Update on My Yearly Goals for 2018 and Christmas Fund!

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I know, I know half the year is gone already and I have skipped updating my goals.  Well here they finally are. the good and the bad:  

My #1 goal is to be the best wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt I can.

My granddaughter and me at the fireworks.  It was 90 degrees at 9 p.m. so there is no makeup! 

Sometimes I fail but I keep trying!  

2.   Organize, organize, organize!  

My life a little:  I bought a new planner this year and I can't wait to keep all my appointments, blogging duties, and fun all in one place.

Update: So far I'm loving the new planner!   I used to get upset thinking that I have forgot a book that I was supposed to review or appointment that I needed to keep.  I even use it for keeping track of watching the grandchildren.  I bought this planner and it's a great help.  

My house:  I want to organize more of the house that guests can see when they come to visit.  Like for example the front closet that is always seems to stay open.  This is where the games for the children are kept and it always looks like a mess.  This will be cost a little for storage bins etc. so I'll wait till after no spend January.    

Update:   I've organized a lot including the front closet.  I bought the storage bins at a garage sale.  I'm always working on organizing but everything I've done so far though has helped a lot.   Looks good!  

3.  Get healthier.  Eat better, exercise more!  I lost 12 pounds last year and I hope to lose more this year.   I also need to fit exercising more in my everyday life.  Just basically take care of myself more.  We are important!  

Update:  We have all went on a low carb diet and I've lost the all of the 8 pounds I gained back from last year plus another 2!  My total is 10 pounds this last month. I love that we are all on this weight loss journey together!  

I exercise by gardening, bike riding.  and running with the grandchildren.  We will have to try other avenues for exercising this winter. 

4.  Improve where we live and remodel the house a little.  We usually fund this with our no spend January.

Outside:  This year we need to redo the front porch area with a new screen door and the side lights.   The side lights right now are Plexiglas that have permanent tape marks on them from previous holiday creations made by our now grown children.  The screen door is just a mess.  

Update:  We have plans to do this in July or August.

Outdoors:I need our new used clothesline that we bought at a garage sale put up. After I put two heavy comforters on my old one it's leaning heavily to one side.  I kept on using it the rest of the season with the promise of installation of the one in the garage this Spring.  
  
Update:    This is done!  

I would also love new  different outdoor patio furniture.

Update: I've looked but haven't found used patio furniture that I like for the price I want to buy.  I've not given up hope yet.  The old one is still together so I'm okay.  

5.   Read 60 books a year and keep track of them on Goodreads.com. 

I may surpass this number because I've decided that I will review all books I read not just the ones I review on the blog.  This year I missed my goal of 52 books by 9 after I review one today  😏.

Update:  I've reviewed 25 books so far this year on Goodreads.  I'm 3 behind schedule and I've haven't reviewed every book that I've read either.  😔

6. Keep improving this blog by:  

1. Giving my blog look a overhaul.  One day you will  come by and I will have a make over.  I'm not good at these things as you can tell so maybe I'll hire it done.  I don't know...I'm pretty cheap frugal!  I hope it will be new and not terrifying!   
Update:  Done!  I hope you love it!  

2.  Remembering to take my camera so I can share more.   I love to take pictures but so many times I run out the door without it.  

Update:   yeah well.  I'll keep trying!  

3.  Try to post more regularly.  I have skipped a few days in the last year.  I hope that I can get a better handle on this. 

Update:     This is still a work in progress! 

Here is how our Christmas fund is growing so far!

Menard's rebates: I've saved close to $100 of them!  This has been hard because we were so used to spending them.  

Swagbuck's:  I've bought 2 -$25.00 Walmart gc with my swagbucks!  I know not the greatest but that's $50.00!  

Win it:   I've haven't won anything in awhile to save as a gift.  The last big thing was that bear for the granddaughter.  She got sick with the flu and I gave it to her.  I can't stand to see them sick!

Make it:  I'm making a tie blanket right now for one of my daughter's gifts, little blankets for dolls for my granddaughter. and embroidering the blanket for granddaughter.   Grandson ...I got to do something for him! 






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