7500 Views...

... or Gratitude

.... or paying attention...

On Facebook this morning, I played one of those silly games..... it was... "what is your most viewed photo?"  So... I bit... which one was it?

This one....

..taken one week ago with my little point and shoot camera which is literally held together by transparent tape.

7497 views.

And I don't even see well.  I can't use my phone camera because I can't see the options.   So.... a lucky shot.

7497 views.

and I reposted it so it will grow.

7500 views?  I don't have that many friends or followers, for sure.

So it must be a photo that resonates with others.

And I like that.

And yes, I am lucky that this view is from my deck.  Actually a truth is that I have no curtains so I can see it from my bed.

BUT

what view do YOU have?

I mean... I have lived with lots of people
in this house
and they don't see this view.

They go on about their lives.

I started shooting this view several years ago.
At sunrise.
Most mornings.

I SEE the view in front of me.  I have to see it in order to take the photo.

What view is in YOUR life that you watch every day?

What can you take a photo of so that you can see the changes?

BTW - just for fun..... just so you know (though if you are one of my followers, you already know this) ... I am NOT a photographer.  I really don't see well at all.  I have big thick lenses in my glasses.. and I have a wonderful specialist who has helped me continue to wear contact lens - sometimes..... and those with reading glasses :-)  

So it was indeed a lucky shot - one of hundreds I have taken and posted..... and there ya go..... another life lesson.  Consistency is a winning behavior.... just like gratitude and awareness....

Annual Goal Evaluation

The best reason to evaluate goals is to see your progress - or not!  This is simply a guide to help you live your best life :-)  As I look back... I see areas where I have achieved MUCH more than I thought... and areas where I totally BOMBED! 

I see achievements (like my 'mile a day' habit) that had side benefits (my husband now joins me daily so MY goal has helped HIS health)

I see goals (like spiritual reading) that never got off the ground.. and now I need to decide a) if I want to make this a goal for 2013 OR b) choose a method to help me make it happen!

I see goals (like the infamous photo scanning project) that were TOO HUGE to measure well that need to be broken down better

This evaluation is simply a tool.  I encourage you to do your own and see where you are in your happiness - and where you want to be!  How will you get there if you don't know where you are right now?


Evaluation of 2012 Annual Goals

Goals 2012:

1.  HEALTH -
         a) continue on weight loss / exercise balance!
              I recognize that this is not specific enough for a goal. I am still working on action steps that will fit in my life and be sustainable.  I will share that journey with you as I go.
             Weight has remained the same which is also an accomplishment!  Looking back to the beginning of the year, I have made good new habits: I walk a mile outside almost every day and have increased that to 2 miles this December - successfully.  I have doubled or tripled my fruit and veggie intake with salads and green smoothies.  I have also identified supplements that help me physically and mentally and am taking them!

      Still working on consistent all over training - especially strength.

         b)Train for and do my 5th Breast Cancer 3Day Walk in Atlanta Oct 2012..
      Location changed to Philadelphia - but I DID IT!

2.  FINANCIAL -
         a) continue to live on a cash basis and work down debt balances
              Debt balances are reduced a little bit....but we are still living on a cash basis AND have pumped up the savings!  We have made improvements in other areas and have 2 kids in college.... we are doing well!  
Ultimate goal?  No debt except mortgage.... 10% long term savings each year (2.5% this year) and 10% short term savings (3% this year)

         b) find other sources of income to assist in this process.  It is important for me to feel financially independent.
             Little progress here... my best way of helping financially still is reduction of expenses.  I have been able to sell a little of my Children's Liturgy plans this year so that is a start!

         c) continue working with tithing.
            Our income is so variable that it is difficult to keep this one where it needs to be.  That said, I do monitor it monthly and we are aware and working on it.  
Our goal - 5% to our home church and 5% to the world's requests. 

Our achievement - 4% to our home church and 3% to the world....  we might be able to up that a little in the next few days... we'll see.

3. CURRENT HOME project -
        This one scares me but I am ready to take it on!  By the end of 2012, this home will be in a condition to sell.  I am working on a plan of action to deal with each room and all the associated STUFF... I will detail this in weekly action plans as I go.
      Yeah - not so much on my part!....  But we did make some improvements that will aid in the energy efficiency of our home.  The final set of ancient windows have been replaced, window wells have been dug out and re-graveled.... the room with water damage has been repaired and painted and is ready for me to decorate as a guest room... 
I think this goal needs to be re-framed and more specific for 2013
 
          My photo scanning project will continue under this heading.  I will continue to scan and organize photos in folders on my computer in order to share with other family members who are involved in the photos.
        I have made some progress this year but this task is HUGE!  I will need to break this down into more specific and manageable goals in order to feel any sense of accomplishment!
     
There are: 
      the 'tub' of assorted photos (down from a large 18 gallon plastic tote to a small 20 quart plastic tote) **looking at this alone makes me feel I did more than I thought I did :-)
                  the albums - my personal, my mother's, some older historical ones
                  the framed photos
                  the 'official' posed photos

         Also - I love to learn (as you probably know already) so this year, I will learn to refinish furniture and decorate.  Perhaps I can find some inexpensive course in interior design.... or some good DIY projects to attempt.
         Nope - haven't touched it..

4.  Good Maintenance Habits:
         Good maintenance habits means that I don't have to THINK about them - I just do them.  To that end, I will think about them now :-)
    A) health/weight/exercise - I will deal with those under the "health" category
    B) environmental management - (fancy name for housekeeping!)  I will talk about this as I go through the work of re-newing the house.  I will develop some good maintenance habits as I tackle the larger project.
    Other than beginning the year well with great ideas about how to clean and keep up with this house, I haven't accomplished much here.

   C) relationships -
            Family - regular, purposeful dates / activities with husband and family members - separate and together......  Much better with the hubs... okay with the kids

           Friends - make a point of a 'non-business' meeting with as many friends as possible during 2012....  not well at all :-(

           Birthday cards :-)  I like doing them and it felt good to actually get through the year having done them!   Birthday cards to friends and family took a beating this year.  I started a card ministry at church and did great with the church and lousy with my family.... need to fix this

    D) hobbies -
            *Enjoy my crocheting but work down my yarn stash..  Doing this but it is a BIG stash....  I have not bought much yarn this year though - and every bit I DID buy had a designated function and need.  (no yarn for yarn's sake!)
            * Less crochet - more quilting, loom knitting, knitting, and whatever other crafts I can enjoy with my current supplies     I have gotten back to a little bit of quilting and sewing for the girls but very little as yet.  And that mostly because of ongoing shoulder issues that are worse when I crochet!  But, whatever works, right?
 
            * Learning: is learning a hobby?
                  a) Read a minimum of 1 book per week.
                          Start on book lists of classics by Modern Library / continue with favorite authors and Oprah's recommendations     Classic book list was too much work for books I didn't care much for so I quit that pretty quickly.... that said - I still read a LOT.. check out my reading list page..  I set a goal for 100 books and have hit 106 as of this writing!

                  b) Watch more movies - Choose classics from American Film Institute List (as well as fun choices as desired!) The list had a few classics I was interested in but others were just not to my taste and I respect that ability to choose :-)  But I HAVE watched more movies.. mostly current ones I chose to get out of the library instead of purchase.  This will no longer be a goal now that I have the HABIT of ordering and checking out items from my local library.

                   c) will put my spiritual reading here.  I still am not sure about what I want to do here but will make a choice soon (by the 1st :-)     this is another thing that has not exactly gotten off the ground in 2012.....  I HAVE regularly pulled Scripture verses or passages to memorize and ponder but haven't done anything systematic this year.

5.  Writing - Keep on with my daily blogging - Journey & Children's Liturgy
                   Join a writers group to learn more about what I am doing and where I can go with it.
                   Keep up with a written journal

    A BIG fail on the writing!  I have kept up with Children's Liturgy to a point because people are beginning to purchase it  - but other than that, I have not been consistent at all!

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!

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

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 - 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.  

***********************
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... Still on Break...

Yeah, yeah, I know... I said Monday.... and here it is....

I did write up my weekend race report and am trying to settle back in.

I have a list of things to do this week and will hand hem my quilt strip this afternoon.  The bathroom is spritzed and laundry is humming as I bring the house up to speed :-)  So maybe I am not on break exactly..

I have no intention of trying to 'catch up' on my 21 days.... but will pick back up with Day 8 tomorrow....  the whole idea is about setting goals and making them happen - and I am doing that.  Are you?

These few days are all about slowing down a little.... BUT still moving toward the goal!

Will talk to you tomorrow about Day 8 - Put Your Goals on Paper!

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 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!

*******************************
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!)

21 Days... Day 1 Getting Started!

Following the challenge laid out in http://www.servingjoyfully.com/  inspired by the Ebook 21 Days to a more Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine

A day behind...... I spent yesterday pondering the many potential projects for the Day 1 assignment.

I enjoy a challenge, I relish the thought of getting some chores out of my way... and I love the idea of helping myself learn to be a little more disciplined in my work.. whatever it may be.  I learned a long time ago that I do not like the stress of last-minute or crisis work... whether it be cleaning, or errands, or finishing up a crocheted gift.  While I can be spontaneous, like most people, I have a LOT to DO!  And I have trouble both prioritizing and finding time to do things.

Something that really challenges me is getting a nice little pattern going accomplishing tasks... and then life happens.. I have to do something out of sequence, or schedules change, or well.. anything.. find a stray pup, prepare for a hurricane, have a car break down, come home from a vacation... (all of these [and more!] have happened to me in the last 2 weeks).  These things are called LIFE.... they continue to disrupt my most diligent efforts.

But is it LIFE'S fault?  I don't think so.  I think it's me.  I think that I should be in control - not of LIFE - but of ME!  And I'm ready to give this a go.  Worst case scenario?  I get a few more things accomplished than if I didn't try!

So here we are... Day 1... ready to get out of my own way and stop some of the madness!

The assignment?

#1.  Pick a small chore that has been bugging you - and DO it!  The author suggests sewing on a button or tackling a pile of ironing... a "minutes" chore rather than a big one.

#2.  Pick a LARGE chore or project to be completed in 21 days.  Lay out the action in 21 steps and do Day 1

Okay - so you know me... I spent yesterday wandering around making lists.  The 'little chore' list is humongous.... I mean, aren't there a thousand things that could be on this one?  I've already sorted and tossed a pile of papers this morning and will be cutting more jalapenos up to freeze in a little while.  BUT something that has been nagging at me for a few days is weeding my fall crop beds.  With the heavy rains and vacation week, the weeds are getting pretty healthy.  Today I will weed ONE raised bed.  Just one.

The 'big chore' list is problematic.  Already on my list to get back to is my photo scanning project.. but I don't know how to break that down into 21 parts to complete.  I will commit to going back to my original resolution commitment of 30 min per week.  At a minimum then.. with 8 more weeks in the year, I will have 4 more hours into the work and see where that gets me.

Decluttering is a big one too - but not one I can either break down OR see an end to :-) so I am going back to my 10 min per day specific room focus, eventually working my way through the house and yard and back again.  I want this to be a life skill change so there won't be an end.

I thought of a few more ideas but have settled on my quilt.... remember?  the one I keep saying I will finish one day?   Mostly hand sewing left so I keep putting it off.  I am going to take that one and go for it!

So... today's official work?

Weed one garden bed

Hem a long strip on the quilt

Those are 2 things added to my day that I know I can do and that will make me feel good even if I drop this project tomorrow (which I WON'T)

*********

Recap of Day 1:

So I did get the garden bed weeded - one of them :-)  And discovered that the bok choy has some harvestable leaves that I enjoyed in my lunch salad.

I also wandered around hunting for other small jobs and got a lot of little oddments handled... some that make me smile..  this week's focus is the laundry room.  I haven't done too much in there this week - but I found my (unfinished) rag quilt and dug that out.  A month ago I did the snipping bits and needed to wash and babysit it through the dryer so that the vent didn't explode.... so I worked in the laundry room in 10-minute chunks as the quilt dried.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?), when finished, I found that there were spots I didn't snip... so I had to snip those and go through the process again.  So I probably got my WEEK'S worth of laundry room focus done yesterday :-)

And then, I had to hunt down the instructions for finishing the quilt... okay I didn't NEED those today or tomorrow but will soon - and also to create the 21 steps.   So a bit of shifting around and re-sorting and organizing.... and also (humbly) recognizing just exactly how many unfinished projects I have.  I've been working with the crochet ones all year (along with new projects) and it is almost embarrassing.  ALMOST... because I DO love working with yarn and fabric..... but I will definitely continue on the 'finish up' path as I continue to declutter / downsize!

It took a lot longer than I had anticipated to hand-hem the one long strip that was my task for my mega-project.. and I was NOT having fun...  but I did get it done. 

Saturday Morning Musings

Saturday morning after a long week......  one of those weeks where most of your good intentions went right out the window!

Not a bad week really.. just off to a slow start... yet so many things happened that I was pretty much a bystander trying to hang on and figure it out.

Do you ever have weeks like that?  In control?  Not exactly....

My new-found attempts at area focus in the house.... didn't happen well at all....  But the key is that they DID happen in some capacity.  While the designated area (porches) was 100% neglected.... I did do a little sorting and tossing in other areas where I happened to be at any given time.  So that's something.. and anything is indeed progress!

Healthy habits?  Pretty good, all in all.... I did my morning dog walk (mile) and even increased my steps with an afternoon walk - not sure of the distance there.. but I have managed to end each day with over 6,000 steps.  NOT the recommended 10 - but a super improvement on the 3500 I opened 2012 with :-)  Still good with the tea and fruit and the salad.... eating at the table hasn't gone so well... but I haven't been mindlessly binging either.. so I call it a win..

I am treading water in other areas like paperwork and greeting cards.... but treading water isn't drowning.. so again.. a win....

AND I think I almost have mentally processed most of the week's events so I can prepare to make a little more progress next week.

Today we are off and running early... my son is testing for a belt in his martial arts class.... and tomorrow is church activities.  I will do my quick list of "have to's" and stick a few in here and there while I enjoy my family!

I think the best part about today is knowing that - while I did not make progress the way I planned... Neither did I backslide by eating inappropriately or torturing myself.  Things just ARE... and I am still working on goals...  Life has happened... interrupted... and I am still in the game without losing ground!

So how was your week?  Are you making it worse by beating yourself up or are you getting better about recognizing that life happens!  Life keeps on happening.... and interrupting!  Having good habits to survive the interruptions is a HUGE bonus :-)

Here's to a better week ahead!

Thrive in Five Update Day 21

            I was thinking about the healthy habit program I have set for myself this year.  It's small - but you know what?  That is what makes it do-able.  That is what make is manageable for me... and those are small inflexible changes that will make a difference.

Inflexible in that I get up every morning thinking... I will do these things.  Of course, my world will not end if they don't get done - but things will go smoother if they do.   Doing specific things FOR my body will make the rest of my life better.... longer..... stronger.

This week, I will wear my pedometer all week to see how many steps I get each day.  I won't stress or judge... but simply LOG it.  I am having a little trouble at this point with the daily fruit - and beans in the salad - so will reinforce those habits while checking out my step count.

Will you join me?


*****Thrive in Five Update Day 21*****

I'm feeling pretty good today - and very positive!  I feel like I have now gone through some UPS and DOWNS while I have been on this journey with Hannah - and am coming out on the winning side!  (Don't forget - if you are interested in this sensible approach and honest coaching in a regular life - go to www.hannahkeeley.com and check out Thrive in Five!)

The greatest battle of regaining health (and losing weight) is in my head.  I know that God wants the best life for me... God wants me serving in my greatest capacity.... so it only makes sense that God will help me overcome the roadblocks that are holding me back!  I just need to remember to ask!

Today I am thinking of how to increase movement in my daily life in a way that makes sense to me.  I love to garden and have never shied away from hauling dirt or bending and stooping and all the movement that comes along with heavy work..... and I have worked some of that into my life this cold season by adding an outdoor area to my 15-minute focus cleaning plan...  and soon there will be an outdoor component to the Healthy Habit concept...

It's not hard to cultivate a habit of doing specific target strength exercises while performing daily chores... but it's not enough in the big picture.  It's just a beginning!  (I am not knocking it - it is essential to have these habits in place especially for when life falls apart - which it DOES all the time!)

It's a struggle getting enough exercise though to consistently work that heart muscle!  I have never been an active person - I have chosen a life that mostly exercises my mind and am out of balance.  I do not care for most sports, especially team ones.  I don't even know what teams play which sports!  I am not competitive in the physical arena.... I like to achieve but the process is more enjoyable to me than victory!

I have discovered that I like the structure of a training schedule.... I do the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walks and follow the training schedules pretty well.... potentially what I need to do is find races during the other half of the year so I can keep training in some capacity!

I will keep thinking about it and searching for the answer because a balance of movement and nutrition is where I will find my God-given birthright of health!

So I should ask YOU...... HOW do YOU fit exercise in your life consistently?  How do you choose movement that is meaningful to you?

Healthy Habits & Thrive in Five Day 10

I am feeling pretty good about getting my mile in most mornings - are you doing this healthy habit with me?  Okay - well, have you mapped out a mile route around your home or workplace?  KNOWING WHERE you are going helps with the habit part.....

And then did some 20s while I put the laundry on... 20s are my attempt at exercising.  My attitude has been so difficult that I asked a friend to help challenge me to do 20 - JUST 20 - of some different exercises during the course of any given day.  So - for laundry folding, I did 20 calf raises (you know, rising up on your toes), 20 squats and 20 hamstring curls (b*tt kicks).  Easy... no-brainers.... I will do some push-ups off the kitchen counter.. still have to take it easy on my shoulders but ought to do some range of motion exercises like arm circles and shoulder reaches with NO weights.  Maybe we'll see the 20s show up as a healthy habit :-)

Anyway - HEALTHY Habits.... I decided, as part of my healthy journey this year, that it might be easier (I love EASY, sensible and efficient!) to work on a different habit each week.  I think that lots of little healthy habits make a fantastic healthy life - and, hopefully, some healthy choices will end up being automatic.

THEY (whoever 'they' are) say that you can create a habit in 21 days.... I'm not so sure.  Or maybe I'm just a tough nut to crack.... but 21 days doesn't seem to work quite that well for me.  It's not enough!  So I have to FOCUS.  I will work on ONE easy habit per week and see if I can get it to be part of my life.

PLEASE join me if you are interested - and let me know what you need to work on.  Remember - it HAS to be easily implemented - something we can do right away.  I know I am not going to count all my calories or grams of fiber as part of my daily life...but I am ready for a change!

I understand that ONE mile daily is not be enough movement.... and one salad a day is not enough veggies... but, if you are like me, SOME days you won't get THAT much of either good thing - and making it a habit is a really important building block to getting MORE.

So far this year...
                    Week #1. Walk a mile daily
                    Week #2  Drink green tea daily
                    Week #3  Eat a green salad daily (2+c fresh veggies + 1/2c beans)

I have them listed on one of the pages on my sidebar and will update weekly!

BTW... if you are WITH me.. for February, you will need a a little notebook (one you can carry with you) and a pedometer (find yours or go get one - there are nice inexpensive ones at Walmart for about $5).  It's a really nifty tool and I am going to USE it :-)


******* Thrive in Five Update  Day 10*****

Okay - yesterday's emphasis on sugar didn't worry me too much.  I don't usually eat a lot of desserts or processed food.  Well, I say that.... but we just emerged from the sugar coma we call "the HOLIDAY season".  Even if you don't indulge much on a regular basis, I am sure you found your fair share.  Not to mention that if I don't actually read labels and write it down, I am grossly mistaken about my sugar intake.  Just because I don't eat desserts, doesn't mean that LOTS of sugar isn't finding its way into my bloodstream!

Anyway... today we think about FAT and its storage function.  If your body doesn't need it and can't get rid of it, your body stores it.  Using logic, toxins that have not yet been eliminated have to be stored there.  And, again logically... look at the shelf life of some of the stuff you are eating... do you think it CAN be processed quickly by the body?
 
 A year ago I decided to drop 20 pounds over the summer...  I did it - and then promptly lost all energy and went into a grand funk.  You can read all about my doctor visits (nothing was wrong (!) and forays into better eating in some of my earlier blog entries.  (Resolution Number 1 - weight vs health!   Back Story Part 1) and (Resolution #1 Food as Medicine )  Looking back there were TWO major factors that I believe caused me to TANK.

ONE was cutting way too many nutritive calories.  I know better - but what I did was have a calorie count which allowed me to indulge in chips... so total calories was GREAT.... total nutritional calories was abysmal.

TWO was excessive indulgence in FAT-FREE, SUGAR-FREE items.  As soon as you say 'fat-free, sugar-free', you say chemical-laden, artificial foods.

If toxins are stored in fat... and I cut both my healthy fat intake AND my total nutritive calories dramatically, then I can envision all the poisons flooding my bloodstream.... NO WONDER my poor body was struggling!

Learning to eat better over the past year has been a wonderful journey EXCEPT for the stress and fear of gaining the weight back.  Which is, of course, exactly what happened!  THAT is where I am now.. and I feel confident that in THIS year, I will get a handle on it!  Thank you, Hannah, for your support and coaching!

Helpful Habits

           When things get crazy... the only thing that saves my resolutions... are HABITS!  You read a lot about forming habits... some say they are hard to form.. some say they are easy... some say they can't do it.  I read that it takes 21 days to create a habit.... I'm not so sure about that...  sometimes I think it takes a LOT longer.  I have been working on my nutritional habits for years and am just now realizing that some of my chosen behaviors have BECOME habits when I wasn't looking. 

      Have you ever thought about how to create a habit?   I found that the easiest way to do it is to be very specific about the habits I already have!  And yes - you have them....  we are creatures of habit.

   If you don't believe me, try this experiment... think about your morning.  Make a list of each thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning.    Think about it ... does this list ever vary?  If it does.... WHY did it vary?  Was it your choice or was it outside circumstance?  I bet it wasn't you.   Most of the time, we are pretty mindless in our behaviors.  We fall into certain routines.... and this is fantastic!  It allows us to function and to put our brains to use in other areas.  So the key here - is to create behaviors that you do not have to think about.. that will further your personal goals.

   Follow yourself around and notice 'clusters' of behaviors.  Things you do at the same time.. like maybe flossing and brushing your teeth.  It is easier to remember to do one when you are already doing the other.  I already wipe out the sink after I brush my teeth... so that is a good time to add....wiping the counter.

  Small persistent actions that lead you toward your goals.  MY goal of a neat house that I don't have to think about....  I need habits to make that happen.

  So what kinds of habits will help me keep my resolutions?

1.  Food habits.... my page of FOOD RULES lists some of my acquired habits and ones I am working on.  Never be at the mercy of society.... always carry a nutritious snack with me!  Always eat breakfast keeps my energy up...   Eating in combination makes sure I get my fruits and veggies

2.  Movement habits...  regularly scheduled exercise classes.. people are waiting for you to show up.. you are less likely to miss them.   Scheduled events like races are good for me... I won't do them without training because I worry about injury.  That keeps me regularly checking my training schedule and coming back the next day if I miss a workout.

3.  Debt reduction habits...  NOT going into stores...  Constantly asking myself if we really NEED an item or just want it...  Using 1 -2 weeks monthly as "use up" weeks.

4.  House maintenance habits...   This is an area of constant need for improvement.... but I work on little things that can become habits.  It helps to designate certain days or times to do certain things.... I have lists of daily, weekly, monthly & quarterly tasks... I do a load of laundry every day

5.  Evaluation & Review Habits... I make sure that EVERY DAY at some point, I review what I have done that day & what is missing from my resolution progress.  I SCHEDULE what I plan to do next.

What kind of habits do you already have that can be put to work for you?

Habits Saved Me :-)

oh wow!
Life has been full lately and I feel like the wheels have come off the wagon!

I have missed scheduled exercise classes!
I have eaten out (and NOT salads!)
The house?  Well.. the less said, the better...
Debt reduction - no time to be in stores - so some progress there but I am not sure I get credit for it!
Declutter?   yeah... well.... no
Crocheting and reading? Okay well they are both relaxing and things I do when I am waiting for other people so I am making progress there.
Special projects?  spiritual reading, quilting & photos....  no way..

I have been running nonstop lately doing all the things that life throws at me!

Who can think of resolutions when they are fighting fires?

     This brings home the importance of habits... now that I am taking a little breather (because the rest of the household is ASLEEP!).. I can take a minute and think about the wheels that did NOT come off the wagon!

hmmm... 

    Each day I packed food to take with me....while I may have eaten non-nutritive things while I was out... I DID have healthy choices with me and made more healthy choices because of that.

    Each day I thought of movement I COULD do... so kept the idea alive and did more than I might have.  (I took walks with my granddaughter and did pushups off the kitchen counter).  Also on Saturday when I was home, I went straight to my training schedule for my 6 mile walk...

    When I did go into a store, I picked up only what was absolutely needed (because we had run out).  I have decided not to make purchases I haven't thought about.  I created menus & freezer /pantry lists on Saturday so we had meals thought out.

    I still am working on 2 simple kitchen and bathroom cleaning habits.... hit or miss but still did them twice last week.

    I pulled my stationery bag (a zip-type plastic bag with birthday list, address book, stamps, labels, a few blank cards and a few birthday cards) and took it with me.  I actually did manage to dash off a birthday card & a couple of valentines.

   I chose easy crochet projects to take with me... things that required lots of time to do but not much thinking.

  And, of course, I carry a book with me & my notebook with daily lists & notes.


HABITS saved me! 

Which habits? 

    ***All that "choosing to carry with me".... that is an evening preparation habit.  The time in the evening after dinner clean-up is done when I ask myself... What is going on tomorrow?  What will I need?

  *** Having specific habits to work on... this gives me a narrow area of focus.  If I do these certain things, I am good.  In some ways, it limits the amount of guilt I can heap on myself :-)

    *** Self-evaluation habit ... this is a RE-FRAME of the old 'let's list all the things I did wrong' habit.  I recognize what went wrong..... and make myself do two more things: list what I did RIGHT AND list how I can make tomorrow better.

  *** Make myself and my resolutions a priority...  how this helps is that I take responsibility for myself.  I have good healthy food choices in my house.  I have a schedule for training and movement.  I do NOT blame others or life circumstances for my failure.  Actually I do not recognize failure.  As long as I am moving forward in any way... I am succeeding.... so EACH and EVERY day can be rescued :-)  (thank goodness one of my goals is reading!)


  Oops.... time's up.... the dog is barking for her morning walk.... the family is starting to wake up.... I'm off to another day of running.... now where did that mop go?

Tell me what habits you are working on..... how does your day go when circumstances change?  What do you do to rescue it?