Well, as February winds to a close, I have to say, I am slightly disappointed but also optimistic. Although I didn't hit all my goals, I am thrilled how far I've come. There were a couple things that I planned to do over the weekend to bust them out but instead, I sat on my couch pretty much all weekend wrapped in a blanket with my Bible. It was a rough pain management weekend.
My last post was about my participation in the Bible in 90 days challenge. I'm most excited to do this. Yesterday was day 1 so I got up before my family and set out to read before they woke up but lo and behold, work needed to be done so I spent 2.5 hrs working from home. By the time I was done, my family was all up and wanting my attention. I did get my reading done throughout the day but it wasn't in the solid block of time I had hoped for. All's good!
So for my February goals, I completed my reading goal. I still need to get 4 boxes of stuff out of the house. I have 1 packed and ready to go and I have the boxes for the others but haven't got them packed yet. I will just add that to my march goals. And for finishing my travel agency training, I am still working on it but hope to be done this week.
My March goals are
1) exercise 20 days out of the month for at least 20 minutes each time. This does not mean that I can work out fewer times for 60 minutes. I need to be consistent. If you're reading this and need a work out buddy to help you meet your goals, leave me a comment. A workout partner would be a great motivator to get working out consistently.
2) read 3 books. I am going to finish Mansfield Park and read 2 other books that I haven't confirmed yet. Once I decide on the books I will let you all know. I think one of them will be a Robin Jones Gunn book that I am getting from WaterBrook Multnomah.
3) find a place to sell my jewelry/crafts. I have to find a way to justify the massive quantities of craft supplies I have and my obsession with buying them, right? Along the same line, I plan to complete my pay it forward 2011 challenge and get all my wonderful friends their handmade goodies this month.
What are your goals? How did you do at hitting your February goals? Are you encouraged or discouraged by February? Remember, if you didn't hit your goals, it's okay, just roll them over to this month and quit stressing.
I will be back soon to focus on my goals and success, keeping you informed on how I'm doing.
Have a great last day of February!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
New Inspiration.
Happy Saturday.
I am so excited by what I found on the internet this morning. So many clever, inspirational things to see and try.
I found a Bible in 90 days challenge. The church that is doing it is starting tomorrow. LOVE IT. I have read the Bible but never all the way thru. The part that amazes me the most is that it is only 6 pages front and back daily. I can read 12 pages a day! That's a breeze. How bout you? Do you want to join me? So that is my new obsession and adventure. Super excited to get started.
In addition to that I have found an ebook that I want to purchase to help me in getting started with selling my crafts on line. I am still debating about that. If I decide to get it and find it's good, you'll see a link on my blog that you can click and get it too. I don't want to refer you until I see it's worth it.
Well, now that I have seen many wonderful crafting ideas, I can't wait to get started this morning on my own thing. I hope my pix come in today so I can do a bit of scrap booking while the inspiration is with me. Here's hoping!
Well, if I am going to get anything done today, I better get off of here and get working. Depending on my progress, I will try to post some pix later today!
Have a wonderfully fun and creative Saturday.
I am so excited by what I found on the internet this morning. So many clever, inspirational things to see and try.
I found a Bible in 90 days challenge. The church that is doing it is starting tomorrow. LOVE IT. I have read the Bible but never all the way thru. The part that amazes me the most is that it is only 6 pages front and back daily. I can read 12 pages a day! That's a breeze. How bout you? Do you want to join me? So that is my new obsession and adventure. Super excited to get started.
In addition to that I have found an ebook that I want to purchase to help me in getting started with selling my crafts on line. I am still debating about that. If I decide to get it and find it's good, you'll see a link on my blog that you can click and get it too. I don't want to refer you until I see it's worth it.
Well, now that I have seen many wonderful crafting ideas, I can't wait to get started this morning on my own thing. I hope my pix come in today so I can do a bit of scrap booking while the inspiration is with me. Here's hoping!
Well, if I am going to get anything done today, I better get off of here and get working. Depending on my progress, I will try to post some pix later today!
Have a wonderfully fun and creative Saturday.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Attitude Adjustment
This week I have realized that somewhere along the way, I let something stinky in my life and it is manifesting in an attitude that is completely unacceptable. It's time to do something about it.
Step one is confession so here it is. I have a horrible grumpy attitude, particularly with my family.
Step two is apologizing. My beloved family who I have been so snippy with and so critical of, I hope you will forgive me. I will apologize to each of you face to face when I see you next. I love you more than anything in this world and you deserve better.
Step three is adjusting my thinking. Now this is the trickiest part of all. I have to pinpoint the source of my attitude so I can shift it. Thinking happy thoughts isn't enough. I need to identify and eradicate the source. Is it discontent? Is it feeling taken for granted? Is it filling my plate too full and feeling like a failure at everything? There are so many things it could be. Maybe it is a combination of all those things and I need to take a step back and evaluate my calendar and expectations. Maybe I need to shorten my to do list.
Step four is to address issues as they come up. I need to not let things bottle up until I feel like I am going to explode. Addressing things right away keeps the air clear. I also need to feel that I am being heard and not just being blown off when I address things them. That is going to be one of my biggest challenges I think.
Well, here goes. Wish me luck. Pray for me. Love me in spite of me.
Step one is confession so here it is. I have a horrible grumpy attitude, particularly with my family.
Step two is apologizing. My beloved family who I have been so snippy with and so critical of, I hope you will forgive me. I will apologize to each of you face to face when I see you next. I love you more than anything in this world and you deserve better.
Step three is adjusting my thinking. Now this is the trickiest part of all. I have to pinpoint the source of my attitude so I can shift it. Thinking happy thoughts isn't enough. I need to identify and eradicate the source. Is it discontent? Is it feeling taken for granted? Is it filling my plate too full and feeling like a failure at everything? There are so many things it could be. Maybe it is a combination of all those things and I need to take a step back and evaluate my calendar and expectations. Maybe I need to shorten my to do list.
Step four is to address issues as they come up. I need to not let things bottle up until I feel like I am going to explode. Addressing things right away keeps the air clear. I also need to feel that I am being heard and not just being blown off when I address things them. That is going to be one of my biggest challenges I think.
Well, here goes. Wish me luck. Pray for me. Love me in spite of me.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Divine Appointments
When I saw the title Divine Appointments, I had to read it. God puts so many divine appointments in front of us so I couldn't wait to read a book with that title.
Charlene Ann Baumbich did a good job of making me feel the characters, the uptight outsider Josie, the judgemental victim of life Marsha and the good natured easy going Barb and the bleeding heart Lyle.
Josie is an independent consultant that revamps company IT departments and her job typically results in downsizing. Her assignment at Diamond Mutual is no different.
Josie has grown up in a rigid military home and run her life with the rigidity she grew up with. She moves frequently, doesn't have any close friends and likes it that way.
Then her life starts to change. What she grew up thinking was real, she begins to question. She makes her first real friend a career hiccup and a change she never saw coming.
Although it didn't have the God overtones that I expected, it was a well woven tale of life's twists and turns.
This book was provided at no charge to me for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing.
Progressing
Since I haven't posted in a bit, I thought now would be a good time to do an update on this months goals that I posted earlier in the month.
Goal # 1, reading at least 2 books. I finished 3 Cups of Tea and Divine Appointments. I am about a third of the way thru Mansfield Park. Making very good progress getting where I want to be. Of course I have 5 more books that I want to read but those will have to wait for now.
Goal # 2, getting rid of 4 boxes of "stuff" from my home...well, that one I have not done as well one but I still have a week to get it done. I am confident I will accomplish this task. The only question is where to start. I think I will focus on my stuff instead of Billy's room.
Goal # 3, completing the travel agency training and promoting the agency is by far my biggest challenge this month. By the time I get home there is so much to do that I don't have the time I would like to do it. I think I should still be able to get this done by the end of the month as I will be reducing my office hours 3 days/wk which will give me some free, unclaimed time on those days.
Health and fitness has been a huge struggle. I have been getting to the gym more often and being more consistent but my eating is still totally crazy! My water intake has been very inconsistent. I am thinking that I need to actually post goal updates more often so it helps keep me focused and on track. Breakfast is still a huge problem area for me as are cutting out the sweets/excess carbs. Today is a new day and a new opportunity to take control.
How are you doing on your goals for this month?
Goal # 1, reading at least 2 books. I finished 3 Cups of Tea and Divine Appointments. I am about a third of the way thru Mansfield Park. Making very good progress getting where I want to be. Of course I have 5 more books that I want to read but those will have to wait for now.
Goal # 2, getting rid of 4 boxes of "stuff" from my home...well, that one I have not done as well one but I still have a week to get it done. I am confident I will accomplish this task. The only question is where to start. I think I will focus on my stuff instead of Billy's room.
Goal # 3, completing the travel agency training and promoting the agency is by far my biggest challenge this month. By the time I get home there is so much to do that I don't have the time I would like to do it. I think I should still be able to get this done by the end of the month as I will be reducing my office hours 3 days/wk which will give me some free, unclaimed time on those days.
Health and fitness has been a huge struggle. I have been getting to the gym more often and being more consistent but my eating is still totally crazy! My water intake has been very inconsistent. I am thinking that I need to actually post goal updates more often so it helps keep me focused and on track. Breakfast is still a huge problem area for me as are cutting out the sweets/excess carbs. Today is a new day and a new opportunity to take control.
How are you doing on your goals for this month?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Ideas
So many ideas racing thru my head today. All these things I want to do or think would be cool to do. I would love your feedback on my thoughts today.
I want to have a crafting weekend. I want to make some earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Jake and I have been talking about getting a booth at a craft fair or two so we can sell our wares. I want to have a nice selection to offer.
I also want to have a cooking weekend not so I can make a lot of family meals but so that I can make healthy freezer lunches to take to work so I don't have to worry about left overs or rely on sandwiches. I want to have them all organized with the proper foods combinations (proteins vs carbs) so they are all no brainers and are properly portioned so I can exercise portion control without an added expense and artificial ingredients found with pre-packaged meals.
I also want to have a weekend of reading and studying. A couple good books, my Bible and my journal.
Even if I can only have 1 day to do some of those things, it would be delightful to have that productivity. That sense of accomplishment.
I want to have a crafting weekend. I want to make some earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Jake and I have been talking about getting a booth at a craft fair or two so we can sell our wares. I want to have a nice selection to offer.
I also want to have a cooking weekend not so I can make a lot of family meals but so that I can make healthy freezer lunches to take to work so I don't have to worry about left overs or rely on sandwiches. I want to have them all organized with the proper foods combinations (proteins vs carbs) so they are all no brainers and are properly portioned so I can exercise portion control without an added expense and artificial ingredients found with pre-packaged meals.
I also want to have a weekend of reading and studying. A couple good books, my Bible and my journal.
Even if I can only have 1 day to do some of those things, it would be delightful to have that productivity. That sense of accomplishment.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Walking on clouds!
I am so very very very happy today! I had known my Jake was a graduate once he finished his finals and got the one he NEEDED graded. Somehow, getting his diploma yesterday had a bigger effect on me than I thought it would.
He is the first person in my family to graduate high school since I did in 1986. Neither of my siblings or my neices graduated.
I am so incredibly proud of him! He stuck it out when it was tough and made the right decisions and now has a diploma to show for all his hard work.
It would have been so easy to walk away and get his GED but he stuck it out.
I could not be prouder of my son, Jacob Christian Tong!
I pray this success will snowball into many more successes in his life.
He is the first person in my family to graduate high school since I did in 1986. Neither of my siblings or my neices graduated.
I am so incredibly proud of him! He stuck it out when it was tough and made the right decisions and now has a diploma to show for all his hard work.
It would have been so easy to walk away and get his GED but he stuck it out.
I could not be prouder of my son, Jacob Christian Tong!
I pray this success will snowball into many more successes in his life.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Daddy's girl
I am such a sap. I cry very easily, both when I'm happy and sad.
Saturday night, Billy and I were driving home from church and Steven Curtis Chapman's song Cinderella came on the radio. Memories that I hadn't visited for decades came flooding in. My Daddy was a very busy guy. His sacrifice of working as much as he did made it where mom could stay home with us kids.
Daddy taught me to dance. Memories of standing on his feet as he took the steps came to mind. How he would teach me to follow along as he led played in my mind. I remember mom sitting on the couch watching Daddy-daughter twirl around the living room.
I think my dad enjoyed those times too. He set up father daughter dinner dances at the lodge he belonged to. It was very special to plan for those time. I looked forward to it long in advance of it happening.
My daddy always called me his princess. Those times when we danced, made me feel like his precious princess. Is it any wonder I am my daddy's girl? He recognized how fast that time would go by and how quickly life would get busy and I would have my own family.
Even after all these years when the world feels like it's closing in, the first person I want to call is my daddy to hear that it will all be alright. It may not be easy but it will be alright.
I told you I'm a sap!
Saturday night, Billy and I were driving home from church and Steven Curtis Chapman's song Cinderella came on the radio. Memories that I hadn't visited for decades came flooding in. My Daddy was a very busy guy. His sacrifice of working as much as he did made it where mom could stay home with us kids.
Daddy taught me to dance. Memories of standing on his feet as he took the steps came to mind. How he would teach me to follow along as he led played in my mind. I remember mom sitting on the couch watching Daddy-daughter twirl around the living room.
I think my dad enjoyed those times too. He set up father daughter dinner dances at the lodge he belonged to. It was very special to plan for those time. I looked forward to it long in advance of it happening.
My daddy always called me his princess. Those times when we danced, made me feel like his precious princess. Is it any wonder I am my daddy's girl? He recognized how fast that time would go by and how quickly life would get busy and I would have my own family.
Even after all these years when the world feels like it's closing in, the first person I want to call is my daddy to hear that it will all be alright. It may not be easy but it will be alright.
I told you I'm a sap!
Progressing slowly
Today seems like a day that needs some color. It has been a pretty blah day. Work has been slow. I have edited and re-edited my spreadsheets at least a dozen times. Not changing them because I need to, just because I am bored.
I think having so much free time I have plenty of time to evaluate my successes and failures. I am focusing on the goals I have set for this month.
As I mentioned previously, I finished Three Cups of Tea. Instead of diving back into Mansfield Park, I picked up Divine Appointments and have just about finished that already. Expect to see my book review blog on it soon. Since WaterBrook Publishing provides me with great books the least I can do is review them. I have been downloading a bunch of books to my kindle. Anything that sounds remotely interesting has been loaded especially if it's free.
I have been going to the gym almost daily. I took Sunday off and I felt like such a slouch! LOL!! Who would have thought that I would be eager to go to the gym. Today I am seriously contemplating hitting the pool again but then again Saturday's treadmill workout was awesome, even though I sweated tons. Don't like sweat. Ick! I wasn't very good about tracking my calories or exercise since Saturday morning. I use Myfitnesspal on my iPhone. It is wonderful! Now if only I could think it and the stuff would appear in there.
The travel agency is moving along. I have got my user ID's to 3 of our preferred vendors. I still need to sit down and do 3 more training modules. I am super eager to get to them but things keep cropping up that are keeping me from doing them. Maybe I can squeeze in some time tomorrow to do one of them. Tomorrow night I have nursery duty so my evening is already filled. (Have I mentioned how much I LOVE being in the nursery? It's awesome!!! )
Well, that is how this week has been so far. Nothing glamorous or exciting, just kind of plodding along. Hope you are having a great week and making wonderful progress toward your goals.
I think having so much free time I have plenty of time to evaluate my successes and failures. I am focusing on the goals I have set for this month.
As I mentioned previously, I finished Three Cups of Tea. Instead of diving back into Mansfield Park, I picked up Divine Appointments and have just about finished that already. Expect to see my book review blog on it soon. Since WaterBrook Publishing provides me with great books the least I can do is review them. I have been downloading a bunch of books to my kindle. Anything that sounds remotely interesting has been loaded especially if it's free.
I have been going to the gym almost daily. I took Sunday off and I felt like such a slouch! LOL!! Who would have thought that I would be eager to go to the gym. Today I am seriously contemplating hitting the pool again but then again Saturday's treadmill workout was awesome, even though I sweated tons. Don't like sweat. Ick! I wasn't very good about tracking my calories or exercise since Saturday morning. I use Myfitnesspal on my iPhone. It is wonderful! Now if only I could think it and the stuff would appear in there.
The travel agency is moving along. I have got my user ID's to 3 of our preferred vendors. I still need to sit down and do 3 more training modules. I am super eager to get to them but things keep cropping up that are keeping me from doing them. Maybe I can squeeze in some time tomorrow to do one of them. Tomorrow night I have nursery duty so my evening is already filled. (Have I mentioned how much I LOVE being in the nursery? It's awesome!!! )
Well, that is how this week has been so far. Nothing glamorous or exciting, just kind of plodding along. Hope you are having a great week and making wonderful progress toward your goals.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Donuts and other distractions
Oh why do donuts have to be so blasted good? They are scrumptious little bites from heaven. The only problem is I look at donuts and gain 5 pounds.
Why oh why do I have to have this love hate relationship with donuts? Why?
As you may have noticed, donuts have been me distraction this week. Billy had a good day at school so we celebrated with donuts, then a vendor brought in a box then one of my coworker brought them in. Ugh!
Needless to say, my donut indulgence lead to increased time in the gym. I figure if I am going to eat them, I better work them off. Dang it!
On a more positive note, I have been in the gym more this week and I have been eating breakfast daily. It still doesn't feel natural to be eating so soon after waking up but I am sure I will get used to it and probably eventually crave it.
More good news, I finally finished reading Three Cups of Tea. What a great book. I strongly recommend it. It can be a bit of a hard read but it is an incredible true story about one man's war on terror by providing an eduction to children in Pakistan and Afganistan. It was very inspiring and I learned a lot about the Muslim faith. Again, I really strongly recommend this. I have been told his second book, Stones for Schools is even better.
Oh, a bit more good news...because of the positive things I am doing above, with the exception of the blasted donuts, I am losing my muffin top. Yeah me! Not out of this size yet but the muffin top being shrunk is a huge improvement and I will take that as my encouragement.
Well, that's about all I can think for my update today. Love/Hate donuts, exercising more to balance out the donut relationship problem, eating breakfast, finished a book and losing my muffin top. Yep, that is my week in a nutshell.
Hope you're having a great one too!
Why oh why do I have to have this love hate relationship with donuts? Why?
As you may have noticed, donuts have been me distraction this week. Billy had a good day at school so we celebrated with donuts, then a vendor brought in a box then one of my coworker brought them in. Ugh!
Needless to say, my donut indulgence lead to increased time in the gym. I figure if I am going to eat them, I better work them off. Dang it!
On a more positive note, I have been in the gym more this week and I have been eating breakfast daily. It still doesn't feel natural to be eating so soon after waking up but I am sure I will get used to it and probably eventually crave it.
More good news, I finally finished reading Three Cups of Tea. What a great book. I strongly recommend it. It can be a bit of a hard read but it is an incredible true story about one man's war on terror by providing an eduction to children in Pakistan and Afganistan. It was very inspiring and I learned a lot about the Muslim faith. Again, I really strongly recommend this. I have been told his second book, Stones for Schools is even better.
Oh, a bit more good news...because of the positive things I am doing above, with the exception of the blasted donuts, I am losing my muffin top. Yeah me! Not out of this size yet but the muffin top being shrunk is a huge improvement and I will take that as my encouragement.
Well, that's about all I can think for my update today. Love/Hate donuts, exercising more to balance out the donut relationship problem, eating breakfast, finished a book and losing my muffin top. Yep, that is my week in a nutshell.
Hope you're having a great one too!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February Goals
Since today is February first, it is a good time to post my goals for the month. I am participating in the 3 in 30 challenge.
Last month I set so many goals that I lost track of some of them. So posting the basic 3 I am going to work on this month should help me stay focused.
Goal #1: Read 2 books for pleasure, beginning to end. I know it sounds like a little goal but sometimes carving out time to read is really hard. I am currently in the middle of "Three Cups of Tea" and "Mansfield Park." I also have 2 other books that I want to read. I am trying to not start too many books at one time. I have put Mansfield Park down to finish Three Cups of Tea.
Goal #2: Remove 4 boxes of stuff from my home. This could be clothes or books or craft supplies. This does not include the stacks of magazines that are going into the recycling box. It also does not include any of the paper stuffs that need to be shredded.
Goal #3: Get travel agent training done and promoted. This will require me sitting down and just committing to doing it daily. A little bit every day will make a difference.
In addition to these 3 new goals, I am going to continue on my health quest. Getting healthy and getting to my goal is a long term goal and 1 month won't make a large difference but day after day and week after week and month after month, I will see a difference and get the results I want.
I just have to remember to apply the daily principles I wrote about yesterday, having a plan. I am sticking by my plan. I am drinking water, I am tracking my eating, I am eagerly looking forward to exercise.
What are your goals? How are you going to accomplish them?
Last month I set so many goals that I lost track of some of them. So posting the basic 3 I am going to work on this month should help me stay focused.
Goal #1: Read 2 books for pleasure, beginning to end. I know it sounds like a little goal but sometimes carving out time to read is really hard. I am currently in the middle of "Three Cups of Tea" and "Mansfield Park." I also have 2 other books that I want to read. I am trying to not start too many books at one time. I have put Mansfield Park down to finish Three Cups of Tea.
Goal #2: Remove 4 boxes of stuff from my home. This could be clothes or books or craft supplies. This does not include the stacks of magazines that are going into the recycling box. It also does not include any of the paper stuffs that need to be shredded.
Goal #3: Get travel agent training done and promoted. This will require me sitting down and just committing to doing it daily. A little bit every day will make a difference.
In addition to these 3 new goals, I am going to continue on my health quest. Getting healthy and getting to my goal is a long term goal and 1 month won't make a large difference but day after day and week after week and month after month, I will see a difference and get the results I want.
I just have to remember to apply the daily principles I wrote about yesterday, having a plan. I am sticking by my plan. I am drinking water, I am tracking my eating, I am eagerly looking forward to exercise.
What are your goals? How are you going to accomplish them?
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