40 in 40 - Final 10

31.  No eating out for 30 days - Yeah right.  Not even close.

32.  No shopping for 30 days - What was I smoking when I came up with these last two??

33.  Practice 3x a week for 2 weeks (clarinet) - When I was playing,  I did this - and then some.  I was obsessed and humiliated.  In some ways, I hadn't lost as much as I thought - in other ways - yikes. 

34.  Private Goal - Lol - it says "complete" - and for the life of me - I can't remember what this was!  So, I guess I did it!!

35.  Read the word 30 days in a row - Yep - and I'm better for it!!  You should do this too (and then some!)

36.  Scan all pics into computer - No.  Scanner broke and I didn't have money to buy a new one.  This was a bummer when we had E's graduation party!!  I'd still like to do this - but again - trying to follow the budget and there is no room for a new scanner!!

37.  Serve somewhere on a monthly basis - When I originally wrote this, I was thinking like in a homeless shelter or something.  Although we have not done that - helping others has always been a part of who we are.  I don't want this to be a bragging thing so I'm not going into all the different things we love to do - but we have been consistently involved in serving people.  I love it - it's not even hard!

38.  Take a digital photography class - Again - money.  Still want to do this - but really need a better camera in order to work this one out.

39.  Take a dinner train.  WHY does everything have to come down to money???

40.  Week long vacation with hubby.  Money?  Time?  I wish :(

SO - I think I'm about half for half.  Yikes!!

That's it on the 40 in 40.  Hope it didn't bore you too much!!

40 in 40 Review - Third 10

21.  Give up pop 60 days in a row - Oh yeah baby - I DID it!  This was, by far, one of the most unrealistic items on my list in the beginning.  I was a Mt. Dew ADDICT.  The cravings were pretty bad for 28 days (yes, 28 days) and then it was no big deal.  I have, however, gone back to my old habits although not at the level I drank it before.  This is something I'll do again.  I was mad though 'cause I didn't lose any weight from it.  That was a bummer.

22.  Have family pictures taken - Yeah, sorta.  We did take family pics at the open house.  That doesn't really count and I'm mad I didn't do this now that Elyse is heading to college.  I think we'll do this at Thanksgiving.

23.  Host a neighborhood barbecue - Haven't done this unfortunately.  This summer has really gotten away from me.  It was unrealistic to begin with considering we had gradation and an open house this summer.  I've also been a bit chicken....

24. Join a community band - I did this.  I didn't last long.  It was a combination of frustration with my lack of talent anymore and the time commitment.  I discovered as much as I still sort of enjoy playing - I don't enjoy playing when I stink and I don't have the time to practice like I once did.  So, I did do this but I'm not doing it anymore!!

25.  Join a women's group - sort of :)  I have joined a group of ladies working on fitness on Facebook.  In addition to that - I've also hooked up with some of those same ladies - just recently - doing a couple of ministry type events.  I'm hoping this continues in the future as I just love them and what they are doing for the city of Toledo!

26.  Less Serious/More fun - My kids used to call me the "fun sucker".  I have worked on this and I haven't heard that phrase for a long time.  I'm not perfect and I have a long way to go - but - this summer - I road a roller coaster.  I almost died, but I road it :)  It was a horrible experience - lol!

27.  Let go of community bitterness - Oh my.   Great strides have been made in this arena.  I don't want to go into great detail here - but I am happy to say there has been growth.  There are still some things in my heart I need to work on (as evidenced by dreams of fighting with certain people - lol!) but we are moving in the right direction!

28.  Lose 40 pounds.  I've lost 5. That's a long way from 40.  This goes on the next list.

29.  Meet with friend about groceries - I didn't actually meet with her, but we talked over the phone.  I also did a tremendous amount of research and as said in one of the previous review posts, I've cut the grocery bill by over half.

30.  Missions trip out of country - not yet.  HOWEVER!!  There is a trip in the planning stages for next summer to Guatemala.  Didn't see this one coming - but it's on the books!  Have I mentioned how excited I am about this??  We have met some incredible people through the planning process.  We're going with Champions in Action.  Your welcome to join us!!


Final 10 coming up tomorrow.

40 in 40 Review - Second 10

We'll just get right to it today:

11.  Eat clean for 30 straight days  - For those of you who don't know what eating clean means - basically, no processed foods, no white flour, no white sugar - fresh, fresh, fresh.  I did this for about a month prior to making this list and felt GREAT.  I was boxing (really), eating clean and losing weight.  My "issue" with eating clean is it's expensive - and hard to do with 2 teenagers in the house.  We have such an insane schedule and eating clean requires some serious commitment - at least for me.  I have not done this yet - but I am not giving up on it either.


12.  Exercise 3x a week for 2 months - Another no.  I'm a sporadic exerciser - all or nothing.  That boxing I mentioned above?  I LOVED it - and then my wonderful instructor fell down a set of stairs, ended up in a coma, (she's okay now) and lost her gym in the end.  That was the end of my boxing "career".  That was also the end of consistent exercise.  I have done good for a week or two here and there - but not 2 months straight.  There are no excuses and if I ever want to lose weight - this is something I must get serious about.

13.  Finish a 5 k - Well - uh - that would require consistency in the above area.  My sister started doing 5k's this past year and has finished several and even got a medal in one.  Does that count???  Lol!  This is something I've always wanted to do - and this next year - I'd really like to accomplish this once and for all!

14.  Follow budget 4 months in a row - I must say we have KICKED IT in this area this past year.  It's been oh so tough at times - but God is faithful.  We just made our first college payment for our girl and I'm proud of how far we have come.  We still have work to do - but I am really pleased with how much we have grown in the past year.  God is good!!

15.  Follow Flylady for 1 month - Flylady who??  Wow.  This is not a good set of 10.  Nope - haven't done this.  HOWEVER.  My house is clean 80 percent of the time without flylady.  Working threw me for a loop at the end of the school year.

16.  Frame photography and hang - Sigh.  No money to do this.  Would love to - but that budget thing screwed this one all up :)

17.  Get a job - Done.  I'm a substitute teacher and I love it.  Wasn't so sure about this in the beginning - but I really do enjoy it - especially 4-6 grade.  I stayed pretty busy last year.  This year I'm adding Marty's school to the mix to try to stay busier.  Gotta keep paying for that college bill (donations accepted - lol!!) :)

18.  Get one child licensed and off to college - Almost!  She has her learners permit and we drop her off at school this week.  Child number two has started driving now :(  Yes, you should feel very sorry for me....

19.  Get over stage fright - no sirree.  No opportunities to practice.  Well, wait on that - I DID do a 3 minute thing earlier this summer.  I survived, my voice was strong.  I thought I was going to pass out - but I didn't :)  It's a little progress, right???

20.  Get something published - No again.  I did see something the other day I wanted to check into.  You had to, however, only have 150 words or less.  Yeah right.  If you read my blog - you KNOW how long winded I am!!

Well - this was not a good list!  I have work to do people :)

40 in 40 Review - First 10

If you are a new reader to my blog, you'll notice over on the left hand side a list called "40 in 40".  I do believe I originally borrowed the idea from my friend Jackie.  The idea was to do 40 things this past year (the year I turned 40).  I have to admit - focus has not been there!!

Anywho - let's take some time to review.  I think for the next 4 days, we'll review 10 things.  That should take me through Saturday - at which point I'll be dropping my baby off at college and an emotional wreck - which tends to be the time I do my best posting ;)  Plus, this way, I can focus on my girl between now and then.

Moving along - lets take 10 the first 10 of the list.

1.  Attend a marriage conference:  Sigh - didn't make it.  No time, no money.  However - we do, of course, have the best, most awesome marriage EVA so I think we'll survive :)  Gonna add this to the list for next year though.

2.  Blog 30 days in a row - YES!  I accomplished this one!  It was back a while - but I actually did it!!

3.  Blog 3 times a week for a year - well.  um.  Nope :(

4.  Clean out attic - not yet - but I still have 30 days!!

5.  Clean out shed - YES - it looks great.  And we didn't even find any big ole creepy crawly spiders.  Plenty of mice - but no spiders.

6.  Coach Special Olympics Soccer Team - This is a new development!!  Back in, oh, March, we checked into this and there were no openings.  Just two teams and they already had coaches.  A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail asking if we'd like to take a team after all.  We have completed the application process and will be beginning in the next 2 weeks.  We are excited about this!!

7.  Complete 4 chapters in a book I'm writing - Down 3.  One more month to throw another one in there.  I think I can do this!!

8.  Complete a craft project - hmm.  I'm trying to remember.  I'm thinking this was a big fat no - but for some reason, something is tickling my brain that I must be forgetting.  Well - there's no time like the present - another one I can complete in the next month!  (wow - this next month is gonna be BUSY!!)

9.  Cut grocery bill in half - DONE!  This took some work and some getting used to - but I have managed this one most of the time.  My advice??  Stick to the list, shop according to sales and know that mac and cheese and pb & j are perfectly acceptable meals!!

10.  Donate 1.00 per unfinished item to charity - Can't really do this 'till this is over - but maybe we should pick a charity?  I got one.  It'll be The Daughter Project which Marty and I work with.  If you have any questions about that, leave me a comment and I'll respond.

Well - that's that!   Do you have a list something like this?  I'm making this a yearly thing.  Goals are always good to have.  I'll spend the next month or so creating my new list.  Whatever doesn't get finished on this past list will move to the new list - unless it just doesn't apply anymore.  Anyone wanna make a list with me???