2013 Goals

So, okay, 2013 ... Feb 2013 … how time flies?!!!

I'll spare you a rambling of my year just gone (mainly because its either already been blogged ... or its not worth mentioning), but needless to say, 2012 was *not* one of my best years, in terms of achieving goals or seeing the fulfilment of dreams.

I have learnt that I really need to plan out my days & weeks better ... especially with the little one attending Preschool, 3 days a week, this year; and my desperate need to finally see some movement in the case of my university studies (I will be studying full time this year from March, rather than the part time ... spotty part-time ... the past few years have been).  There are things that have become so darn stagnant, in regards to stuff that really *should* have been done years ago ... and there are some new goals and dreams that I wish to incorporate into the coming year.

I have decided that this year, my focus word will be ...

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To love my Lord.  To love my family.  To love myself.  To love those around me ... and to show this through action and deed.

... 100% better than I have over the past year *grin*!

… And I have kept this in mind when determining my goals for the coming year (and yes, I am starting from February!)

Goals for 2013

Personal:

• Listen to the entire Bible on audio.
• Complete at least 4 in-depth bible studies.
• Spend at least 15 mins each day in communion with God.
• Read through at least 12 real-hold-in-your-hand Christian non-fiction/living books
• Listen to 6 entire audiobooks or podcast series.
• See the scales read 60kgs {This means a loss of approximately 25kgs} by the end of May.
• Exercise at least 5-6 days per week, whether this is a 30 min walk on the treadmill, or an exercise/workout dvd ... I have begun Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution 90-day extreme weight loss program, which I am loving (!!!), and am just about to start week 3.
• Drop the diet Pepsi addiction, drinking soft drinks only once or twice a week at most.
• Focus on forming one new habit a month {I will be sharing my plans for this sometime next week}.
• Pass all my enrolled units for uni {I am hoping to enrol in 7 or 8}.
• Go to the Lets Get Stitched retreat in Adelaide in March ... Tickets booked, ready to go!!!

Homemaking:

• Cook three meals from scratch every week, at least one-new-to-us meal.
• Declutter and reorganise the bedroom, hallway & lounge room ... early in the year {Jan-Mar}

Mothering / Child

• Continue with gymnastics lessons.
• Go to either the local waterpark or swimming pool, twice a month during the warmer months.
• Go on one 'field trip' each month.
• Finish at least 12 read-aloud books.
• Be intentional about spending *quality time* with my daughter.

Ministry / Friendships / Extended Family

• Write at least one handwritten note/letter every month to encourage someone.
• Write one handwritten letter to family down south every month.
• Continue helping out with Sunday School at our local church.
• Catch up with at least one extended family member every month.

Blogging

• Write and post at least twice a week.
• Work on refining my writing style.

Sewing & Craft

• Complete at least 3 quilts this year.
• Begin all items on my NewFO plan.
• Spend at least 15 minutes per day / 3 hours each week doing something creative.
• Send all swap items on time, being careful to be realistic about whether I can meet the deadline before signing up to participate.
• Complete and send all overdue swap items by the end of February.

Financial

• Make an effort to tithe at least 5% of my income.
• Be intentional with my purchases - considering whether I *really* need the item/s
• Pay off one credit card (and cancel this account when paid off!), and make a noticeable dent in the debt on the other.
• Sell some of the excess *stuff* I have accumulated on ebay (or somewhere similar).

Lots of goals, but I'm determined to be realistic about them, knowing that life happens ... and that God's plans may look very different from those above - I want to take His lead this year, but I also feel I need to have some idea of where I'm going.

I will endeavour to post a quick update each month to 'check in' on my progress, as I need the accountability this *should* will provide.

Anyone else feel like this past month has just flown by?!!!

2013 NewFo Challenge

2013 is shaping up to be quite different to the years previous.  My daughter will be going from 2 days of childcare, to 3 days of Preschool ... about 20 mins further away ... I will be increasing my study load to full-time, rather than part-time ... and I have decided that this will be the year that I will actually make some things for US.

While I enjoy making items for others - especially those I have been following prior to the swap - I have decided that it is about time that I make a few items for me, my daughter ... and maybe even some of the handmade gifts I've thought about making for friends, but just not had found the time to make.  This year I want to be able to make a quilt for both my daughter and myself ... and since I now have the skills to make them, I am hoping to get started on these now.

I decided to join in with Barbara's 2013 NewFo Challenge ... for those of us without a whole bunch of UFOs to work on ... and so, without further ado, these are some of the items I hope to start in the coming year ...

1.  "Once Upon a Time" by Melly & Me for my daughter.

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I am not quite sure which fabric range I will be using in this one, but I have decided to start by working on the stitcheries first, and then finishing off each of the blocks once I've found the perfect fabrics.

2. Camille's "Swoon" by Thimble Blossoms.

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This one I am making especially for me.  I've not yet decide which fabric range I am going to use in this quilt, but I have got it narrowed down to either my FQ bundle of Ruby (also by Camille), or Nine Dots fabric for Henry Glass.

3. Thought & Found's "Oh My Stars" quilt along from earlier this year (2012).

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I'm not quite sure what fabrics I will be using in this quilt either, but I am thinking I'll be using either some brights or batiks.  I really enjoyed making one of the stars earlier this year for a block swap, and I'm looking forward to making the whole range - in all three fabric sizes!

4. The Farmer's Wife Sampler

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I haven't yet purchased this pattern yet, but I decided earlier this year, after seeing several different versions of this quilt, in non-traditional fabric ranges I might add, I decided that I simply *must* make one of these quilts for my "glory box", lol!  I'm thinking either Marmalade or something similar in colour.

And lastly, I am also thinking of joining in with ...

5. Leah Day's "Express Your Love" wallhanging sew-along when she starts in later in January.

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Gorgeous isn't it?!!  I'm not sure what fabrics I'll use, but I'll worry about that later in January, once my first assignment for this unit is finished, and once the SAL has started.

... On top of all these, I am determined to finish off my Some Kind of Wonderful quilt (by mid-January if possible!), finish off another AHQ I've had to work on for far too long (sorry Jan-Maree!!!) early in the year, make a few bags - Melly & Me's latest handbag pattern firstly, to replace my current (and falling apart) handbag - and make an effort to make at least one item to go into a handmade-gifts-for-Christmas box each month.

So big plans, have I ... and this is just my sewing plans for 2013 ... more on that to come *wink*.

Weekly Goals, Oct 22 - 28

Okay, so last week I didn't put my goals down, but I DID...

• Take DD to the water park & kindygym
• Work out 5 days, working on Level 3 of Jillian's 30 Day Shred
• Clean & clear out 3 nights underneath my desk in the bedroom 
• Cooked dinner 3 nights
• Finished the 12in mini to the binding stage ... I decided at the last minute to block the mini - something I have *never* before done!!
• Cut my hair ... dramatically!

So, this week I have my parents coming home after a 3&1/2 week trip around the centre & eastern parts of Australia, so I have a HUGE list quite a bit of cleaning to do to make sure this place looks alright before they get home on Wednesday (this place gets dusty as soon as someone drives up or down the driveway!! ... plus, the grass has just shot up while they're away, so I need to work out how to use the lawnmower, lol, and if I have time, the ride on lawnmower!!).  I also have most ALL of the SKoW blocks to do, needle turn appliqué & stitching ... and somehow be a mum in amongst all of that!!

My goals for the week ahead ...

Health

1. Work out 4 days this week; Level 3 of Jillian's 30 Day Shred, followed by Level 1 of her 6 Week Six-Pack workout dvd.

2. Drink 2 litres of water each day.

Spiritual

3. Spend some time each day with God.

4. Listen to at least the first 10 hours of Chuck Missler's Learn the Bible in 24 Hours series.

Home-making

5. Cook: Chicken Stroganoff (Monday); Lasagne (Tuesday); and a Roast Turkey & veges dinner with a cake for my sister's birthday dinner on Thursday.

6. Work through my HUGE cleaning list by Wednesday afternoon.

Craft

7.  Finish all the SKoW blocks.

8.  Make two QBSA blocks - for my Sept & October partners.

Mothering

9. Take DD to the water park & kindygym.

10. Spend time reading to / with DD each day.

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*Reeally* late L&A update [wk5] & Goals

Living & Active

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This last week I've been challenged health-wise once again - this time with a on-and-off migraine, sinus congestion & sore throat, all of which culminated with me losing my voice over the weekend (and not really getting it back until yesterday, though its still a little off) ... BUT ... with the help of Nurofen plus, and a nearby bucket (Thurs & Fri, lol!) I was able to workout 4 days last week!  I also did more stuff with my daughter this last week too, which was great!!  I have now successfully completed the fourth week of this challenge, including my fourth week of doing four or more days of exercise.

Week Four's results :

Exercise - Last week we worked out a total of four nights - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.  This was the second week of level two.  By the end of the week I was super pooped (though that *could* have been due to the fact that I wasn't well!!) but I was able to do more of the workout, and keep going longer, with heavier weights.  I didn't add in any extra workouts as it was super hot during the day,  and we ended up working out during the evenings from Tuesday.

Wednesday was out as my migraine was horrible (day one) .. and so instead we went through and sorted my fabric stash, pulling out some items I can get rid of as I really can't see myself using them.  We also worked out a plan for the next month, workout-wise ... boy are we going to *die*!!!

Memory Verse - A beautiful verse - and definitely something good to always remember!!

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" ~ Proverbs 4:23

Diet & Weight Loss Goals - No weight lost.  Eating habits still shocking.  Blah.

Week Five's plans :

Exercise - This week we have started doing level three of Jillian's 30 Day Shred.  Oh boy - am I *dying* or what?!!  Today I was even a little sick when doing the super mans!!! We worked out on Monday (level 2 ... wanted to get in the full "10 days"), Wednesday & tonight (level 3 both nights) and will do level 3 again tomorrow night to get in the four days this week.  Depending on how I am feeling on the weekend (and how much work around the house & sewing I actually achieve tomorrow!), I *may* also do a workout on Saturday.  

Tuesday I ended up going around to BFF's place to help her scrub her repurposed kitchen ready for the builders to see to determine measurements/fitting for their new house.  I was there two hours, in a squat/standing-bent-over-with-my-bottom-in-the-air-so-as-not-to-touch-the-filthy-verandah :) position the entire time, scrubbing these filthy drawers & cupboard doors (they weren't cleaned by the previous owners, and then stored in a storage unit for 11 months... we had to use jif!!), and refilling the bucket with fresh water as needed ... it may not have been a Jillian workout, but I sure was sore, stiff and tired by the time I had to head home!!!

*Not* looking forward to the following week though, as we our third workout buddy is joining back in after giving her knee a rest, and so we will be doing level 3 at my place, then heading out to her's to do level 1 *cue utter exhaustion*!! lol!

Memory Verse -  A big one ...

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"                   ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Diet & Weight Loss Goals - I have decided to forgoe the grand plans, and just aim for working on my water intake to begin with ... next week I'll *up* my vegetable soup and protein intake (rather than carbs & stuff I really shouldn't be consuming if I'm wanting to lose weight!!).  So my goal this week is to drink at least 4 cups of water each day ... bearing in mind that the cups I usually drink out of hold approx. 450mls of water - so 4 cups brings me close to 2L.  

This week's Goals

I did shockingly when it comes to achieving my goals last week.  Much of it was due to the fact that I'd left much of it to the latter part of the week ... and then I fell ill and didn't feel like doing much of anything.  Unfortunately when I get sick, I also usually get *really* lethargic and have no energy! 

I am linking up with Crystal's weekly goal setting post again.

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Last week's goals ...

Health

1. Work out 5 days this week, doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred, Level 2.  Nope.  Only 4 days (as explained above)

2. Cook dinner 4 nights ... most meals should cover two evenings as we will only have two adults & one child eating here this week.  As we had so many leftovers (and I tend to cook pretty sizeable meals, lol), and DD & I went out on Saturday night,  I only had to cook twice this last week.

Spiritual

3. Spend time in God's Word every day.  Most days, not everyday.

4. Memorise memory verse (above); Keep working on remembering the memory verses from earlier weeks.  Done.  Beautiful verse!!

Personal

5. Write and post three blog posts.  Nope.  Just the one I'm afraid.

6. Paint my toe nails, and follow my skincare regime everyday (I've been getting slack!).  Bright fire-engine red ... but not a half hour later I wanted to remove it as one of the big toes was smudged, and another was slightly 'chipped' ... they're still on, but every time I look down at my feet I see where they're not *perfect* - probably why I usually go au-natural when it comes to my nails, lol!!

7. Finish 8 blocks for the "Some Kind of Wonderful" SAL quilt, have 4 more at least ready for needle turn appliqué to begin.  Unfortunately none as yet.

8. Finish and send "Welcome" mini and 3 QBSA blocks to appropriate partners [all late].  Nope, not yet ... but I only have a little stitching + sandwiching/quilting/binding left on the mini to go ... and the fabrics ready for the blocks.  I hope to have all these ready for Monday's mail.

Homemaking

9. Stay on top of the laundry, 'weekly' house cleaning & daily garden watering. Surprisingly, yes!

10. Finish going through drawers containing cross-stitch magazines & DD's birth/day cards - put cards into scrapbook. Not a chance!!

Mothering / Child

11. Take DD to a movie this week ... her first EVER!!!  We actually went twice - Monday it was Madagascar 3 with a cousin & her little boy; Tuesday we saw Tinkerbell 4 with my sister & BFF (w/ children).  I also took her to play mini golf for the first time on Saturday night as we'd been invited to a friends' 30th birthday party at a mini golf/golfing/archery centre.  She *loved*it!! ... Though she kept calling it a "goal" when she got the ball in the hole, lol!  SOO fun to watch!! ... Oh, and she even got a hole in one!!!  As we were leaving she told me "that was a great day Mummy!"

12.  Get DD in bed by 7:30pm most nights, 8pm at the latest (except Monday night as she will be accompanying me to my Bible Study as my usual babysitters are on holidays).  Nope.  We did achieve it twice though!

This week's goals ...

Health

1. Work out 5 days this week, starting @ Level 2 doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred, ending the week with Level 3.

2. Drink four glasses, ice-cold water, every day.

Spiritual

3. Memorise memory verse (above); Keep working on remembering the memory verses from earlier weeks.

Personal

4. Write and post three blog posts.

5. Finish and send "Welcome" mini.

6. Finish and send four QBSA blocks.

7. Finish 10 SKoW blocks.

8. Make a haircut appointment for next week.

Homemaking

9. Go through the fridge - clean out & re-organise.  

10. Declutter & organise 3 hot-areas in my room.

Mothering / Child

11. Teach DD how to play "Guess Who" Junior.

12. Take DD to kindygym Saturday morning.

What are your plans for this week? ... Here's hoping we both have a great week!!!

L & A Update [wk4] & This Week's Goals

Living & Active

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Despite some personal struggles, whilst trying to give emotional support to my best friend, I am really appreciative that God placed this challenge in my path at this time.  I have now successfully completed the third week of this challenge, including my third week of doing four or more days of exercise - and although I am still struggling to go to bed at a decent hour, I am feeling more alert and aware, I am walking taller, standing straighter, and enjoying catching up daily with one of my closest girlfriends.

Week Three's results :

Exercise - Although I only worked out four days this week, I actually did five workouts ... three of which were in the space of a 25hr period (not recommended!!!).  Monday we didn't work out as the afternoon workout was shifted to the evening due to one of the ladies' (G1) prior commitments clashing with our usual time, and then the later workout was cancelled due to the other ladies' (G2) husband coming home after going out fishing and needing to go to the ER ... turned out he had an "acutely sprained ankle" - not good!!  Tuesday we worked out all together, going up to level two of Jillian's 30 Day Shred as we'd already completed two weeks' of level one.  Wednesday, G2's husband called up just as we were to start asking to be picked up from work, so I did a workout @ Level 1 with G1 (her knee was sore and she couldn't face Level 2) ... later getting G2 to come over to my place later that evening to do our Level 2 workout (so she didn't pike out for a second day in the week...).  Thursday morning G1 requested a few weeks break from the workouts as her knee was not only sore but had swollen up (not good!!), so Thursday and Friday lunchtimes (well, 1:30pm) I did Level 2 with G2 ... So five workouts over four days.

Memory Verse - Not so quickly memorised this week ... but done.  Good one to remember really!!

"For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world."           ~1 John 2:16

Diet & Weight Loss Goals - Roughly a kilo lost this week, but still up at 83kgs so I didn't hit my target of 82.  I made really healthy meals this week for dinner, though my daytime diet still wasn't crash hot ... I only consumed one block of Cadbury's caramello chocolate this week though!!! 

Week Four's plans :

Exercise - I plan to work out five days this week, but in the morning this week as the children are on their school holidays for the next two weeks, so they'll come around here while G2 (their mum ... she has six, ranging from 2yrs to 13yrs) and I work out.  The 13yr old will be in charge, though we will probably send them out the back ... BIG property here, so as long as they stay in the grassed area (just outside the windows of where we will be working out) they'll be alright - no where near the road! ... I am also considering throwing in some extra cardio workouts, maybe in the evenings - whether these be workout dvds (I have quite the range, lol) or just a fast walk on the treadmill while I watch a movie, will be decided on the day, though I am thinking either 2 or 3 days of this to start.

Memory Verse -  

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" ~ Proverbs 4:23

Diet & Weight Loss Goals - My parents have gone on a four week holiday to spend time with Mum's parents, and a bit of a break from their jobs, so I won't have the temptations of chips, chocolate & cookies surrounding me all hours like I normally do (Mum is the teacher who stress about her students - trannies - and gets to work at 7:30am, not leaving until about 6:30pm ... and then often bringing extra marking etc home with them!; Dad runs a non-profit Vocational Educational and Training business through the same school, which gives the students real-life knowledge and skills in the wall-frame fabrication, welding and more skill areas, and turns over quite a few million dollars of business each year ... he is also co-ordinating training courses & projects in several remote communities throughout the Territory).  I am hoping to eat "clean"-er meals, reduce my carb & sugar intake, and to hopefully get down to approx 81kgs (about 2kg weight loss since Monday).  I will also endeavour to drink more water and less Pepsi Max (which yes, has no calories, but loads of chemicals & preservatives ... I am currently consuming at least 2L a day).

This week's Goals

I didn't do as well as I'd hoped in achieving my goals this past week, but I did achieve more than I have in weeks past, so *yay*!  Just crossing off one or two things is actually a pretty big thing for me, so I am happy with my results ... and even more determined to cross more off next week!  So I will be am linking up with Crystal's weekly goal setting post again.

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Last week's goals ...

Health

1. Work out 5 days this week, doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred, Level 2.  {While I did do 5 workouts this week, they were over 4 days, and one of the workouts was a repeat of Level 1.}

2. Cook dinner 5 nights, 3 from scratch  Family Meat Pie w/ veges; Pumpkin & Red Lentil soup w/ Cheesy Curry Scones; Massaman Chicken Curry w/ rice; Pork Loin Chops w/ veges; Chicken & Vegetable Pasta Bake; Beef Stir-fry.

Spiritual

3. Spend time in God's Word every day.  Unfortunately not everyday, but most days - yes.

4. Memorise memory verse (above); Keep working on remembering the memory verses from earlier weeks.

Personal

5. Write and post three blog posts.  Yes, though I doubled up on two posts ... same post, just on two different blogs :)

6. Paint my toe nails and have a de-toxing bath.  I kept putting off the painting of the toes ... too paranoid that the polish would get smudged or knocked, lol!

7. Finish 3 blocks for the "Some Kind of Wonderful" SAL quilt, have 4 more at least ready for needle turn appliqué to begin.  NO.  I finished one, and completed the needle turn appliqué on one more.

8. Finish and send "Welcome" mini and 3 QBSA blocks to appropriate partners [all late].  Unfortunately I didn't make the time for these either ... though I have been working furiously the last couple of days to get the mini done - I am pushing myself to get this in the post by Wednesday at the latest.

Homemaking

9. Declutter and clean desks in lounge room (my 'office' space *technically*). 

10. Finish going through drawers containing cross-stitch magazines & DD's birth/day cards - put cards into scrapbook.  Nope - not even touched.

This week's goals ...

Health

1. Work out 5 days this week, doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred, Level 2.

2. Cook dinner 4 nights ... most meals should cover two evenings as we will only have two adults & one child eating here this week.

Spiritual

3. Spend time in God's Word every day.

4. Memorise memory verse (above); Keep working on remembering the memory verses from earlier weeks.

Personal

5. Write and post three blog posts.

6. Paint my toe nails, and follow my skincare regime everyday (I've been getting slack!).

7. Finish 8 blocks for the "Some Kind of Wonderful" SAL quilt, have 4 more at least ready for needle turn appliqué to begin.

8. Finish and send "Welcome" mini and 3 QBSA blocks to appropriate partners [all late].

Homemaking

9. Stay on top of the laundry, 'weekly' house cleaning & daily garden watering.

10. Finish going through drawers containing cross-stitch magazines & DD's birth/day cards - put cards into scrapbook.

Mothering / Child

11. Take DD to a movie this week ... her first EVER!!!

12.  Get DD in bed by 7:30pm most nights, 8pm at the latest (except Monday night as she will be accompanying me to my Bible Study as my usual babysitters are on holidays).

That's enough to keep me occupied this week.

What are your plans for this week? ... Here's hoping we both have a great week!!!

This weeks' goals ...

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For a while now I have been an avid follower of Crystal @ MoneySavingMom; not so much for the deals she lets her followers know of (simply as I am in Australia and most of the deals she shares are applicable for Americans; though I do love knowing about the free Kindle books available on Amazon that she shares daily...), but for the articles she and her contributors share.  I have also been mightily impressed by her ability to set goals each week, and achieve most, if not all, of them.  One of my major issues is that, while I am skilled at writing out beautiful lists ... I am not so good at organising myself to actually achieve the goals I set.  I can say I want to achieve *this* ... even by *when* ... but actually achieve it? ... Not so much.

I have decided that since this year is seemingly going by so quickly, I need to really get stuck in to my goals if I am to achieve anything this year.  Later next month, I will share the goals I wish to achieve by the end of the year, but to start, I am just going to work on writing down, and working towards, some weekly goals.  I have decided to share them here as I NEED that accountability of actually sharing them with you fine ladies... plus, I need all the encouragement I can get if I'm going to be more purposeful and diligent with my time!!

So, without further a-do, here I go ...

Here are my goals for this week ...


Personal Goals


1. Exercise at least twice, min. 30 mins each session. {I love my Jillian Michaels dvd's ... its the getting organised and those first 5 mins where I have the trouble, lol}

2. Go to bed by midnight, at least 4 nights this week.

3. Catch up on all QBSA blocks and send.

4. Work on Santa Sack swap, stocking plus Jul & Aug's gifts (4).

{Being unwell the last few months, I haven't kept on top of my swap obligations.  I really need to get on top of these, but at the same time not overwhelm myself ... I have written them all down, and requested August 'off' in the QBSA swap in an effort to allow me plenty of time to catch up this month ... I also have to get my *butt* into gear with my SKoW quilt, so that'll be on next week's list!!}

University Studies Goals


5. Write and submit Assignment #2 by Wednesday afternoon.

6. Begin reading & research for Assignment #3 by Thursday.

Spiritual Goals


7. Prepare and run Sunday School program for 6-8yr olds this Sunday.

8. Continue with Proverbs 31 study, catching up on this weeks' sessions.

Homemaking Goals


9. Make dinner from scratch, 3 nights this week.

10. Stay on top of the laundry. {I finally got on top of it all last week, and I really don't want to have piles of laundry hanging around the bedroom again!}

Mothering Goals


11. Get DD into bed by 7.30pm, 4 nights this week {Her usual bedtime has been between 8:30 and 9pm most nights for the last year or so ... mainly because I haven't been organised enough to get her organised and in bed any earlier - I need to get her bedtime earlier as she'll be going to Preschool next year, and we'll need to be leaving the house by 7.40am in order to get her there on time!!}


12. Take DD to her kindygym lesson, Saturday morning.


** I am linking to Crystal's 'goals' post HERE.

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For those who are aware that I've been unwell the last few months, the last element of which was a chest infection that lasted over 4 weeks ... I had a chest X-ray & blood tests taken a couple of weeks ago, which came up clear, and was put on ventolin for a week-or-so before having a spiro test (for asthma) last Wednesday.  Thankfully the four days I could cope on the ventolin (I ended up stopping taking it as every time I ended up having to lay down for a half hour because of heart palpitations/racing and I was shaking so much I couldn't hold a half-cup of tea without spilling it!!  The spiro came up clear, which was good ... but by that stage I was pretty well all recovered.  No longer coughing up phlegm every 10 mins, and no more hyperventilating because the mucus was getting in the way of me being able to breathe.  *Phew!*  

I've been spending the last week-and-a-bit trying to catch up on uni, now that I can focus again, and trying to just get back into the rhythm of life.  I am still sleeping heaps, and feeling like I need more ... but at least my head doesn't feel like there's a ton of bricks sitting on it!

Hopefully I'll have more interesting things to show in the coming days ... Really looking forward to getting on that sewing machine after getting it back from it's service, but Assignment 2 needs to be written and submitted before I can even think about it!!  Hoping your week isn't so stressed & full!!!