Meager March (in review)

First off: May I thank you and everyone of you who congratulated our family on our Bunkin?! Your enthusiasm and genuine kindness was so incredible and truly made our celebration tremendously more happy! It was nice to see the oldies and goodies, to meet some delurkers, and to hear echoing sentiments to my own thrill of Bunkin. You are all so very kind and I thank you for sharing in our joy and our lives!

Now, for the boring and mundane:

It's that time again. To review my plans, goals and resolutions.

I took the month of March off of resolutions because of 'circumstances'. Thus, by necessity, this review is going to look a little bit different. I will record some of the things that I am proud of and some extra stuff I am going to implement in the coming (or rather, already arrived) month of April.

Here are some good things in March that, somewhat, fit in with my goals for the year.

~Our taxes were done and the small return that we got was given soley into our house fund. With a bit extra, to boot.

~Matt bought a diesel tractor to restore without taking money out of any of our accounts! I am *very* proud of him for setting out to do something without any expense being taken in other areas. Hurray for Mattie!

~ While I didn't do school per se, I got my head around a plan of action-I have the resources now in line, I have the plans made, and I am refreshed and ready to start anew!

~ Another load to Salvation army, and the garage is looking GREAT!


~In order to appreciate this one, I first must make a confession, which I always hate doing, but it IS necessary in understanding what I am about to say. I have become slowly addicted to fastfood chicken sandwiches and soda pop. Because of this, I have gained a tremendous amount of weight that I am repulsed by. There. I said it. PLease don't hate me for my shortcomings! Because of this, toward the middle of the month, I decided enough was enough. Dieting is NOT my thing-what good is getting the weight off if it will just get back on when I get off the diet?!? With being pregnant, it is even more a no-no. So-I made effort to live a healthier lifestyle. Here are some changes I made:

1. I force myself to drink 42 oz. of water before I have any mint iced tea (yup. I am also addicted to that.)- I rarely drank water before.
2. I eat a break of cottage cheese, a fruit, and half a bagel with peanut butter on it every morning.- I NEVER ate breakfast.
3. I eat an apple in the middle of the day, every day.-My snacks were often crackers, NOT apples.
4. I bring food and water with me when I go on our shopping trip, that way, I can't use the "I'm thirsty!" excuse to get a pop AND a chicken sandwich. -Before I would pack the kids' lunch but would buy mine.
5. I have been being more active-I think it has much to do with the sunshine and warmer weather.

Just doing THOSE things...adding water and avoiding fast food and soda-I have lost 1 inch around my waist and 1/2 inch in my thighs. Now-I know this is S.M.A.L.L but for me, any positive reinforcement helps keep me motivated to chug along. So, I am very proud of that.

Those are some of the good things that March held for me, obviously there is more to accomplish! Here are some of my monthly goals for April...

~ Go through spring and summer/ winter clothes. Sort, switch, store, and/or send away clothing not being used.

~Add $1,000 to our homefund by the end of the month. I don't know if this is possible, but I am sure going to try!

~Make a new bill-paying spread sheet.

~ Sort through toys and books, sell or give away that which we don't need.

~Reintroduce myself to the clothesline, my winterweary friend.

~ Tackle the kids' room. The last and ONLY room yet to be thoroughly organized and spring-cleaned.

~Exercise three times a week. Diligently.

~Continue on my healthy eating! It feels good!

I know for a FACT there is MUCH more, but they have escaped me. Now it is written, now it is out there, and now I have to follow through! :-)

The roofs are shining from the rain,
the sparrows twitter as they fly,
and with a windy April grace
the little clouds go by.
Yet the backyards are bare and brown
with only one unchanging tree--
I could not be so sure of spring
Save that it sings in me.

~Sara Teasdale, April