Environment
House: No Spring cleaning yet. I will wait until after I get back from my Cruise at the end of the month. This week I need to make up the spare room beds for my daughter and grand kids coming this weekend. I need to clean the main bathroom and vacuum all the floors downstairs.
I have to keep the driveway clear of snow. I was outside this afternoon to clear half of it before I got too cold. Tonight after supper, I will try to get out to finish the job.
Finances
Spending: I need to go to the bank at some point to get some American bills to take with me on the trip. I will need to buy some more garbage tags this week and just a few extras for the kids staying this weekend (juice, chocolate milk, and perhaps more eggs), but I am sure I have enough groceries without needing to buy anything else. I also need to buy 2 more rechargeable AA batteries for my camera. Except for tipping the driver delivering my prescription on Wednesday and groceries on Friday, every day was a no spend day. I faltered on Friday when I bought some 75% off Xmas purchases that I really didn't need. I will be e-transferring money (from my gift fund) to my oldest grand daughter this coming weekend for her birthday.
Saving: I called my cable company this week and cancelled my cable and downgraded my phone plan to 100 free minutes of long distance a month, saving me $47.46 a month. On Saturday, I transferred my GST directly into my savings account. GST stands for Goods and Services Taxes, and for those of us who have a low or modest income, the government sends these cheques quarterly to help offset these taxes that we pay. It is based on the previous year's income and is kind of like another mini income tax return. They are deposited to my account in January, April, July and October. I do not calculate this as an income, so banking it is doable.
Family and Friends: A friend of my husband came over for coffee on Saturday and we discussed the work that needs to be done in the Spring regarding the fallen ceiling and the water leak from the dining room window. I sent him home with some sweet loaves and Christmas cookies from the freezer. I have talked long distance with my daughter and four long-time friends. I have used Facebook messenger to face time with my son in BC, my brother and SIL in Smith Falls, my sister and my mom and every day with my dad and "Dee". I have texted several times with my other son and his fiancee. I also keep in touch by email. My SIL who is going on the cruise with me, is calling me on Wednesday evening so we can discuss what we are bringing and what excursions if any, we will go on. My daughter and her family are coming this weekend to pick up the dog and take him home with them. It will be great to see them.
Health: I am continuing to eat the diet prescribed to me by my GP. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist this Wednesday afternoon. My exercise has been shoveling snow. Ha.
Crafts and Leisure: I spent last Thursday making eight birthday cards. I mailed one out today. I have been watching You Tube videos to re-acquaint myself with embroidery stitching as I would like to begin a project when I get back. I will continue to make birthday cards as well as two "Thinking of You" cards this Thursday, but I will strive to make fewer than 8. That was too many for one day.
Monday, January 8, 2018
Daybook: Monday, January 8, 2018
Outside my window.....it is snowing and blowing. I definitely have to go out and shovel my driveway today. It will probably take a couple of hours.
I am thinking.....that I did not accomplish anything on the weekend. I started packing but didn't finish. I did not do any housecleaning (dusting, vacuuming). I cooked some chicken and made broth but haven't taken the meat from the bones yet or made soup. I started on my mending pile, but have not finished. I feel like there are several projects in the works and nothing is DONE.
I am thankful for.....family and friends. I know. I know. It seems like I am always saying that; but lately, they are more important than usual.
From the kitchen.....I spent a couple of hours yesterday making moussaka. (It is yummy, but so time consuming). I have to finish making soup with the chicken broth and I need to freeze the chicken meat for future meals. I want to shred and saute the last head of cabbage so I can freeze it before leaving next Monday.
I am wearing..... blue jeans, a long sleeved T-shirt with hoodie and black socks.
I am creating.....cards one day a week. I am considering using two days this week to get ahead. I made 8 last Thursday but I need 7 of them already just to fill my own personal needs for birthday cards this month and next. I need to mail one of them out today. I watched some You Tube videos yesterday to refresh my memory on basic embroidery stitches. I would like to start a gift project when I get back.
I am going.....nowhere today except to shovel the driveway and a trip to the garden composter to feed it kitchen scraps.
I am hoping.....my dad's health improves quickly. He and "Dee" are not going on the cruise. He has spent the last week in hospital with a return of pneumonia. Fortunately, they had cancellation insurance on their cruise so they will be reimbursed. However, I still have to go with my SIL. I don't know this SIL as well as I should because she is married to one of my brothers who has broken ties with his whole family decades ago. My dad and "Dee" have maintained a relationship with his wife and kids however, and this is why they paid for a cruise for her (and me). She is a wonderful person and I shall enjoy her company and get to know her so much better after this trip because we will be bunk mates. Although I am very disappointed that my dad and "Dee" will not be there with us, I understand that my dad needs to stay put and get better. And I will try not to worry about him while we are gone. I will take lots of pictures to share with him.
I am hearing.....only the blower on the furnace. The dog is sleeping upstairs IN MY BED.
Around the house.....I still have towels on the floor where water was coming in from the window. I have two piles of tongue and groove planks with nails still sticking out of them waiting to go back up on my ceiling. I have floors waiting to be vacuumed. I haven't done them since I took the decorations down. My card making supplies are still on the dining room table. I need to give my craft room a good clean when I get back.
One of my favourite things.....is a new Netflix series that Nathalie recommended called "Line of Duty" produced by the BBC. I finished the first season. LOVED IT. I will be finishing the second season tonight (only two more episodes to watch). Thank you Nathalie. You know what I like.
A few plans for the rest of the week.....include a doctor's appointment with my shrink this Wednesday. I need to go to the bank to pick up some American bills. Using my packing list, I will finish up packing my one piece of luggage and carry on. I make a list as I think of things, so I don't forget to pack them. (my camera, electronics, flashlight, battery charger, insect repellent, toiletries, etc., etc) Those things like sunscreen, Tylenol, Gravol cost a fortune on board the cruise ship) When it comes to clothes, I try to pack light.
Here's the picture I am sharing..... The good news is that it has warmed up enough to snow.
I am thinking.....that I did not accomplish anything on the weekend. I started packing but didn't finish. I did not do any housecleaning (dusting, vacuuming). I cooked some chicken and made broth but haven't taken the meat from the bones yet or made soup. I started on my mending pile, but have not finished. I feel like there are several projects in the works and nothing is DONE.
I am thankful for.....family and friends. I know. I know. It seems like I am always saying that; but lately, they are more important than usual.
From the kitchen.....I spent a couple of hours yesterday making moussaka. (It is yummy, but so time consuming). I have to finish making soup with the chicken broth and I need to freeze the chicken meat for future meals. I want to shred and saute the last head of cabbage so I can freeze it before leaving next Monday.
I am wearing..... blue jeans, a long sleeved T-shirt with hoodie and black socks.
I am creating.....cards one day a week. I am considering using two days this week to get ahead. I made 8 last Thursday but I need 7 of them already just to fill my own personal needs for birthday cards this month and next. I need to mail one of them out today. I watched some You Tube videos yesterday to refresh my memory on basic embroidery stitches. I would like to start a gift project when I get back.
I am going.....nowhere today except to shovel the driveway and a trip to the garden composter to feed it kitchen scraps.
I am hoping.....my dad's health improves quickly. He and "Dee" are not going on the cruise. He has spent the last week in hospital with a return of pneumonia. Fortunately, they had cancellation insurance on their cruise so they will be reimbursed. However, I still have to go with my SIL. I don't know this SIL as well as I should because she is married to one of my brothers who has broken ties with his whole family decades ago. My dad and "Dee" have maintained a relationship with his wife and kids however, and this is why they paid for a cruise for her (and me). She is a wonderful person and I shall enjoy her company and get to know her so much better after this trip because we will be bunk mates. Although I am very disappointed that my dad and "Dee" will not be there with us, I understand that my dad needs to stay put and get better. And I will try not to worry about him while we are gone. I will take lots of pictures to share with him.
I am hearing.....only the blower on the furnace. The dog is sleeping upstairs IN MY BED.
Around the house.....I still have towels on the floor where water was coming in from the window. I have two piles of tongue and groove planks with nails still sticking out of them waiting to go back up on my ceiling. I have floors waiting to be vacuumed. I haven't done them since I took the decorations down. My card making supplies are still on the dining room table. I need to give my craft room a good clean when I get back.
One of my favourite things.....is a new Netflix series that Nathalie recommended called "Line of Duty" produced by the BBC. I finished the first season. LOVED IT. I will be finishing the second season tonight (only two more episodes to watch). Thank you Nathalie. You know what I like.
A few plans for the rest of the week.....include a doctor's appointment with my shrink this Wednesday. I need to go to the bank to pick up some American bills. Using my packing list, I will finish up packing my one piece of luggage and carry on. I make a list as I think of things, so I don't forget to pack them. (my camera, electronics, flashlight, battery charger, insect repellent, toiletries, etc., etc) Those things like sunscreen, Tylenol, Gravol cost a fortune on board the cruise ship) When it comes to clothes, I try to pack light.
Here's the picture I am sharing..... The good news is that it has warmed up enough to snow.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Grocery Shopping in Napanee
A number of things that are happening in my life right now are dragging me down. (No pity party please. I am just stating facts). So this morning when I called my daughter, I was nearly in tears trying to explain how I was feeling. I just wanted to hear her voice and know that everything was okay. I got to talk with my two grand children, still home on holidays. My daughter was so reassuring and lifted my spirits so much that I felt able to leave the house to do my grocery shopping. I hope that some times I can do the same for her. She gets me and I appreciate her "pep talks" so much.
I decided to head to Napanee because there is a No-Frills store there, and of course it is home to the Giant Tiger. Love the G.T. It is a discount department store with a grocery section, and this week there were a number of sales on things I wanted. I have combined the purchases from both of these stores under the different categories.
Meat cost me $38.56
Bacon was $2.50 each for 2, and chubs of lean ground meat were $2 each for six. The rest was not sale priced, but I got tilapia ($2.88), chicken legs with backs attached ($6.87) and mild Italian sausage ($11.81) which I still need to repackage into smaller freezer bags.
Dairy cost $9.87
The plain yoghurt was 99 cents and the 400 g cheese were on for $4.44 each for two blocks.
Produce cost $26.76
I picked up a tray of apples from the discounted fruit. There was nothing wrong with them except that they were small, which suited me fine. I got 8 apples for 99 cents. The frozen bags of Asian mix vegetables were sale priced at $1.77 each for 3 bags. I paid $1.98 for 6 avocados. Those items were sale priced. I also picked up 6 zucchini ($3.66), one cauliflower for $2.47, 3 lbs. of sweet potatoes for $2.99, 2 large eggplants for $4.45, and both cabbages for a total of $4.91
Non-food items cost $6.22
The TP was 50% off, which was good. The little Xmas items were discounted even more than that at 75% off, but did I need them? No. I bought them because they were a bargain. Shame on me. Maybe I can use them as little gifts later this year.
My total expenditure for today was $88.33, including taxes. All was food except for the items in the final photo. I did go out on New Year's Eve to pick up a few items at the Shopper's Drug Mart, which I did not share with you yet but I will include it here because it was bought with money from January 2018's household budget.
I needed to buy eggs and milk, but as it turned out, all of these items were on sale. Total expenditure for this sale was $41.20, bringing my total to date to $129.53 The milk was $3.20 for a quart of homo milk, so I bought half and half for $2.50 each. The butter was $3.29 each . Maxwell instant coffee was $2.99 and the eggs were "dirt cheap" at $1.88 a dozen. The glucosomine is for my dog. It really helps with his arthritis, and hopefully the pain that accompanies it.
I decided to head to Napanee because there is a No-Frills store there, and of course it is home to the Giant Tiger. Love the G.T. It is a discount department store with a grocery section, and this week there were a number of sales on things I wanted. I have combined the purchases from both of these stores under the different categories.
Bacon was $2.50 each for 2, and chubs of lean ground meat were $2 each for six. The rest was not sale priced, but I got tilapia ($2.88), chicken legs with backs attached ($6.87) and mild Italian sausage ($11.81) which I still need to repackage into smaller freezer bags.
The plain yoghurt was 99 cents and the 400 g cheese were on for $4.44 each for two blocks.
I picked up a tray of apples from the discounted fruit. There was nothing wrong with them except that they were small, which suited me fine. I got 8 apples for 99 cents. The frozen bags of Asian mix vegetables were sale priced at $1.77 each for 3 bags. I paid $1.98 for 6 avocados. Those items were sale priced. I also picked up 6 zucchini ($3.66), one cauliflower for $2.47, 3 lbs. of sweet potatoes for $2.99, 2 large eggplants for $4.45, and both cabbages for a total of $4.91
The TP was 50% off, which was good. The little Xmas items were discounted even more than that at 75% off, but did I need them? No. I bought them because they were a bargain. Shame on me. Maybe I can use them as little gifts later this year.
My total expenditure for today was $88.33, including taxes. All was food except for the items in the final photo. I did go out on New Year's Eve to pick up a few items at the Shopper's Drug Mart, which I did not share with you yet but I will include it here because it was bought with money from January 2018's household budget.
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Working at the New Job
Today was Thursday, and it was my first day at the new job. I didn't get started until after 9 AM because I was reading blogs (and not commenting), emails and talking on the phone. I produced two birthday cards before I made my breakfast of an omelet with diced peppers and crumbled bacon. I got the garbage out for pickup last night, but forgot to get the recycling out in time because I was busy with the cards. I had a late lunch of beef soup and before I quit for supper, I had completed 8 cards. Too many! I think next time I will aim for 5 or 6. I did not complete anything else today and that kind of bothers me. My shoulders hurt because I was hunched over the table. I didn't even have to make dinner because I had leftovers from last night to warm up. Eight cards in one day is a lot, but seven of them are already spoken for this month and that is the main reason why I will not show you any photos of them right now. I will take pictures though. I may or may not have to work 2 days a week to get ahead. Maybe aim for 10 to 12 cards a week??
I unplugged my outdoor Christmas lights and brought the timers in.
I unloaded the dishwasher this morning and had another full load this evening.
Today was a no-spend, no-drive day.
My house is falling apart. Today while working on the cards, I heard water dripping from the window in my dining room. When I went over to investigate I stepped into a pool of water running down the wall underneath the window ledge. I have since put a container on the sill to catch the water drips and I have towels on the floor and the window ledge to soak up the water that has dripped from the window frame. Where is it coming from? My thinking is that it is melt water from the snow on the roof of the verandah. Is there flashing installed between the vinyl siding of the house and under the shingles of the verandah roof? There should be, but there is no way I can check until Spring. I hope this isn't going to be another problem for me this winter. What is happening??
I unplugged my outdoor Christmas lights and brought the timers in.
I unloaded the dishwasher this morning and had another full load this evening.
Today was a no-spend, no-drive day.
My house is falling apart. Today while working on the cards, I heard water dripping from the window in my dining room. When I went over to investigate I stepped into a pool of water running down the wall underneath the window ledge. I have since put a container on the sill to catch the water drips and I have towels on the floor and the window ledge to soak up the water that has dripped from the window frame. Where is it coming from? My thinking is that it is melt water from the snow on the roof of the verandah. Is there flashing installed between the vinyl siding of the house and under the shingles of the verandah roof? There should be, but there is no way I can check until Spring. I hope this isn't going to be another problem for me this winter. What is happening??
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
First Day With a New List of Goals
I was going to make this my day for working on my "part-time job" of producing cards. However, this morning after checking my emails and answering phone calls, and a very frustrating hour of trying to send documents as PDF files to my sister, I discovered THIS.
I don't know if you can see this very well, but the pine tongue-in-grove planks on the back of the ceiling were coming down. I mean, it didn't look like anything was holding them up. If I didn't take each plank down myself, one at a time, the whole thing would come down on top of someone. I have no idea why they came away from the ceiling. They were not glued up there, like they should have been, but there were several finishing nails in each of the planks. Rick and a friend of his put them up years ago. I will certainly need someone's help to put the ceiling back up. I took this photo after I had removed about half the planks. Anyways, the day could only get better from here. I made a change of plans and decided that Thursday will be my day to work on cards.
Today is Wednesday and I need to put out the garbage and the recycling tonight. I have one garbage tag left from 2017, so I don't need to buy any this week.
The day started out snowy again, although it has since stopped. I knew I had to pick up a prescription in Amerstview and I like to group errands together. I need to buy groceries some time this week but the grocery store in Amerstview is NOT a discount grocery store. So I asked the drug store to deliver my prescription to me. It is a free service that I have never used before but I decided it was well worth the $4 tip I gave the driver for my pills to be delivered to me. I have enough meals available that I don't need to go shopping for a couple of days.
I also wanted to go to the Dollar Store to pick up a new 2018 Agenda like the one I used last year. I decided against it after I printed out a free January calendar from an on-line site.
I made a pot of soup with some beef broth that was in my freezer and added some fried hamburger, dried onion flakes,chopped celery, diced carrot, tomato, burgundy beans and cauliflower (all from the freezer). This pot of soup will do my lunches for several days.
I called my cable provider and downgraded my phone plan and cancelled my cable TV. Since discovering Netflix, I haven't watched much television (except for the news) for most of this year. My monthly payment for phone and internet will be $123.10, saving me $47.46 a month. WooHoo.
I walked to the post office and picked up my mail. I received two more Christmas presents. What a lovely surprise. I was told they were coming by mail but I had completely forgotten about them.
A "Just Because Box" from one of my nieces, filled with pampering all natural bath and body products ( a bath bomb, body balm, solid perfume, and love those socks). It is one of 3 boxes that are due to arrive in the next 3 months. The "Just Because Box" is shipped out from a company in Texas. This will be so much fun. My niece told me that my gift also includes a weekend of pampering in Ottawa (where she lives) when we get a chance to set a date.
So now I am off to make dinner of a sausage casserole. I cannot believe another day has gone by and it is getting dark again already. The street lamps are on, as well as my outdoor Christmas lights. I had intended to unplug them on New Year's Day, but the snow has been deep and I haven't made the trek across the front snow banks yet. I'll have to get it done soon.
Today is Wednesday and I need to put out the garbage and the recycling tonight. I have one garbage tag left from 2017, so I don't need to buy any this week.
The day started out snowy again, although it has since stopped. I knew I had to pick up a prescription in Amerstview and I like to group errands together. I need to buy groceries some time this week but the grocery store in Amerstview is NOT a discount grocery store. So I asked the drug store to deliver my prescription to me. It is a free service that I have never used before but I decided it was well worth the $4 tip I gave the driver for my pills to be delivered to me. I have enough meals available that I don't need to go shopping for a couple of days.
I also wanted to go to the Dollar Store to pick up a new 2018 Agenda like the one I used last year. I decided against it after I printed out a free January calendar from an on-line site.
I made a pot of soup with some beef broth that was in my freezer and added some fried hamburger, dried onion flakes,chopped celery, diced carrot, tomato, burgundy beans and cauliflower (all from the freezer). This pot of soup will do my lunches for several days.
I called my cable provider and downgraded my phone plan and cancelled my cable TV. Since discovering Netflix, I haven't watched much television (except for the news) for most of this year. My monthly payment for phone and internet will be $123.10, saving me $47.46 a month. WooHoo.
I walked to the post office and picked up my mail. I received two more Christmas presents. What a lovely surprise. I was told they were coming by mail but I had completely forgotten about them.
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| Another Michael's gift card "to feed my addiction." |
So now I am off to make dinner of a sausage casserole. I cannot believe another day has gone by and it is getting dark again already. The street lamps are on, as well as my outdoor Christmas lights. I had intended to unplug them on New Year's Day, but the snow has been deep and I haven't made the trek across the front snow banks yet. I'll have to get it done soon.
Goals for 2018
Environment:
House- I would like to tackle my Spring Cleaning at the beginning of February as soon as I get back from my holiday cruise. I will post a list of things I want to accomplish during the week on Monday and report on the progress at week's end. I would like to finish Spring Cleaning by the first of May.
With any extra money I can save for Projects, I will use it for paint. Paint is relatively cheap and will freshen up the space immensely.
I will continue to purge, but I will take photos this time and post.
Garden- I will roto till my vegetable garden this year and tend vegetables that fit with my new low carb diet, including tomatoes, broccoli, snow peas, some carrots, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers and the like. I had a difficult summer trying to maintain everything on my own, but I have decided that the vegetable garden has to take precedence over the flower gardens.
I will try to learn more DIY projects to do more of my own home maintenance.
I will learn how to use the riding lawn mower, the pressure washer, the snow blower and some of the power tools that I would like to keep.
Finances:
Spending- I plan on not spending any money to purchase NEW. I will try to borrow first. If it is something I feel I need, I will try to buy it second hand. I will spread the word that I am looking for something and hope someone can help me out. I will continue to record every cent I spend and mark it as food or a non-food item. I will look for ways to spend less on food by using sales, coupons, rebates and reward points. I need to start today making more of my gifts for next Christmas. I will try to have a no-spend week once a month.
Saving- I need to get back into the habit of paying X every month into savings and an Emergency fund, as though it were just another expense. I need to find ways of cutting some of my expenses even further. I may look into ways of turning my crafts into a little revenue. I will examine more ways of earning points on-line to turn into credits for Amazon or PayPal. I have to NOT leave free money on the table by letting the dates expire on rebates and free product samples. That means more recording and accountability.
Family and Friends: I will continue to call my sister and my mother and maintain a closer relationship with both. I want to make more of a concerted effort to stay in touch with friends by visiting them more often. I will maintain a close relationship with my children and grandchildren.
Health: I will continue regular appointments with my doctors and stay on my low carb diet in an effort to keep my blood sugar chemistry in check. If I lose more weight because of that, BONUS.
Crafts and Leisure: Card making has been a creative outlet for me in the past. This year I am going to turn more of the focus on making it a part time job by devoting at least one day a week to making cards or some kind of paper craft (mini scrapbooks, card boxes, etc.). If I can sell some of my products, I will. If I don't, I can still use all of it as handmade items for gifting. I would like to better my skills to help me with gift giving or in saving me money through DIY. (sewing, knitting, embroidery, jewellery making to name a few)
That is quite the wish list. It will only work if I try harder to list the steps I mean to take at the beginning of the week and follow up by a weekend report. Maybe I only have ONE resolution....better accountability.
House- I would like to tackle my Spring Cleaning at the beginning of February as soon as I get back from my holiday cruise. I will post a list of things I want to accomplish during the week on Monday and report on the progress at week's end. I would like to finish Spring Cleaning by the first of May.
With any extra money I can save for Projects, I will use it for paint. Paint is relatively cheap and will freshen up the space immensely.
I will continue to purge, but I will take photos this time and post.
Garden- I will roto till my vegetable garden this year and tend vegetables that fit with my new low carb diet, including tomatoes, broccoli, snow peas, some carrots, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers and the like. I had a difficult summer trying to maintain everything on my own, but I have decided that the vegetable garden has to take precedence over the flower gardens.
I will try to learn more DIY projects to do more of my own home maintenance.
I will learn how to use the riding lawn mower, the pressure washer, the snow blower and some of the power tools that I would like to keep.
Finances:
Spending- I plan on not spending any money to purchase NEW. I will try to borrow first. If it is something I feel I need, I will try to buy it second hand. I will spread the word that I am looking for something and hope someone can help me out. I will continue to record every cent I spend and mark it as food or a non-food item. I will look for ways to spend less on food by using sales, coupons, rebates and reward points. I need to start today making more of my gifts for next Christmas. I will try to have a no-spend week once a month.
Saving- I need to get back into the habit of paying X every month into savings and an Emergency fund, as though it were just another expense. I need to find ways of cutting some of my expenses even further. I may look into ways of turning my crafts into a little revenue. I will examine more ways of earning points on-line to turn into credits for Amazon or PayPal. I have to NOT leave free money on the table by letting the dates expire on rebates and free product samples. That means more recording and accountability.
Family and Friends: I will continue to call my sister and my mother and maintain a closer relationship with both. I want to make more of a concerted effort to stay in touch with friends by visiting them more often. I will maintain a close relationship with my children and grandchildren.
Health: I will continue regular appointments with my doctors and stay on my low carb diet in an effort to keep my blood sugar chemistry in check. If I lose more weight because of that, BONUS.
Crafts and Leisure: Card making has been a creative outlet for me in the past. This year I am going to turn more of the focus on making it a part time job by devoting at least one day a week to making cards or some kind of paper craft (mini scrapbooks, card boxes, etc.). If I can sell some of my products, I will. If I don't, I can still use all of it as handmade items for gifting. I would like to better my skills to help me with gift giving or in saving me money through DIY. (sewing, knitting, embroidery, jewellery making to name a few)
That is quite the wish list. It will only work if I try harder to list the steps I mean to take at the beginning of the week and follow up by a weekend report. Maybe I only have ONE resolution....better accountability.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
A Reminder of My 2017 Goals
Personal goals for 2017
I need to try harder to stay in touch with my mom. Ideally, that would mean phoning her at least once a week....perhaps the same day each week, so she will come to expect them. If I do not phone her, then I must make and send her a card. I failed miserably in this regard. I did not try to phone her but I did indeed send more cards to both her and my step-dad. Now that she is living with my sister, I have definitely talked to her more often, so this is a very good thing.
Continue to send my young nephews and nieces some cards on special holidays and make more "Just because I love you" cards for my grandchildren. Yes, I have continued to send special occasion cards to my nephews and nieces (Valentines, Easter, Hallowe'en and Christmas) , but I only sent one extra "just because" card to my youngest grandchildren.
Health:
I would like to lose 20 pounds over the course of this year, and keep it off. I will consume less sugar and starches and eat more soups and vegetables. Definite success but not due to anything I attempted. It was due to my doctor's insistence, and I have been successful at keeping up with it.
I hate exercise, but I will attempt to walk more and work out of doors in the good weather. I think this was successful. I believe I was forced to work outdoors much more. I still don't take walks and I still hate exercise.
Special projects:
I need to save money just for some special projects I would like to happen this year. (There was no extra money saved for projects)
- tear down and rebuild a new deck in the back yard. The deck was torn down and replaced with 5 yards of gravel.
- outside painting NO
- new laminate in the Master bedroom NO
- repair and tile the kitchen floor NO
I will learn to use my sewing machine to use up some of my fabric stash NO
I will make mats for my card making from bits of paper scraps that I have been collecting. I think I did much, much better in this regard. I still have a lot of paper scraps to use up, but I have researched more card designs to help me use them up.
I will try to learn more complicated knitting patterns, instead of just dishcloths. NO
I need to make at least 3 scrapbooks this winter. NO
Purging and Organization:
I will purge at least 5 items a day, or 25 a week, and I will post about it. Big Success, and it was mostly due to my SIL coming every other week this past Spring to help me purge carloads of stuff to Value Village. Rick's brother took two trailer loads to the dump from the shed, and a neighbour helped me remove another trailer load late this summer. I look forward to continuing the purge into this year as well.
Maintenance and Preparedness:
I will try to learn more skills for myself in DIY and upcycling and share about it on my blog. YES!
Finances:
I need to write down every penny I make, spend on food, spend on sundries, and save for a special project
I wasn't always successful, but I gave it a good try.
Accountability:
I will be better at reporting on my weekly and monthly goals. Nearer the end of the year, I discovered that reporting on weekly goals was better for me and I became more successful with reporting it.
Tomorrow I hope to present my personal goals for 2018. In fact they will remain pretty much what I proposed for 2017. Circumstances changed my priorities last year, but overall they are still goals that I want to pursue. I will be placing more emphasis on Finances and Environment (Home and Garden) by laying down some more detailed steps to follow month by month.
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