August 2015 Goals

It’s August and you sure can tell by the sweat perspiring from every individual in Texas.  We actually slid by with a milder summer, but we’re back into 100+ degrees here!  July was a pretty great month.  I made it a goal to take it easy (well, easier than I usually do) and focus on 3 things for the month.  They were:

1. SLEEP – get 8 hours.
2. RUN 2-3 miles at the gym
3. Budget better – My goal is to stick to our intended budget as close as possible.  Yes, even as “budget minded” as we are, we still struggle with a budget (well, I say “we” but I mostly mean “me”).
And my to-do list consisted of this (I crossed off what I accomplished)…

1. Declutter and organize master room  More like “cleaned it well”
2. Schedule a dentist appointment. 
3. Paint underneath kitchen sink.    
4. Get glasses.  I really need to pick out a pair and fill my prescription.
5. Fix mine and Ryan’s phones. 
6. Back up computer and run antivirus software.
7. Buy car seats for the boys.
8. Test drive cars and hopefully CHOOSE a car!
9. Clean vacuum cleaner – this is a beating!
10. Clean grout in kitchen and baseboards around house – another beating!

As far as goals went, I’d say I did pretty well.  I definitely got more nights of the proper amount of sleep (7-8 hours) and what a difference it makes.  I started running in the mornings since that is the only time to run outside without dying, and I’ve realized sleep is even more important in order to complete that run.  Speaking of running, that was another goal of mine.  A friend and I decided to run a half marathon in a few months (we actually are running a 10K instead, but more on that later).  So my goal of running 2-3 miles at the gym just transferred to outdoors.  Training for a race on a treadmill just doesn’t do the same thing.  I’m up to 3 miles, but have to walk some of it.  And lastly, I made a goal to budget better.  I don’t even know where to begin with this one.  Our budget was thrown all over the place this month due to getting a car and Ryan having some medical visits, so it was very unplanned, but luckily all still covered (thank you savings account and Samaritan Ministries). 

I’m feeling ambitious again to tackle a ton of goals, but this month is starting off with an unplanned halt.  Ryan is having surgery tomorrow on his foot (prayers are always welcome).  He has an extra bone in his foot (apparently only 5% of people have this), and it has been causing him so much pain he hasn’t been able to run for months (his officiating job requires running so getting this fixed quickly and recovering is really important).  He’s in good hands with the doctor he chose and of course, God is always in control.  We pray it goes smoothly and he recovers to continue reffing basketball this season (just a few months away). 

A lot of this first part of the month will be taking care of him (he’ll be in a cast) and the boys of course.  He starts back to school in a couple of weeks which means a more routine schedule for the boys and I as well. 

My goals this month include…

1. RUNNING – Last month, I decided to run a race.  My friend and I are planning to run a 10 K this fall.  Initially, we decided on a half marathon, but after both of us running in preparation, we decided to scale down and do a 10K (6.2 miles).  I have several mini goals (these may very well change as I progress, but this is what I’m starting with):
-By August 8, run 3 miles without walking (I just hit this goal this morning)
-By August 15, run 3.5 miles without walking
-By August 22, run 3.5 miles in 35 minutes
-By August 32, run 4 miles (no walking)
*I plan to run 5 days a week and the morning times seem to be the best time with the heat.  This is huge for me considering I’m the worst morning person ever.  But it feels good to get a workout over with before 8:00am.  It started off ROUGH, but I’m slowly seeing progress.  I feel like these are baby steps, but running hasn’t come as naturally as I thought it would.

2. SLEEP 7.5 HOURS – I really need to focus on perfecting my nights and setting up my mornings the night before.  My goal will be to get in bed 8 hours before I need to wake and reading to fall asleep.

3. READ SMART MONEY SMART KIDS by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruz (his daughter) – We want to start a money system with Beckham and include chores/responsibilities for him.  This book talks about how to teach your kids about money.  I think 3 or 4 years old is a perfect time to start teaching them about money.  I already talk to him at the store about money and how things cost money in order to buy them (a simple concept some adults don’t even understand).  Right now we’re focusing on “working to make money” and “things cost money” and “money runs out.” 
*I’d also like to read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, but we’ll see if I have time.

4. ADD 20 SIGNS TO MY SHOP – I know this sounds ambitious and it is, but it just needs to get done.  I hate sitting on ideas and designs knowing I could be making money on them.  Adding 20 signs to the shop averages out to about 5 signs a week.  I can do this all in one day, all at the end of the week, or all towards the end of the month.  As long as I get more signs in the shop.

5. TRANSITION THE BLOG TO WORDPRESS – I’ve already talked a little about this, but I’m hoping it will be up and running on a Word Press site this month.  This is an ambitious goal that might be pushed into September considering the circumstances this month. 

6. SCHEDULE ACTIVITIES WITH THE BOYS – I do best on a schedule.  If I don’t have an activity planned (or at least a schedule) for the next day, I throw my hands up and stay home.  With Maddox still taking two naps, we have to schedule activities pretty well if they’re out of the house.  I plan on doing Book Club days with Beckham once a week.  I’ll share how these days go, but my blogger friend Andrea has some great ideas for Book Club days. 

7. SCHEDULE OUT EVERY MEAL – This sounds ridiculous, but if it’s not on the calendar (breakfast, lunch, dinner), I declare “I have no food in the house,” especially for lunch. We’ll see if this helps any with our grocery and dining out budget as well.   

My To-Do List:
1. Purge extra items around house and in garage
2. Schedule a dentist appointment. 
3. Paint underneath kitchen sink.    
4. Clean vacuum cleaner – this is a beating!
5. Clean grout in kitchen and baseboards around house – another beating!
6. Order a nap mat for Maddox (and buy a small back pack).
7. Set everything up for pre-school (registration forms, payment, etc)
8. Buy new running shoes, shorts, and socks.

Happy August!  I am so thankful for air conditioning. 

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