The end of a decade, the beginning of change?

Yikes! Has it really been 4 months? Wow! Well I may not have posted nut there are a few things that I have actually been working on or should I say I have accomplished. Not nearly as much as I should have but seeing how it is a time for renewing of goals, making intentions, making resolutions. Now is as good a time as any to reflect and then go forward.



So, in reflection:

How did I do with my actual 2009 intentions? (blue was accomplished)



To Learn:
- Learn Photoshop elements 6 – I’m satisfied with my progress on this one.
- Set up blog - done
- To make de-cluttering a habit (minimum of 15 minutes a week – I’ve de-cluttered but certainly not 15 minutes each week
- How to do a digital scrapbooking page (minimum of 5 for the year) – I have done 8

To Do:
- Scan at least 100 of mom and dad's slides – I asked several times but have not yet received slides to scan
- Marlee Owwie album - oops!
- At least 52 scrapbook pages (one for each week) – yes, thanks to the LOAD challenges
- FACE finances and CUT DOWN!!! – my finances are still good, I have no debt but then I have also gained more work
-


To Read:
- Blogger book
- Photoshop elements book
- The Priest
- The Scribe
- Something Borrowed

To Eat:
- Tara (with Drew)
- The North
- Fishbowl
- Horseshoe restaurant near gas station
- Indian Restaurant on Dunlop

To Complete:
- Shimelle Christmas Journal – generally as much as I want to do
- 27 days album (I'm just about done)
- Pieces of our home album (Just about)
- Album about Paula's ornaments (jsut about)
- Cottage album



To live well:
- Pray, journal - prayer good, journaling not so good
- Initiate - okay
- Bed before 12? - ha - well more then I used to!
- Run 3x/week - I think I generally exercised at least 3x and I was happy with my running up until pregnancy. Unfortunately for me the 2 don't go together.



So all in all I'm quite satisfied with how I did. I don't think I need to be so specific about some things - I'd like to be open to trying new things but not limiting them to certain places for instance. I'd like to complete unfinished projects (which I did - just not those listed) but again, maybe not be so specific. So I have learned. And as I consider my intentions for the upcoming year, I am also striving to keep in mind the goal to SIMPLIFY! (See here for more details).

Where am I going with this?

So over the last few months I've really wondered what I have gotten myself into. As I've thought about what I've set myself up for I'll admit I've thought I've bitten off more then I can chew. But then I have to sit back and think - okay - we're how far into this and hey - what's the worst that can happen? I end up paying myself and donating money to charity? How terrible is that?

So now that I have slapped myself into shape, it is now time to get back to business. Here is all (albeit little) that I have done.

#7. So I signed up for a photoshop class on Jessicasprague.com - but I haven't had time to do it yet. Thank goodness it is a do-it-on-your-own timing one. Maybe when the kids are back in school?

#15 -perhaps I should view the list? We've been catching up on lots of movies. I wonder if any are on the list?

#19 - still going strong!

#22 - there is always so much to be thankful for each day - but is it okay to not be original? Often I am just so thankful for the day - and for getting to bed!

#28 - I think I may be able to do this through Focus on the Family's "Truth Project" in the fall. Our small group is planning on doing this together.

#39 - Yikes I forgot about this? It appears I may need to do more then one in a month to catch up!

#51 - I gave 2 parking passes to people over the last month - both at the library.

#52 - So I got started - not that much but I've started! I'll have to find my pieces of paper to see how much.

#74 - I think I am managing to do this! Can you believe I have to question it? Technically bedtime always counts but I need to be proactive in documenting it or at least noting it.

#75 - Drew bought a wind-up radio to put in our emergency kit! (He was inspired by D and D's cottage!)


So that is half of the list and now to back track some more and maybe add a few photos?

The Lord is good...

# 23

Nahum 1:7. The Lord is good. A refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

This was the verse for summer camp and it is now (forever?) in my brain.

Painting in an hour

#83 - I had forgotten that this was on the list but Drew was able to paint the basement stairwell this afternoon. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! It looks so much better. I wonder howlong before the kids leave some new hand prints?

Strawberry Picking!

#71 - We went strawberry picking with Diane and Victoria! Matt tried them but... still doesn't like them! On a more serious note; my white flip flops will never be the same.

Decluttering!

After this disastrous post, I am pleased to say that we have gotten rid of 4+ large boxes of items from the house.

Some went to Goodwill:

1 - assorted household items -rugs, miscellaneous

1 - box of household items - wine rack, candle holders, gift bags, the stepper I haven't used in ages

1 - Community Living - clothing items from all of us

1 - Kids Closet along with 2 individual items (mobile, ocean music box, fall maternity items, fall kids clothing)

I have 2 more ready to go - one of clothing and one of baby stuff to sell. Now I just have to get it there.

It feels really good to get them out and free up some space around here (And the money was nice too). I'm just afraid it is getting to Drew's head that his "discussion" brought about the desired action. We all know that it was just a result of getting back on schedule! Maybe I'll get around to discussing that some day!..

A new-to-us park

#73 - We visited the first of 20 new-to-us parks to visit. (We got the map from the City Hall and the list off the website). It was way over on the other side of town - closer for some of our baby group friends. Another mom there was doing laps around the park after she played with her daughter for a few minutes. What a great idea!