The Months That Were: February and March

(a monthly update on my yearly goals:: because revisiting my goals each month seems like a pretty great way to keep myself on task this year.  For a look at my complete list of 2017 goals go here.)


I'm still chugging along on my yearly goals though I missed the February update.  I'll put both Feb and March into one.  How's that?

I can't say I'm doing perfectly; there were a few weeks when exercise didn't happen three times a week, when Bible reading was overlooked or a meal was bought instead of made it at home (usually when Matt goes out of town.)  But I never claimed I'd get to be perfect at it.  The object is improvement.  And I am definitely feeling improved.  February was an easing in and by March some things had already found their groove.

I started a notebook at the beginning of the year where I write down what I eat each day and in the sidebar I include three different categories: KB, DEVO, PN (exercise: Kettle Bells, Devotions, and taking a prenatal vitamin in an effort to get my falling out hair staying put). Along with the food journaling, the goal is to check off these three each night.  It is surprising how the act of checking off these little things is so satisfying and so motivating.  In March, I added two other abbreviations.  BN (brazil nuts) and IO (Iodine) in an effort to remedy some thyroid issues I am facing.  Lots of check marks are happening these days!

I can't say I am pleased with the results on the outside...no substantial change in poundage lost or anything like that which is discouraging.  I'm still doing SOMETHING wrong on the food end of things because three months is a long time to not see any difference on a scale.  It bums me out because I want to loose 20 pounds and it ain't happening!  I try and remind myself that more importantly~  I feel more in control of myself and less like a victim, more disciplined and like less of a failure, more energetic and less lethargic.  I'd take those results any day of the week if it were an either/or situation.  Wish it were a both/and situation, though.  ;-)

I wrote more than 3 handwritten letters each month (the goal).  Total= 11.

The children and I read The Trumpet of the Swan and are still reading The Long Winter.  We also finished House at Pooh Corner as read alouds.  I am really bad at reading aloud in the evening because I spend the day reading stories, Bible, science, etc.  I'd like to be more consistent here.  I definitely didn't do it a consistent three nights a week (the goal).

 I basically failed my food buying goals for March.  We had a one month membership to a local YMCA  so the kids could practice swimming and get some much needed exercise/energy burned off of these hibernating bones.  In order to make it worth the months' price, I tried to get them out there as often as I could muster which was about twice a week.  Matt was also away on business for several long trips in March.  Being uptown that often and without a husband found us buying Burger King chicken nuggets (and salad for me) more than I care to admit.  And I ate ice cream waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much.  We also 'ran into the store' while uptown for random things- though usually it was not for anything too frivolous....cat food, toilet paper, diapers, etc I had forgotten about.  But we left out of there without extra bags of food.   Although...occasionally, ice cream. ;-)

Didn't buy any yarn- though I was sorely tempted to for a family prom our family went to!

Didn't drink any soda though a few days I was sorely tempted!  It is always the days that I have migraines that I crave soda.  But I didn't cave.  In my fourth month of no soda.  Why haven't I lost any weight again? Oh yeah.  The ice cream.

Almost done Hillsdale's online course on Hamlet and the Tempest.  I just need to take the test of completion.

I'm doing crummy at memorizing scripture but I'm working on Romans 1:18-24.  Daily Bible reading is now, happily, a habit and has become ingrained in my routine.  I literally had to pray that the Lord would help me to make reading His word a priority in my life because it was too hard for me to make the time for it by myself.  He has answered me and a day without His word seems strange and empty now.  Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find.  

I wasn't able to implement the budget I made in January during February because of all the beginning of the year expenses- garbage, life insurance, car insurance, taxes...etc.  Why do they happen all at the same time and when you are feeling the poorest?!?  In March, I was much better (other than the food spending).   Hopefully, being more consistent in April I will be able to see if the budget actually works out in real life, instead of just on paper.   Matt just keeps adding to the list of projects he wants done this year- and they all cost money.

With our tax return, I was able to pay off some debt and set some money aside for future Papa projects.  I was bummed that I wasn't able to finish paying off my hospital bills or put extra money toward paying off the car.  Someday before I am dead, I hope that we get a tax return that has not been earmarked for something or needed somewhere.  Wouldn't that be amazing?  I doubt it will ever happen though.  ;-)

I also made sure to give Matt some money from each paycheck.  Calling it an allowance is so silly.  But, that's kinda what it is.  : /

I am thankful the YMCA membership is over now.  It was fun and the children are getting really good at swimming.  Even the two Middles swam the length of the pool with no help.  But it really cut into the day and forced the homeschool day to be more stressful and harried.  I am hoping that being a homebody once again will fix a few of the temptations I had in March...like ice cream/nuggets/wasting time.

A few additional goals I had made for myself:

I pruned the fruit trees.

Made some maple syrup- though a measley gallon isn't too impressive.

I had made a goal to put in a seed order but then I inventoried the seeds I had leftover from previous garden years and I have quite a few.  Some of them are pretty old (2014!) so I am taking a big gamble here but I'd rather use the old seeds than waste that money buying new ones.  Provided, of course, that they sprout.  We'll see.  I hope I don't shoot myself in the foot on this one.

A few goals for April:

****start seeds indoors!!!!!!****

~ plant a few cold weather crops

~ can up some beef stew meat to get it out of the freezer

~ Order next years' school books by mid-April when my trial month of Amazon Prime (and free shipping!) expires.  This means I'll have an overall plan of next years' home education plans in place BEFORE the busyness of summer/garden/canning season.  Because eeking out time to plan a school year in the midst of canning hundreds of tomatoes just  does not work.  (Trust me.)  If this actually happens, it will be a first for me.  And a game changer, I'm sure.