19 for 2019 Update: March

2. Go to Archery Monthly
I went to archery, but since the facility moved, I asked Chris to build me a backing so I can shoot in the back yard.

3. Facts of Life Binder
I have not made any progress on this since February.

4. Crochet a Blanket
I crocheted a bit, but need to make it a nightly practice.

9. Read 65 books.
I am up to 7 books read...I should finish an 8th by the end of the month.

10. Continue Mental 20
I'm back on track with this one.

11. Adopt
I'm working on our profile and have 2 weeks to get it finished before we start working on our home study!

12. Keep Training Ellie
We are working on Quiet and Roll Over. Neither are 100%, but I think that is a stubborn issue and not a understanding issue. When we are at the park, I am also working on sit and come when she is excited.

13. Bake 2 items a month.
I did not bake, but giving up sugar made it difficult to bake this month.

15. $250,000 in Travel Agency Sales
I have run 2 ad and done 2 quotes. So things are moving!

17. Go 90% Gluten/Dairy/Sugar Free
I have accomplished 90% Sugar Free. Dairy is up next.

18. Get pearl earring fixed.
Accomplished January 22

19. Catch up on photo books
4 down!

I have a feeling April is going to be Adoption heavy and I plan to continue the course on the things I already have in progress.

This last week, I started a deep spring cleaning of the house. So far, I have completed our master suite and the laundry room. Next week, I am going to take on the guest suite and kitchen while focusing my attention on our adoption profile.

How did your March go? What is your focus for April?

19 for 2019: February Update

February started slow for me, but I got moving toward the end of the month.

2. Go to Archery Monthly
I made an appointment, but moved it to the first week of March because I was too overwhelmed...more on that later.

3. Facts of Life Binder
I got started on the binder! I have a lot of work left to do, but I got a good chunk of it done.

4. Crochet a Blanket
I started crocheting this month. I have four rows done...about 300 to go ;)

9. Read 65 books.
I have read 2...

10. Continue Mental 20
I've been having trouble with this, but I have started getting back in the practice.

11. Adopt
This was the surprise, but we started the process in the last few days of the month!!!!

13. Bake 2 items a month.
I baked funfetti chocolate chip cookie dough oreo cupcakes! I need to work on getting 2 items in every month.

18. Get pearl earring fixed.
Accomplished January 22

19. Catch up on photo books
2 down!

March looks like it will be a good month! My plan is to do 2 archery sessions, make 2 photo books, bake 2 items, continue crocheting, work on my Facts of Life binder, go sugar free, get a quote for the bathroom, teach Ellie 2 tricks and set an appointment with our adoption consultant.

Preparing our adoption profile and getting ready for the home study will be all-encompassing, but I think working on the items I have planned will be very relaxing.

I am also getting my regular colonoscopy this month! Woooooo!

How are your yearly goals going?

Motivational Monday: Chin Up

"Chin Up Princess, or the Crown Slips." - Anonymous

We are well into January now and real life is going to (or already has) set in. One of the things about real life is that it has a way of knocking you down a bit. Setbacks happen. As the year rolls along, it gets harder to keep your motivation high.

You know what...that is ok. Your crown (follow me...crown=motivation) is going to slip. Things are going to get hard. So take a day or two (or three if necessary) to reset yourself and then chin up...

Remember that straightening your crown is way easier than bending down to pick it up and put it back on.

So keep your chin up, don't drop the crown. 

2019 Word of the Year: FEARLESS

One of the things that holds me back is Fear.

Fear of failure. Fear of being judged. Fear of being seen as less than. Fear of being overwhelmed.

And after a year of working on making myself happier and more confident, I realized that even though I love my life, the extraordinary things I want to see and do are not going to just happen. I have to put myself out there, step out of my comfort zone and try things I never thought I would try.

And to do those things, I need to conquer the fears I have in my heart.

One of my favorite shows, Gilmore Girls, has an episode in season 2 where Lorelai almost lets her fear of failure derail her. She and her best friend Sookie are starting to get serious about their dream of opening an inn and Lorelai's confidence stumbles.

When Lorelai is apologizing to Sookie for some unkind things she head, they have an exchange that I need to remember...

"LORELAI: We're gonna give it our best shot.

SOOKIE: And if we go down after two years…

LORELAI: Oh, it'll be the most exciting two years of our lives!"

So, its time to face my fears and "give it my best shot". And if I fail, at least it will be an exciting year!

Cheers to 2019!!!

What is your word of the year???