Sunday Goal Wrap Up

Marriage
Initiate the "3 day rule" - Doing well with this one.  :)


Family

Call Al - Not Yet
Thank you cards for Christmas - Not yet


Health
Journal Food Daily (no matter what) - About 50/50 here.  Not great, I'll do better next week.
Yoga Challenge: 20 minutes every.single.day - Not everyday, but still did yoga 4 times last week.  That's better than 0 like the week before.  Next week, I'll planning for more than 4.
2 L Water daily - About 50/50 here too.  Drinking lots of fluid, but too much is soda and coffee.
Bedtime 10:30 p.m. & Lights Out - 11 p.m. weeknights - Doing OK with this... getting into bed earlier in general but towards the end of the week let this slip a little bit.


Finance
Taxes 2010 for Business - Already got 90% sent to accountant
Create ways to track income easily in 2011 - Doing better, came up with some easy things to do.  Its daily practice now and I'm doing pretty good.  I remembered to charge a textbook to our personal account instead of my business account, so that's good.
Create budget - not yet.


Education
Begin Math & Human Development Classes - Math starts Tuesday - HD starts online tomorrow.  I won't get my book until Wednesday though!


Personal Growth
Journal and post to blog 3/weekly - Nope.  My only post this week was about the purses.  Not really a journal-type post.
Read one non-fiction or classic book - Reading Ana's Story by Jenna Bush.


Recreation
Plan Mom's Night Out - Planned (although Kara planned it) and Completed.
Plan Book Club - Scheduled for February 4th
Fold all Fabric - Done
January Stash Game - Started, not sewing much - but whatever.

Career
Trial Inspection - Not yet, maybe next week
Create "chore/responsibility" list with DC Kids - Started working with them to clean up more after meals.  Thinking of moving the toys into the Family Room, not sure yet.

Home 

Check off 3 Items weekly from To-Do List - This week: 

• Create working toy storage (Play Room)
• Clean Blinds (Play Room)
• Create storage for art supplies (Laundry Room)

 

2011 Organization Goals

My To-Do List for my house broken down by room.


Play Room

• Create Working Toy Storage
  
• Clean out closet of non-toy things
  
• Make slip cover for futon couch
  
• Clean blinds
  
• Wash walls
  
• Wash baseboards
  
• Clean carpet
  

Kitchen & Pantry & Laundry Room

• Clean out pantry
  
• Clean out fridge
  
• Clean and organize under pans & appliances
  
• Wipe down all cabinet fronts
  
• Clean tile grout
  
• Clean blinds
  
• Scrub table
  
• Wash walls
  
• Wash baseboards
  
• Create Storage for art supplies
  
• Purge cleaners
  
• Organize Under Kitchen Sink
  

Kids Room

• Clean carpet
  
• Wash bedding/comforter
  
• Clean blinds
  
• Wash walls
  
• Wash baseboards
  
• Clean out closet, floors and shelves
  
• Clean walls of old artwork
  

Living Room, Linen Closet, Coat Closet

• Clean Rug
  
• Mop wall to wall
  
• Dust picture frames
  
• Rehang/Better Hang Pictures
  
• Replaces pictures to update
  
• Clean blinds
  
• Wash walls
  
• Wash baseboards
  
• Refold Linen Closet
  
• Purge unused items from linen closet
  
• Purge medicine/expired/etc
  
• Organize medicine, etc in linen closet
  
• Create good storage for winter gear/umbrellas in coat closet
  
• Purge coats
  
• Clean out floor to find room for vacuums
  

Master Bedroom

• Clean blinds
  
• Dust pictures
  
• Clean out bedside table
  
• Clean out under bed
  
• Vacuum under bed
  
• Clean carpet
  
• Wash walls
  
• Wash baseboards
  
• Wash quilt, dust ruffle, etc bedding
  
• Flip mattress
  

Master Bathroom/Master Closet

• Clean blinds
  
• Wash walls
  
• Wash baseboards
  
• Clean out under sinks
  
• Deep clean shower, etc
  
• Soak shower head in CLR
  
• Purge my clothes & Ian's clothes
  
• Find better drawers, etc for undies
  
• Find better shoe storage
  
• Purge shoes, purses, belts, etc, etc, etc
  

"Office" & Sewing Room

• Fold Fabric
  
• Finish UFO's
  
• Thread Storage
  
• Replace carpet with pergo? Something else?
  
• Purchase sewing chair & possibly floor mat
  
• Pattern organization & storage
  
• Organize filing cabinet

January 2011

A fresh start.  A New Year.


Marriage
Initiate the "3 day rule"


Family 

Call Al
Thank you cards for Christmas


Health
Journal Food Daily (no matter what)
Yoga Challenge: 20 minutes every.single.day
2 L Water daily
Bedtime 10:30 p.m. & Lights Out - 11 p.m. weeknights


Finance
Taxes 2010 for Business
Create ways to track income easily in 2011
Create budget


Education
Begin Math & Human Development Classes


Personal Growth
Journal and post to blog 3/weekly
Read one non-fiction or classic book


Recreation
Plan Mom's Night Out
Plan Book Club
Fold all Fabric
January Stash Game

Career
Trial Inspection
Create "chore/resposibility" list with DC Kids

Home 

Check off 3 Items weekly from To-Do List

2011 Resolutions & Goals

Marriage – Strengthen our marriage and work to meet each others needs

Create and follow the "3 day rule"

Family – Connect on a regular basis with those that I love

Call Al monthly

Send photo cards regularly: 

This has been in my resolutions for about 2 years and I've never done it.  Maybe 2011 is my year.  

Valentine's Day

April/Spring

4^th of July

Halloween

Christmas

Health – Take care of myself and my body

Get More Sleep

Water

Eat Cleanly

Exercise Regularly

Personal Finance – Live like no one else, so we can live like no one else.

Purchase Family Vehicle (a.k.a. stop driving the 12 passenger van)

Move into a larger house

Education & Training – Graduate soon... start moving towards a fulfilling career

Complete Required Math Credit

Complete 4 Elective/Degree Classes for Psychology

Personal Growth & Interest – Expand horizons, learn about new things

Read 6 Non-Fiction Books in 2011

Read 6 Classic Books in 2011

Journal 3/weekly

Recreation & Leisure - Enjoy myself more often

Book Club monthly

Mom's Night Out monthly

Sew through all the fabric I have (buy per project after)

Career – Create a fun, educational, loving environment for daycare

Continue schedule with activities

Create a group of kids that it workable for long term (less kids, basically)

Create routines that allow kid help & responsibility

Trial "Inspections" once/month

Home - Create an organized, easy to clean environment

Go through my house, one room at a time and revamp

***DISCLAIMER*** Most of my resolutions for 2011 are an extension of 2010.  Some because I didn't succeed in 2010, some because I just want to continue what I've started.  I realize this and I'm actually content knowing that what was important to me last year is important to me this year. 

December Goal Review

Marriage:

Date with Ian - Turned into a family date - but I'm calling in DONE

Family:

Family portrait taken Dec 4 - DONE
Christmas cards out by the 10th - NOT DONE.  Out the 20th.  But hey - they were still out. :)

Health:

New WW program: Points Plus - Definitely one big fat fail

2 L Water daily - Pretty good but maybe about 50%

Sanity:

Yoga weekday mornings - Another big fat fail

Journal/Blog 3/weekly - DONE.  Some I didn't post though. I think that will change in January.

I had a fairly tumultuous month, so I'm feeling pretty good about how I handled my life in December.  Basically, dealing with the miscarriage, "trying" to get pregnant (sort of), plus too many daycare kids, Christmas and all of that.  That was a lot.  Perhaps in 2011, I'll try to remember that December isn't the month to begin a lot of new habits.  There is maybe a energetic reason that we set resolutions in January?

December Goals

Yep, I'm back to making goals.  I've got to pull myself up somehow.

Marriage:

Date with Ian

Family:

Family portrait taken Dec 4
Christmas cards out by the 10th

Health:

New WW program: Points Plus

2 L Water daily

Sanity:

Yoga weekday mornings

Journal/Blog 3/weekly

April Goals

April 2010 Goals: 

Marriage

Date Night

Spend Time 2/week

Kids

Mama + Kid Dates (Spend time with each kid separately)

Family

Call Al

Send Spring Photo Card

Health

Yoga Class 2/week

Yoga at home 2/week

64 oz water daily

Intensely follow WW

Personal

Read a non-fiction book

Journal/Blog 2/week

Daycare

Implement Schedule and Curriculum (we've been slacking a little with our slow enrollment, time to jump back in)

Things to Support Myself

Just a list...

• Yoga AM
• "Uniform"... so I don't feel frumpy
• Healthy Foods... Fruits & Veggies all day
• 8 hours of sleep
• 15 minute kid break after DC kids leave
• Schedule with kids... more activities, less mess & chaos
• Journal daily, either online or on paper... maybe Accountability Formula as a prompt? 

Some New Thoughts....

The weight has been here for a long time... some since I was a kid.  Most since Cross Creek.  A bit since then, I suppose too.  Its been a long time to get fat.  While I'm doing feeling fat, done being fat, etc.  I think I'm done thinking about dieting and my constant struggle to lose weight.  I want to change my habits long term.  I want to stop focusing on the number on the scale and start focusing on my behaviors.  My emotions.  My choices.  My patterns.

So... my goals.  Here are the things that I want to be doing:

• Exercising 5 times a week


• Drinking 64 oz of water daily


• Eating only whole grains (no processed white flour)


• Eating 5+ servings of fruit and vegetables daily


• Sleeping 8 hours per night

My original thought was that I needed to start slowly.  Work up to all of this stuff... you know *not* burn out.  And I think that's somewhat true.  I'm not going from exercising basically never to exercising 5/weekly overnight.

But everything else?  I can just *DO*.

Tomorrow.... I'm up early for Gabe and its already late, but I think I'll plan to do 20 minutes of shredding anyway.  Why skip exercise?  If I go to bed now I'll get 7.5 hours of sleep.  That is plenty.

I need to commit. Pretty soon here I'm going to weigh more than Ian.

Eating Plan:

Breakfast:   Muesli (yogurt + oatmeal + fruit), coffee with skim + splenda or SF hot chocolate

Lunch: Chicken, apple & cranberry salad

Dinner: Orange Chicken with brown rice and fresh green beans.

Snacks:  Fruits; apples, oranges, bananas?  Fresh fruit salad?

Dessert:  Graham cracker + (FF cool whip + SF/FF pudding) = frozen treat

64 oz of water throughout the day.

That's my plan.  I'm checking back in tomorrow to report how much I really ate.  Maybe this bloggy blog will turn into a food journal.  Hahaha

My goal for the day...

My goal for the day is to eat only Core Foods.  100% Core Foods.  All day, no points added.  That's the goal.

Why is that the goal?

I'm going to the grocery store today, I'll buy two carton's of chocolate and that's all I'll have for the whole week.  So my eating plan?

Eat 100% Core all day, every day, except for my chocolate at night.  That's my plan.

Off to start my oatmeal.

September Goal Recap

September Goals

Kids:
Work on more logical consequences. Follow through. Follow through. Follow through.

This has been going well.  We've gotten a lot accomplished this month I think.  Lots of learning about politeness and chores - which make my life in general more pleasant.  I'm feeling mostly complete with this goal.  We are going to continue to logical consequences, which seem to work the best for both kids.  Along with the star chart/reward system that we've been doing with each child to earn something special.  (A transformer toy for Ethan and something Dora for Emma.)






____________________________

Marriage:
Work on voicing feelings, communicate daily, resist arguments and fight
Stand up for myself, politely

We are doing better talking conflicts though without fighting, but it just continues to be a hard stressful time for both of us.  I'm hoping that by the end of the year we have less stress in our lives.  The main point of this goal was to work on being honest and communicating better rather than being snotty or sarcastic, which I'm good at - but I'm also getting a little old to communicate in the juvenile way. 



____________________________

Eating Plan:
Follow intuitive eating (simply eat when hungry, stop when comfortable)
Eat clean food, drink lots of water
Curb emotional eating by blogging thoughts, feelings, doubts, etc about whatever comes up

I've been doing OK with this.  I'm on Day 6 now.  And Day 5 wasn't that great with book club + wine + brownies.  But so far so good today.  Clearly this is a bigger process for me and I need more structure right now than intuitive eating provides.  I have joined Weight Watchers online Sunday of last week and I'm really working on that right now for my eating plan.











_____________________________

Exercise:
Exercise 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes, make an effort to work up a sweat


No go on this one.  I slacked this month for exercise.  I'd say I exercised about 2 days a week on average.  But I didn't exercise at all at my mom's house or right after.  I'm making this goal a bigger priority in October.



______________________________

Sleep:
Go to bed by 11 p.m., pretty much every night.

I have been doing better, but not great with this goal.  Now that I'm watching another little boy that normally arrives at my house at 7:30 a.m., I really need to be up around 6 a.m. to exercise and shower before he gets here. That's the reason for the earlier bedtime.  Its in effort to take better care of myself, which I need to remember.  If I get enough sleep, I'm tons happier and less stressed the next day, which is important when you are dealing with other people's children. I do see myself continuing to strive for this, but at the same time, I'm not sure it needs to be written as a goal.



______________________________

Household
Print chores to-do list. Complete 90% of the daily & weekly chores every day.

Ultimately, if I had to pick one goal that I've done the best with - this would be it.  Sure I'm still struggling with my old standby struggles (keeping up with dishes and laundry) but underneath, my house is basically clean on a daily/regular basis.  I love that.  I'm still working on the struggles, but overall, I'm really happy with where I'm at.




______________________________

Daycare:

I'm going to check the things that I've done for my own ease. I still need to work on enrollment, I grew from one kids to two kids in September, I'd really like to have two or three more by the end of the year. One a month.  Just one a month.  That's my goal. :)





Daycare, create daycare enrollment
~Food Program
~~~~~Sign up online
~~~~~Make menus
~~~~~Forms for income verification

~Subsidy Program
~~~~~Mail in sign up forms & contract

~New Enrollments
~~~~~Business Cards
~~~~~Flyers
~~~~~4 x 6 postcards
~~~~~Website


So all that's left of that is 4 x 6 postcards for people's doors.  I think I might still do that, but I'm not sure right now.  We'll see I'm still thinking about it.

September Goals

I wrote this as part of my August week 4 recap:

Looking forward into September, I'm struck by a few emotions that have reigned the past few days weeks. I've been overwhelmed. I've felt out of control; in general, with my life, my marriage, my kids, my days seem to drag together and run into one big pile of nothing. I've been feeling lonely. I haven't been fostering any relationships. I've let old ones die, I've let new ones die. And then I turn around and complain. Its really no bueno.

I'm still feeling this way at least a little bit, some of it has passed. But for the most part, I feel like a short order overhaul is necessary. When I think about my life, in general, I'm pretty stressed out. I have more stressed days than I do easy-going days. I have more days where I feel like my kids are out of control, more days that I feel like I'm out of control with my eating, more days that my to-do list is out of control and untouched.

I guess that's enough ranting. I'll get to the solutions that I have.


Problem:
Kids not listening

Solution:
Work on more logical consequences. Follow through. Follow through. Follow through.
____________________________

Problem:
Relationship with Ian

Solution:
Work on voicing feelings, communicate daily, resist arguments and fight
Stand up for myself, politely
____________________________

Problem:
Eating out of control

Solution:
Follow intuitive eating (simply eat when hungry, stop when comfortable)
Eat clean food, drink lots of water
Curb emotional eating by blogging thoughts, feelings, doubts, etc about whatever comes up
_____________________________

Problem:
Not enough hard sweaty exercise

Solution:
Exercise 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes, make an effort to work up a sweat
______________________________

Problem:
Not enough sleep

Solution:
Go to bed by 11 p.m., pretty much every night.
______________________________

Problem:
Housework out of control

Solution:
Print chores to-do list. Complete 90% of the daily & weekly chores every day.
______________________________

Problem:
Not enough income

Solution:
Daycare, create daycare enrollment
~Food Program
~~~~~Sign up online
~~~~~Make menus
~~~~~Forms for income verification

~Subsidy Program
~~~~~Mail in sign up forms & contract

~New Enrollments
~~~~~Business Cards
~~~~~Flyers
~~~~~4 x 6 postcards
~~~~~Website

August Goals: Month End Recap

August Goals

1. Stick to WW points, make it a habit.

I feel like I really mastered this goal in August. Sure, I had days that I went over and some days that I was under. Overall, I feel like I made the changes that I intended to make with this goal.

2. Exercise 3/weekly each week this month.

I definitely did well with this goal, I made a huge improvement over July, without any exercise. I feel there is room for improvement in the coming month.

3. Complete "Sister Reunion" gifts.

Incomplete. I still have the month of September, so not a huge deal. I'm slightly worried that I will continue to become more and more busy with new daycare kids enrolling. But I'm sure I'll find time to do these. I decided on a much more simple project, and took 7 yards of fabric back to Joann's. (Go Me!) So I'll be hitting this one somewhat quickly, but I'm not stressing yet.

4. Sew trainers for Zach. (I think I committed to this in June)

Removed this commitment.

5. Sew Hooter Hider for my mom, for a shower gift.

Not needed, afterall.

August Goals: Week Four

A week four update...

_____________

August Goals

1. Stick to WW points, make it a habit.

I'm doing pretty good with this. I'm struggling through some days, eating poorly then wishing I hadn't. But all in all, I'm slowly moving towards much healthier eating on a daily basis.

2. Exercise 3/weekly each week this month.

Of all my goals, so far - I'm rocking this one the best. Its been yoga all the way. I love my yoga mornings. I find the whole day I have a better attitude and overall I'm happier. On the days I sleep in, I'm not so happy, I tend to have a worse day.

3. Complete "Sister Reunion" gifts.

No real sewing yet this month. This morning I finally made the time to use the embroidery applique that I bought from Little Sugar Britches via Etsy. So now, I'm feeling a whole lot more motivated.

4. Sew trainers for Zach. (I think I committed to this in June)

No, and this morning I gave the fabric, pattern and my PUlL scraps to Zach's mom. So she could sew these, because I really don't want to. And my time is becoming more precious.

5. Sew Hooter Hider for my mom, for a shower gift.

While I was prepared to sew this earlier in the month, the mom who this gift was intended for ended up delivering at 30 weeks. The baby boy is still in the NICU and its not clear whether or not breastfeeding has been, or will be established, so this gift is on hold. Because what formula feeding mom wants to receive a hooter hider as a gift, you know?

Looking forward into September, I'm struck by a few emotions that have reigned the past few days weeks. I've been overwhelmed. I've felt out of control; in general, with my life, my marriage, my kids, my days seem to drag together and run into one big pile of nothing. I've been feeling lonely. I haven't been fostering any relationships. I've let old ones die, I've let new ones die. And then I turn around and complain. Its really no bueno.

This week I'm going to continue with my WW points, yoga and I'm going to get those Sister Reunion gifts done. I'm going to take the week and choose my goals for September. I'll be thinking about how I can best move forward, how I can best serve myself and my family.

August Goals

August Goals

1. Stick to WW points, make it a habit.

2. Exercise 3/weekly each week this month.

3. Complete "Sister Reunion" gifts.

4. Sew trainers for Zach. (I think I committed to this in June)

5. Sew Hooter Hider for my mom, for a shower gift.

Its March Already....

I can't believe its already March. Seems like just yesterday was New Years Eve. Thinking about what I've accomplished so far this year, and I start to come up empty with ideas.

But, I digress. I should give myself more credit than that. So, in a brave attempt at self promotion, since January 1st:

I have nearly doubled my blog's subscribers.

I have increased my website traffic almost three fold.

I have followed through on about 50% of my New Years Resolutions. Maybe its time to revisit those in more depth.

I have bought very little fabric since December 31st. In fact, excluding the fabric I ordered this week for a custom mei tai, I have only purchased 3 yards of fabric. (2 yards of fleece and 1 yard of PUL)

I have been keeping up with my house better than ever. Again, Thank You Flylady.

I have been featured in two treasuries now.

My sales have been steady; including my etsy shop, hyena cart and local sales. I'm pretty happy with where I am here, considering my low level of promotion.


For the rest of the year?

Well, I am just getting more and more busy.

My husband started a landscaping company. He is away from home a lot as he gets his business off the ground. He is already finding some success and I'm very proud of him. But let's be honest, the more time that my husband spends away from home, the less time I have to work on Michael Grace Designs; from a sewing or promotion standpoint.

I have decided to open a home daycare and I am in process of getting my license already. I'm hoping that by the end of April that I will be up and running with that. Its a slow process, I didn't realize when I set out. But I am very excited about this.

But, Michael Grace Designs isn't going away. In March/April, I'm teaming up with my MDCEtsy Street team for a Spring Promotion/Giveaway! You know I'll be posting more about that in the near future.

I'm hoping to stock my Hyena Cart at least monthly, hopefully twice a month. I will be stocking two new mei tais and a pouch this Sunday, March 15th.

I'm hoping to team up with some other Mommy Bloggers to do some sort of Mother's Day giveaway. Not sure about this yet.




As you can see, I have big dreams for myself, my business, my time. I get rather excited just thinking about it.