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?

Weekend Recap

I don't always post a weekend recap, but then, exciting things don't always happen during our weekends off.

This weekend, on Saturday, A and I went to our church "Catch The Vision" class, and officially became members.  For the first time as an adult, I'm officially a member of a church, and I love it.  It truly feels like home.  (The only downside is that when we do officially decide to move away from DFW - we'll definitely miss that place.  I'm not sure there will ever be another church like it.)

Afterwards - I headed north to my parent's house, while A stayed at home.  He hasn't been sleeping well and was dealing with major allergies so I told him to stay home.  Hanging with my mom is always fun.  And... my stepdad smoked chicken on his new smoker, so that was nice too.  

Sunday was full of the typical weekend chores, straightening up the house, laundry, etc.  

Trying

Do you ever feel like sometimes you just need a break?  Just for a little while, you just need things to sort of go your way?  Not 100%, but not 10% either.  I'm having one of those days.

Passing

The last couple of weeks have been um, emotionally trying, at best.  If you'll remember back a couple of weeks ago, I posted about my grandma's health.  And then posted an "update" of sorts that the doctors said she was doing better.  However, on June 22nd, 2013, my grandma went to be with the Lord.  She was met in heaven by her parents, her grandparents, her oldest born son, and the man she never stopped loving.  They had the most amazing welcome party.  

For those of us left behind, we were able to celebrate the memories we have of her. Last week, A, my brother M, and I went to KS to be with family.  The viewing was on Thursday, and after the viewing, the pastor doing the service, had the entire family sit down and tell our memories of my grandma.  Some were sad, many were funny.  I learned more about the woman who loved her kids and grandkids unconditionally.  And in doing so, we all began to heal as best as you can when you lose a loved one.

As my brother and I were talking - we realized that our cousins, T and E, are the same age as we were when my grandpa passed away.  It's kind of weird looking back and remembering how we felt when that happened compared to now when we understand life and death.  I was able to be a support system for the boys while their mom dealt with losing her mom.  I'm just thankful that I had that opportunity.  

For me, I had prayed several weeks before, for healing and peace for my family as I knew this time was coming.  I prayed that God would end my grandma's pain and suffering, and that she'd be much happier in Heaven shining down on us each day than laying in a nursing home bed where she didn't know any of us.  I'm thankful that he finally took her home. 

RIP my sweet grandma Betty!  We'll always have the memories.  And now, we have another guardian angel.

July Goals

I had a pretty good June, considering.  My grandmother passed away on June 22nd, so the last week of the month was spent with family, celebrating her life, and laying her to rest. I'm not at all disappointed in my achievements.  :-)  

Here are July's goals.  

Health

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!
2.  Menu plan, and stick to it.
3.  Bring lunch to work a minimum of 3 days a week. 
4.  Grocery shop on the weekends, or Thursday evening. 

Personal

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