Tuesday, January 31, 2012

12 for 12- the first month

Since it is the last day of January, I thought I'd better check in with my 12 for 12 project to see how I'm doing and what I need to focus on more next month.   I've been having fun trying to think of all the things I've been able to do to help me along this month.

Create- I definitely made it here. I've been having fun creating things.  From my little potholder experiment to V's Victorian shirt to the now-in-progress wall quilt I've definitely been creating this month.
Dream- Ah... yes... dreaming....  I've been doing a lot of this lately.  I've been contemplating how to build a side business, put a child through college, pay off the mortgage and keep my job all at the same time.  All this in addition to dreaming of new outside projects to tackle when the weather warms.
Organize- Hmm, I rearranged the sewing/guest room, I organized the pantry and sorted through my seed collection- I think that counts.
Love- Makes me smile.  I've had some great moments with the family in the past month.  I'm trying to let them know more regularly that I love and appreciate them.
Complete- Whew!  Finished V's shirt and finished my seed and potato orders.  I'm sure there are other things but they escape me at the moment.
Play- We've had several family game nights.  I've also been playing in my sewing room and have had several fun adventures with the pets.
Nourish- We've been eating pretty well in the last month.  This evening it was pulled pork sandwiches from the freezer.  We'll be having quiche on Thursday.  I made a fabulous enchilada casserole last night with homemade enchilada sauce.  Mmmmm.....  I've also been trying to nourish my soul a bit with some outside time in nature. And I'm SO thankful that the days are lengthening.  It is almost light when I get to work and stays light for almost an hour after I get home.  Yeah!!!  That is great nourishment to my soul.
Nurture- Caring for the family-  I14 has been out of school for a day and a half with a stomach bug.  While I wasn't home today to care for him I still made sure to check on him frequently to make sure he was on the mend.  I guess also included in this category would be things like taking a fresh chopped up squash out to the chickens and planting oats for the cats (cat grass).  Oh, and I baked biscotti for my family.
Budget- We've been doing pretty well here.  No elaborate, unnecessary purchases, we've been trying to eat out of stores more so that helps the food budget.  We're still working on college finances (and probably will be for years!)  I've been doing better at budgeting my time and making sure I get a good mix of productive and fun on my days off.  Oh!  And I SOLD my first eggs today. Previously I've given them away.  And I've got two more people asking for some.  Those girls better pick it up again.  They've finally slowed down and I've only been getting 4-5 eggs a day.  Still, better than I thought.
Learn- I still have a couple of CEUs to complete before the end of February for my license- not so much fun.  In fun learning- I've been reacquainting myself with my sewing machine and learning my new serger.
Move- umm... not so great here.  Oh, I still walk for 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a week but I really, really need to get moving more.
Plan/Prepare-  I've been spending more time focused on making the garden more productive next year.  I've been reading more about herbs and herbal medicine and have decided that this is the spring I will finally build my herb spiral.

Focus for next month- MOVE!  I need to work on getting back into shape before the gardening season begins.  Also, more creating is in the works.  And definitely more budgeting.  There will be lots of number crunching going on here.

6 comments:

  1. If I were in charge of handing them out, I'd give you many gold stars for how you've done in the month of January!

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  2. What an excellent way to analyze! We could all use this kind of motivation.

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  3. You are doing really well!! Good for you!! You have inspired and I'm trying to do as many as I can!! ...debbie

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  4. Wow, really impressive! I've been feeling so much better with the extra daylight - and this crazy warmth! And when I don't Move, boy do I feel it in body, mind and soul. We've been working on budgeting, too - using only cash, we each get only a certain amount per week and that's it. Everything else we spend is budgeted for - has really helped has regain control of our spending and sock away savings.
    Love your categories!

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  5. Thanks all! I'm really liking the way this is working out. Instead of specific goals I'm trying to incorporate more action in my life in general.
    Judy

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  6. You're keeping track of yourself better than I am of myself! Nice jobs on the 12 for 12!

    RaShell

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