Still on Track

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

At the beginning of the year our Pastor told us we should slow down and learn to just say "No!". In December he had cellulitis in his leg - spent 4 days in the hospital - and was off most of the month. So he learned how important it is to just rest at times.

However, it seems like my life has gotten busier. Well, actually the things I am doing are adding so much to my life!! Monday evenings I am working on #3 of my goals for the year. (Restoring lost relationships). Am meeting my oldest son who had withdrawn from the family - again. This week we met with his Dad to celebrate my son's 49th birthday. (And I thought I was only 49!!) Oh, well. We had such a good time - just reminiscing and sharing stories.

Am walking a little more - slowly adding steps so my weekly average is going up. And, have lost another pound - even tho I have not been tracking my food intake. Actually, just do not have much of an appetite - except when I have gone out for dinner.

Have been spending more time with Jill, my 10 year old granddaughter. Will soon start our Bible study.

Have finished knitting a scarf for my Pastor's wife and have started another for me. Also, am hand-piecing a quilt for my oldest granddaughter who is getting married in March. The quilt however will not be finished before at least Christmas. (They had originally planned to get married in Sept.)

Am still sorting and tossing in my bedroom. Have discarded some books and taken a couple of boxes to the Salvation Army. Feels so good to have my closet cleaned out.

So, I feel like I am right on track. Just want to focus now on losing a couple more pounds this month. Better get with it!!!

  

Number Four Goal

Saturday, January 29, 2011

My #4 goal for this year is to study the life of Jesus with my 10 year old granddaughter, Jill. She is such a precious little girl, but she has some emotional issues. She can become extremely vicious with her mother and sisters when she gets upset. She is getting some counseling, but is not making much progress.

For Christmas, I bought her Sheri Rose Shepherd's book "His Little Princess: Treasured Letters from Your King (His Princess). Yesterday she was with me for a while and she said she is waiting to read it so we can read it together. I am hoping that we can together talk about some of the issues she has and find ways she can better relate to her family.

I had her yesterday from about 3:30. We picked up dinner and then came to my apartment. We watched a movie while we ate and then we played dominoes until her Father picked her up about 8 (her Mother was working) and she totally "skunked" me. Now will check with my daughter and find out what day would be best for me to have Jill - am thinking Tues. since that is one of the days Kathi will be working.

I have not listed exercise as one of my goals. This past week I started the 28-day Bootcamp - again. I am just doing what I can each day in the exercises she does - my goal is to just show up and do what I can. If I can do this EVERY DAY - I feel that will be a good start. My problem is that I don't always complete so I just quit!! NOT GOOD!! So, my plan is to at least check in EVERY DAY!! One week so far - and continuing.

Have a busy weekend ahead. Bake cookies for my Sunday School class - prepare to teach the little ones during their Children's Church ( I fill in occasionally) and our women's Circle of Sisters Sunday evening. For today, am doing some housecleaning and then a couple of errands. This afternoon I plan to put in a movie and do some sewing on the quilt I have started for Jonathan and Sami.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MARTHA-ANN 1/30/2011 3:43AM

Sounds like a busy time for you Barb...you know you love it!! Great you can spend time with your grand daughter, hope she learns some life lessons from her gran Report Inappropriate Comment

My Seven for 2011!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Gotta get #7 added. Am actually working on each goal. I have a 3x5 card with them listed that I carry with me as a reminder - and try to work a little on each one every day. So far, at least I am looking at the list each day!! My granddaughter, Jill, has some issues with self-discipline at home and perhaps, if I take her for some just Grandma-Granddaughter time each week, we might be able to work on that for her. She is getting some counseling but I do not see any positive results.

But, back to #7. I do not drink enough water and do not take my calcium and vitamins regularly. So that will be #7. Up to 8 glasses of water a day and my "pills" regularly. Fruit and veggies each day is easy for me - I love salad and my favorite fruit is tangerines.

#1. Lose 25 pounds.
#2. Plan weekly menus and keep diet within recommended guidelines.
#3. Reestablish lost relationships.
#4. Study the life of Jesus with Jill, my 10 year old granddaughter.
#5. Plan knitting and quilting projects for 2011.
#6. Downsize my "stuff" to about half - again!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MARTHA-ANN 1/28/2011 4:52AM

That's some list Barb, take things slowly and you'll manage it Report Inappropriate Comment

Working on my Seven for 2011!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Here are 6 of my 7 goals for this year - still do not have the 7th one, but am thinking about it.

#1. Lose 25 pounds.
#2. Plan weekly menus and keep diet within recommended guidelines.
#3. Reestablish lost relationships.
#4. Study the life of Jesus with Jill, my 10 year old granddaughter.
#5. Plan knitting and quilting projects for 2011.
#6. Downsize my "stuff" to about half - again!!

#1. Have not lost any more - but also, have not gained any. So is time to lose a couple more pounds.

#2. Have not actually planned any weekly menus, but have been deciding each day what will be for dinner. And, have been writing down the menu for that day.

#3. Have contacted my son here in Pendleton that I have not seen for about 6 months and we are meeting for dinner next Monday evening. He was more receptive than I had expected. So, am excited to see him.

#4. Have not started a study with Jill. Am having a difficult time deciding when in the week would be the best time for us. I work and she is in school so Sat. would be the best day, but that is my free day and I just do not want to give it up. I know, that is really selfish of me - gotta think about this one some more.

#5. Have started piecing a small double wedding ring quilt for my oldest granddaughter who will be getting married March 19th. When I started it, they had set the date for Sept. 1 and I thought I could probably finish it by then. But, now may just be a Christmas present.

#6. Cleaned out some of the bookshelves in my bedroom. Took some to the used bookstore and tossed some. Also tossed a stack of magazines in the hall closet and am now going thru my cookbooks. I do not cook!! Don't know why I have so many cookbooks and do not use them.

So, am on my way!
I was feeling like I have not done much so far. But when I look at each goal on my list, I realize that I have gotten off to a pretty good start!! And, blogging about it helps keep my focus!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MARTHA-ANN 1/23/2011 4:28AM

Sounds like a great list and a great spring clean Barb Report Inappropriate Comment

Much Better Today!!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Was feeling a little down yesterday - have been for a few days. Then yesterday at work my Pastor/Boss sent me out for a while - for a break. He suggested Hamleys for coffee and a time of "R&R". But, I ended up at the Library - picked out a book and found a quiet table back in the corner. Read for a while - then headed back to the church - on the way i stopped at Taco Bell and picked up a couple of tacos for lunch.

Yesterday evening I just watched some more "Eureka" and did some knitting and some hand sewing. Then this morning I emailed a son I have not seen for a few months. When he can't handle a situation, he just leaves. Then it is hard to reestablish our relationship - he wants to rehash everything that happened and everything that was said. This last time it was between him and the son that lives with me. So, I really do not know what happened - don't want to know. I just want to see Greg!! I hope he will respond to my email.

One of my goals for this year is to reestablish broken relationships and this is one of them. The other one is with a daughter who lives in Salem. Honestly, I do not remember the last time I saw her - at least 6 years ago. She is a very private person - I do understand because of all the family dynamics - but I guess I just feel that she needs to get past all that. Not sure at this time how to approach this relationship. Will need to pray and think about it some more.

So, right now am looking out at a dark sky - I told my son that I beat God up again this morning. Am just waiting for Him to light up the sky. He certainly has warmed things up here. We were in the 20s for a number of days and had lots of snow. Then He just blew in some warm air and the snow is gone - in just a day!! And this morning the temp is 49!! YES!! And, there is just rain in the forecast. My pastor loves the snow and I love the rain! I think i live in the wrong part of the state - The Eugene area gets the most rain.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MARTHA-ANN 1/15/2011 9:26AM

So glad you're feeling better Barb, these winter days don't help any! Your Pastor sounds a very tuned in man, he seems to be able to pick up how everyone's feeling and help them out...a gift certainly! I hope you can resolve things with your son & daughter, they both need their mam. You want rain...lol...you can have ours! It's been non-stop for almost three days and the garden is waterlogged! Today it's coupled with a very strong, cold north wind...not nice! I've been to the library and can't wait to snuggle down with my book. My leg is less painful and it's easier to breathe so I hope to be soon back to my walking. Have a great week-end Report Inappropriate Comment

SWISHSTARNAN 1/14/2011 10:34AM

Report Inappropriate Comment