10 Goals Update (plus 10 more!)
Last week, I posted 10 things I was hoping to get done last week, and I'm here with the promised update today!
1. Paint new sample color on my living room wall
I did this, and decided that the new color was too light while still being too blue. Sigh.
It doesn't look horrible in this picture, but trust me...it's almost baby blue, and I loathe it. Blech.
I like the look of the darker blues, but my living room is on the north side of the house, so that room is just not bright enough to handle a dark color.
But!
The good news is that I FINALLY found the appropriate shade, and I lurve it. However, only that one wall is painted (I got another sample jar), so I want to wait until I'm done painting to show you.
2. Finish editing photos from my shoot with the W family.
Nope. I planned to do them the night that my kids got my computer infected with a fake anti-virus bug.
Earlier in the week, though, I did finish all the pictures I've taken of my niece, Adriana, since she was born, and I got them onto a CD for my sister-in-law. That's been bugging me for a long time, so I'm delighted to have it finished.
3. Finish money report for November.
Done!
4. Figure out a new budget with Mr. FG.
We did sort of start to talk about this, but then we had one of those, um, relational bumps over it. We planned to regroup and talk about it on Saturday night, but I didn't have the numbers put together well enough and we had other stuff to talk over anyway.
So, I'm going to only halfway cross this off.
5. Update Quicken.
Done. And due to the bump Mr. FG and I had when discussing our budget, I am freshly motivated to keep more detailed records so that I can produce more helpful reports.
6. Post review/giveaway for Cook's Illustrated's new cookbook.
Fail.
7. Get Sonia started with piano lessons.
Done! And she's so delighted.
8. Try having computer-less mornings.
This has been going fairly well. I haven't gone completely without checking my email, but I've spent minimal time on the computer, and it's been making our mornings go better.
9. Make a blog plan for November.
Yup! I got this done. 🙂 I even got some December planning done.
10. Figure out a new time for Bible reading.
I've decided to do this at night before bed. In order for me to do it consistently, I need to do it at a time of day that is predictable. For instance, 2:30 pm would never work, because I might be doing any number of different things at 2:30. But late at night, I'm always home, the kids are always in bed, and so I think I'll be able to regularly carve out the time for reading my Bible.
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7.5 out of 10 isn't too bad! I definitely got more done than I would have without publicly sharing my list.
So, if you don't mind, I'm going to put another 10 items out here for the coming week.
1. Finish editing photos from my shoot with the W family.
Must. Get. This. Done.
2. Figure out a new budget with Mr. FG.
Armed with numbers and a hashed-out-and-resolved conflict, we're going to give this another go!
3. Post Cook's Illustrated cookbook giveaway.
Know what my hold-up has been? I have permission to give away a chocolate chip cookie recipe in my giveaway post, and I want to make the recipe so I can take a picture before I do the giveaway.
So, I need to get in the kitchen.
4. Fill Operation Christmas Child box.
These are due on Sunday, so this HAS to be done this week.
5. Update Quicken (every week is my new goal!)
I'm hoping if I do it every single week, it won't be such a big task, and I'll be less likely to put it off.
6. Prime and paint the living room/dining room.
Super excited about this! I'd probably do it even if I didn't put it on my goal list.
7. Finish scheduling/planning our December church music and musicians.
I don't actually HAVE to have this done right now, but I feel better if I get it done in advance.
8. Read my Bible every night.
Hopefully my new plan will work out!
9. List two items on Ebay or Craig's list
Last week, we sold my camera body, a fish tank and stand, and a piece of guitar equipment, so I'm newly motivated to get some clutter out and cash in!
10.Freecycle or donate items that can't be sold.
Along with a pile of to-sell items, there's a pile of donate items. I need to try freecycling them, and whatever can't be freecycled is going to Goodwill.
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Today's 365 post: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
Joshua's 365 post: What have I been doing?
Hi Kristen!
I've started reading your blog over the last month or so and I love it! It's great to know that pretty much whenever I need a quick break from work, I can hop on over to your site and read something new 🙂
I was curious if you have ever used or considered mint.com for budgeting purposes. I have never used quicken so I don't know how mint compares to it, however, since my husband and I use credit cards exclusively (we get back at least 1% on all purchases, so it's worth it since we can use them responsibly), mint.com is an extremely useful budgeting tool for us. It basically keeps track of everything that you spend, and you can categorize things however you like. It will automatically categorize things as well, and keep track of all bank accounts, credit cards, retirement savings, etc that you allow it to. We had some hesitations at first about putting all of that information into a website, however it's proven itself trustworthy over the last year and a half that we've been using it.
Just a thought, it could potentially save you some time each week!
I tried mint.com but found that tracking my self-employed expenses wasn't as simple as I wanted it to be.
That's great news on the Craigslist' sales. I too am hoping to de-clutter but lately I have found the sales and interest to be very sluggish. Have you experienced this as well OR have you had good luck?
Well, I'm not normally too great at selling stuff on Craig's list! But I was fortunate this time around.
Oh my goodness! We made ATK chocolate chip cookies. If they are those (or similar), you neeeeeed (ok, not really) to make them and post about it!!! 🙂 No other recipe compares now!
I think the kiddos will enjoy #3 🙂 And me too! Just yesterday I got the hankering to make some choco chip cookies, and now I believe I will wait for the CI recipe! Thanks for the reminder about the Operation Christmas Child box - I have one of those I need to get filled too. And I really like #8 - definitely a goal of mine as well.
JustJack, I used craigslist last week to get rid of my old couch and old computer. Both were too far gone to sell, so I offered them for free. I'm just glad I didn't have to pay anyone to take them away!
I was thinking of having a yard sale next spring, but maybe I should try selling them on CL first.
To-do lists are great although I very rarely get a 7.5. I'm usually lucky with 50 or 60 percent at best. Maybe I should start publically posting my list... Although just thinking of what's involved is a list on its own... meh, forget it. Perhaps I should make a list of 20 things and that way I'll actually get the 10 important ones done. Thanks for the fun post!
Yes! The thinking of the list is a HUGE first step.
"10. Figure out a new time for Bible reading.
"In order for me to do it consistently, I need to do it at a time of day that is predictable. For instance, 2:30 pm would never work, because I might be doing any number of different things at 2:30. "
I have the same issue with running, which is why it's easy for me to run during the work week but hard on weekends.
I have three time slots a week allocated to running. Tues 9am, Thurs 8pm and Sat 3pm - it's in the diary regardless... takes the decision making process out of it. It's made easier to stick to by the fact three others are waiting for me!
Have you thought of doing one wall in one of the darker blues and the rest in a lighter shade? Often times you can get a nice effect by adding an accent wall. That can also make a small or darker room feel more spacious. I would recommend though only going one or two colors up or down the paint chip, by staying with the same paint chip you remain in the same color family. Better chance of things working together that way. 🙂
We've been cleaning house selling things on ebay. Craigslist is another favorite for getting rid of free stuff. It's amazing how every time I think I've gotten rid of everything I find more stuff.
I thought about it, but I usually prefer the look of one shade. And since I'm so happy with the one I found, I want to paint ALL the walls with it! lol
yay! Operation Christmas Child!
Had to comment, I just came to the computer to do a final check on my Operation Christmas Shoebox list! Saw your post and thought I'd quickly read it! My deadline's 23rd, but I too am going to get it sorted by this weekend. This weekend is the start of the festivities, there's a home-made Christmas pud to start with the kids and the shoebox to seal. Anyhow back to what I was supposed to be doing!
"Relational bump." Love that term! I love how you honor him consistently on your blog too.
You've motivated me to come up with my own weekly goals. Maybe I'll start with just 5, though. 🙂
I'm very interested in your new Number 10.
You choose to Freecycle first and then give to Goodwill as a second choice. May I ask (out of curiosity and completely without judgment) why you choose that order of preference?
And yes, even here in Portugal, we have Operation Christmas Child. It's on my list too 🙂
I, like Kristen, offer things on Freecycle before donating them the a second hand store. I have two reasons for this:
I have recieved many wondreful things from frecyclers and feel compelled to recipricate within the freecycle community.
I fear that delicate things will be damaged in transport, sorting and even in the often overcrowded displays at the second hand stores.
Anything that I can't find a recipiant for on freecycle does go in the donation box.
Thank you so much for replying, Linda 🙂
I've never been a big user of Freecycle although I have used it to pass on stuff in the past.
When we cleared our house, before we emigrated, we just took everything to charity for speed of getting rid of things but I guess it depends just how much "stuff" you need to shift 🙂
I try freecycle first, because then I know for SURE that the item has found a home where it will be used and loved. With Goodwill, there's always a chance it won't sell or will have to be thrown out, so I like to check on Freecycle first.
I wish you success with your list of goals.
I, for one, would be interested in seeing a post about the Operation Christmas Child Box. What you put in it, and why, how you involve your children, what they gain from the experience.
I second this request. I've always had fun doing a shoebox, but am curious how other people do theirs.
Just started doing this recently too. Good luck with your goals this week!
boy I have a lot of things I need/want to do but if i prioritize I won't get anything done because the main ones I dread DREAD double-dread doing!sigh...
I do want to do a 1 year Bible reading/study though - haven't found the ideal one yet. Last year I tried an online one that was shortened to the 'highlights' but didn't stick with it. Another year I tried a Women of the Bible one with a popular book about women in the Bible since it had a quilt pattern with it - the patterns were too hard and it was hard to follow all the discussions in the yahoo group so I didn't stick with it. As much reading as I do I have no excuse have not read the Bible in my almost 45 years.
the going through TONS of books is my main holdup and the one I'm super dreading - my townhome is a disaster area and needs decluttering big-time. It's holding me up but it's not gonna be an easy project and it's hard to part with books(for me it is)
but I"m trying to work out a budget for next year as well and want to add in exercise on a regular basis. hmm will have to come up with some others and once I come up with a game plan on the dreaded major housecleaning/decluttering take some time off from work to get it done right. may have to call in a friend to help though with her toddler and his mother's day out program might have to be in the summer(though with my procrastination might get pushed aside til then anways LOL!)
good luck with your goals - you seem to make most of yours!
Good job being able to cross so many off your list! I love making lists and prioritizing items on them. I try to take on the items at or near the top of the list first. It doesn't always work, but usually it helps me get done the most important items. And that's not a fail in my book!
Wou, these lists...:-) This pianolesson-start was certainly an important step. What a blessing to be able for you to teach your children music yourself. So what about my lists..some pics...for example I should start to think of Christmas season list(s) (even though it is not that complicated...anyway..nothing new to trouble with this), get work ideas in new shape (well), develop photos (and figure out time for netalbums), find some more 'messies no more-pages' or whatever like that (and try to learn something from them ;-)), Bible-reading in new shape for sure (ideas welcome!) and while winter is coming, try to make space for sportbike and other exercises...:-))) (and, of course, follow good way of healthy, lighter eating habits...TRY at least...every step counts!) etc.
So thanks again for an interesting blog post and have a wonderful (preparing for) Christmas-season!
It is amazing to see the number of people here that commented about Operation Christmas Child! My niece is a huge promoter of it although she is only 16. This past summer she was selected to traveled Uganda with a group of teenagers to help hand out boxes and it was a very moving experience for her. The stories she shared when she returned really puts our lives in perspective.