Goals for 2011

Here it is! The 2011 Goals List!

Goal #1: Keep Blogging! I did really well up until the move and computer issues. I think 2011 will be even better, even though I still have no computer and we still need to move into a house at some point! I may even get some iniative and put all my blogs in one place! :)

Goal #2: Marathon! I am absolutely determined to do that marathon. Nothing is going to stop me this time. Nothing.

Goal #3: Family Photo Challenge. I read a blog about a mom that made a point of taking a family photo once a month for the whole year. I think this is a great idea and I'm going to do it. So at some point each month I will beg, bribe, and/or trick my family into a group photo.

Goal #4: Project 365. I will once again be continuing the Project 365 challenge. I've done it for 2 years and I think it helps capture our lives very well. I just hope P365 for 2011 stays caught up. I may change the format to make it a little easier for me this time around.

Goal #5: Webstore. I'm going to continue to develop my webstore. The goal is to have the store up and running by September. If I can't make it happen by then, it'll never happen. Sad, but true.

Goal #6: Debt. We will continue to pay down our debt. It's a sizeable amount, so I know we won't get it all paid this year, but we're going to make a huge dent in it!

Goal #7: Stay Positive! I sometimes let my "pragmatism" get in the way and tend toward the negative. I really want to get away from that. No more sarcasm, no more cynisism, no more. There's no room for negativity here anymore.

Goal #8: Crafting. This year's new skill will be Tatting. I've found several wonderful websites dedicated to Tatting, so I know I'll be able to find help. I'll be slowly acquiring the equipment and then this summer I will begin! I imagine most everyone will get a tatted snowflake for Christmas this year :)

Goal #9: Reading. I'm not going to set a number, because that would take all the fun out of reading. But I do want to read a bit more than the last couple years. So if I make it to 60 or 70 books this year, I'll be happy.

Assessing 2010

My goals list for 2010 was varied and long. I was able to accomplish a few of the items, but most of them are still in progress. 2011 will see the completion of a few more of those goals as well as the birth of some new ones...but I'll post about that later.

1. Blogging. Blogging everyday went really well until my laptop died. I managed to use one of the kids computers for a few weeks until we started the process of moving back to Michigan. With all the hustle and bustle, blogging fell by the wayside. We are still not settled yet, but I've been feeling guilty about my neglected blog, so I thought a recap of 2010 might be a good way to put things into perspective. I still have no computer to call my own, so blogging for 2011 will still be sporadic, though I'm hoping to make a better job at keeping it up this time around.


2. Project 365. Ugh! I really, really tried to make sure I took at least one picture every single day. At first I was upset with myself for missing a day or two, and then a whole span of 11 days went by without a single snapshot. So now I've come to realize that it just wasn't meant to be and I shouldn't beat myself up about it. I haven't printed pictures at all since May. (shudder!) I have been keeping track of my photos and making notes here and there for when I'm ready to assemble the scrapbook, but I'm not nearly as on top of it as I was in 2009. Let's hope 2011 goes a little smoother.

3. Marathon. I started my training right on time. I did very well keeping up, with only a few lazy days. I made it to 15 miles and then we began the very unorganized move to Michigan. Once again my plans to participate in a marathon race have been derailed. But not in 2011! Oh, no! This is the year. I'm doing it.


4. Web Store. I designed the blog header, worked on graphics for the webstore page, even signed up with my store name. I made a handful of objects d'art to sell but never got around to adding them to the site. Again, moving takes a lot out of you.

5. Photo Challenges. Pull out tissue...My Rebel sat in a padded cell for 6 months without a single click of the lens to brighten its days. I didn't take any pictures until Christmas and then it was just normal Christmas stuff. I've had neither the time nor the inclination to participate in a photo challenge...sniff...so sad.

6. Book List. My goal was to double 2009's reading list. I don't think I made it to 82 books this year. I was keeping a detailed list on my laptop, but since it died over 6 months ago I couldn't tell you how many books I've read in 2010. I do know that it's probably very close to the same number as '09. I'm hoping 2011 will see an increase in leisure time for reading as well as better documentation of said reading list!


7. One Little Word: ACTION. The first half of the year saw a lot of action. I was doing quite well with my goals. Moving across the country put a damper on most of those goals, but I still kept them in mind, turning them over, examining them, re-evaluating them. I have a new word in mind for 2011. I'm still mulling it over. I'll let you know what it is as soon as I know for sure that my word choice is the correct one for the new year. That one little word is going to have a huge impact - so it needs to be the right word!

8. Debt. We did manage to pay off the truck loan early, and got rid of one credit card. That was as far as we got. We are still in debt. I seriously dislike being in debt. Debt reduction is still on the goals list for 2011.

9. Homeschool. Things got off to a fairly good start this fall. Even with the moving around the kids were able to maintain their workload. The holidays always set us back, but now that it's the new year, school will once again become our focus. Good things are happening.

Round Up Time! June 2010

1. What books/magazines did I read this month?
Two books: The Queen's Handmaiden, Around the World in 80 Days. Magazines: Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc, Relevant.

2. What movies/TV shows/plays/ect did I watch this month?
The Red Baron, Season 1 of Merlin, Iron Man, Season 1 of Bones, one episode of season 2 of The Tudors, and the pilot for LOST.

3. What fun things did I do with my family/friends this month?
Went to watch the Majors team in playoffs, went to lunch with the Cressman family afterwards. We spent 5 days at the end of the month volunteering at the Little League fields during the 9-10 yr. old tournaments. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of fun, and very tiring :) Mid-month Uncle Todd and Max came to Orlando for a convention. We were able to squeeze in an afternoon of pizza and mini-golf.

Chad and J also had the experience of a lifetime a couple weeks ago when they were invited to go deep sea fishing with some of our baseball friends. They had some amazing fish tales to tell when they got back that night!


4. What gifts did I give/receive?
Father's Day was low key - just a card and an afternoon together. I sent out several birthday and anniversary cards this month.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make this month?
I went thrifting: purple dress, galoshes, camera bag. I also treated myself to the new Skillet CD.

6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have this month?
We're all doing pretty well. J smashed his left index finger in a door. He will definitely be losing the nail. Hopefully it's not too sore next week for his All Star tournaments! He also hasn't had that growth spurt yet. I know it's coming, though. He started complaining about his knee hurting...

7. What were my accomplishments?
Marathon training is in full swing! The kids are almost finished with all their school work for the year.

8. What were my disappointments?
Due to the week of tournaments, my training schedule is off. I missed the last week because we were out so late (and bone weary) that I just could not get up in the mornings to walk.

9. How did I do on my goals?
Posting to my blog everyday has been a challenge, between the virus on my computer and waiting to borrow one of the kids' computers, and the crazy schedules we've been keeping, blogging has taken a back seat. I still have the marathon in my sights and I'm still working on my various photography projects.

10. Anything else noteworthy? Yes! On June 15, 2010 J got the call he's be working towards for 2 1/2 years: The All Stars call! J made the All Stars team this year. Way to go buddy! We're so proud of you :)

Marathon Training Update: Week 1

Well. Week One is complete. Three short, 3-mile training days during the week and a longer, 6-mile training day on Saturday. I finished the shorter walks in 48-49 minutes. The long walk came to 1 hour and 37 mintues. Not bad, not bad. Today is a cross training day. After the sun goes down a bit I'll take my bike out for good long ride, or maybe go for a swim. Personally, I think living life is cross-training enough!



I still haven't found a race to compete in. I do have a few options. It really depends on where we are going to be living, so I have to wait a few more weeks to make that decision. Right now I'm leaning toward the Springfield, MO race in October. There's also a race in Indianapolis. There are options in November as well, though I don't know if I want to go that far into fall since most of my training will be done in the excessive heat and humidity of summer. But, since I can't register until I know where we are going to relocate, that decision is on hold.

Training commences! 17 weeks to go :)

Marathon Training Update: May 2010 Progress

Progress? I don't believe so. I walked all of 2 days in May. It got so very hot. We took a week for vacation. Baseball was time consuming. Craziness.
Here's the stats:

Current Weight: 183 lbs. - Weight Lost: 0 Total 12 lbs.
Steps: 18,974 - Total Steps: 206,473
Total Miles: 8 - YTD Miles: 76
Longest Distance Walk: 5 miles - Time: 1:20
Avg. mph: 15.875
Cross Training: baseball

I sort of anticipated that May was going to be a difficult month. Maybe I set myself up for that? Anyway. The Chicago Marathon is out. Registration met the 45,000 limit way back in March. A bummer that. So now I'm looking for another marathon somewhere around the same date as the Chi-town race. Hopefully I run across something soon so I can get registered!

My official training starts tomorrow. With a day off :) Mondays and Fridays will be my days off for cross training and rest. 18 weeks to race day! somewhere...

Marathon Training Update: April 2010 Progress

April progress has been a bit better. The weather turned much hotter toward the end of the month, which will have an effect on May's training. That means much earlier mornings for me!

Here's the current stats:

Steps in April: 69,495       Total Steps this Year: 187,499

Total Miles for April:25             YTD Miles:68

Longest Distance Walk: 5 miles              Time: 1:19

Avg. mph: 15.8!

Weight Lost This Month: 4lbs. for a YTD loss of 12 lbs!

Even though my average is a little slower than last month, it's still pretty good. And I'm able to maintain my pace from day to day quite easily. Now I'm working on increasing my pace on certain training days, really pushing myself to get by body ready for race day. The whole losing weight thing is pure bonus! :)

Marathon Training Update

We spent a lot of time at the YMCA in March. The weather was so unpredictable and often too windy for me to put any miles in. Some days the wind was so cold it became difficult to breathe. So many of March's miles were racked up on a boring old treadmill. Can I just reiterate "boring"? Walking on a treadmill is quite the challenge for me. I had to maintain a rigid focus on a distant point out the wall of windows and find a way to block out all the music. I don't walk to music. It really messes me up.

Anyway....

Total miles walked for March: 16 ( one mile less than Feb) Total miles now = 43

Longest continuous walk (outdoors) was 6 miles completed in 1:35 which is an average of 15.8 min/mile. Some miles I walked faster than others, which is normal. Some miles were flat, some were hilly.

I added 45,589 steps in March, bringing my total steps to 118,004! And I lost another 4 lbs, bringing my total weight loss to 8 lbs!

March would have had much better numbers but we were called away to MI for a family emergency. Now that it's a new month, I'm ready to refresh my determination to get out there.

Marathon Training Update

I'm 2 months into my training for this fall's marathon and I'm not where I wanted to be at this point. The weather has been way uncooperative. I did get a guest pass to the Y for last week and that helped a little bit. I need to get over there and sign up so the rain and cold wind doesn't put any more kinks in my schedule!

January total miles: 10

Longest day: 3 miles

Pace: 17min/mile

Total steps: 27,416

Weight Lost: 0 lbs

February total miles: 17

Longest day: 5 miles

Pace: 15-16/mile

Total steps: 44,999

Weight Lost: 4 lbs

I added a lot more steps in Feb. just from taking longer cool-down walks. My pace has improved since January and I know it'll get quicker during March. It won't be long before I'm back to where I was last fall when I hurt my foot and had to stop training. The marathon is in November so I need to keep moving!

Project 365: Week 5

WEEK #5

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010  I was a little bored, a little goofy. I put the dirty dishes into the sink and it just kinda lent itself to a little clowning around :)

Monday, Jan. 25, 2010  J has quite the collection of tech deck skateboards. Every once in awhile he sets them all out so he (and the rest of us) can see everything!

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010  J playing with playdough. Notice the sword? In typical boy fashion, he's making monsters and warriors and then slashing them all up with the toy sword. So boy.

Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010  Laundry Day! I had to do 3 loads this time. I don't like it when they don't put their dirties IN the baskets, just collect around the baskets. It's very hard to guage when I have a full load if everything is on the floor. And I'm not the maid, people.

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010  Another mess. We had to get rid of the box we were using for K's scrapbook supplies. Apparently cardboard is a no-no in FL. bugs-ick! On top of that J pulled out the playdough - again. And I was trying to work on the menu/grocery lists. The table just isn't big enough!

Friday, Jan. 29, 2010  I bought some new cookie cutters. J is, sort of, allowing me to play :)

Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010  After my 2 mile walk(marathon training) today I decided to pick up a bit outside. Which led to using the leaf blower to clean off the slab, which led to blowing the leaves from the yard, which led to cleaning off the RV roof, which led to raking all the pine needles from the yard. A quick 10 minute pick up turned into a 2 hour yard project! Because then I put all my pavers down along the front side of our slab to extend it a bit! I've been wanting to do this forever! I still need another 2 rows to complete the project.