March Goal Review and April Goals

March was an awesome month for reading and schoolish stuff, but not much on other fronts.  I'm still happy with how goal setting is working in 2018.

My March goals were:
 1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least three countries that are not UK or US, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.--20 books read! 5 school related, 15 just for me, set in 7 countries not US/Canada/UK and met 6 prompts for the reading challenge.
2. Post on social media 5 times--yes, mostly Instagram, but I'm writing so more to come here in the future
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow--no
4. Pack up my Neighbourhood Round Robin and send to stitchers who have volunteered to help me finish it!--no, must get this accomplished
5. Scan Flower's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)--I thought the box was Flower's, but it was mostly Jewel's.  But I did scan them!
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks--LOL
7. Draw up a rough planning sheet to plan for next year school (starting early since I will have 2 in High School!)--yes
8. Participate in new Bible Study at church. Yes, even managed to land myself a job facilitating part of it.

My goals for April will be:
 1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least three countries that are not UK or US, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Post on social media 5 times
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow
4. Pack up my Neighbourhood Round Robin and send to stitchers who have volunteered to help me finish it!
5. Find and scan Flower's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)
6. Sit down with girls and go over planning sheet to plan for next year school (do this after meeting with the local Coop to see if it is a match for us)
7. Celebrate with family at my cousin's wedding!
8. Meet with local A21 group regarding volunteer opportunities this year (their kick-off for year's activities is this month). 

March Goal setting and February review

In February, my goals were:

1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge. I read 13 books (7 for school, 6 for me) set in 8 countries plus the US which met 3 reading challenge prompts!
2. Post on social media 5 times I posted 4 times on the blog, but I admit it, Instagram is my go-to for quick posts.  Still writing blog posts, but need to publish more.
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow nope
4. Finish Romania block for Neighbourhood Round Robin  all but the flag
5. Scan Jewel's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic) yes
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks no
7. Talk to K & B about volunteer opportunities through church. Be intentional! I've met with K and then a more in depth meeting, and will look to do come on board A21 as they set up the plans for the new year. I've met with B and had planned to already be doing some work with international students but car trouble has prevented me.  Will start soon.

So, my March goals will be:
 1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least three countries that are not UK or US, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Post on social media 5 times
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow
4. Pack up my Neighbourhood Round Robin and send to stitchers who have volunteered to help me finish it!
5. Scan Flower's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks
7. Draw up a rough planning sheet to plan for next year school (starting early since I will have 2 in High School!)
8. Participate in new Bible Study at church. 

February Goals and January Revisited

In January I set these goals:

1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
     I read 13(!) books in January, 8 were related to school so 5 were for me! They were set in Kenya, UK (4), US (2), France and 5 unspecified or referency. I've fulfilled 3 PopSugar prompts.
2. Post on social media 5 times
    I posted 3 blog posts in January and several Instagram posts as I am learning how to do that!  I've written 3 more posts, so they will be seen soon.
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow--50%
4. Finish Romania block for Neighbourhood Round Robin--75%
5. Scan Jewel's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)--did not even take them out of attic
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks--did great 1st half of month, only missed this a couple of time 2nd half of month
7. Research volunteer opportunities through church or local outreach center--have done some research, and now have a couple of people to follow up with and get their thoughts on 1-2 ministries through which our church works 

So, overall, it was a good month.

February goals (look a lot like January):
1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Post on social media 5 times
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow
4. Finish Romania block for Neighbourhood Round Robin
5. Scan Jewel's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks
7. Talk to K & B about volunteer opportunities through church. Be intentional! 

Setting Goals for January and Beyond

As always, I am much more apt to meet my goals if I write them down.  So, I've gone back to see how well I did in achieving my 2017 goals.  I am mostly pleased with the results.
Master 2017 list:
Books:  Read 100 books (including those used for school)--YES
             Read books set in at least 30 distinct countries--Only Read 20 Countries
             Complete PopSugar Reading Challenge and Advanced Challenge (52 books)--YES

Cross-Stitch/Quilting:  Complete stitching A Mind Independent and Free--YES

                                      Complete Neighbourhood Round Robin 2--It is at 75%
                                      Complete Bride's Tree Ornament sets--no
                                      Start/Finish Autumn and Spring Garden--no
                                      Participate in Ornament Exchange--YES

                                      Stitch Ornaments for each of the children--YES

                                      Make baby quilt for godson and his wife (June)--YES

                                      Organise and participate in Round Robin with CSC--no
    (plus I stitched and finished 2 pillows for gifts, started Bookshelf cross stitch and quilted a Christmas banner from a previous cross stitch project and framed a large cross stitch project)
  

Other: Eat healthy and lose some weight--Lost 15 pounds, was doing great until move
           Blog 3x per month minimum--not even close
           Memorize 24 verses--only 10
           Decrease paperwork saved in household by 50%--I don't know the percentage but I made great progress on this

So, here are my 2018 goals, many are similar:
Master 2018 list:
Books:  Read 100 books (including those used for school)
             Read books set in at least 40 distinct countries (have actually planned 30 countries already)
             Complete PopSugar Reading Challenge and Advanced Challenge (50 books)

Cross-Stitch/Quilting:  Complete stitching Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow
                                      Complete Neighbourhood Round Robin 2
                                      Complete Bride's Tree Ornament sets
                                      Complete Bookshelf cross stitch
                                      Start/Finish Autumn or Spring Garden
                                      Participate in Ornament Exchange
                                      Stitch Ornaments for each of the children
                                      Organise and participate in Round Robin with CSC or a stitching gathering
                                      Frame another project

Other: Eat healthy and lose some weight
           Post something on social media 4x per month minimum
           Memorize Job 26:5-14
           Decrease paperwork saved in household by 3 boxes in the attic

Personal goals regarding family have been written down and shared with family and will be reviewed at end of year with them.

In order to achieve these goals, here are my January plans:
1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Post on social media 5 times
3. Finish block 4 on Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow
4. Finish Romania block for Neighbourhood Round Robin
5. Scan Jewel's school workbooks (1/2 box in attic)
6. No chips for snacks--replace with carrot and cucumber sticks
7. Research volunteer opportunities through church or local outreach center

Outskirts

    Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways,
    and how small a whisper do we hear of him!
    But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

    Job 26:14

The pastor read these words two weeks ago.  He was encouraging us that the goodness we see of God is only the very edges of what God has in store.

And I agreed. There is so much more that God has in store than what our finite minds can understand.

But one word echoed in my head.

Outskirts....outskirts...outskirts....outskirts.

Yes, we are on the outskirts of his ways, of his power, of his goodness.
But we are also on the outskirts of his justice.
And if we are not reaching out to those on the outskirts of society, then how will that justice, that power look when it falls on us?

And, then, some of us feel like we are on the outskirts of the society that gave us birth because it has become....too....much.
And some of us feel like we are on the outskirts of the evangelical church because it has become...dogmatic, closed.
And some of us have come from situations that forced us to the outskirts of who was welcomed. Thus we are drawn to those who are also forced to the outskirts.

Yes, the word has bounced in and around my thoughts for a couple of weeks.  It speaks some of the feelings that have not found words.  It speaks the desires of my heart to be with those who feel marginalized. It reminds me that God is sovereign and that his justice and his power and his love will all come to fruition in his timing and that I should be in awe of that, and working for that, and watching for that. It makes me want to see more than the outskirts of his plan and simultaneously be grateful that I am but on the outskirts of his awesome justice. It moves me to action and drops me to my knees.  

It is a place of  community. It is a place of reflection. It is a place of conviction, and also a place of hope. It is the next step in my journey of less. It takes me to the outskirts of stuff that others may deem as necessary but I feel a need to leave. It causes me to want to identify with others who are finding 'more' in the 'less'. It draws me to groups of people who can encourage me and for whom, hopefully, I can be an encouragement. It is my word of reflection for 2018.

What will it look like at the end of 2018? I don't know.  It will start with memorizing the passage from Job 26. It will continue with looking for places to volunteer or come alongside others on the journey.  It will mean speaking out more and being silent less. I live in a community where there must be Dreamers, and I'd like to know them and understand more the ambiguity in which they find themselves. I live in a University town that must have international students. I'd like to hear their stories. What can I learn of their home countries, of their experiences, of their hopes and their dreams? This journey is about broadening my vision of who feels on the outskirts of society--whether they look like they live on the outskirts or not. This year will be about continuing to read on  difficult topics, and maybe finding a community with whom to discuss those things. It will be about listening to God's whispers and sharing that hope with others.

There may not be a single, tangible thing upon which I can reflect the last week of December 2018. But I know that there will be a change in me if I focus on the outskirts. So that is what I will do.

Reflecting on Less

Last January I wrote,

"... I read Falling Free by Shannan Martin about how they had left their life of abundance for a life that was based on much less but gave them so much more (my description here). I was challenged. I was awe-struck. And that little voice that was telling me that I did not care about 'more' got louder. It was not telling me to sell the house and move somewhere else. It was telling me that maybe I could find "more" in my life by dealing with a lot less.

Various things over the last two months have sung this song.  Reminders that stuff is not what makes anyone happy. Sermons reminding of caring for the least of these. A Bible study of Proverbs that warns about accepting wealth and status quo without balancing it with the wisdom of God. By the middle of November I knew what my word for 2017 was to be, and it was daunting. It was........LESS"

It was a daunting word, and I really did not know what would happen during the year.  But I knew that it was a journey I had to start. Some of the dreams I had materialised. Others did not. Major changes happened that highlighted even more my desire for less. I came away changed, but maybe not as materially changed as I had hoped. Internally I am more minimal, and that is determining decisions and actions. It is a slow journey, but one that I will continue for a long time. Some of my dreams were:

"Less accumulation of paper and materials that are not needed."  I did continue to digitilize a lot of paper and then get rid of it. I finished the early homeschool portfolios. I was not in a head space to deal with the last box of my mother's papers, so it still sits in my attic. My high school pictures are gone except for a few that were actually good or special.  We did move this year, and it was a huge move.  I moved less than it would have been two years before, but we still moved a lot of things that I have no reason to keep.  So this is an ongoing battle.
" Less time spent worrying what others think of the life I am called to live". I gave a lot less head space to worrying about this right up until we moved back to the US. So many people have questioned why we do things, or why I don't want to just do things the 'American way' that I've become paranoid and defensive.  I need to get back to trusting God with the life he called me to lead and ignore the pundits.
"Less time doing things that do not build me up." I have read hard things this year that have made me think and grow. I've not read popular books that would not be good for me. I've stopped watching 'must-see' tv that was not healthy for me. And I've stopped apologizing for that. I'm happy with how this goal has proceeded.
"Less voiced negativity and more thankfulness need to be in my daily conversations." In general, I do believe that some of the negativity has curbed. It has been a tough year.  There is much in the world to be negative about--and finding ways to express disagreement without it only being perceived as negativity is tough. This is especially true when many of those around me do not agree with the stance I feel called to take. I am extremely grateful for the things God has done in our lives this year, for the places he has offered us protection and even for the conviction and dismay that accompanies confrontation of long-held prejudices and traditions. But it has been tough. I've said LESS than I would have liked in order to not be negative, and I'm not sure that has been totally healthy. I'll still work on this goal.
"Less half-hearted rituals and more focus on what God is saying." I cannot give examples of this, but I know that this is pruning that God has definitely started and continues in my life.
"Less unhealthy things entering my life. Whether it is junk food or junk TV or toxic people, I want to be more diligent to let in healthy and exclude the unhealthy." I've cut out almost all TV (except DIY or science shows for noise, and even the DIY shows make me get frustrated about topics of gentrification and privilege so they may go) and I have not missed it at all. For most of the year, junk food was cut out---then a move happened. I will get back to this. Recognizing toxic people has happened, but I am not always very good at protecting myself from their influence.  More of this in 2018.
"Less holding on to people." Oh, this has been hard.  Moving from England after sixteen+ years has been heart-wrenching. I miss my old life, my old friends, my old routines.  But God has taught me immense trust in the last three months. I did not have any clue when I wrote this, how much this one would hurt.

My life in 2017 was filled with much MORE than I ever dreamed when I began a journey to LESS. I'm more content. I'm more self-aware and I'm more other-aware. It is a journey I'm not willing to end. It will continue to feed my focus for 2018. But, more on that later.

April Goal Post

In March I wrote:
1. Read 4 more books that are not school related, set in at least three countries not yet read this year, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge. (3 school-related books, 6 non-school books, 6 countries-UK, US, Nigeria, Bulgaria/Romania/Turkey/Greece, a Fantasy location and Ireland, 8 reading challenge prompts)
2. Blog 5 times--oops
3. Finish stitching the Australia block for Neighbourhood Round Robin and begin stitching the Romania block--yes
4. Start baby quilt when materials arrive--not yet (wrong material arrived, came whilst I was out of town)
5. Complete 1/3 of hand quilting on t-shirt quilt (will be at 2/3 complete)--I'm at 80%, desperate to just finish it
6. Organise bottom drawer of file cabinet, disposing of as much paper as possible (housing history, warranty and instruction books, etc)--didn't even touch it


For April
 1. Read 4 more books that are not school related, set in at least three countries not yet read this year, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Blog 5 times
3. Start baby quilt
4. Complete  t-shirt quilt 
5. Enjoy some down time with family for Easter break

March Goals

In February I wrote:

1. Read 4 more books that are not school related, set in at least three countries that are not England or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge. (Six books, 4 not school related, set in US, Ireland, South Korea, Scotland, Canada and Germany, meeting 5 prompts)
2. Blog 5 times (only 4 published, somehow forgot to publish one that is written and you will see soon)
3. Stitch the Australia block for Neighbourhood Round Robin (about 95%)
4. Plan baby quilt and gather materials (planned, waiting for materials; but whilst I wait I finished 1/3 of the handquilting on another quilt)
5. Finish scanning Jewel's school portfolios from Germany and scan Flower's as well (done)

Goals for March:

1. Read 4 more books that are not school related, set in at least three countries not yet read this year, and that meet at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Blog 5 times
3. Finish stitching the Australia block for Neighbourhood Round Robin and begin stitching the Romania block
4. Start baby quilt when materials arrive
5. Complete 1/3 of hand quilting on t-shirt quilt (will be at 2/3 complete)
6. Organise bottom drawer of file cabinet, disposing of as much paper as possible (housing history, warranty and instruction books, etc)

February goals

Okay, it is a third of the way through February and I'm already failing at goal review. *sigh*  Too bad living life gets in the way of writing things down!

In January my goals were:

1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.--read 7 books set in UK-England (3), US (3), Albania (1), and met 5 prompts on reading challenge
2. Blog 5 times--only 4 (I even forgot to post verse 2!)
3. Finish stitching A Mind Independent and Free--yes!
4. Plan out Australia block for Neighbourhood Round Robin and gather materials--yes!
5. Scan Jewel's school portfolios from Germany--about 2/3 complete--she had more than I knew, I thought it was 2 binders not 2 binders and 15 notebooks! There will be much LESS paper when we are finished recycling it all!

For February my goals are:

1. Read 4 more books that are not school related, set in at least three countries that are not England or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Blog 5 times
3. Stitch the Australia block for Neighbourhood Round Robin
4. Plan baby quilt and gather materials
5. Finish scanning Jewel's school portfolios from Germany and scan Flower's as well

January Goals

Last January I wrote,

"One thing I know about myself, if I really want to take a goal seriously, I need to write it down. And if I doubly want to take it seriously, I need to publish it. I like to reach goals. I like to mark things off my list. And it encourages me, rather than discourages me. So, I once again begin the year with a review of my master 2015 list and my January goals."

And the truth of that statement is immense.  I did not post goals (or anything) after March. And so when I went to do a goal review, I could not even find my master list for 2016.  It is here, but I don't know where.  I do know that I did not lose the weight I wanted to lose, or memorize all the verses I wanted to memorize, or blog nearly enough. I did finish two largish cross-stitch project, but not the largest two that have been going the longest. I read 100 books, but that was due to the accountability of keeping up with them online at Goodreads. So, clearly, posting goals helps keep me on task. To that end I am posting both my January goals and my master list for 2017 so that next year I have no excuse!

January:
1. Read 4 books that are not school related, set in at least one country that is not UK or US, and that meets at least 3 prompts on my reading challenge.
2. Blog 5 times
3. Finish stitching A Mind Independent and Free
4. Plan out Australia block for Neighbourhood Round Robin and gather materials
5. Scan Jewel's school portfolios from Germany

Master 2017 list:
Books:  Read 100 books (including those used for school)
             Read books set in at least 30 distinct countries
             Complete PopSugar Reading Challenge and Advanced Challenge (52 books)

Cross-Stitch/Quilting:  Complete stitching A Mind Independent and Free
                                      Complete Neighbourhood Round Robin 2
                                      Complete Bride's Tree Ornament sets
                                      Start/Finish Autumn and Spring Garden
                                      Participate in Ornament Exchange
                                      Stitch Ornaments for each of the children
                                      Make baby quilt for godson and his wife (June)
                                      Organise and participate in Round Robin with CSC

Other: Eat healthy and lose some weight
           Blog 3x per month minimum
           Memorize 24 verses
           Decrease paperwork saved in household by 50%

         

March Goal Post

Goal update time!

In February I wrote:

1. Finish the cottage on Winter Garden--I would have if I had not ran out of thread! Have about 100 stitches left
2. Get Mind Independent and Free to 30%--about 28%
3. Complete one Bride Tree ornament--only 1/2
4. Read 6 Books (3 non-school)--YES.  I read (non-school): Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lachs by Rebecca Skloot, Anne Frank Remembered by Mieps Gies, Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, The Invisible Man by HG Wells, H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald, The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown, The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant and Crossover by Kwame Alexander.  All the books this month were very good--and the reason I did so little stitching!  For school we read Daughter of the Mountain by Louise Rankin, Theresa of Calcutta by D. Jeanene Watson, William Carey by Janet and Geoff Benge, and Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman.
5. Blog 3 times (let's be realistic)--even that wasn't realistic!
6. Memorize 2 verses--yes
7. Maintain lower sugar intake in diet--yes

For March my goals are:

1. Finish the garden to the right of cottage on Winter Garden
2. Get Mind Independent and Free to 35%
3. Complete one Bride Tree ornament
4. Read 6 Books (3 non-school)
5. Blog 3 times (I'll try again)
6. Memorize 2 verses
7. Maintain lower sugar intake in diet

February Goal Post

Well, I did not get off to a storming start of posting on the blog in 2016.  I find myself staring at what I've written and thinking that it is not very original or even readable.  Maybe this month.  But in an effort to stay on track with goals, here they are:

In January I said:
1. Start Drawn Thread Winter Garden as my January start, and complete house on it--started and house is 25%
2. Mind Independent and Free to 30%--maybe 25%
3. Complete one Bride Tree ornament--no
4. Read 6 books (1 non-school)--Yes--7!  School related I read Dr. Jenner and the Speckled Monster, Mary Jones and Her Bible, The Sherwood Ring and A Heart Strangely Warmed to Jewel. I read The Land I Left Behind to Flower. Just for me I read Nightingale and The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde.  Jewel proclaims that the Sherwood Ring is one of her all-time favourites, so that is a success.  I really enjoyed Nightingale as well.
5. Blog 8 times--LOL!
6. Memorize 2 verses--memorized one, meditated on a 2nd but would not claim it is memorized
7. Cut sugar intake by 75%--yes

My February Goals are:
1. Finish the cottage on Winter Garden
2. Get Mind Independent and Free to 30%
3. Complete one Bride Tree ornament
4. Read 6 Books (3 non-school)
5. Blog 3 times (let's be realistic)
6. Memorize 2 verses
7. Maintain lower sugar intake in diet

My first 2016 Goal Post

One thing I know about myself, if I really want to take a goal seriously, I need to write it down. And if I doubly want to take it seriously, I need to publish it. I like to reach goals. I like to mark things off my list. And it encourages me, rather than discourages me. So, I once again begin the year with a review of my master 2015 list and my January goals.
2015 Goals:


Cross Stitch:
   Complete--Drawn Thread Summer Garden--yes 15 Mar 2015
   Complete Mirabilia Fairy Moon--yes 20 May 2015
   Complete the 2015 RR (including the quilting)--yes



  Complete Bride's Tree Ornaments--only completed 2 more, so have 10 to do this year
  Complete Christmas Ornaments for the kids, plus exchange--Yes, I even did one for me




  Complete the Seasons RR--not a stitch
  Get NRR2 to 50%--no
  Finish 1 UFO--no
  Start and get to 50% International Hearts--actually completed July 2015
  Start Mind Independent and Free--started 11 June 2015, at 25%
  Start another Drawn Thread garden--delayed for my January 1 start of 2016

Other:
  Read 50 books including school-related--actually read 79 (I upped this goal in September to 75 when it was obvious I would meet it)
  Post 100 times on blog--only 29
  Memorize 24 verses--24 verses reflected upon, about 12 truly committed to memory
  Lose 24 pounds--no

Overall, I am very happy with my 2015 progress on goals. Looking forward to 2016. As always, I have a master list, but will only post monthly goals.

January 2016 goals:
1. Start Drawn Thread Winter Garden as my January start, and complete house on it
2. Mind Independent and Free to 30%
3. Complete one Bride Tree ornament
4. Read 6 books (1 non-school)
5. Blog 8 times
6. Memorize 2 verses
7. Cut sugar intake by 75%

November Goal Post

In October I set the following goals:
1. Finish piecing a quilt top for anniversary/Christmas present and sandwich for quilting--yes, and 1/2 the quilting is complete
2. Cross stitch an ornament for an exchange--almost finished
3. Choose patterns for kids Christmas ornaments--ideas but no patterns
4. Blog at least once a week, preferably twice--about 75% met
5. Memorize two more verses--only 1
6. Read 4 school books and 2 books just for me--4 school books  and 1 for me book
7. Finish shredding last 4 files of the boxes reviewed--yes


For November I want to:
1. Finish quilting the Chrismas present
2. Finish exchange ornament
3. Stitch ornaments for the kids
4. Christmas shopping
5. Christmas cards ready to mail by 27 November
6. Meet with a new friend weekly for encouragement and playdates
7. Read 4 school books and 1 book just for me

The October Goal Post

No reason to review my last goals...they were set in April...and if I didn't enjoy my holiday then it is too late to do anything about it! So moving right along, October goals:

1. Finish piecing a quilt top for anniversary/Christmas present and sandwich for quilting
2. Cross stitch an ornament for an exchange
3. Choose patterns for kids Christmas ornaments
4. Blog at least once a week, preferably twice
5. Memorize two more verses
6. Read 4 school books and 2 books just for me
7. Finish shredding last 4 files of the boxes reviewed

April Goal Post

March got rather muddled, so not as many posts.  April is quite busy, but I will be back.  Here is my goal report.

In March my goals were:

1. Complete the 2015 RR I received today--yes
2.  Finish Fairy Moon--hardly touched it
3.  Blog 4 times--only 2 times
4. Write 2 letters--no
5. Lose 2 pounds--lost, gained, relost
6. Memorize 2 verses with the Siestas at Living Proof--yes
7.  Finish stitching Summer Garden by Drawn Thread--yes, pics soon
8.  Finish two books for fun and 4 school-related books--5 school related (Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry is an amazing book set in 1930s Mississippi, a hard read but worth it. A Letter to Mrs Roosevelt was a sweet story based on a true events.  The Second Mrs Gioconda was a really fun book about Leonardo da Vinci and why he might have painted the Mona Lisa. The Great and Terrible Quest is set in medieval England.  Was a decent story but rather predictable.  The Kitchen Madonna was a sweet quick book of how two children are trying to make their Ukrainian maid feel at home.  Worth an afternoon's read.  I only read one book for fun, and it was one Jewel read for school last year and said I should read.  It was When My Name was Keoko set in Japanese occupied Korea.  It gave good perspective on that time period.)
9.  Plan a holiday home!--YES!

My April Goals are:
1. Have fun on my holiday to the States
2.  Stitch, read or accomplish anything else as gravy whilst enjoying my holiday.
3.  Not gain any of those lost pounds.

March Goal Post

Time for a goal review.  February, for a short month, was extremely productive.


My FEBRUARY goals were:
1. Complete the 2015 RR I will receive mid-month (and the first one if it ever arrives)--have only received the first one today so this wasn't possible
2.  Finish stitching on Fairy Moon and start beading--yes and 50% of beading complete
3.  Blog 4 times--five:-)
4. Write 2 letters--only 1
5. Lose 2 pounds--lost 3!  Slow and steady!
6. Memorize 2 verses with the Siestas at Living Proof--yes
7.  Stitch 1 1/2 Bride's Tree ornaments--no
8.  Finish two books for fun and 4 school-related books --I read Rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch for fun.  It made me laugh and made me cry and made me think.  Really worth the read!  I also read The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriquez for fun.  I enjoyed it, and it was fun to read from an ex-pat point-of-view, but is not a book that will stay with me for long.  For school we read Little Britches by Ralph Moody, The Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Eleanore Jewett and The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G. Birney.  Although we enjoyed all of these, Sassafras Springs was by far our favourite!  I also read (actually listened to on tape) another 300 pages of that 1000 page tome on American History.


My MARCH goals are:
1. Complete the 2015 RR I received today
2.  Finish Fairy Moon
3.  Blog 4 times
4. Write 2 letters
5. Lose 2 pounds
6. Memorize 2 verses with the Siestas at Living Proof
7.  Finish stitching Summer Garden by Drawn Thread
8.  Finish two books for fun and 4 school-related books
9.  Plan a holiday home!

February Goal Post

Time for a goal review!  January was a pretty good month, goal-wise.


My JANUARY goals were:
1. Complete the 2015 RR I will receive mid-month--unfortunately I never received this, so hoping it arrives soon
2.  Finish stitching on Fairy Moon and possibly start beading--75% of stitching complete, no beading
3.  Blog 4 times--5, plus several drafts in progress :)
4. Write 2 letters--yes
5. Lose 2 pounds--lost SIX!
6. Memorize 2 verses with the Siestas at Living Proof--yes
7.  Stitch 2 Bride's Tree ornaments--only 1/2 complete, but discovered I have 3 fewer to do than I thought so still on target for the year ;)
8.  Finish one book for fun and 4 school-related books--read Surprised by Motherhood by Lisa-Jo Baker, A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor, and The Pastor's Kid by Barnabas Piper for fun/me.  All were very good.  Read Beyond the Desert Gate by Mary Ray and Olivia E. Coolidge's retelling of the Trojan War for school with Jewel.  Both were okay.  Also re-read The Great Wheel by Robert Lawson and The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr for school with Flower.  These are two of my favourite Sonlight titles ever! Plus I read 200 pages of the enormous 1100 page book that has been on my to-read list for a long time!


My FEBRUARY goals are:
1. Complete the 2015 RR I will receive mid-month (and the first one if it ever arrives)
2.  Finish stitching on Fairy Moon and start beading
3.  Blog 4 times
4. Write 2 letters
5. Lose 2 pounds
6. Memorize 2 verses with the Siestas at Living Proof
7.  Stitch 1 1/2 Bride's Tree ornaments
8.  Finish two books for fun and 4 school-related books

First 2015 Goal Post

 

I know I haven't posted one of these since October, so this seems a little ambitious.  But I know that I am much more apt to meet goals if I actually put them somewhere that is seen than hold onto them in my head.  So my one true resolution this year is to post goals for each month and track progress.  I do have a master list for the year, but I will keep it flexible based on month-to-month responsibilities.

But, first, to review.  My 2014 master list:
  Cross-stitch:  Finish Autumn at Hawk Run--YES
                        Start and finish Fairy Moon--40% complete
                        Start and Finish Solitude--no
                        Finish old Teacup Round Robin--Yes, including framed
                        Finish old Fish Bowl Round Robin--Yes
                        Xmas ornaments for the kids--Yes
                        Finish one set Bride's Tree Ornaments--Yes & presented as gift
                        Progress NRR to 50%--about 30%
                        Start stockings for kids--No

  Other:            Read 25 books (non-school related)--6 read
                        Post 100 time on blog--24 posts
                        Write 24 real letters--4 letters

In general, I'm okay with this.  Life happened.  A move happened.  School reading took more time than I planned.  I finished 2 UFO stitching projects and started a new project not planned for at beginning of year.  So, not a bad year.

My JANUARY goals are:
1. Complete the 2015 RR I will receive mid-month
2.  Finish stitching on Fairy Moon and possibly start beading
3.  Blog 4 times
4. Write 2 letters
5. Lose 2 pounds
6. Memorize 2 verses with the Siestas at Living Proof
7.  Stitch 2 Bride's Tree ornaments
8.  Finish one book for fun and 4 school-related books
        

October Goal Post

In September my goals were:

1. Complete AAHRH--YES
2. Complete Bride's Tree set--YES
3. Blog at least 4 times--finish Parts 4 of "How to Lose Your Voice"--nope
4. Start DT Summer Garden--Yes
5. 100 stitches in Fairy Moon --closer to 300

OCTOBER GOALS:
1. Move and unpack
2. Finish 25% of DT Summer Garden
3. Another 100 stitches in Fairy Moon
4. Blog something ;-)