I know...I know...
I talk a lot about changes I am going to make and how much better I am going to be for them. What happens is that I end up biting off more than I can handle and get overwhelmed. I don't want to do that.
At the beginning of last year I joined a group called 3 in 30. They promote setting 3 goals a month. 3 goals is attainable and not overwhelming at all. I can do 3 goals. Doing it this way, I can reach 36 goals over the year. Imagine the stress I would have if I had 26 goals listed at the beginning of the year.
Here are my first 3 goals for 2012.
1) I will not drink soda/ drink 4-25 oz bottles of water daily instead.
2) I will go to the gym 15 times this month and be able to jog for 5 minute intervals by Jan 31st.
3) I will put $100/paycheck into savings by cutting our needless spending.
They aren't huge goals but accomplishing these 3 things will result in changes in all areas of my life. Drinking water will help with my headaches and digestion.
Going to the gym will be a discipline builder and interval training will improve cardio vascular health and my waist line.
Cutting needless spending will also promote discipline and rebuild our savings. It will teach us to use what we have and appreicate all we have.
I am also participating in the praying for your spouse challenge and a sugar free challenge for the month in addition to my goals. What better time to increase praying for my love than when I am cutting sugar out? Seems like the most logical combination, doesn't it?
What are your goals and desires are we come up to the new year? Do you make resolutions and find yourself burning out midway thru the first day? Do you make specific and attainable goals or just throw it out there and hope it sticks? What's your best way for reaching for (and reaching) the stars?
Friday, December 30, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
31 days to pray for your spouse
I am part of this challenge. If you are looking for a way to deepen your relationship with your spouse this is the challenge for you. Join me.
Fill out the registration form: 31 Days to Pray for Your Spouse Challenge
I look forward to sharing with you the difference this challenge makes with us.
Day after Christmas
Christmas was great. Nephew and niece came over and hung out with us. I sure do love those kids! Niece brought her baby boy Kyler and the baby daddy. It was good to see that even though they aren't together they still get along and are both such great parents.
Billy has done a great job putting together his lego kits. He's learning some valuable lessons. When he hits a point where he gets frustrated, he expresses his frustration with words then steps away until the frustration ebbs then goes back to it. He's learning to stick with what he starts and the satisfaction that comes from finishing what you start. I am very proud of him.
Chris got into his Christmas present and is figuring it out and starting the first project.
And here I am back to blogging. Hopefully I will be keeping up to date now that I have a new laptop that won't lock up whenever I try to do anything.
I just realized that Billy still has a whole week left on Christmas break. What fun stuff are we going to find to do after I get off work? Hmmm...
Billy has done a great job putting together his lego kits. He's learning some valuable lessons. When he hits a point where he gets frustrated, he expresses his frustration with words then steps away until the frustration ebbs then goes back to it. He's learning to stick with what he starts and the satisfaction that comes from finishing what you start. I am very proud of him.
Chris got into his Christmas present and is figuring it out and starting the first project.
And here I am back to blogging. Hopefully I will be keeping up to date now that I have a new laptop that won't lock up whenever I try to do anything.
I just realized that Billy still has a whole week left on Christmas break. What fun stuff are we going to find to do after I get off work? Hmmm...
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas.
What would Christmas be like without friends and family? So often we get wrapped up in the presents and lights and running around that we lose sight of the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Christmas is a celebration of an obedient girl and her betrothed and what their obedience brought to the world. When we think life is rough and that God must have turned his back on us, we need to think Mary and Joseph and what obedience to God's call cost them. Based on the culture of that time Mary could be put to death for infidelity. The couple was shunned by their families. Talk about awkward family holidays. Then to come time for fruition of God's promise, they couldn't even find a place to stay but had to settle down in a barn. Not the place I would want to give birth, especially as a first time mom. That would be terrifying. No midwife to help. Just Joseph and the animals to bear witness to God's miracle.
Jesus birth was foretold to wise men and shepherds alike. God didn't differentiate by classes who was in the know. God sent a gift for ALL peoples, not just the top of the social hierarchy. That is something that gives me so much hope. God doesn't hold out the good news for just a few to share with those they see fit. He shares with EVERYONE so the whole world may know his son came to the world for the salvation of us ALL. What a great God!
While Mary was still reeling from the disappointment of delivering God's child in a barn, God sent both wise men and shepherds to share His plan and give her encouragement. As the Bible says, she listed to all that they said and held it in her heart. God didn't abandon her but sent his servants to encourage her and help strengthen her for this challenge she'd said yes to.
A baby was born and the alternative to external connection with God was created. We no longer have to go to the priests with our offerings but we go straight to God. Jesus made a way for us to walk into the kingdom of God.
Now that is the best Christmas gift of all. It didn't come in a box wrapped in fancy paper with big bows and a big price tag but in a dirty stable among the animal.
Thank you God for giving us a reason to celebrate. Let us never forget the cost of that first Christmas gift.
What would Christmas be like without friends and family? So often we get wrapped up in the presents and lights and running around that we lose sight of the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Christmas is a celebration of an obedient girl and her betrothed and what their obedience brought to the world. When we think life is rough and that God must have turned his back on us, we need to think Mary and Joseph and what obedience to God's call cost them. Based on the culture of that time Mary could be put to death for infidelity. The couple was shunned by their families. Talk about awkward family holidays. Then to come time for fruition of God's promise, they couldn't even find a place to stay but had to settle down in a barn. Not the place I would want to give birth, especially as a first time mom. That would be terrifying. No midwife to help. Just Joseph and the animals to bear witness to God's miracle.
Jesus birth was foretold to wise men and shepherds alike. God didn't differentiate by classes who was in the know. God sent a gift for ALL peoples, not just the top of the social hierarchy. That is something that gives me so much hope. God doesn't hold out the good news for just a few to share with those they see fit. He shares with EVERYONE so the whole world may know his son came to the world for the salvation of us ALL. What a great God!
While Mary was still reeling from the disappointment of delivering God's child in a barn, God sent both wise men and shepherds to share His plan and give her encouragement. As the Bible says, she listed to all that they said and held it in her heart. God didn't abandon her but sent his servants to encourage her and help strengthen her for this challenge she'd said yes to.
A baby was born and the alternative to external connection with God was created. We no longer have to go to the priests with our offerings but we go straight to God. Jesus made a way for us to walk into the kingdom of God.
Now that is the best Christmas gift of all. It didn't come in a box wrapped in fancy paper with big bows and a big price tag but in a dirty stable among the animal.
Thank you God for giving us a reason to celebrate. Let us never forget the cost of that first Christmas gift.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Books
Oh how I love books! Curled on the sofa, wrapped in a cozy blanket, a cup of tea in one hand and my kindle in the other. Life doesn't get much better!
The interruption of real life can really put a damper on getting thru a good book. Last night I had to stop reading so I could sleep then this morning I made the mistake of picking it up while I made my coffee. That was HUGE mistake. Having to put it down and come to work was very traumatic. The book has hit a critical point. Although I have my kindle with me, work prevails. I have to do what they pay me to do.
Argh!
That is my whine for the day. Thank you so much for listening! I hope you have an amazing day!
The interruption of real life can really put a damper on getting thru a good book. Last night I had to stop reading so I could sleep then this morning I made the mistake of picking it up while I made my coffee. That was HUGE mistake. Having to put it down and come to work was very traumatic. The book has hit a critical point. Although I have my kindle with me, work prevails. I have to do what they pay me to do.
Argh!
That is my whine for the day. Thank you so much for listening! I hope you have an amazing day!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Daydreams
Wow! Since vacation, it seems I have been daydreaming a bit more than normal. Silly things too. Does anyone else suffer this weird alternate universe syndrome?
I have been daydreaming of winning the lottery (wish is hysterical since I don't buy lottery tickets) and jetting back and forth from here to Hawaii and home again then off to Belize then home then the Caymen Islands then home. Seems my fantasies are all centered on warm weather climates.
It gets especially bad on days I have to spend 5 minutes thawing my car so I can drive Billy to school and me to work and then get to work and things start going sideways the moment I get here. Arg! It's all good though. I am thankful to have a job and thankful that I got to take such a nice relaxing and warm vacation. I am counting my blessings that I will be able to take another vacation in a few months. That's my silver lining.
Take an inventory today of your blessings and bask in them.
I have been daydreaming of winning the lottery (wish is hysterical since I don't buy lottery tickets) and jetting back and forth from here to Hawaii and home again then off to Belize then home then the Caymen Islands then home. Seems my fantasies are all centered on warm weather climates.
It gets especially bad on days I have to spend 5 minutes thawing my car so I can drive Billy to school and me to work and then get to work and things start going sideways the moment I get here. Arg! It's all good though. I am thankful to have a job and thankful that I got to take such a nice relaxing and warm vacation. I am counting my blessings that I will be able to take another vacation in a few months. That's my silver lining.
Take an inventory today of your blessings and bask in them.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Destress
Even though I have had my attitude adjusted, I am still stressed so thought the best way to fix that would be to look at some pretty pictures I took while in Hawaii...What's better than fantasizing about vacation, right?
So, since I was daydreaming, I thought I would share.
I will post more later. I can't seem to get more than one photo on here right now. :-(
I will post more later. I can't seem to get more than one photo on here right now. :-(
Attitude Adjustment
Yesterday I was terribly annoyed and disgruntled. It came out everywhere I was. Not pretty.
Today I am still in the ugly boot and my foot still hurts but my attitude has improved. I credit the darling little people I got to spend last evening with. How can anyone stay in a bad mood when you have the privilege of playing with a roomful of zero-two year olds?
One little munchkin sticks out more than others. I had to pry her out of her grandmothers arms to bring her into the classroom. When we got in the room she started hitting me in my chest and face. Not a great start to our time together. Luckily for us both, she is a very reasonable girl. I looked at her and told her I have 2 rules, 1 is no hitting (she immediately stopped) and 2 is if she wants to be held she will not yell in my ears (she quit). Things are getting better. :-) She still had a sour face but she wasn't throwing a fit. Progress. I started making funny faces at her and she tried SOOOO hard to not crack a smile. She couldn't not smile so she kept covering her face, determined to have a bad time. (How very much like I had been earlier in the day, hmmmmm.) After a while I set her down, little ones (no matter how slight) all wear on the arms after a while. She went off to play but any time anyone looked at her, her expression would change from happiness to a deep scowl. As the evening progressed she would come running to me and laugh and play with me.
How often am I like that sweet stubborn little girl? I don't want to leave what is familiar and comfortable to go into the unknown. I end up in the new environment but not going graciously but kicking and screaming. God sometimes has to lay down the rules for me. As I start warming up to the new place I've been put, I don't want anyone to see my attitude is changing. After I have adapted I have no problem showing enthusiasm and interacting, even being bubbly and enthusiastic. Then in the end I have to go to a new place again and the whole cycle starts again as I don't want to leave where I have grown comfortable.
It's it great when God takes a little thing like a child not wanting to go to nursery and turns it into a sermon direct from his heart to yours? It is one of the best attitude adjusters I can think of. My heavenly Papa is so kind and gentle to me, whispering to my heart when my attitude stinks and then providing an outside look at how I'm behaving. Firmly but kindly telling me what I'm doing isn't okay and needs to change. I love that. I wish I would pay more attention.
Hope you have blessed day!
Today I am still in the ugly boot and my foot still hurts but my attitude has improved. I credit the darling little people I got to spend last evening with. How can anyone stay in a bad mood when you have the privilege of playing with a roomful of zero-two year olds?
One little munchkin sticks out more than others. I had to pry her out of her grandmothers arms to bring her into the classroom. When we got in the room she started hitting me in my chest and face. Not a great start to our time together. Luckily for us both, she is a very reasonable girl. I looked at her and told her I have 2 rules, 1 is no hitting (she immediately stopped) and 2 is if she wants to be held she will not yell in my ears (she quit). Things are getting better. :-) She still had a sour face but she wasn't throwing a fit. Progress. I started making funny faces at her and she tried SOOOO hard to not crack a smile. She couldn't not smile so she kept covering her face, determined to have a bad time. (How very much like I had been earlier in the day, hmmmmm.) After a while I set her down, little ones (no matter how slight) all wear on the arms after a while. She went off to play but any time anyone looked at her, her expression would change from happiness to a deep scowl. As the evening progressed she would come running to me and laugh and play with me.
How often am I like that sweet stubborn little girl? I don't want to leave what is familiar and comfortable to go into the unknown. I end up in the new environment but not going graciously but kicking and screaming. God sometimes has to lay down the rules for me. As I start warming up to the new place I've been put, I don't want anyone to see my attitude is changing. After I have adapted I have no problem showing enthusiasm and interacting, even being bubbly and enthusiastic. Then in the end I have to go to a new place again and the whole cycle starts again as I don't want to leave where I have grown comfortable.
It's it great when God takes a little thing like a child not wanting to go to nursery and turns it into a sermon direct from his heart to yours? It is one of the best attitude adjusters I can think of. My heavenly Papa is so kind and gentle to me, whispering to my heart when my attitude stinks and then providing an outside look at how I'm behaving. Firmly but kindly telling me what I'm doing isn't okay and needs to change. I love that. I wish I would pay more attention.
Hope you have blessed day!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Sidelined again
AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frustration is setting in. I set out with a plan and within a few days my plan has been thwarted! You see I am very susceptible to fatigue and weariness. It seems to take hold at the most inconvenient times. Last week I posted about working out and being more active and going to the gym regularly. This week I am sitting at my desk on Wednesday in a bledsoe boot and haven't been to the gym all week and it doesn't look like I'll be going until at least next week.
Well, that's where I am today. Tired, sore and frustrated.
Hope your day is going better.
Frustration is setting in. I set out with a plan and within a few days my plan has been thwarted! You see I am very susceptible to fatigue and weariness. It seems to take hold at the most inconvenient times. Last week I posted about working out and being more active and going to the gym regularly. This week I am sitting at my desk on Wednesday in a bledsoe boot and haven't been to the gym all week and it doesn't look like I'll be going until at least next week.
Well, that's where I am today. Tired, sore and frustrated.
Hope your day is going better.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Distractions
Good morning.
I hope you are having a great day so far!
This morning I am suffering from distraction syndrome. So many things want to knock me off course and keep me from focusing on the most important things in my life. It's okay though because it's only 9:20 in the morning and I see what's happening so I have the power to curb that and refocus myself.
LOL!!!
I started this post then got barraged with different things and now it's 12:50 and I have not much to show for the past few hours except the ability to laugh at myself.
Well, I better get back to the tasks at hand! I hope you have a great day!
I hope you are having a great day so far!
This morning I am suffering from distraction syndrome. So many things want to knock me off course and keep me from focusing on the most important things in my life. It's okay though because it's only 9:20 in the morning and I see what's happening so I have the power to curb that and refocus myself.
LOL!!!
I started this post then got barraged with different things and now it's 12:50 and I have not much to show for the past few hours except the ability to laugh at myself.
Well, I better get back to the tasks at hand! I hope you have a great day!
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