2010 Day 1 Challenge

Friday, January 01, 2010

We will be traveling all day and eating on the road in order to visit our son in law. I am trying to figure how how to meet my goals today and tomorrow. I have a few ideas such as jogging during bathroom/gas breaks, meditating in the car, doing my daily devotional in the car, etc. If I can get through these first few days it will be a great start.

Today I am grateful for my life, for my family, and for the beauty of nature God has created that I will be viewing.

Todays affirmation: The Lord guides my every decision.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JULSMUM 1/1/2010 6:40PM

You had a great goal for the day! How did it work out for you? Were you able to do what you wanted to do? I sure do hope so, and I also send blessings to you and your family. May you travel with the Lord at your side, guarding you and keeping you safe. May the time with your family be one of joy and filled with blessings. Take care, C. Report Inappropriate Comment

STAMPINGADDICT 1/1/2010 12:19PM

Happy New Year!. I hope that your plans work. Traveling is hard at the best of times, but when trying to follow a "lifestyle change" (as my kids call it) can be trying. Report Inappropriate Comment

BIGDAD1211 1/1/2010 10:18AM

Happy New Year! Praying for you and yours to have a safe trip. Sounds like you have a good plan to keep you on your goals. Good lock! In Jesus Name Greg Report Inappropriate Comment

RITAROSE 1/1/2010 8:56AM

Happy New Year! I hope your plan works! Traveling is tough, but with some planning it can be healthy. You go girl! Safe travels! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOVEMYFAMILY1 1/1/2010 8:40AM

I usually wait until Jan 2nd to get back on track. so i can get in some extra goodies from the Holidays. But I am also getting back on track today. Thank you Jesus. Report Inappropriate Comment

BIKERDIANE 1/1/2010 6:49AM

Hope you have a great day! Report Inappropriate Comment

VENISEW1 1/1/2010 6:44AM

It's tough staying on track while you're traveiling. I completely agree. Sounds like you have a great plan. Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

Happiness is not easy

Thursday, December 31, 2009

To be cheerful and spry,
you have me confused with St. Nick.
Instead I go awry
and my anger flares too quick.

I made a committment
to choose happiness every day,
but my mind gets bent
because life gets in the way.

It must be awesome from birth
to keep a smile on our faces.
I don't think it happens on earth,
just in heaven and other far away places.

Still, the committment I made
to choose happiness and joy.
I must view each and every minute
as a brand new toy.

Happy New Year to All!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IKNOW_ICAN2 1/2/2010 7:58PM

I like your writing and I don't like it...because it's me! LOL No, you did a great blog. Take care and smile...you made me smile. Thank you- Sarah Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZANNE0606 12/31/2009 7:20PM

Very nicely written. Jesus is the source of joy. May you have a joyful and healthy 2010! Be blessed, Suzanne Report Inappropriate Comment

2010: A New Me

Thursday, December 31, 2009

How do you change? Is struggle, pain and suffering necessary?
Change is a decision. And that choice must be made in the moment.

Staying awake if often the problem - remember to focus your
attention on what you wish to change. In the morning when you arise
take a few moments and remind yourself.

Today I will remember to focus on _______________.

Remember to focus on what you do want to create and then as you go
about your day notice how your old ways seduce you and then choose
again. Change is simply a matter of creating a new habit.
Repetition is the key.

Practice the new way of being until it becomes second nature. Be
playful, allow yourself to enjoy practicing. Each moment, each
thought, each action is an invitation to reinforce either the old
or the new.

The choice is yours. The choice is mine! Choose the new and change you will.

I choose to live each day with conscious intention. I welcome change with a willing heart. Believing in my own talents and gifts, I will use them to the fullest extent. Now, down to specifics:

1. I will spend more time with my husband, Gary, and show how much I appreciate both him and what he does to support us.
2. I will do a daily devotional
a. I will read the Bible
b. I will read additional devotional material
c. I will meditate
d. I will pray
3. I will adhere to my budget without borrowing from family or debt accumulation.
a. I will pay my credit card off to zero balance each month
b. I will contribute $350 to the household
c. Starting 3/1, I will save $200/mo towards my dream kitchen
d. Starting 3/1, I will save $75/mo to visit my mother
e. Starting 3/1, I will save $75 to buy an airbrush and take classes
4. I will get healthy and fit
a. I will strive for 10,000 steps every day. I will allow myself time to hit this mark consistently.
b. I will eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies each day
c. I will add more whole grains to my diet
d. I will continue with physical therapy to overcome my shoulder/neck injuries
e. I will get a Pilates machine by 8/31/10
f. I will lose 10 pounds by 2/14/10
g. I will lose 20 pounds by 4/30/10
h. I will lose 30 pounds and reach my target weight by 6/30/10.
i. I will read “The Spark” and use SparkPeople.com resources consistently
j. Through PT and Pilates I will resume the sport of archery
k. Meals will be planned, small, and frequent and I will keep a food journal.
5. I will prepare delicious and nutritious weekday lunches for Gary
a. I will incorporate new recipes into the repertoire
b. I will keep Gary’s taste/digestive issues/satisfaction in mind
c. The weekday meals will be quick and inexpensive to stay in budget
6. I will clean and organize the house a minimum of 20 minutes per day
7. I will meditate each afternoon or evening.
8. I will take more baths in order to relax and sleep better.
9. I will keep learning
a. photography class
b. airbrush class
c. therapy/self-help
d. batik
10. I will keep a daily gratitude journal
11. I will keep a daily affirmation journal (granted it could be the same one repeated over and over and over again)
12. I will convince Gary to visit someplace new on vacation
13. I will stay creative
a. Keep painting
b. Make angel boxes
c. Batik angels and kitties?
d. Photography
e. Lady Jade Bath Salts
f. Caterdash website revived?
14. Read a book a month for pleasure…join a book club?
15. Volunteer at least once a year
16. Try making a daily schedule and see if it works well
17. Stay in touch with friends and family daily
18. Pamper myself once a moth such as with a spa visit
19. Perform random acts of kindness
20. Be less anal retentive (yeah, right)
21. Happiness is a choice. Choose happiness ever single day.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BIGDAD1211 12/31/2009 6:03PM

Good luck and have a Blessed and Happy New Year! God Bless Greg Report Inappropriate Comment

STORMTMB 12/31/2009 1:52AM

Good luck with your goals and be sure to remember all of your blessings. Report Inappropriate Comment

DWROBERGE 12/31/2009 1:00AM

The beauty of a new year brings us the infinite number of possibilities available to us all. Report Inappropriate Comment

Excerpt from poetry writings

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Gone, subdued,

is my free-flying spirit.

A husband controls me;

his anger, I fear it.

It's not that I will

get beat in the head

or banged up or shot up

or left for dead.

But finances keep

getting in the way.

Will it ruin my life,

or just another day?

Something's going on

that runs so deep.

It burns him inside;

it troubles his sleep.

I want to be good counsel,

but his troubles he will keep.

I want to understand his problems.

God knows I have tried.

But how much should I keep giving?

How much should I be denied?

Am I just a spoiled brat,

only child, doting Mom?

Can I not survive a simple spat

because I feel he's droped a bomb?

I want to be the good wife,

I want to make a good home.

I want to be honest,

but I so fear the unknown.

There's something inside me

that tells me that life

should be more concerned

than with just financial strife.

The rules seem to keep changing;

I feel I'm on shaky ground.

But what would I do

without him around?

I am pouring my heart out,

but in the wrong venue.

I am ordering French

from a Chinese menu.

Pieces are missing,

among them is joy,

the kind that is shared

between girl and boy.

No, not girl and boy.

but man and wife.

And this wife feels

she's trying to make a good life

for the husband that loves her

but does not understand

the joy I should feel instead of strife.

Part of that joy

is romance and sex.

How long I should be denied

is a question of vex.

Diamond bracelets are nice,

what he provides materially

is sweet as sugar and spice.

A nice house, a nice yard;

it's all picture pretty.

I think I have married

the best man in the city.

Despite all our troubles,

despite all our strife,

This is the man I have chosen

to be with for life.

But when the night falls

and I want to be held,

instead liquor calls

and we never meld.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BIGDAD1211 12/27/2009 2:24PM

I cannot even find the words my friend. I have tears in my eyes after reading your poem. I feel this close to my heart because I was this husband. I was in the same place as your husband and I did not allow anyone to help me nor dd I share my feeling with my wife. I will say to keep praying for your husband and God will work in him the way he worked in me. And I will be praying for you both. In Jesus Name Greg Report Inappropriate Comment

The good, the bad, and the ugly

Saturday, December 26, 2009

The good: Christmas is the time of year I usually take the time to connect with my friends. This year was especially fruitfull in that arena. We had a lovely family dinner with my in-laws, who treat me like gold. My mom got me presents that touched my heart so much it made me cry.

The bad: My husband and I have differing and conflicting views about celebrating Christmas. Although he believes in the birth of Jesus and spending time with friends and family, he TOTALLY REBELS against the commercialism to thr point he says he does not celebrate Christmas. I am not allowed a tree or a wreath and it infuriates him to receive gifts and for me to give any. It seemed particularly bad this year and we bickered a lot. The stress just triggered emotional eating of stuff that shouldn't even be in the house.

The ugly: I really lost it with my Scroogish husband several times and resorted to name calling and temper tantrums. Definitely ugly. Especially when I have been working very hard to accept the things in life I can not change. My husband also smoked a cigarettte to which I took so much offense to I almost let it ruin everything yesterday. I know it is up to me how to respond to situations that I don't like, and I just lost it.

I think next year I'll just go visit my mom in Florida for Christmas...without the husband. Perhaps I can save myself some ugly.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BIGDAD1211 12/26/2009 3:06PM

Florida sounds like the plan for next year! Sorry your day was so ugly. Well you made my day with your beautiful card! Thank you so much! Enjoy the day after Christmas! Greg Report Inappropriate Comment

ROCKYCPA 12/26/2009 10:20AM

Boy, sounds like your holiday was no fun. A trip to Florida might be the ticket next year. If your husband does not celebrate, he probably won't object to you going to visit your mother. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season. Does he celebrate or party for New Year's? Report Inappropriate Comment

BIKERDIANE 12/26/2009 4:53AM

HUSBANDS!! Can't live with them, can't live without them!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MUSHCAT 12/26/2009 4:16AM

My husband has biblical reasons for not allowing a tree or wreath. I hate when people pick and choose the parts of the bible they are going to follow according to their own interpretation. Gee, funny that premarital sex was alright... Comment edited on: 12/26/2009 12:33:20 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

MUSHCAT 12/26/2009 3:58AM

In my husband's defense: the rest of the year he is kind, generous, always thinking of me above him, putting my wants and desires first. So, I shouldn't wine over something that is actually trivial but I blow out of proportion because I don't get to have Christmas "my way." He's a big sweetie that I love very much. Report Inappropriate Comment

TENACIOUSTRISH 12/26/2009 3:46AM

How is the husband the rest of the year? Hope its not ugly either..Trip to Florida just might be the ticket! Report Inappropriate Comment