January Wrap-Up / February Goals

    One of the most useful things I do - when I am on my game :-) is to evaluate and set new goals.  I did that for the year - but am still a bit tentative as to what exactly I am working towards... so I didn't really commit to many specific actions.
This year I want to continue focus on creating healthy habits (or how to stay healthy without working too hard :-).... continue growing in my crafts (because I seem to be a happier person when I am making - AND learning).... slowly grow in my business ventures (because a little extra income doesn't ever hurt).... and work towards creating the life I want.

This last statement often hangs me up because I am already happy :-)  Most of the time.  But I don't want life to slide by me in the course of a day.... I want to choose.  So I kind of visualize what I want my life to look like 10 years from now... and what I need to do to prepare for that now.   today.

So..... there is my path.....  and here is my wrap-up

Areas of FUN - handwork, of course!
    FINISHED.. Sandcastle quilt
                        hanging sleeves for 3 quilted wall hangings

  ASSEMBLED...   churn dash 1 (photo on this post)  [AND completed the extra blocks I needed to make it wider!]

   WORKED ON.... Ireland sampler

This block was TOUGH!!

                        Halloween jelly roll... aka SPOOKY Quilt  (new - but a gift...quilt completion date - end of Feb)

                       Droid Quilt Along (new - but a gift - quilt completion date - end of March)   Can you guess which droid?

                                     QAL details can be found HERE
                       White log cabin
                       El's kitchen
                       Applique wall hangings
                       Rainbow Scrappy Blocks
                     
  STARTED....... well - I will leave that one alone for now :-)  Those projects will end up in my Feb WIP :-)

What I did NOT do is MEND a quilt....  I have a pile of my mother-in-law's quilts that need some love... I had told myself - one per month.... and I need to get to that!

**************
Business goals:
     prepared Lent Children's Liturgy for sale
      started time sheet for internet clients
     kept up with personal finances

********************
Life goals:
  increase exercise:  USED the new treadmill... (not a lot but that's coming)
                                 achieved the 10K steps some days  (need to challenge more friends and DO it!)
                                stretches and daily strength (started... but need to firm up routine)

   Food:  moving more and more toward plant base - meat as condiment
              daily salad, cut veggies, fresh fruit, smoothie  (some or all)
             eating out of pantry - reducing the grocery bill and wasting less

   Declutter:  neatened desk and kept it :-)
                       emptied a few boxes.  I will set better (more specific) goals for February
************************
February -
  same areas BUT
         **will START with the mending basket (in my sewing goals)
         **snail mail letters  [small goal.... didn't get the Christmas cards out - AGAIN - so am planning on snail mail cards & letters.  I never feel like sitting down and writing them.. but I see myself as an old woman who writes letters.  So I need to figure this out or chuck the vision!  I have all supplies ready to go - I just need to begin]
          **I chose a particular declutter SPOT and will tackle it.  (not limited to that area but will be satisfied with it if that is all I do!)  [AND keep my desk under control]
         **I will buy a particular piece of furniture  (I STINK at decorating and put up with a lot of inconvenience by NOT getting what I need.  ONE piece is on my list)
                      

60 Days Until 2016 Nov 1

Yikes!

Where did the last 10 days go?

Oh yeah - I was at the beach

I walked a lot - but didn't pay too much attention to food... water.... and gained back 4 flipping pounds!  Poo


and got nothing done on the list

well - not true

I spent a little time with my husband
I spent time at the beach - always good for the spirit
I made myself go places by myself
I bought lots of fabric - which makes me happy but doesn't help finances much!
I did finish up several craft projects
And, of course, end of month bills and paperwork

and I have a bit of a plan for now that I am home.
'
BUT I hit the ground running - work, house, life..... and need to STOP

take a breath


and actually write out a plan or checklist or something

or this time will slip away

Marathon Projects

I was fussing at myself the other day about my photo scanning project.  If you've followed me for a while, you know that in 2012, I started (finally!) scanning photos into my computer!

I had a LARGE (18 gallon) tote box  FULL of random assorted photos I had rescued during Hurricane Isabel (Sept 2003).  Photos in envelopes.... loose photos... and photos that are not salvageable because they got wet and stuck together.  (and yes, I have tried a million things  - and will continue to try them, block by block)

I spent 2012... diligently scanning them in and figuring out which year they belonged in.  I worked throughout my house, locating photographs - and even some letters... to preserve.  I have created a lovely file on my computer with folders by month within year as I scanned them one by one.

And I am down to...... a 20 quart tote..... and envelopes of school photos (and the albums and pictures in frames and a box of historical stuff of my mom's I haven't opened yet)

The tote and envelopes are under my desk.
The albums are downstairs.
The box is stored in an extra bedroom.

All this by year end 2012.

********
So.. the first question is "why haven't I finished already?"
What happened to the diligence and drive that got me through that first tote?

I gave it a day a week where I spent 30 minutes or so scanning.  I really don't know why I stopped.


Like Mile 18 of a marathon....  the WALL.
   the initial excitement of starting a project is long gone.
    the determination to plod along is also gone.

Yet the race is not over yet.
    The end is not in sight yet - still within mind.
     It will take less time to finish than I have already gone

But I have to reach down to my TOES to get what it takes to move forward.

I remember that feeling....

Mile 18.

I remember KNOWing I could go no further
I remember my brain had to take charge of my body.
I remember chanting.. 'only 8 more miles'... and shouting down the other part of my brain that said "8 flipping miles?"  [only that part of my brain is not so polite]
I had to use my personal determination to finish

*******

Which is the only way I will finish this project

a marathon project

at Mile 18.

I will come up with a plan.  Duh... I already have a plan.  30 minutes a week.  Reporting here when I do it.

(ps..... 12 photos scanned in 15 minutes....  simply scanned, identified by month and year)  so a few more done :-)

Do you have any marathon projects you can finish with me?

Day 1 of 365... 2013

.. and where to start?

So many pulls in so many directions....  last year's goals and progress were well-evaluated... and I had grand plans for a series of posts leading up to the new year....

..and I got sick.

I have spent the last few days trying to rest a bit and get through this bug...  no fever so I think misery for a few days is the sum total of what I need to deal with... but I've not had the energy available for new ideas and exciting new adventures.

But you know what?  That's okay.... sickness and 'down time' is part of life.  There is no 'perfect time' to do anything!  But you can always move forward living your best life.

I really liked the format used with the 21 Days to a More Organized Life by Crystal Paine (I blogged my way through it in November, I think).. will get a link in here later!  So I will use it again as I get on my feet :-)

21 Days....  for ME - a month.

1 large project broken down into 21 chunks.  (I have no idea about this one and can't think that hard yet.... exactly WHY I need 30 - 31 days for a 21 day project :-)  Last time I used 'finishing a quilt'... I got stuck and will need to get help from the folks at the quilt store - but used my extra time to work on mending my mother-in-law's quilts.  Neither project was finished but BOTH projects are much further along... and the bottom line is... I am happy about it!

*Using this concept - I will make good progress on 12 large-scale projects this year.

The author suggests 2 other new little habits - to my understanding, 1 is small.. to make my life easier and the other can be a little tougher but has great benefits.  Of course, my brain is on the fritz today.... so I am going to interpret this as:

1 housekeeping habit (In November I used spritzing my bathroom mirror when I brushed my teeth in the morning as a 'tag-along' habit.  Not sure what I'll do this time but since I managed to do this for 21 days and then stop.... I know I need to get back to it!

One of my observations in life is that we ALREADY HAVE HABITS!  The key to successfully changing things up is to ADD something to what we already do. Spend a little time observing yourself and what you already do :-)

1 health habit (Last time I added 15 daily minutes of my exercise bike to strengthen my knee - again I have stopped so I need to get back on it!)  But this morning it hit me what I personally need to do for this one.... WATER!  I'm not sure any of us drinks enough - BUT I reach for coffee FIRST thing every day.  I am going to add a bottle of water that needs to be finished before CUP #2.

because housekeeping and health are two areas where I need lots of improvement!

I have found that this method of thinking and planning has had many, many benefits for me.  Even if I didn't finish certain projects.... the work I did spilled over in many areas and made me more efficient overall.  Working on the quilt helped me get it to a 'close to finishing' point and I know what I need to do to get there.  It helped me get my sewing machine serviced and back to the quilt shop for a class.  With my sewing machine working well, I was able to begin sewing for my grandgirls.. and to remember how much I enjoy sewing!

The silly little habit of the bathroom mirror had me keeping the whole bathroom much cleaner and neater.  I've always been pretty clean - but not so neat!

And the biking helped me walk more and start dreaming about racing (and actually doing it!)

It is exciting to think about what new habits and projects will spill over and help me accomplish this year!

So what is YOUR plan?  How will you begin?  Are you all set and ready to go after ambitious plans this year?  Or, like me, are you starting slow and small?

21 Days... Day 19 Get it Done EARLY!

reading along with 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine

following the challenge lead by Crystal at www.servingjoyfully.com

The nugget I got from the reading today is: Get your work done early!

This one reminds me of the other day when we talked about getting the task you are DREADing done first!

But this one is a little different.... getting tasks done early leaves you more time to play.... to dream.... to be available for others... in essence.. to DO WHAT YOU WANT.

Getting work done early relieves stress and guilt about things left undone... whether they be part of your WORK or part of another obligation.

Personally I have a hard time with this one - Early means COMPUTER and how much time do I spend on that?   Even with all the rationalizations about writing and listing and financial paperwork.... it is TOO EASY to let the input on this box suck up my morning!

How about you?  What could you be doing RIGHT NOW that would add to your feelings of success about the day?  (I bet it's not Facebook :-)

******************

Update on my progress:
  ROADBLOCK!!  I spent an hour trying to figure out the sewing machine today and pretty much got nowhere.  EXCEPT that I did get it all nice and cleaned out and am fairly certain that this is a simple issue.  AND I did go ahead and pack up the machine and parts into a bag to put in my car.  I will go SOMEwhere as yet undetermined NEXT week and get this figured out.
  Where to go?
      Two choices:
         1) Find a place that fixes sewing machines
         2) go back to where I bought it (the more obvious logical choice)  But here is where I wrangle with myself.  Remember I started this quilt when I took a quilt class in 2008?  Well.... the ladies were not exactly warm and fuzzy people.  Not mean, exactly..... but you know the feeling when you are on the outside looking in?  I mean, even though I was one of the few who actually got the pieces done for class.... I felt like I wasn't QUITE in the 'cool kids club'.  I KNOW you know what I mean....  When the class was over, I did take another ONE DAY class to make a rag quilt and just recently finished THAT one up.  I TRIED to get involved... I really LIKE playing with fabric and wanted (WANT) to learn to quilt.  I even wanted it so bad I bought that quilt frame that I don't use.  And, of course, this nice sewing machine!
    They are not local to me and not on my regular route so I really did make the time to go there.  They were running a class in the summer with some specific fabrics and I had asked them to call me and let me know when that was.  I never heard a word....
   To be fair, I also never went back to them either.  They do not have an online presence (okay - I had to go check and see if that has changed in the last 3 years - it hasn't but I found another 2 shops to check out :-)

    Maybe that is why I didn't get this thing finished in the first place.   I LOVE the project - and maybe if I had felt more comfortable with the people I would have been more inclined to visit them and learn more.

  So that is the decision now - to go back to them (where I will probably get my problem looked at and diagnosed for free - but at what cost?) or to go somewhere else and pay a fortune to get this handled.

Don't you hate it when you feel DUMB about something?  The machine is in my car and I will decide next week as I am driving around.  Hmm.... I think I will pack up the quilt, too.... and maybe I will feel like sharing my progress...  IF I go there....  which I probably will because AVOIDING these people is not an answer either.  I'll let you know what I end up doing!

In any case, I will definitely schedule visits to the other quilt shops within the next week or so!

In the meantime..... quilt RELATED to finish out my 21 days.... I have several quilts made by my mother-in-law that need to be mended.  Some of them just need a little hemming... some need major surgery - but ALL can be done by hand.  I started this process a month ago and stopped when I started working on THE QUILT.  I have pulled out 2 of them - one quick mend and one to work on little by little.... and will start tomorrow!

21 Days... Day 18 Embrace Your Uniqueness

"You can spend all of your life trying to measure up to someone else."

This line from today's article is what hit me really hard this year.


Sometimes I think about how hard and long I tried to be the brilliant lawyer or businesswoman like my parents worked so hard for me to be.

Sometimes I think about how long I tried to keep a house as nice as my mom did.

Sometimes I think about how long I tried to cook as good as my first mother-in-law did.

Sometimes still I think about how hard I try to fit in with others.

But then I remember that I am ME.

I have my own journey.... and while I may be talented enough to be what my parents wanted me to be....  it has not been my nature or calling.  I can take classes all day long but that will not make me excel in a bureaucratic environment.

As for keeping house, that is dependent on so many factors!  And one of those is household help - which my mom had.  And one of those is early training - which - because of household help and older siblings - I did not have much of.  Except dusting.... I SEE the dust bunnies :-)  I can and will keep working on habits and will have a happy life anyway.

Cooking?  Has always been an issue!  As the younger daughter I had salad duty.  My sister was the cook.  Not my mom... she never liked it.   So I identified with  a mother who did NOT like to cook and I married a man who used his mother's good cooking as a weapon.  Not my fault!  But I am learning to have fun in the kitchen..... and when I removed the comparison factor... I am becoming a pretty good cook.

And fitting in with others is over-rated.  I can fit in where I want to.

But I LIKE my tendencies to question the status quo.  It makes me adaptable and able to learn and grow.  (It also makes me an uncomfortable, though capable person to have around)

I LIKE my ability to see the many sides of an issue.. positive and negative.  (This definitely hampers my decision-making, but makes me relatively non-judgmental and compassionate.)

And I LIKE my ability to focus on the end-game.  (It makes me very resilient to what happens today... but many people lose patience with my apathy towards minor (IMO) crises.)

The point here is that the qualities that make you YOU are important!  Just as the ways that others excel make THEM important.

It is critical that you keep learning and growing.... IN YOUR OWN WAY!

Assignment for today:

  Start thinking about your NEXT mega-project.  How can you use your strengths?

******************

Update on my progress:

   Yesterday, as expected, I did not have the time to focus on THE QUILT.
Today I will have a little extra time to play so I will work on the sewing machine FIRST (because I like it the LEAST) and will go on from there depending on my success (or lack of it)

How are things going for you?  Do you have ideas for another (or a first mega-project?)

21 Days... Day 17 Don't Compare Yourself to Others

using the book 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine

following the challenge set by Crystal at www.servingjoyfully.com

I mentioned yesterday that I have been a little disgruntled with my quilt lately.  I figured out in the last few days that I don't like the way I quilted the long strips.  Someone else would have done it differently - heck, I would have done it differently if I had done it when I was supposed to and was comfortable going back to the teacher and asking the question.

AND I am not happy with the stitches.  They should be neater.

But the reality is that it is MY quilt.  My FIRST hand-quilted quilt.

It should not be compared with projects by experienced quilters.  It should  not be compared with my NEXT quilt.  It is beautiful the way it is.

The message in today's reading is 'Don't Compare Yourself to Others'.

How appropriate when I am at a point of thinking that what I do is not good enough!

Why would it not be good enough?  This is My LIFE to live - no one else's.  My mega-project will be different from yours....  and your needs, goals and desires are different from mine.  Not better or more important.... not worse or less important... DIFFERENT!  And we need to wind our lives around our own paths and appreciate our own progress!

It's time to look at the lists of goals and projects we have been working on and make sure that we are truly working on our OWN PATH and not trying to become someone we are not.

Assignment:

Do Step 17 on your mega-project!

*******************************

Update on my progress:

   Yay!!  I did get the hand quilting done and am giving myself a pass for the day!  It did occur to me though - that my daughter might want to take a look at my sewing machine while she is here today.. simply because sometimes she likes to mess with things.  I will ask.  If that problem is resolved... then I am one step closer though I really don't think I will finish in the 21 Days allotted, even with my flexible definition :-)

But I am kind of tickled that I haven't thrown in the towel on this project yet.  The reason it has sat so long unfinished is because I have packed it away when the going got a little tough and I didn't prioritize finishing it... and THIS time, it will be a priority until I DO finish it!

I haven't mentioned it but I am still managing the 15 minutes daily on the exercise bike and am just about ready to commit to 50 crunches 3X per week.  ALMOST!

How about you?  Do you have a mega-project going?  How is the process working for you?

21 Days... Day 16.... Worst First, Best Last

Using the book 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine

following the challenge set by Crystal at www.servingjoyfully.com

The reading today points out that you get more done... and your day runs more smoothly.... if you do what you like least.. FIRST!

I remember doing this with my food when I was a kid.... save the best for last :-)

With tasks that lie before me, I find the same process is more effective.  If I hem and haw and wander around avoiding doing something I dislike..... it takes days (or more!) to get it done.  No wonder I think it takes FOREVER to get some things done.... I have to consider my WHINE factor!

If I leave the things I don't want to do until LATER, I often can wiggle my way out of it altogether for that day - and this usually does not serve me or my family.  And this also makes ME feel like I am a procrastinator - a NEGATIVE term that I don't need in my head!

So - today's nugget is: Next time you make your list of things to do - take the one you want to do the least - and tackle it FIRST!

Assignment:
  How does this apply to your mega-project?  Is there something about this that you are avoiding?
  *TODAY is the day to DO IT!

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Update on my progress:
  
       Yes - I managed to do some of the hand quilting yesterday as I putzed around getting my thoughts and house ready for the big day.  Hooray for me!

My goal is to get the hand quilting on the long strip completed before Thanksgiving Day.  I will not be working on the quilt that day (I don't think!)

As for things I am putting off with the quilt?  Right now it is working with the sewing machine since that is a road block - but seriously this is a timing issue and there is no time for it with the holiday coming up.  I will give myself time on Friday to play with the sewing machine and see if I can sort it out.

I am finding it really annoying at this point to keep working on the quilt.  This is a good exercise for me - and I can certainly see value in keeping ONE big project going.  I feel a little bit behind in my life (because of THE QUILT) but I am also more focused and getting more accomplished overall.

21 Days.... Day 15 Just Say NO!

You do so much for so many people.

Are any of your other commitments affecting the goals you set for YOURSELF and your family?

You can't do it all.

It is so hard to say NO to people when they ask you to do something.

I mean, first of all... aren't you flattered?  That you are THE ONE chosen to do this thing... this oh so important thing....

But, consider....  could your pleasure at the flattery be THE OBSTACLE that keeps another person from shining in a new spot?  Could you actually be preventing someone else from learning to serve?

Saying NO is not a bad thing.

And, how about those outside commitments?

Are any of those responsibilities dragging you down?  Is there something that your heart is not involved in any more?  That is important to know - AND it is valid.  God lays things on your heart for a reason... and sometimes when you are no longer excited and happy - maybe it's because the task is not for YOU any more.

Are any of those commitments keeping you from your ultimate goals?  I know that one of my goals is to serve my family.  Any outside commitment that does not make me a better family person.... will not serve my goals.  It is difficult to sift through the many worthwhile things you are doing and decide what needs to go - but it is absolutely essential to your ultimate success!

AND one more consideration raised up by the author......

Saying NO to many spread-out jobs or responsibilities...

allows you,

FREES you...

to say YES to doing really well at a few things....... things that will lead you to being the person you are meant to be!


Assignment for the day:

Finish Step 15 of your mega-project  and don't get overwhelmed!
**  I found it interesting that the author discusses major events right now in this '21 Days'.  She encourages us to take care of ourselves and not to get overwhelmed with our projects.  She reminds us that the project will still be here.  I agree - but want to MAKE SURE that I keep the project at the forefront of my mind so I don't let it slip back into the ozone for months of waiting again

I totally agree that keeping a 'mega-project' going in your life helps you focus in better on all the other responsibilities.  EG for me specifically....  making sure I get something done on the quilt is ensuring that I make good preparations for the Thanksgiving festivities.

*****************************

How are things going for you?

Are you ready to throw in the towel yet??

Hang in there.....  the end is coming (even if not in sight yet!)

21 Days ... Day 14 Set Yourself Up for Success!

day by day with Crystal Paine's book 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life

following along with a challenge set by Crystal at www.servingjoyfully.com


The quote that hit me the hardest out of this reading is:

"It’s easy to make excuses for a lack of discipline, but excuses don’t get you anywhere.  Instead, choose to invest the time you usually would devote to formulating an excuse to considering what you can do to set yourself up for success in achieving your goals."

Wow!

It does take a certain amount of creativity to come up with the wide range of excuses that I can find....  but I think the trick is to know when your obstacle is an excuse or a reason.

Reason = valid obstacle or obstruction
Excuse = something that is standing between you and your goal that you can FIX with self-discipline

Here is MY thing right now....

In my mega-project, I have hit an obstacle. 

There is something wrong with the tension on my sewing machine.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to know what that might be - but I HAVE noticed some trouble with the bobbin winding mechanism.  So..  additional steps in my quilt project need to be:

a) cleaning the machine well
b) winding new bobbins and trying again
and possibly c) taking the machine to be serviced

My first reaction?
  Put the thing away!  I am too busy right now to deal with a QUILT project!  I mean Thanksgiving is THIS week and I need to cook and clean - and I have a TON of unresolved angst about the holiday anyway...

reason or excuse?

BOTH!!

But I WANT to succeed!  I have chosen this project and it is the vehicle which will help me LEARN.  So, putting it away will ensure failure OR, at a minimum, it will be a few months before I pull it out yet again to finish!).  Certainly it won't see the light of day again until after Christmas.

So.... what to do?

Part of it I did above.... I laid out steps for succeeding.  Part of it I did the other day.... I laid out other steps that do not require the machine
a) putting the quilt on the bed and deciding the width of the border
b) locating the backing
c) cutting the border pieces that are ready and the backing to go with them
d) deciding how to treat the corners and cutting those pieces
....and I STILL have a couple of days worth of hand quilting the last strip (and the lighting/vision issues that go with that)

AND ONE other little adjustment I have made to set myself up for SUCCESS....  I have re-defined my 21 Day Project.  In the scheme of life (or my mega-project), what does it matter if MY 21 Days is actually 28 days? 

Assignment:
  What time of day works best for your project?

  The purpose for this assignment is all in planning.  Typically it is easier to handle a new project earlier in the day... when you are fresher and more energetic.  AND you can check the work off your list and that always feels good!
  I have already discovered some of the timing issues with MY project!  On days where I must drive into town, it is harder to fit the project work in.  Because of lighting and vision.... sometimes I have to wait.  The hand sewing on the dark fabric is not something I can do at night - but I often do it to the television.  But if I turn on the tv early in the day, that is another problem :-)

For this project - I generally do the hand sewing after lunch... early afternoon.  Other parts have been fit in different days as possible.  I will try to find a better schedule to handle this.

How are you handling the scheduling for YOUR mega-project?

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life... Day 13 READ!!!

following along with Crystal Paine's book.... 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life

this challenge is being led by Crystal at www.servingjoyfully.com  
Crystal, at the moment, is working on HER mega-project of finishing up her masters degree... so I am hopping over to her co-host, Laura at http://supersweetlife.com/


So this is my favorite!  I am a read-a-holic!  But Crystal cautions that we need to read INSPIRATIONAL books and books that will help us reach our goals.  In today's reading, she has several suggestions for self-discipline and motivation... some of which I have read.  Actually a friend and I have a joke that between us, we have all the organizational and weight loss books that have been printed.... and WE need to actually implement the things we now know...

So there is the problem for some of us.... I read and read and read... and it is time for me to DO and DO and DO :-)

If reading is a problem for you, tackle it the same way you are tackling your mega-project... lay out small achievable tasks for yourself.  Set a goal of finishing the book and break it down into manageable chunks.  I have a couple of books on my reading list that have been there most of the year.... one I am baking my way through and one is a money management course.   I will lay out a plan of action for those two books and make sure I finish them in 2013.

Today's Assignment:
     Step 13 of your mega-project
     Find a book to read that correlates to your project.

*************************************

My progress.....
     Today is a family day!  My grandson is being dedicated today and then we are eating lunch out.  With the 2 hours of travel time involved, I am not sure how much I will accomplish.

  Since lighting is an issue for me, I really should have done some hand-quilting yesterday while I had the opportunity to be home in the morning... BUT I didn't - so that is past :-)  I will think about what I can do today.

I CAN machine stitch the border pieces
I CAN locate the muslin backing and quilt batting that I will need
I CAN lay the quilt out on the bed and make a decision about the width of the border
I CAN make a decision about how I want to make the border corner pieces


I will come back later in the day and update you as to what I DID do :-)

How about you?? Do you have a plan for the day?

*****

Wow - things did not turn out as planned....  My sewing machine started acting up and I ended up leaving it... frustrated!  I worked on crocheting cowls last night.. and also have 2 afghans that I am closing in on finishing (I have a Dec 8 deadline on those).

I think the sewing machine is a bobbin winding issue.. but will try again when my attitude is a little better.  I am struggling now with the upcoming holiday and all the preparation and (more like) anxiety that comes with it.  Since I am working on my BRAIN and ATTITUDE this year... I think I need to journal some of the unhappy negative feelings that are surfacing underneath this aggravated behavior.  I don't know how much I will share here .. but I feel the UPSET rising already and it may impact the progress on the quilt.... and probably should take precedence though I am not quitting!

21 Days... Day 12... FOCUS!!

oh boy
distracted much?

This was actually a really good reading for me yesterday!  I knew I needed to work on the quilt because I have not gotten to it all week.  Yet I have been away from home every day so....  I am just now getting to thinking about all the things I need to handle before next week's holiday.  I wandered around today - trying to focus on different rooms.... but I found something in the living room that belongs in the laundry room... which led me to folding laundry and putting away clothes in my bedroom, where I noticed something that needed to go to the laundry room.... where the freezer is and I pulled something out for dinner.. which I brought to the kitchen to thaw.. where I noticed that....  well, you get the picture!  All the while, stewing about the quilt and then the dogs needed walking again, where I noticed that the bok choy needs to be picked and used (file away stir fry for next week's menu)...  Today my brain seems to be a sieve!

But I did keep coming back to center.... and balanced several bank statements... gathered mailing envelopes and addresses for packages to be mailed, finished up a skein of yarn, and got that strip of quilt marked and stitched.

I got a LOT done.. but I felt out of focus - like I was being pulled in several directions.  I find it extremely difficult to put my head down and stick to just one thing!

Crystal Paine writes "Multi-tasking is the  death of FOCUS"

AMEN!

Her suggestion is one we've heard before but always works.... use the timer.  It works for me too!  I get derailed by trying to decide what I am doing - AND making myself do what I don't wanna.   I have to get that inner child under control :-)

What I can see happening here is that I am starting to worry about the holiday meal and company next Thursday - and I am losing focus on what I need to do TODAY.  (EVEN what I need to do today FOR next Thursday!)  Will have to think about this one!

Assignment:

  Do Step 12 of your mega-project and begin to visualize the finished project and how you will feel.

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My progress.......

Goal for today:
    Focus on today's plans (some household catch-up, a 2 mile walk + bike, review pantry/freezer and plan menu for week, make bread dough for fridge, QUILT - work on hand quilting AND machine stitch some of the strips for the final border AND review process for making the border so that when I can work on that I will now what I am doing).

      AND - find time to WRITE down Thursday's meal plan, prepare ahead list AND housework preparation list


Will be back later to share how I did -

    what are YOU doing today?


****** In many areas, today was a big fail... I spent most of the day watching holiday movies and crocheting cowls for friends  (using up my yarn stash!). 
* I did the bike, half the walking (my knee hurts today)
* I started to do the bread but forgot that I used up the eggs making breakfast for my husband and me
*I started to stitch some of the border stripping but the bobbin ran out of thread...

It was one of THOSE days!  I did review the process for finishing the quilt and have an idea what happens next... I DID refill the bobbins eventually... I DID mop the living room floor and do some neatening when I got up for commercials.... and I DID write down my holiday meal plan.    So it wasn't a total waste... I just didn't necessarily accomplish what was on my list!

21 Days.. Day 10 - Support Team!

Using the book 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine

Following the challenge led by Crystal at www.servingjoyfully.com

I invite you to come play along!  Start where you are... you can go back and read my blog from Day 1... or go to www.servingjoyfully.com to read there and/or find many other fine bloggers who have joined the challenge!

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    Today's reading is about the importance of gathering accountability partners to help you reach your goals.  In the book, they are referred to as cheerleaders.  I find this (locating accountability partners) extremely difficult!

Not asking for help.... that is not a problem.  Even accepting help is not a real issue for me.

I think it comes down to 2 things for me: In MY life, I am the accountability partner.  I am the cheerleader!  I am the one who gets invested in other people's goals and helps them to achieve!  And, I admit, I love doing it!

I have not yet gotten to the place where I can figure out how to turn that part around to help ME.

If I lived where I had a local friend who was interested in the same things I am, we could meet and I would have a real life partner who be disappointed when I don't show up.  And I wouldn't do that to them.

A case in point - this morning as my husband and I walked the dogs....  it is COLD this morning!   We reached the 1/4 mile mark (where we turn a corner into a wind tunnel :-)... and my husband turned around to go home.  I forged ahead telling him I was going to finish.  But I thought of all the times I simply followed...  The reality is that I NEED that full mile - even the COLD - to be a healthy person.   And I need to be the one of the two of us who is diet and exercise-minded.  In a sense, MY focus on diet and exercise is what will keep HIM alive longer because I know in my heart that he wouldn't have done the quarter-mile if I didn't routinely go that way.  

I will need to give this some thought today as the day goes on!

Assignment for the day:

Complete Step 10 of the mega-project.  (Yikes, I need to work on this one!)

Write down the names of 3 people who might be willing to help me be accountable with my personal goals.  (I think this is where it is really useful to know what those goals are :-).... The suggestion is to find people who are successful in what YOU want to achieve!

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Will be back later with the day's recap of events and progress!

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life - resumed.. Day 8

The book?     21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine

The challenge?  Being led by Crystal at www.servingjoyfully.com

Join in!  21 Days can begin ANY day.. and there is no time like the present!

I was away for a weekend and dropped off the blogosphere on Day 7... I am going to pick back up with Day 8's reading


Put Your Goals on Paper...

oh yeah - one of my biggies!!

On paper, it's real... one of the main reasons I struggle with journalizing my food intake.  Not that I don't freely admit my excesses... but to WRITE them?  Yikes!!  That hurts!

But I do love my lists.... I make a list every day because if it isn't written, I don't remember it all.  Thing is, I sometimes have to make 2 or 3 lists because I don't know where I put my list!  But it does prove that if it isn't written, it is all too easy to forget.

This is especially important for larger goals... like paying off bills or losing weight.  If you have a SMART goal (Day 6 in the book!)... specifically a GOAL that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Rewarding and Time-Specific... then it is WORTH writing down!  Make notes and put them everywhere so you see them!
Don't let the everyday crises pull you away from your goals simply because they aren't in the front of your mind.  And, let's face it... your mind is on the crisis in front of you... NOT the one down the road.  And the long-term is down the road.  You need some UP FRONT reminders of your desires!

My husband and I have a notebook where we put in all the things we agree on for goals... house renovations, paying down debt, places we want to travel, things we want to do.  Once a month or so, we go out to eat with THE BOOK and revisit our dreams.  This has helped us connect on a lot of levels and also keeps our joint wishes and goals UP FRONT.

One of the things the author, Crystal Paine, warns about is making a list and hiding it neatly in a notebook.  I am definitely guilty of that - which is why THE BOOK was born for our joint projects... and I have a binder that I can easily access that keeps me kind of on track most days.  I DO get a sense of satisfaction from crossing things off :-)

Assignment:  Write down your current goal on a sticky note in a positive format and post it in several places that you can see.

What you need to remember is not:  'I want to be' or 'I am working toward' but I AM.  I AM breathes faith into your belief system.  I AM sounds like you believe you can achieve your goal.  I AM makes your goal a reality.

Write that goal like it is already completed!

For me?   I am a healthy athlete who trains and competes regularly.  

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my personal update?

Still sore from walking my racing weekend... but MUCH better!

Staying on top of the bathroom mirror(little habit)!  It is starting to get easier and makes me smile.... a LOT!  AND the attention is spilling over to the counter.... NICE!

Monday & Tuesday nights right now my husband and I watch television together and I had saved the quilt (mega-project) for then BUT (don't you LOVE 'buts'?) I couldn't lay out the work to do the hemstitching in a way that was physically comfortable and still allow us a chance to snuggle.  I opted to work on some current crocheting projects instead.  Today I have a lunch date with a friend and will work on the quilt this afternoon when I get home.  My general game plan is to get that long strip hemmed, marked and quilted before the week is out.  Lighting may be an issue because the fabric is dark and morning light is best with my eyes but I will continue to tackle this one day at a time!

The 15 minutes on the bike (major habit) absolutely did not happen!  Yesterday needed to be a complete rest for the legs!  My training recovery plan calls for 20 minutes of cross-training today and I'm not sure what I will do.  I will try the bike and see how my legs behave.... but will probably end up with arm work.  At a minimum I pledge to LOCATE the dvds that will allow me to choose body parts to work :-)

So... how's it going for you?  Are you working on self-discipline?  Do you have any goals that you can put on paper so that you can stay on track with them?

21 Days - Break Day 1 :-)

Heading out for the weekend - I will pick back up with Day 8 on Monday!

I am inordinately stressed about this BLIP in my carefully orchestrated program - which is probably EXACTLY why this is good for me!  One thing I always need to remember is that I am living a life and trying to improve it NOT following a program!  Any good program - like the one outlined by Crystal Paine in 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life - HAS TO be flexible enough to fit into MY life!

Will I lose momentum if I spend these days NOT working on the habits and projects I chose last week?  Will I be able to get back on the program?

The bigger question is why should I worry about this?

IF, in fact, these are habits I want to encourage or develop, then - well, OF COURSE I can jump right back in where I left off!

Here's what I did to get ready and here is my plan for my return:

1.  I went through my crochet projects and picked one to FINISH (my LAST dishcloth to crochet from my previous blogs), one ongoing (afghan gift for my son's black belt achievement), and one I am having fun with 'using up' (neck cowls)

2.  The quilt's final long strip is pinned and ready to hem.  After that is marking and quilting (next week's achievement) and then I can work on the border and binding.

3.  I have a recovery exercise routine planned for when I get back home after my half marathon on Sunday.  (I have not exercised enough  for this event but am walking and will do what I can)

4.  Oh yeah..... in the car and during solo time... I will create those LISTS I haven't completed yet!  I am not taking my laptop but I AM taking my notebook so I can review readings and make notes.

So... there you are - I am prepared and ready to let go!

Actually - this is a great thing for YOU!  You have time to start your own projects and catch up with me!

ps.... I KNOW you are laughing now.... my husband had to stop the car and let me run back in to POST this blog.....  because, while I had written it... I had not actually posted it.....

have a good weekend!

21 Days - Day 7 - I CAN'T!

"I CAN'T" 

"I WON'T"

Negative language derails us every time.  How many times do YOU mess up your own good plans with negative language?

Never?  You never say I can't or I won't?

Well... how about hedging your bets?  Making sure you aren't committed or responsible?

"I'll try....."

"maybe....."

" IF possible..."

Can't be held accountable for these....   yes, my friends.. these count as negative language too.

And that doesn't even address the usual negative remarks like...

"I ALWAYS procrastinate"

"I NEVER follow through"

"I'm lazy, that's just the way I am"

Again... no commitment here.... just accepting that you are flawed... which is FINE but not at all helpful assuming you want to make a change!  Which is WHY you are reading and trying to be more self-disciplined, isn't it?

Pay attention to the dialogue going on in your head!  Does it serve you to beat yourself down?  Does it serve you to create a life where you are not able to succeed?  Or does it simply give you another excuse?

Think of an uplifting thing to say to yourself when you catch yourself in a negative thought mode!   Re-frame your statements TO and ABOUT yourself to reflect the positive disciplined person you really are :-)



 **************
Day 7 Recap:

Sooooooo... for all those beautiful words about being positive?  YIKES!!  It has not been a busier day than usual... but I am leaving in the morning for a date weekend with my beloved.  And I am stressing!  Why?

Well.... it's an interruption (no matter how much fun it will be).  I won't be working on my blog again until Sunday night or Monday morning.  My quilt isn't a portable project.  I certainly can't spritz the bathroom.  I will be participating in a race this weekend so the exercise bike is out.  SO, projects will be completely interrupted for 3 days.

I am leaving my two sons here at home (understand that they are men - so this is a non-issue!).  They will be responsible for the pets and the house.  And, I remind myself, it doesn't MATTER if they run out of food or clothing.  They are MEN and perfectly capable ones at that.

So, it's just me winding up loose ends and preparing to spend time away.  It's okay, I tell myself.  And it's good.

I will post again in the morning and then pick back up Sunday night and be farther behind but continuing the journey!

21 Days - Day 6 - Plan your Success!

The watchword for today is BE REALISTIC!

I have to admit - when I read the topic for the reading today from 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life , I thought of my "almost" mega-project... the photo scanning one I have been stewing over.  But I KNOW that can't be done in 21 days... or I THINK I know that :-)  I had 24 hours to commit to a project to complete in 21 days and ALMOST went with the photos... but wasn't sure about total quantity or follow-through.   It didn't seem realistic... so I will keep on with the 30  min per week idea... which I haven't done this week either!  But I digress.... ONE thing at a time!

Lasting change happens slowly.  Just as a tiny rivulet of water created the Grand Canyon over time... our little habit changes create new and better lives!

Thing is... when we start out with too many changes, all of our enthusiasm and good intentions go by the wayside when the going gets tough!

Just like with anticipating problems (Day 5)... making sure that your new self-discipline FITS in your life is really important!  It is so hard to scale back when we want so desperately to create a new habit... but if you really want your habit to stick... you have to have a reasonable expectation of yourself (and those around you!)

Barring doctor's orders, it is not reasonable to drastically change your diet immediately!  You may have a few good days to begin but are almost certain to drop this project pretty quickly.  Better to break it down into smaller chunks that you can handle.  Start by doing something very small.... like adding a salad to your processed food dinner... OR replacing one meal a week with foods you learn to make from real ingredients.... and then build on that as time goes on.

It almost feels insulting to start so small.... kind of like you are setting the bar too low... but it is the small changes that are not TOO painful that will be permanent ones that you can build on!   And if you look at the BIG picture, this one little change is a step on the road to the BIG goal.

Make your goals realistic and achievable (and break them up into parts you can manage successfully).

 And never, ever give up!

Today's assignment:

1.  Continue the small habit... bathroom mirror spritzed!(This one is getting a little tougher... hard to remember the good intentions before I run out to jump into my morning.  I MIGHT have to tweak this to allow me to do it at a different time of day)
2.  Continue with larger life change....  15 minutes on the bike (added 8 pull-ups for upper body)

3.  Step 6 of mega-project - stitched last panel onto the quilt... also plan to cut batting and pin strip in preparation for hem-stitching it to the back

4. Re-evaluate steps for mega-project... are they manageable?

     I have kind of cheated on this one.  I never actually did make 21 steps because I really don't know everything involved with finishing the quilt.  I just know that there isn't too terribly much and it will take consistent effort to finish it up!  I have worked on little bits each day.  I think I will continue as I have just so long as I do some work each day with a focus on finishing by the end of the 21 days!

How is your 21-Day journey going?  Especially your mega-project....

Read more at the inspiration site: www.serving joyfully.com

21 Days - Day 4 Slow Down!

Love this - the first line in the reading says:  "Was it hard to choose a new habit to work on yesterday?"

I almost spit coffee into my keyboard.... and you will too if you kept up with my mental meanderings over the course of the day...  I have to say - I do enjoy playing around with my posts all day... posting and changing and posting and changing...

I am happy to report that my quilt is moving along... with the help (interference?) of some of my furry friends..

Here we have Dixie - a stray that is staying with us until we can find her original or a new 'forever home'.... she's tough!  Adorable and apparently determined to find her place with us, we don't have much experience finding new homes for pets.. but we are trying!  But I digress......

The lighting for working on quilting the dark fabric is solved mostly because I worked in a different room for reasons OTHER than the quilt :-)  I chose the room with the television option I was interested in.... and it has better lighting.

Back to Day 4 message......  it's one I really harped on at the beginning of the year - remember when I started the Healthy Habit thread??  Change just a little at a time.. and make it permanent.

The best way to FAIL is to set up elaborate new schemes and jump in with both feet.  TOO MUCH CHANGE.... TOO FAST!

So..... given the choice... WHY NOT set yourself up for SUCCESS?

Today's assignment:
   1.  Make a list ( I LOVE making lists :-) of all the habits you'd like to create or change.  Just make a list as you go through your day noticing things.  (Funny how this project is making me take a long look at my current behavior... NOT a good / bad judgment.... just a long look at what serves me and what does not)

      ** why the list?  When you feel that your current little habits (for me, spritzing the bathroom mirror daily AND 15 minutes on the exercise bike) are regular parts of your routine.... you can choose another one to work on.

2.  Prioritize the TOP 3 of your list and think of all the positive benefits of changing those. (But don't worry about changing them yet :-)

3.  Do Step 4 of my quilt project.

  Will be back later with my recap.... it's another busy day away from the house so I will have to get those habits handled early!

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Recap......

  You are not going to believe this....   I DID do the habits and the quilt..... I DID NOT get to the lists!  Wow!  That's a first for me :-)  I will keep that in my notebook (did you guess that I print out each day's readings, put them in a notebook and make notes on them as I go along through my day?) and KEEP MOVING!

I did find that I couldn't remember what day of the challenge I was on when I was talking to my husband... but I DID remember what I needed to do on my quilt so I guess it's all good :-)
 

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life Day 3.. More on habits!

     Still talking about habits.... those things we do (or don't do) every day.  Some of them make us feel good... some don't.  My task today is to take a good look at my 'every day' and look for something SMALL that I can change that will have a big impact!  Because often that is the case...

My favorite line in today's reading is " Remember, moving in the right direction – even at a microscopic rate – is always faster than standing still."

Little changes add up to MAJOR improvements... for me, I like to think of a brick house....built little brick by little brick.

The author (Crystal Paine 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ) speaks of choosing to clean up the kitchen before she goes to bed to make her morning start a little brighter.  A fantastic idea!  I already clean up well after dinner. BUT since I am the FIRST one in my house to actually go to sleep..... the kitchen is almost never like I left it :-)

Tidying up my work space is something that is daunting to me always...  maybe that.  And exercising, well we all know there are roadblocks there....  Today's reading also warns against burn-out..... you know, when you start all excited about something and then do so much that everything loses its appeal.... and then you are worse off than when you started..

Moving on to the quilt.... I have a busy day today and would not ordinarily come home this evening and quilt.  I THINK I avoid it in the evening because of lighting... but it's habit now so I don't actually remember.

*Tonight I will figure that out and hopefully SOLVE.  If I can do it, I will do some hand quilting.. if not, I will deliver to you a REASON, a project I CAN work on, and a plan to finish the quilt anyway. 

As to the second task, I stumbled and fumbled choosing a small action to implement for a week as yesterday's assignment and am a little confused as to what to do today.

The assignment appears to be about starting a new habit (but since I sort of started one yesterday and adding too much at one time seems to be counter to today's reading, I may misunderstand).

*I will read Days 2 & 3 again to determine my course of action, I will create a list of small habits (bricks for the life I want to build!) to work on.... and if I am to choose one, I will.

*And I will write (already DONE!) and clean my bathroom mirror!

******* Day 3 Recap

Started early but moving SLOWLY.  We have colds here - the kind that don't knock you out but DO leave you kind of miserable and whiney for a couple of weeks.  So I am grumpy :-(

I still need to re-read today's readings but I did decide on another habit that would make a HUGE difference in my life.

**15 minutes daily on the exercise bike.

For me, that would strengthen my troublesome knee.... it would assure that I put 15 minutes of regular exercise in my daily routine.... it is a recumbent bike so I can read or play games on my phone while I do it (also in front of the tv)... and I don't have to change clothes.  It is an exercise that bypasses most of my exercise objections and doesn't lend itself to rationalization (note my treadmill rationalization yesterday!).

The stronger knee will allow / encourage me to train more and be stronger with less pain.

The exercise habit will lead to more exercise.  The bike is an attachment to a total gym so maybe I will be encouraged to do a little more (later, much later... baby steps!)

The easy nature of the commitment will reduce my reluctance to engage.  I HOPE it's a win-win.  Certainly it won't be a LOSS.
Small commitment - HUGE impact.....

And .... (now that I am back home and have READ the readings again... is exactly the habit to choose today... small effort - BIG POSITIVE IMPACT... so I'm on board!

21 Days...Day 2..Start a habit

Day 2 of the challenge... how to create change.

And it's a way that we know - I have written about baby steps over and over again - but it always bears repeating... to create lasting change, you have to go slowly and create habits.

Read it again.... Go slowly and create habits.

Overambitious plans set us up for failure.  You know that... I know that... yet we do it time and time again.  There is so much FUN in the planning!  AND so much energy in the STARTING of a new plan!

But - as much fun as the planning is.... the FAILURE stinks!

This time, I am going to keep setting myself up for success!

Today's assignment... choose ONE small thing to do every day for a week that will be a habit that will make a difference in your life.

I think my focus will be writing in this blog!   So I guess that is REstarting a habit?  But at any rate, it's a good way for me to spend a little time thinking about what I need to do.

A couple of other things I want to try are
    *bathroom mirror.  A spritz and a wipe every morning.  One week.... let's see how it goes...
    *15 minutes on the treadmill  (I've been stalled in treadmonster training for lost of reasons - but one is TIME.... but I can do anything for 15 minutes.. and if I can't?  well, then it's some other reason that I CAN FIX)

I will try these others BUT am not allowed to beat myself up for not getting them done - the writing is the FOCUS!

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So .. recap of Day 2

I am fighting a cold and am rebellious about getting back to the quilt!  Also rebellious about the treadmill - BOO!  I have been writing for a good bit today - hooray for THAT habit!  And have worked around the house with the usual things.  Pulled chili out of the freezer to put in the crock for dinner....

Did spritz the bathroom mirror and cleaned the counters - new habit that makes me smile!

The writing I did was 'catch-up' blog writing but I need to do a lot of that - so it's all good!  Maybe that should have been my mega-project......  need to be careful not to burn myself out on this productive stuff :-)

I finally sat down to watch a movie from the library and work on Day 2 on THE QUILT.  I got the long strip marked and started to work.  I got called away for something or the other (LIFE!) and when I came back, I discovered that one of our kitties - Trouble - decided to help me today.  In spite of his help, I did manage to get some quilting done.  Not as much as I had anticipated, but I had forgotten about the need to mark it... so it's all good... and progress is made!

Never did make it to the treadmill - but that is 'all-or-nothing' thinking...

Reality is that we have a stray dog boarding with us until we find her owner (or great new home!) and we are walking all the dogs twice as often!  She's an energetic creature and I need to recognize that walking her IS walking.... doesn't have to be on the treadmonster!  (Now I just have to watch myself to make sure I am not making excuses because I honestly am not doing the training I need to be doing!)