And we're off to a brand new year. I love January - the month of my birthday, and the start of new goals. Some of which I'll accomplish fully, others partially, and some not at all. But it's all good.
No monthly reports this year - I did like doing them, but I don't want to feel pressure to get them done on time.
Briefly, here's what I hope to improve on this year:
1. Become a more spiritual person. This is a life-long goal.
2. Eat better, exercise more, and in general be in better health one year from now.
3. Work on family history. This entails many possibilities: organize and label family photos; do genealogical research; take care of, file, and scan family history paraphernalia that I already have; keep a journal (which this is part of).
4. Make time for doing things I enjoy, and spending time with people I love.
Two words I want to keep in mind this year:
Purposeful
Deliberate
I want to make my choices in life count. So I want my choices and decisions to be purposeful and deliberate. I want to spend less time staring into space, or staring at some useless information on my computer.
That's it! Hopefully I'll remember at the end of December and report back on how I've done.
Happy New Year!
Showing posts with label monthly report. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monthly report. Show all posts
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Thursday, July 31, 2014
July Report
The title of this post should be:
An Optimist's Ever Hopeful Recording of Her Actual Life Hoping That It Will Read Like the Life She Wishes It Were Instead of What It Really Is
Perhaps that is a little more negative than I actually feel. Here is how my actual life is:
I don't want to list it all, so I'll just say it.
1. (Okay, I do love lists.) I didn't do great on any of my first things first things this month. In fact I sort of took the month off. I've eaten what I want to eat, failed to exercise these last two weeks, and did so-so on remembering to read my scriptures and say my prayers.
What I did do: rest and relax and sleep in whenever I could.
Evaluation: July felt great. I need to do this every once in a while. I will kick it in again in August.
2. Family History (my new name for this category): Fabulous! Orva and I finished scanning Ray's parent's slides. We did over 7000 scans in the last three months (hence the break the last two weeks - I needed the R&R). One very small negative note: we found some more slides that will need to be done. But we are not in a rush to finish them.
3. Projects? What projects? Everything has given way to the scanning. I haven't kept up on the yard, or house. see #1. for what I did do.
Next month, or September: paint my bedroom! perhaps a little cleaning here or there also. Perhaps. Depends on how well I kick it in, so to speak.
That's as much as I feel like reporting. It's July. I've taken a break. July isn't over, so I'm still taking a break.
Now I need to go hunt down some serious chocolate.
An Optimist's Ever Hopeful Recording of Her Actual Life Hoping That It Will Read Like the Life She Wishes It Were Instead of What It Really Is
Perhaps that is a little more negative than I actually feel. Here is how my actual life is:
I don't want to list it all, so I'll just say it.
1. (Okay, I do love lists.) I didn't do great on any of my first things first things this month. In fact I sort of took the month off. I've eaten what I want to eat, failed to exercise these last two weeks, and did so-so on remembering to read my scriptures and say my prayers.
What I did do: rest and relax and sleep in whenever I could.
Evaluation: July felt great. I need to do this every once in a while. I will kick it in again in August.
2. Family History (my new name for this category): Fabulous! Orva and I finished scanning Ray's parent's slides. We did over 7000 scans in the last three months (hence the break the last two weeks - I needed the R&R). One very small negative note: we found some more slides that will need to be done. But we are not in a rush to finish them.
3. Projects? What projects? Everything has given way to the scanning. I haven't kept up on the yard, or house. see #1. for what I did do.
Next month, or September: paint my bedroom! perhaps a little cleaning here or there also. Perhaps. Depends on how well I kick it in, so to speak.
That's as much as I feel like reporting. It's July. I've taken a break. July isn't over, so I'm still taking a break.
Now I need to go hunt down some serious chocolate.
Monday, June 30, 2014
June 2014 Report
Since when did June become a month with only 5 days in it? I'm sure the other 25 are missing, floating around somewhere in the universe. This month went by so fast! Here's my report:
1. First Things First: same as ever. Working on eating better. I'm exercising regularly but might have to step up my efforts a notch while I'm exercising. Still trying hard to keep up on daily prayer and scripture reading.
2. Personal History: I have scanned hundreds and hundreds of slides this month. In truth, that's where June has gone.
3. Temples: see the last two months of reports: still no new temples.
4. Home Projects:
Cleaning for June: library and music room. Does vacuuming count? Yes, yes it does. I've spent a lot of time in the yard. Last Saturday Joseph and the boys helped me clean out all the mile high weeds in my vegetable planters and Joseph tilled it and dug the holes and planted my tomatoes and herbs. Ray and I cleared two trees and a large bush and several shrubs from a small side yard. We will be putting in grass there instead. It will look nicer, and can be groomed in 5 minutes instead of 5 hours of weeding.
Emergency binder update: almost done. Still working on it.
Goals for July: keep up on the yard. Clean the downstairs bathrooms. Actually that's a job that gets done pretty thoroughly pretty often. Especially when we have company, which is frequently.
1. First Things First: same as ever. Working on eating better. I'm exercising regularly but might have to step up my efforts a notch while I'm exercising. Still trying hard to keep up on daily prayer and scripture reading.
2. Personal History: I have scanned hundreds and hundreds of slides this month. In truth, that's where June has gone.
3. Temples: see the last two months of reports: still no new temples.
4. Home Projects:
Cleaning for June: library and music room. Does vacuuming count? Yes, yes it does. I've spent a lot of time in the yard. Last Saturday Joseph and the boys helped me clean out all the mile high weeds in my vegetable planters and Joseph tilled it and dug the holes and planted my tomatoes and herbs. Ray and I cleared two trees and a large bush and several shrubs from a small side yard. We will be putting in grass there instead. It will look nicer, and can be groomed in 5 minutes instead of 5 hours of weeding.
Emergency binder update: almost done. Still working on it.
Goals for July: keep up on the yard. Clean the downstairs bathrooms. Actually that's a job that gets done pretty thoroughly pretty often. Especially when we have company, which is frequently.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
May Report
This is a paltry year for blog posts. I'm hoping to improve on that - because I like doing it, and I like having the record of what I've done. Most posts this year are books I've read, which gives the impression that all I do is sit around and read. While I would like that to be the truth of my life, it is not.
What did I do in May? Ray and I went to Hawaii to visit my sister and her family. While there, we buried my mother's ashes at Punchbowl National Cemetery. Hopefully there will be a post about that coming soon. The rest of May was spent getting ready to go to Hawaii, and recuperating/getting back into regular life after going to Hawaii.
Here is where my goals fit in among those other activities:
1. First Things First: I have a colossal lack of self discipline when it comes to eating. I am working so hard on that, but this month wasn't great. Other areas in this goal are being maintained, but only just. Time to kick it up a notch!
2. Personal History: This goal is a lesson on how to modify a goal as you go. I have been working with my sister-in-law Orva on a project for Ray's parents. It's a surprise. Let's just say it involves lots of time with Ray's personal history more than mine. But, since Ray and I are a team, it's all the same. Sort of. Which means that currently I'm helping out more with someone else's personal history than my own. That works for me.
3. Temples: while I have attended the temple, we still have not ventured forth to a new one. I need to be in charge of making that happen. I need to get it on the calendar and plan it out.
4. Home Projects: Ha! (That is the phrase of the year in this area of my goals/life)
Cleaning: Living Room and yard. The yard is already out of control. We need to get the sprinkler system turned on and that will help. Although watering makes the weeds grow faster, they come out of the ground much more easily when it is wet. Also, in Seattle we never, ever watered our lawn. It might be dry for a month or so, but would bounce right back. Here in Utah that is not true. We've lived here nearly eight years now (!!), and we still want to think we don't need to water. Quick, aren't we?
Other: Keep updating emergency info. Let's just say that will roll over and be a goal in June. Again.
Goals for June:
Cleaning: Library and Music room, and the never ending yard work.
Other: see #4 above.
What did I do in May? Ray and I went to Hawaii to visit my sister and her family. While there, we buried my mother's ashes at Punchbowl National Cemetery. Hopefully there will be a post about that coming soon. The rest of May was spent getting ready to go to Hawaii, and recuperating/getting back into regular life after going to Hawaii.
Here is where my goals fit in among those other activities:
1. First Things First: I have a colossal lack of self discipline when it comes to eating. I am working so hard on that, but this month wasn't great. Other areas in this goal are being maintained, but only just. Time to kick it up a notch!
2. Personal History: This goal is a lesson on how to modify a goal as you go. I have been working with my sister-in-law Orva on a project for Ray's parents. It's a surprise. Let's just say it involves lots of time with Ray's personal history more than mine. But, since Ray and I are a team, it's all the same. Sort of. Which means that currently I'm helping out more with someone else's personal history than my own. That works for me.
3. Temples: while I have attended the temple, we still have not ventured forth to a new one. I need to be in charge of making that happen. I need to get it on the calendar and plan it out.
4. Home Projects: Ha! (That is the phrase of the year in this area of my goals/life)
Cleaning: Living Room and yard. The yard is already out of control. We need to get the sprinkler system turned on and that will help. Although watering makes the weeds grow faster, they come out of the ground much more easily when it is wet. Also, in Seattle we never, ever watered our lawn. It might be dry for a month or so, but would bounce right back. Here in Utah that is not true. We've lived here nearly eight years now (!!), and we still want to think we don't need to water. Quick, aren't we?
Other: Keep updating emergency info. Let's just say that will roll over and be a goal in June. Again.
Goals for June:
Cleaning: Library and Music room, and the never ending yard work.
Other: see #4 above.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
April Report
Where did this month go? I was going to use the excuse of having my gall bladder out, but that was last month. It's one big blur. Here's the report on my goals:
1. First Things First: doing okay on this. I sure wish I had better self discipline for eating good foods and resisting sweets. Other parts of this are going well.
2. Personal History: still working on pictures. Although a minimal amount (if any) was done in that regard this month.
3. Temples: still no new ones. I've got to get on this! Warmer weather will help.
4. Home Projects:
Cleaning: Family Room top to bottom. Here's a win! I really cleaned my family room. I took out a disgusting, old area rug and replaced it with a new one. Ray mopped the entire floor (it's a big room) and I cleaned the rest of it. It looks great.
Other: Update emergency information. I did some of it. I need to do a more thorough check to make sure all of it is up to date now.
I feel like I've barely been hanging on. Things have been a whirlwind, and I've got to slow down somehow. Don't know how, but I'll have to review my life and see what I can cut out. I hate to give up the fun things!
Goals for May:
Cleaning: Living Room and yard. Summer is here as far as yard work goes. I start on Saturday!
Other: Keep updating our emergency information.
1. First Things First: doing okay on this. I sure wish I had better self discipline for eating good foods and resisting sweets. Other parts of this are going well.
2. Personal History: still working on pictures. Although a minimal amount (if any) was done in that regard this month.
3. Temples: still no new ones. I've got to get on this! Warmer weather will help.
4. Home Projects:
Cleaning: Family Room top to bottom. Here's a win! I really cleaned my family room. I took out a disgusting, old area rug and replaced it with a new one. Ray mopped the entire floor (it's a big room) and I cleaned the rest of it. It looks great.
Other: Update emergency information. I did some of it. I need to do a more thorough check to make sure all of it is up to date now.
I feel like I've barely been hanging on. Things have been a whirlwind, and I've got to slow down somehow. Don't know how, but I'll have to review my life and see what I can cut out. I hate to give up the fun things!
Goals for May:
Cleaning: Living Room and yard. Summer is here as far as yard work goes. I start on Saturday!
Other: Keep updating our emergency information.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
March 2014 Report
March came in like a lamb and out like a lion. I'm not talking about weather here. (Although it is true for our weather also.) I knew I had a busy month ahead--out of town for a long weekend, and then all my girls here for our Sisters weekend. I did not take into account having my gall bladder removed one week ago. That threw me a little bit for getting a couple of things done. Something always comes up. That's life!
An aside about the gall bladder: I've been having gall bladder pain for years and years that was never definitely diagnosed. It would come and go. Finally in January I decided to find out for sure if it was my gall bladder or some other problem that I should have taken care of. (I wanted to choose when to have it removed if possible, and not get stuck while on vacation or something.) I had an ultrasound which did not reveal any problems with the gall bladder (no stones, etc.). Then a few weeks ago I had a HIDA scan done. Before I got the results back from that I had two severe gall bladder attacks. The second one landed me in the ER. While I was there they checked the results of the scan. Sure enough, I had gall bladder disease. It was functioning at about 17%. So I scheduled outpatient surgery for two days later. What a great, easy surgery. Zero pain afterward, just fatigue. I didn't exactly get to choose when to have the surgery, but it ended up at a convenient time.
So, with that in mind, here's my month in review:
1. First Things First: plugging along as usual. I've had a couple of weeks of no exercise because of the surgery. I'll start again next week.
2. Personal History: Still no writing. Writing might not happen this year. That's okay. I spent my weekend out of town working on Ray's mission slides. They are all ready to be labelled. I'm taking a night class on Photoshop Lightroom beginning this week. That should help propel my photo journaling.
3. Temples: Draper temple this month.
4. Home Projects:
Cleaning: Master Bath top to bottom. How about master bath shower top to bottom, and a cursory clean of everything else.
Project: Dad's files. Done! All re-organized and put into a different box. I'm feeling great about that one.
For April: cleaning the Family Room top to bottom, and updating my emergency information.
An aside about the gall bladder: I've been having gall bladder pain for years and years that was never definitely diagnosed. It would come and go. Finally in January I decided to find out for sure if it was my gall bladder or some other problem that I should have taken care of. (I wanted to choose when to have it removed if possible, and not get stuck while on vacation or something.) I had an ultrasound which did not reveal any problems with the gall bladder (no stones, etc.). Then a few weeks ago I had a HIDA scan done. Before I got the results back from that I had two severe gall bladder attacks. The second one landed me in the ER. While I was there they checked the results of the scan. Sure enough, I had gall bladder disease. It was functioning at about 17%. So I scheduled outpatient surgery for two days later. What a great, easy surgery. Zero pain afterward, just fatigue. I didn't exactly get to choose when to have the surgery, but it ended up at a convenient time.
So, with that in mind, here's my month in review:
1. First Things First: plugging along as usual. I've had a couple of weeks of no exercise because of the surgery. I'll start again next week.
2. Personal History: Still no writing. Writing might not happen this year. That's okay. I spent my weekend out of town working on Ray's mission slides. They are all ready to be labelled. I'm taking a night class on Photoshop Lightroom beginning this week. That should help propel my photo journaling.
3. Temples: Draper temple this month.
4. Home Projects:
Cleaning: Master Bath top to bottom. How about master bath shower top to bottom, and a cursory clean of everything else.
Project: Dad's files. Done! All re-organized and put into a different box. I'm feeling great about that one.
For April: cleaning the Family Room top to bottom, and updating my emergency information.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
February Report
I won't say February's goals went up in flames, but I will say some of them took off in their own direction!
1. First Things First: still moving right along here. Doing okay, but there's always room for improvement in all these areas. I did slightly hurt my back last week, so exercise has been on a decline since then. I'm giving it a good rest, then hope to start back in next Monday.
2. Personal History: no writing has occurred yet, but I am still going great guns on photo and slide scanning. This may be a job that continues into the eternities. That makes for easy goal setting next year!
3. Temples: Draper Temple this month.
4. Home Projects:
Cleaning: February's goal was the Master Bedroom top to bottom. How about Master Bedroom here and there for the actual accomplishment? I did get rid of a couple of bags of clothes, and four or five bags of books. Instead of my room, major changes happened in my sewing room, so that took some of the time I would have used in my room. So I feel great about it all.
Projects: Flexibility is the name of the game here. My goal was to reorganize my dad's files. Didn't happen yet in reality, although terrific plans were made in my head. It is actually a good thing I didn't get started on it, because with some of my sewing room changes, I've had to rethink storing my dad's files. So now that planning is done, and I can get started on the files. So I'm hopeful that my March report will have this item crossed off its list.
For March: I'm hoping to do the Master Bath top to bottom, and my dad's files.
1. First Things First: still moving right along here. Doing okay, but there's always room for improvement in all these areas. I did slightly hurt my back last week, so exercise has been on a decline since then. I'm giving it a good rest, then hope to start back in next Monday.
2. Personal History: no writing has occurred yet, but I am still going great guns on photo and slide scanning. This may be a job that continues into the eternities. That makes for easy goal setting next year!
3. Temples: Draper Temple this month.
4. Home Projects:
Cleaning: February's goal was the Master Bedroom top to bottom. How about Master Bedroom here and there for the actual accomplishment? I did get rid of a couple of bags of clothes, and four or five bags of books. Instead of my room, major changes happened in my sewing room, so that took some of the time I would have used in my room. So I feel great about it all.
Projects: Flexibility is the name of the game here. My goal was to reorganize my dad's files. Didn't happen yet in reality, although terrific plans were made in my head. It is actually a good thing I didn't get started on it, because with some of my sewing room changes, I've had to rethink storing my dad's files. So now that planning is done, and I can get started on the files. So I'm hopeful that my March report will have this item crossed off its list.
For March: I'm hoping to do the Master Bath top to bottom, and my dad's files.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
January Report
Two things:
1. I can't believe it's February already!
2. At my current rate of blogging for the year, I'll have about 20 posts for the whole year, 12 of which will be monthly reports. I need to carve out more time for recording in my blog.
January started off with a bang. Our son got married on January 4, and we had our daughter Debra and her family here with us for a week during that time. Here are a couple informal shots of the wedding time:
But I digress. Back to the matter at hand--my January report.
1. First Things First. Coming along. I have committed to increasing my exercise and taking a strength building class at my gym three days a week for the next two months. I'm hoping that will be enough time to show a little benefit and give me time to learn to enjoy it. If after two months I hate it, I will try something different. All other aspects of this goal are marching along.
2. Personal History. Scanning photos has gone great guns this month. Most of it has been helping my sisters-in-law, but I've done some of my own, and they are on tap to help me next time around. The journal writing has not improved yet.
3. Temples. We went to the Jordan River Temple and the Draper Temple this month. They are nearby, and that worked well for us.
4. Home Projects.
Cleaning: My goal for January was my kitchen, top to bottom. I didn't get it top to bottom, but I sure made great progress. I think I went through all but one cupboard, and two drawers. I cleaned them, reorganized, and purged lots of stuff we no longer use. I had hoped to scrub all the outsides of the cabinets, but that didn't happen. At least the insides got scrubbed.
Projects: Reorganize my dad's files. Ha! I completely forgot about this one. I'll roll it over into February.
I feel like I did pretty well on making some progress on most of these goals. If I can keep this up, by December there will definitely be an improvement over the year. Feels pretty good.
For February: clean our master bedroom top to bottom. Ray went through his stuff a couple of weeks ago, so I'm itching to get mine taken care of too. I'll also work on reorganizing my dad's files.
1. I can't believe it's February already!
2. At my current rate of blogging for the year, I'll have about 20 posts for the whole year, 12 of which will be monthly reports. I need to carve out more time for recording in my blog.
January started off with a bang. Our son got married on January 4, and we had our daughter Debra and her family here with us for a week during that time. Here are a couple informal shots of the wedding time:
 |
| Four of my granddaughters: Elizabeth (4), Rachel (4), Madeleine (6), and Diane (3) |
 |
| Me and my son Ray on his wedding day |
But I digress. Back to the matter at hand--my January report.
1. First Things First. Coming along. I have committed to increasing my exercise and taking a strength building class at my gym three days a week for the next two months. I'm hoping that will be enough time to show a little benefit and give me time to learn to enjoy it. If after two months I hate it, I will try something different. All other aspects of this goal are marching along.
2. Personal History. Scanning photos has gone great guns this month. Most of it has been helping my sisters-in-law, but I've done some of my own, and they are on tap to help me next time around. The journal writing has not improved yet.
3. Temples. We went to the Jordan River Temple and the Draper Temple this month. They are nearby, and that worked well for us.
4. Home Projects.
Cleaning: My goal for January was my kitchen, top to bottom. I didn't get it top to bottom, but I sure made great progress. I think I went through all but one cupboard, and two drawers. I cleaned them, reorganized, and purged lots of stuff we no longer use. I had hoped to scrub all the outsides of the cabinets, but that didn't happen. At least the insides got scrubbed.
Projects: Reorganize my dad's files. Ha! I completely forgot about this one. I'll roll it over into February.
I feel like I did pretty well on making some progress on most of these goals. If I can keep this up, by December there will definitely be an improvement over the year. Feels pretty good.
For February: clean our master bedroom top to bottom. Ray went through his stuff a couple of weeks ago, so I'm itching to get mine taken care of too. I'll also work on reorganizing my dad's files.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
2014 Goals and Resolutions
It's a new year, and I'm setting some new goals, and renewing some old ones. It really helps me to be accountable to myself and that's why I write about it on my blog. Even if I don't accomplish everything I set out to do, I accomplish some of it along with some other things I didn't plan on doing - a bonus! Plus I have a record of it, and can actually look back and remember what I got done, and that I did indeed get something done.
This year is my golden birthday - I was born in 1957, and I turn 57 this month. This is the year I plan to take care of myself, and get my life in order (if such a thing is possible). So without further ado, here are my goals for the year:
1. First Things First:
Say my prayers and read my scriptures daily.
Regular exercise.
Eat more healthy foods.
These are lifelong goals. Each year I get a little bit better, and a little more consistent at these things.
2. Personal History: in the past this has consisted mainly of trying to get my photos scanned and labeled. That will continue this year, as I have barely begun to make a dent in the process. But I also want to be better about keeping a personal journal too. All these things together help to record my life. I'm not very good at it, but it is an area I'd like to develop and improve in.
3. Temples: Utah has 13 LDS Temples. I want to go to every one of them this year. Some are local, some will require a little travel.
4. Home projects: this is the area I always have such high hopes for, but always seems to take a back seat to everything else. That's okay - every bit I chip away at is a help. As I looked over what I had on my list for 2013, and what I got done, I was amazed at all I did. So even if my list is very optimistic, I'm happy with coming up short because I still get some of the things done I want to get done. This year I have two areas here I want to do. A monthly cleaning project that will hopefully have my house organized and clean by the end of the year (very optimistic here). And a few ongoing projects that I will assign to my self for a month at a time, and rotate them through the year. Don't worry, it makes sense to me, and I'm the one who matters in this case. I'm going to set them down in writing here, and reserve the right to change and modify them at any time. It will be interesting to see what actually happens by next December.
Cleaning
January: Kitchen
February: Master Bedroom
March: Master Bath
April: Family Room
May: (yard) Living Room
June: (yard) Library/Music Room
July: (yard) Downstairs Bathrooms
August: (yard) Upstairs Bathrooms
September: (yard) Guest Rooms
October: Office (mine)
November: Laundry Room
December: Temple Service
Projects
Reorganize Dad's files
Update emergency info
Year Supply info
Motorcycle - organize gear
Take pictures for insurance
So there it is for 2014. Each month I will return and report my progress, and set out goals for the following month. For January: Clean my kitchen top to bottom, and reorganize my dad's files.
Here's to a great year! Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
December Report
This was one of the most unusual Decembers of my life. It started off with lots of plans for fun times with friends and family. One by one everyone cancelled on us for all of our social occasions in December except for one couple. The night we went to dinner with them (the 12th), we hit a deer on the way home. The deer was suddenly right in front of us. We hit it square on its side, and it rolled over a few times, jumped up, and ran off. The only damage we sustained to the car was a broken grill in front. (By the way, there are deer in our neighborhood all year long. We are on a constant watch to see them on the road, and when there is one, there are more. This was a strange experience.)
Then on the 14th, as I was cleaning up after a bridal shower for my soon-to-be daughter-in-law, I got a phone call from my dad that my mom was very sick. I drove over to their place, and we immediately took my mother to the hospital. We brought her home on the 17th and she died on the 18th. All of my siblings were able to make it into town on the 17th and we were all with her when she died. It was the perfect scenario for a hard situation.
My dad was anxious to get everything of my mom's cleaned out of their little apartment (they are in a wonderful assisted living situation). We were all there, so we quickly went through my mom's stuff, divided what we wanted to keep, and took the rest of it to Deseret Industries (like GoodWill). My brother and his wife left to go home, and my sisters stayed a few more days.
Christmas Eve we took my dad out to lunch. It would have been my parents' 58th wedding anniversary. They used to go out to lunch every year to celebrate. After lunch Ray and I delivered 65 gallons of cider to our friends and family. We started this tradition years ago when we lived in Washington. Pink Lady cider. It was so good! We've found a place here, Farnsworth Farms, that makes delicious cider, so we've kept the tradition here in Utah.
Christmas dawned bright and clear. We went to see Saving Mr. Banks, then had my dad over for the afternoon. We had fondue for dinner, and some delicious chocolate cake that I love.
The day after Christmas we went down to see the Hulmes. It was Jim's birthday, and their whole family was there, as were the Wests. I was feeling a cold coming on, and Ray wasn't feeling too great either, so we called it an early night and came home.
Since then we've mostly been in bed, sick. I read four books, and we watched both complete seasons of Sherlock (excellent) and the first two seasons of Psych (very fun). Ray slept through a few football games too. Yesterday we both ventured forth for a couple of hours, but collapsed at the end of the day. I'm hoping we both feel much better today.The kids start arriving today, and we will all be together for New Years Day. What a great way to start a new year!
In short, not the merriest of Christmas seasons, but it was filled with many blessings. The last few months of 2013 have been very intense for our family. I'm looking forward to good things in 2014.
Then on the 14th, as I was cleaning up after a bridal shower for my soon-to-be daughter-in-law, I got a phone call from my dad that my mom was very sick. I drove over to their place, and we immediately took my mother to the hospital. We brought her home on the 17th and she died on the 18th. All of my siblings were able to make it into town on the 17th and we were all with her when she died. It was the perfect scenario for a hard situation.
My dad was anxious to get everything of my mom's cleaned out of their little apartment (they are in a wonderful assisted living situation). We were all there, so we quickly went through my mom's stuff, divided what we wanted to keep, and took the rest of it to Deseret Industries (like GoodWill). My brother and his wife left to go home, and my sisters stayed a few more days.
Christmas Eve we took my dad out to lunch. It would have been my parents' 58th wedding anniversary. They used to go out to lunch every year to celebrate. After lunch Ray and I delivered 65 gallons of cider to our friends and family. We started this tradition years ago when we lived in Washington. Pink Lady cider. It was so good! We've found a place here, Farnsworth Farms, that makes delicious cider, so we've kept the tradition here in Utah.
Christmas dawned bright and clear. We went to see Saving Mr. Banks, then had my dad over for the afternoon. We had fondue for dinner, and some delicious chocolate cake that I love.
The day after Christmas we went down to see the Hulmes. It was Jim's birthday, and their whole family was there, as were the Wests. I was feeling a cold coming on, and Ray wasn't feeling too great either, so we called it an early night and came home.
Since then we've mostly been in bed, sick. I read four books, and we watched both complete seasons of Sherlock (excellent) and the first two seasons of Psych (very fun). Ray slept through a few football games too. Yesterday we both ventured forth for a couple of hours, but collapsed at the end of the day. I'm hoping we both feel much better today.The kids start arriving today, and we will all be together for New Years Day. What a great way to start a new year!
In short, not the merriest of Christmas seasons, but it was filled with many blessings. The last few months of 2013 have been very intense for our family. I'm looking forward to good things in 2014.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
November Report
Wow. This autumn has flown by. October was gone in a blur of grandchildren and worry. November was just the blink of an eye, although it felt much calmer and less anxiety-ridden. Things are settling down with Katherine, and thus with all of our emotions. She is not out of the woods yet, but things will be fine.
Audrey and family have been and will be here very often - probably at least a couple of days a week. I'm finding a balance between "normal life" (actually I'm convinced there is no such thing), and life with extra loved ones here. As my mother would say, "variety is the spice of life." So true.
November in a nutshell:
1. First Things First: I am managing to hold my own on these goals for the most part. I really want to make these happen first, before anything else (hence the name of the goal). Obviously I need to constantly pay attention to this or I wouldn't have to always have it as my goal. I think it's a lifer as far as goals go.
2. Photo Organization/Scanning: although I've gotten quite a bit of scanning done this year, and a have a large pile I want to get done in December, I feel like 2013 was a lost year for organizing photos. Maybe next year!
3. Household Organization: my goal for this month should have been hang on for dear life and hope to keep the house in order. That is for sure my goal for December.
4. Projects: luckily I was able to go to a quilt retreat for three days at the beginning of November. I finished the tops of two large quilts while I was there. Then I came home and finished one of them completely--quilted and bound. I also finished Katherine's quilt. So I am quite satisfied on that front.
I hope to have a relaxed December. We have some good friends coming to visit next weekend, and some fun evenings planned this month. I'd like to do some Christmas related activities that require more participation than preparation and enjoy the season. Whatever I get done, I get done. That's how I want to finish out the year. (Then I'll make plans for next year.)
Audrey and family have been and will be here very often - probably at least a couple of days a week. I'm finding a balance between "normal life" (actually I'm convinced there is no such thing), and life with extra loved ones here. As my mother would say, "variety is the spice of life." So true.
November in a nutshell:
1. First Things First: I am managing to hold my own on these goals for the most part. I really want to make these happen first, before anything else (hence the name of the goal). Obviously I need to constantly pay attention to this or I wouldn't have to always have it as my goal. I think it's a lifer as far as goals go.
2. Photo Organization/Scanning: although I've gotten quite a bit of scanning done this year, and a have a large pile I want to get done in December, I feel like 2013 was a lost year for organizing photos. Maybe next year!
3. Household Organization: my goal for this month should have been hang on for dear life and hope to keep the house in order. That is for sure my goal for December.
4. Projects: luckily I was able to go to a quilt retreat for three days at the beginning of November. I finished the tops of two large quilts while I was there. Then I came home and finished one of them completely--quilted and bound. I also finished Katherine's quilt. So I am quite satisfied on that front.
I hope to have a relaxed December. We have some good friends coming to visit next weekend, and some fun evenings planned this month. I'd like to do some Christmas related activities that require more participation than preparation and enjoy the season. Whatever I get done, I get done. That's how I want to finish out the year. (Then I'll make plans for next year.)
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
September Report
Here it is a full week into October and I haven't done my September report. That's a pretty good indication of how September went, and how October is going.
1. First Things First: going very well right now. I hope I can keep up on it.
2. Photo Labeling and Scanning: none done.
3. Household Organization: I gave my bathroom a very thorough top to bottom scrubbing, which it desperately needed.
4. Projects: I finished a couple of small things (can't mention them here yet.)
Really what happened in September is that I had an amazing vacation for a couple of weeks that I will write about on my blog, hopefully before the end of October. (No promises on that timeline, though.) I have so much to write, and haven't really had time. My goal in October is to hold my household together. More on that later.
1. First Things First: going very well right now. I hope I can keep up on it.
2. Photo Labeling and Scanning: none done.
3. Household Organization: I gave my bathroom a very thorough top to bottom scrubbing, which it desperately needed.
4. Projects: I finished a couple of small things (can't mention them here yet.)
Really what happened in September is that I had an amazing vacation for a couple of weeks that I will write about on my blog, hopefully before the end of October. (No promises on that timeline, though.) I have so much to write, and haven't really had time. My goal in October is to hold my household together. More on that later.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
August Report
1. First things first: still doing okay on this one. I'm ramping up for another eight week concentration on all these things beginning September 7.
2. Photo labelling and scanning: I helped Orva with her slides on one of our workdays. I haven't done any of my own, and I've got a big pile just waiting for me. All in good time.
3. Household organization: I worked on the yard quite a bit. I worked on the house a little. I did get my bathroom closets all done, and last week Audrey was here and we organized my entire sewing room. It feels great. Okay, I guess I did more than just a little in the house.
4. Projects: I printed my dad and mom's autobiographies (thanks to my sister-in-law Bonnie for formatting them and helping to edit them). Then I took them and had them bound. Hardback. They look so nice! That was a nice one to get done. My dad is so happy. I also finished two quilts.
Not too bad. Really what I need to do is catch up on all the blog posts I haven't gotten done yet. Here's hoping that happens in September. Stay tuned.
2. Photo labelling and scanning: I helped Orva with her slides on one of our workdays. I haven't done any of my own, and I've got a big pile just waiting for me. All in good time.
3. Household organization: I worked on the yard quite a bit. I worked on the house a little. I did get my bathroom closets all done, and last week Audrey was here and we organized my entire sewing room. It feels great. Okay, I guess I did more than just a little in the house.
4. Projects: I printed my dad and mom's autobiographies (thanks to my sister-in-law Bonnie for formatting them and helping to edit them). Then I took them and had them bound. Hardback. They look so nice! That was a nice one to get done. My dad is so happy. I also finished two quilts.
Not too bad. Really what I need to do is catch up on all the blog posts I haven't gotten done yet. Here's hoping that happens in September. Stay tuned.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
July Report
Oops! Here is is August 4 already. I completely forgot we were into a new month. I'm so far behind in posts, it is ridiculous. Maybe that will be my goal for next month: catch up on blog posts.
1. First things first: I'm doing well on this, mainly because I'm participating in a group that is focusing on all these things for 8 weeks. It feels great.
2. Photo labeling and scanning: I scanned a lot. That also feels great.
3. Household organization: I think perhaps this might qualify as an oxymoron in my life. I will count keeping up on the weeds in my vegetable garden as a success in this area. (If I don't get out there this week it might count like a fail instead.) Our tomato plants are gigantic. I don't know if we will be able to find any fruit once it ripens. It's like a jungle out there. Which, considering how poorly they were doing earlier this year, is a miracle.
4. Projects: No sewing done. That makes me sad. But, I did learn how to make the whole wheat bread that the rest of Ray's family makes, and have made a few very successful batches. I secretly call it whole wheat cake. Why did it take me 25 years to do this? Several people have volunteered to teach me in the past, and Ray's dad has demonstrated for me several times. Finally this year my daughter Debra taught me how. She is so patient. I'm very happy about finally achieving that goal.
1. First things first: I'm doing well on this, mainly because I'm participating in a group that is focusing on all these things for 8 weeks. It feels great.
2. Photo labeling and scanning: I scanned a lot. That also feels great.
3. Household organization: I think perhaps this might qualify as an oxymoron in my life. I will count keeping up on the weeds in my vegetable garden as a success in this area. (If I don't get out there this week it might count like a fail instead.) Our tomato plants are gigantic. I don't know if we will be able to find any fruit once it ripens. It's like a jungle out there. Which, considering how poorly they were doing earlier this year, is a miracle.
4. Projects: No sewing done. That makes me sad. But, I did learn how to make the whole wheat bread that the rest of Ray's family makes, and have made a few very successful batches. I secretly call it whole wheat cake. Why did it take me 25 years to do this? Several people have volunteered to teach me in the past, and Ray's dad has demonstrated for me several times. Finally this year my daughter Debra taught me how. She is so patient. I'm very happy about finally achieving that goal.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
June Report
Oops! June ended and here it is already the 4th of July. Here's how I fared in June:
1. First Things First: I'm trying to step up the exercise and eat fairly clean this summer. We'll see how it goes. Meanwhile this is a "just keep plugging away and trying to be better" category of life.
2. Photo Labeling and Scanning: I have a pile of photos to scan. They've been there for quite a while. They'll be done in the next two weeks.
3. Household organization: I work on this in my head all the time. Somehow that makes me feel like I'm actually doing it, then I look around and realize no, still just in my head. I have kept up on the weeds in my vegetable garden. I organized my downstairs bathroom closet. We had a lot of company coming and going - that's my excuse.
4. Projects: I cleaned out a bunch of files. I did not get the other items done on my list.
Here's my feeling about my June lists: oh well. I was busy with a lot of things, not much of which can easily be cataloged. That's okay! It was a good month for people, which is all important to me. So overall I feel great about things.
1. First Things First: I'm trying to step up the exercise and eat fairly clean this summer. We'll see how it goes. Meanwhile this is a "just keep plugging away and trying to be better" category of life.
2. Photo Labeling and Scanning: I have a pile of photos to scan. They've been there for quite a while. They'll be done in the next two weeks.
3. Household organization: I work on this in my head all the time. Somehow that makes me feel like I'm actually doing it, then I look around and realize no, still just in my head. I have kept up on the weeds in my vegetable garden. I organized my downstairs bathroom closet. We had a lot of company coming and going - that's my excuse.
4. Projects: I cleaned out a bunch of files. I did not get the other items done on my list.
Here's my feeling about my June lists: oh well. I was busy with a lot of things, not much of which can easily be cataloged. That's okay! It was a good month for people, which is all important to me. So overall I feel great about things.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
May Report
Wow! Where in the world did this month go? My reading time diminished drastically, yet there is not much to show for any time spent elsewhere. Well, that's not quite true. I spent time with my kids and grandkids--the best use of time ever. However, that sure didn't last for a whole 31 days. Oh well, that's just the way it goes some months.
1. First Things First: I've spent a lot of mental time in this area lately, trying to figure out the best way to make all of this the highest priority for myself. After all, I call it first things first for a reason. My tentative goal: no obligations before noon if at all possible. Obviously there are times that can't happen, but I'm going to do my best to dedicate my mornings for taking care of myself (and my house).
2. Photo Labeling and Scanning: Ha!
3. Household Organization: I did not work on the living room/dining room area. I did, however, start my herculean summer effort of trying to keep up on the weeds in our yard, and get our vegetable garden planted. I'm hoping the vegetable garden goes better than last year. I don't think there's any way it could go worse.
4. Projects: I was going to organize my password list. That would have been a very short project. It didn't get done. I'll let it carry over into next month.
Hopes for June accomplishment: downstairs bathrooms/ organize motorcycle travel basics/ some quilting
1. First Things First: I've spent a lot of mental time in this area lately, trying to figure out the best way to make all of this the highest priority for myself. After all, I call it first things first for a reason. My tentative goal: no obligations before noon if at all possible. Obviously there are times that can't happen, but I'm going to do my best to dedicate my mornings for taking care of myself (and my house).
2. Photo Labeling and Scanning: Ha!
3. Household Organization: I did not work on the living room/dining room area. I did, however, start my herculean summer effort of trying to keep up on the weeds in our yard, and get our vegetable garden planted. I'm hoping the vegetable garden goes better than last year. I don't think there's any way it could go worse.
4. Projects: I was going to organize my password list. That would have been a very short project. It didn't get done. I'll let it carry over into next month.
Hopes for June accomplishment: downstairs bathrooms/ organize motorcycle travel basics/ some quilting
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
March Report
The best part about March was that big section of the month where we went on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. Pure heaven, and pure relaxation. I want to go back! I'll have posts about that later, when I get pictures more in order.
1. First things first: I keep plugging along at this. I need to revive my enthusiasm for exercise and get back to doing it most days. I do it, but not quite as often as I'd like. Eating has gone okay. I'm so far from perfect, but it isn't horrible. And I only gained 3 pounds while on the cruise.(And I did exercise while on the cruise.) Scripture reading could be more consistent as well.
2. Photo labeling/scanning: A few photos scanned, none labeled. I have at least gotten all pictures off my cameras.
3. Household organization: Ha! Does it count if I organized all the things I needed to take on my vacation, then promptly washed and put them away when I was home?
4. Project list: I've been assigning myself a project a month. I finished January's on time. I finished most of February's. I'm still plugging away on March's. For February I began organizing an emergency binder. One that has information needed if something happens and I have to leave the house quickly, or if something happens to me or Ray or both of us and our children need to access information quickly. It's very close to being done. In March I started to gather up supplies to be used in a short term emergency. A 72-hour kit. I had one I put together many, many years ago, and got it out and am making a list to get it updated. I'll add a couple of items a week to my errands and will have it ready to go very soon.
I'm feeling pretty good about these things although on paper it doesn't look like I get a lot done. There's progress being made, and that's what is important to me. I want to have a life that is a little more focused, and these goals help with that. The most important thing in my life are the people in my life, and often these goals take a back seat to them. That's as it should be.
Now I'm off to plan what I want to accomplish in April.
1. First things first: I keep plugging along at this. I need to revive my enthusiasm for exercise and get back to doing it most days. I do it, but not quite as often as I'd like. Eating has gone okay. I'm so far from perfect, but it isn't horrible. And I only gained 3 pounds while on the cruise.(And I did exercise while on the cruise.) Scripture reading could be more consistent as well.
2. Photo labeling/scanning: A few photos scanned, none labeled. I have at least gotten all pictures off my cameras.
3. Household organization: Ha! Does it count if I organized all the things I needed to take on my vacation, then promptly washed and put them away when I was home?
4. Project list: I've been assigning myself a project a month. I finished January's on time. I finished most of February's. I'm still plugging away on March's. For February I began organizing an emergency binder. One that has information needed if something happens and I have to leave the house quickly, or if something happens to me or Ray or both of us and our children need to access information quickly. It's very close to being done. In March I started to gather up supplies to be used in a short term emergency. A 72-hour kit. I had one I put together many, many years ago, and got it out and am making a list to get it updated. I'll add a couple of items a week to my errands and will have it ready to go very soon.
I'm feeling pretty good about these things although on paper it doesn't look like I get a lot done. There's progress being made, and that's what is important to me. I want to have a life that is a little more focused, and these goals help with that. The most important thing in my life are the people in my life, and often these goals take a back seat to them. That's as it should be.
Now I'm off to plan what I want to accomplish in April.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
February 2013 Report
So far this year has not fallen into place like I thought it would, but even so I'm kind of doing okay on getting things done. Let's just say I've gotten a lot done whether or not it was what I planned on doing.
1. First things first: This will be a life long effort. I did not get as much exercise in as I'd like. I sacrificed that to get some other things done. I'm hoping to hit a happy medium in this arena. I did pretty well eating. I cut back on sweets, and tried to eat more fruits and vegetables. Once again, a long term goal. I did pretty well with reading my scriptures and saying my prayers.
2. Photo labeling/scanning: Over 200 photos or pages of photos scanned this month. I will count that as a success.
3. Household organization: I chose the Master bedroom and bathroom. Does it count if I laid in bed every night and morning and thought about all the things I should be doing to get those rooms in order and clean? I think I'll start devoting some 30-30-30 time to working on household organization.
4. Project list: This month I wanted to get a binder put together with emergency information for my own family as well as my parents. I have the binder. I have most of the papers that need to go into it. It is not assembled. I'll keep working on that next month.
Positive additions: I finished two quilt projects that I've had hanging around for a couple of years. This year Ray's sister Orva and I are trying to spend two days a month working together. One day on her projects, and one day on mine. This month we cleaned out my game closet. It was a disaster from my adorable grandchildren loving to play games but not loving to put them away properly. (I wonder where they get that from?) Orva and I took out every game (there are a lot) and sorted all the pieces and cards and put them in their proper games. Then we checked the contents of each game and noted if any pieces were missing. It took all day, but at the end of the day, all the games are still playable, even if they are missing a couple of things. That was good news! Last weekend the grandkids played some of the games--one game at a time, and all pieces properly stowed away when done. Let's hope we can keep that up. I'm optimistic we can do it!
Oh! One more thing. About 17 years ago Ray went to Portugal on a business trip. He brought back a couple of beautiful fruit bowls for me that I never use because they scratch up my counter. Last week I popped into Bed, Bath, & Beyond and asked if they had any of those protective felt things you can put on something like that. They did. I found exactly what I wanted (even better than felt), paid $3.99 + tax, and walked out the door in less than five minutes. It only took 17 years to get it done. But it is sure nice to have it done now!
1. First things first: This will be a life long effort. I did not get as much exercise in as I'd like. I sacrificed that to get some other things done. I'm hoping to hit a happy medium in this arena. I did pretty well eating. I cut back on sweets, and tried to eat more fruits and vegetables. Once again, a long term goal. I did pretty well with reading my scriptures and saying my prayers.
2. Photo labeling/scanning: Over 200 photos or pages of photos scanned this month. I will count that as a success.
3. Household organization: I chose the Master bedroom and bathroom. Does it count if I laid in bed every night and morning and thought about all the things I should be doing to get those rooms in order and clean? I think I'll start devoting some 30-30-30 time to working on household organization.
4. Project list: This month I wanted to get a binder put together with emergency information for my own family as well as my parents. I have the binder. I have most of the papers that need to go into it. It is not assembled. I'll keep working on that next month.
Positive additions: I finished two quilt projects that I've had hanging around for a couple of years. This year Ray's sister Orva and I are trying to spend two days a month working together. One day on her projects, and one day on mine. This month we cleaned out my game closet. It was a disaster from my adorable grandchildren loving to play games but not loving to put them away properly. (I wonder where they get that from?) Orva and I took out every game (there are a lot) and sorted all the pieces and cards and put them in their proper games. Then we checked the contents of each game and noted if any pieces were missing. It took all day, but at the end of the day, all the games are still playable, even if they are missing a couple of things. That was good news! Last weekend the grandkids played some of the games--one game at a time, and all pieces properly stowed away when done. Let's hope we can keep that up. I'm optimistic we can do it!
Oh! One more thing. About 17 years ago Ray went to Portugal on a business trip. He brought back a couple of beautiful fruit bowls for me that I never use because they scratch up my counter. Last week I popped into Bed, Bath, & Beyond and asked if they had any of those protective felt things you can put on something like that. They did. I found exactly what I wanted (even better than felt), paid $3.99 + tax, and walked out the door in less than five minutes. It only took 17 years to get it done. But it is sure nice to have it done now!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
January 2013 Report
This will be brief, as I spent half the month in bed, or wishing I were in bed because I was feeling so poorly. The other half I was recuperating and travelling to Seattle (the highlight of the month).
1. First Things First: When I was up and around, I did well with this.
2. Photo Labeling/Scanning: None. However, while in bed, I did watch some more online helps with the program I'll be using. Look for that to change in February.
3. Household Organization: I chose the kitchen for January, cleaned and organized my pantry (which I've wanted to do for months), wiped down one set of cabinets, and that's it. Much better than nothing, but not as much as I'd hoped for.
4. Project List: Success! My goal was to edit my mom's autobiography, and I finished that. Now it's off to my sister-in-law to do a final edit and formatting.
Not bad for a month that certainly did not play out as I expected.
1. First Things First: When I was up and around, I did well with this.
2. Photo Labeling/Scanning: None. However, while in bed, I did watch some more online helps with the program I'll be using. Look for that to change in February.
3. Household Organization: I chose the kitchen for January, cleaned and organized my pantry (which I've wanted to do for months), wiped down one set of cabinets, and that's it. Much better than nothing, but not as much as I'd hoped for.
4. Project List: Success! My goal was to edit my mom's autobiography, and I finished that. Now it's off to my sister-in-law to do a final edit and formatting.
Not bad for a month that certainly did not play out as I expected.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)