Is it seriously 41 days until
January 1?!?!? I posted a "memory" on Facebook of Family Pictures two
years ago and it has a link to my blog on it. I thought, "Wow. I wonder
how long it's been since I blogged?"
9 months. It's been 9 months.
And I believe in the last blogpost (AAALLLLL the way back if February) I said,
"I'm going to try to blog more often to keep you guys up to date on my
goals and Kriete happenings." Well... obviously I didn't do so hot with
that. :) But... believe it or not, I have been working toward those 15 goals
set all the way back in January (some a little harder than others... as you
will see). So, with 41 days left of the year... here is an update on where I
am... and (a little of) what I've learned about myself in the process. :)
Goals for 2015
1. Get Established in a
Church/Find a place to serve in the community. I'm going to say Yes and
No on this one. We are attending a church that we enjoy, but we still
don't really feel like we belong. We aren't really involved. But outside of
church, I feel like I am finding my place at the kid's school. This is the
first year of no one home... so I am finding lots of ways to volunteer in lots
of different areas at school. I'm even subbing a bit.
2. No soda. I'm doing it, but I
don't like it. I have not had one single sip of soda at all this year... but I
still crave it. :( I kind of thought that would be gone 11 months in.
3. Give up Grey’s Anatomy,
Scandal, and all rated R movies. I've stuck with this one too, but I've got to say, there have
been many, many times I've almost cheated. I mean… seriously… McDreamy DIED and
I didn’t cave to see how that played out. ;) BUT... I've held true to the
commitment. :)
4. Weight loss of 25lbs. LOL! No. Just… No.
5. Run 804 miles. Ummm.... not even close.
(Probably the reason #4 didn't happen... ya think?) Here's the thing... I have
had some health issues this year, and... well.... yeah... not legit excuse. I
didn't do it. At this point I have to run/walk (because I added walking) and
average of 16 miles a day to accomplish this. So it's not happening. I'm at 189
miles (give or take a few... I didn't track all my runs). I ran a BRUTAL half
marathon in May, but other than that... pretty slim pickins.
6. No
clothing/shoes/accessory purchases for myself. I must say this one has
been MUCH harder than I thought it would be. I really miss buying things for
myself. CONFESSION: I did have one purchase this year. In March, I was helping
a child in a public restroom and my (already broken) sunglasses fell into a
toilet full of #2. I couldn't bring myself to put them back on my face. So
after 2 weeks of squinting and headache from staring into the sun... I broke
down and bought a $5 pair of shades and have been sporting them since. :)
7. Invite people into our
home at least once a month. Every month except for August. And we have had, on average, 3
families/friends a month over... and neighborhood kids are always here. So I
have no guilt about missing one month on this one. :)
8. Sell/Donate 2,015 items.
1,392
things sold or donated. 623 to go. Not going to lie... little nervous about
this one. I might start counting "things I donate to the dump" ;)
9. Visit at least 10 DC
attractions/museums. I've been to 8 new ones (ones I have never been to before), but
14 total. I feel good about getting 2 more in before January 1.
10. Read through the Bible. I'm about 3/4 the way
through. This one is not going how I wanted it to... at this point I just want
to say I did it and make a better goal next year. I actually haven't
"read" a lot of it. I do lots of "listening" to the Bible
on audio while I fold laundry.
11. Pay of SallieMae. Yes
12. Put $5000 extra in
savings. Yes
13. Have the whole house
painted and functional. Two rooms still to paint. All the living spaces are
functional, and actually getting some decor up in this house. It is a work in
progress. :) The basement... that's another story.
14. Weekly family
devotionals and communion. No. just no. I am really disappointed I did not put more effort
into this. No excuses.
15. Make a friend. Dare I say it... yes. I
do believe I have a genuine friend or two in the state of Maryland. :)
So I still have 41 days to get some
stuff done. And next Tuesday (the 24th) is 35 days until my 35th birthday...
and I have some fun stuff planned to maybe help get closer to some of these
goals (and some other stuff that has nothing to do with these goals too :)).
BUT... here is what I have learned
about myself so far this year: When it comes to giving things up, especially if
I have prayed about it and I feel like it is something the Lord wants me to do,
I do it. I don't like it. I usually complain about it. But I do it. I think it
is because I feel like if I ever give in and do the "forbidden" thing
(drink soda, watch the movie, purchase the t-shirt) then I have messed it up
for the year. So I feel like I am better (though I really hate doing them) at
giving things up.
I have also discovered I am a procrastinator.
I am supposed to do something... I put it off thinking, "I have plenty of
time" or "I can focus on that next month". This leaves me with the
problem of 41 days left... 25 lbs to loose, 615 miles to run, and 623 items yet
to donate. I'm not good at this. I know. Maybe it will be something I focus on
next year... or maybe not. :)
I have several fun things planned
for the 35 days leading up to my birthday. I hope to blog about it... I am
determined to have the second half of my 30's be better than the first half. :)
Thanks for joining
me on the journey!
