etc.

A couple of weeks ago, I found a website online called HelloMornings.org.  If you haven't heard of it, you should check it out.  I've been feeling lately like waking up a bit earlier and focusing on reading my Bible and studying the Lord's word is something I should really do.  Finding this group of women couldn't have come at a better time.

Starting August 19th, that's exactly what I'm going to be doing.  An online Bible study about the book of Ephesians.

Anyone care to join me?