January: I created a schedule. It has morphed a few times now, but that first one really helped me to see when and how I was using (and wasting!) my time.
February: I cut back on my daytime computer use. Soon after I realized I needed to step back more in the evenings as well. I have fluctuated since then, and currently seem to be in a "if and when I feel like it" mode.
March: I focused on our family's diet and nutrition.
April: My goal was to get back to exercising. I have been up and down on this all year, with no good reason that I can come up with. It is a matter or prioritizing sleep so that I can get up early enough to fit in exercise before my kids wake.
May: My goal was sleep.
June: I extended my sleep and exercise goals into the month of June.
July: I, again, extended sleep and exercise goals into July. I added food stockpile consumption, as well.
August: My main goal was re-working our budget.
September: I focused on my rocks and food.
October: Well, here we are in the 10th month of the year and I feel as though I am on "repeat." I can't help but saying...I need to continue to focus a little on a lot. It may be unrealistic to think I can (or maybe optimistic), but I need to take more steps toward frugalizing more, continuing to shift our budget (we have some $$ house projects we really want to finish), changing my/our diets is a must (my biopsy confirmed Celiac Disease), and I still desperately want more consistent sleep and exercise to be a steady in my life.
A lovely group of women have joined with steps of their own towards balance and flow. This link leads you to a list of links. Read their stories if you can and join if you would like to!
April's Month in Review detailed our monthly goals leading up to the Earth Day finale of One Small Change. While we haven't formally continued this challenge, we have done so informally.
In late August, I posted my "when school resumes" task list. Now that school has been in session for a month, I ought to check on my own progress...
- finish updating our budget and sorting our finances -Almost done
- make soap - Uh, no.
- clean the floors really well - Several times. They were nasty. They need it again.
- finally make those pants for Finn Luca - Sigh, no.
- start and finish holiday gifts - Started!
- start and finish baby gifts - Yes, but this must be another boom year, because now I need to make more.
- start and finish birthday gifts - Yes
- finish some of those photo projects I started (there are many) - Yes
- clean my car - Yes. That lasted all of 2 hours.
- continue re-organizing my home - Yes! Feels so good to make progress here!
- make a little more progress on the kitchen - No, unless you count much discussion
- do something about our yard - No, unless you count much discussion (notice a trend?)
groceries: $372.64 (although I think I missed a couple receipts totaling at least $50.)
This reflects an odd month...foods eaten down and foods acquired, as we make the switch to gluten free eating. I can see this shift will filter into October, as well. Our grocery bill will be going up, however I have been updating my price list so I can resume using it more effectively.
I have continued to track our used and new acquisitions. Despite feeling a resurgence of frugality, I was startled to see how long the "new" list was. While it included gifts received, my spending portion was long. Of the items I bought, for my own awareness, I have highlighted the items I believe were necessary, in blue. Yep...that few.
acquired new:
- Car seat for Finn Luca (his primary seat was 6 yr old and developed a crack)
- Baking book for gluten free
- Stainless steel straws (Isabella's birthday)
- Fairy wings (Isabella's birthday)
- Pinata (Isabella's birthday)
- 2 car batteries
- CD, photo album - homemade birthday presents from friends, thank you!
- tambourine, bike bell, bike basket, bike tassels, wind chimes, rubber stamps, wooden puzzle, flash light, and head dress - birthday and sibling gifts from family, thank you!
- New thermometer for yogurt making
- Gluten free cookbooks - Thank you, Marianne!
- Lidded glass food containers
- Books and a color-on dolls, for both kids! Thanks, Genevieve!
- Gluten free/Allergen free cook book
- Swimsuit for Lala
- Jeans for me
- Pants, tiara, book for Lala - Thanks, Tracy!
- book, board game -birthday presents from friends, thank you!
- PJs for Finnian in the next 2 sizes
- picnic basket
- books for the kids and for me
- shoes for the kids
- EcoMetro guide. Thanks, Lisa!
- "New" sewing machine! More on this soon :)
- baby items loaned to friends
- cloth diapering items given away
- cloth diapering items sold
- outgrown kids clothing given away
