Getting Things Done

Books that I listed on half.com

The girls working on their 4H scrapbooks

Stuff that eventually will get sold on eBay (I hope!)

My reorganized Tapestry of Grace books.

i love leah. she is amazing! i can't believe i have such an amazing daughter! :]]

Okay, I left the computer for a moment and returned to find the statement above typed in my blog post. I decided to leave it just to torment my beautiful daughter and yes, she really is amazing.

Back to my originally scheduled post...

Life is busy around here. It's getting down to the wire to prepare for our upcoming school year. I've already done a lot but I still have much to accomplish.

Don't ask me why but fall always makes me want to streamline, declutter and organize. In an effort to accomplish this, I've been going through my library and trying to make a little room on the shelves. I've got a couple bags of books I'm donating to our local library's book sale.

I've also been working on putting together a few eBay posts. I have plenty of homeschool curriculum items that we no longer use that I would like to sell. Why do I procrastinate on this? The extra funds would be welcome and I'd love to free up more space so I'm working on it. I have the photos taken, I just need to write the posts and list it all.

I also listed a bunch of books on half.com. Been meaning to do that for, oh, I don't know, since last year. Pathetic, isn't it? Oh well, it's done now.

I completely reorganized my Tapestry of Grace books. TOG is the main homeschool curriculum that we use. It's a great history, worldview, literature, writing program. Love it, even if it is overwhelming at times.

I didn't get the garage cleaned today but that's on the list too. I want to do it when we can open up the garage doors and pull a lot of the stuff out. Truthfully it's not in bad shape it just needs a touch up clean/declutter/organizing. The mosquitos are so horrendous right now that I'm waiting to see if tomorrow is any better. They attacked me on my morning walk! I truly dislike those little bloodsucking varmints!

Speaking of walking... I'm still walking with my sister but, sadly, our long morning walks will have to end when school begins. I'm hoping she'll be willing to walk out in the fields with me and the pups. I have to streamline my mornings when school begins, no time for a five mile walk!

So, just to keep me on my toes, here's my to do list:

Finish cleaning the house (the children and I do this together)

Bring books to the library

Clean out/organize the garage

Finish planning for the upcoming school year

Complete the first month's worth of schedules

Clean up and organize school room

Organize and plan meals

Of course keep exercising!

Well, that's about it for now. I'll let you know how it's going in my next post. Enjoy what's left of your summer!

Spending Revolt

I went to a "Spending Revolt" rally last night. In essence, it was a group of conservative minded people coming together to protest the level of spending and growing debt in our country.

This is what it says on an informational postcard I picked up at the rally:

"What is Spending Revolt?

Spending Revolt is a coalition of taxpayers, families, small business owners, and public policy organizations dedicated to educating and engaging citizens on the mounting federal debt, fiscal policy and government spending.

The Spending Revolt Tour seeks to expose the damage rampant government spending is doing to our economy and our families. We believe that "We the People" working together can force the changes needed in Washington to set our nation back on a path of leadership and prosperity.

Use your voice and speak out now."

I enjoyed listening to a few local candidates and Joe the Plumber. Remember him? He's the guy who asked President Obama (who was just running for office then) how his proposed tax changes would affect him and his business. Maybe it's because we're self employed in the construction industry like him but I really felt for the guy and the attacks he endured being dragged into the public spotlight. Anyway, he's appeared to weather it well and is now a part of the Spending Revolt tour crisscrossing America in an effort to fire people up enough to get involved and make a difference in our country. We had a great conversation after he spoke and he graciously agreed to have his photo taken with me, which is posted above.

It was an invigorating message and one I think more people need to hear! If you're interested, you can find out more on their website at www.SpendingRevolt.com.

Make A Plan!

About a month ago I began my weight loss journey and am happy to report that I am sticking with it and have lost nine pounds thus far. My total goal is 15-20 pounds so I am roughly halfway there.

In addition to losing weight I've been taking care of other health related needs: I had my eyes checked, teeth cleaned, am in the middle of taking care of crowning a lower molar that I had been putting off, had a mammogram, bone density scan and a colonoscopy in which I was pronounced healthy! Whew!

I have been reading about other peoples' plans and so have been inspired to come up with a plan and list of goals of my own:

Weight loss and exercise goals:

Lose 15-20 pounds (nine pounds lost so far)

Wear clothes that I have not been able to fit into

Exercise at least 60 minutes a day

Interval training 3 times a week

Weight training 2 times a week

Get stronger

Eating and health goals:

Limit myself to six servings of carbs and 20 grams of sugar per day

Eat more vegetables and more fiber (kind of goes hand in hand)

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day

Cook more healthy meals from scratch

Maintain daily vitamin regimen

Get eight hours of sleep a night

To jazz up my workout routine I just ordered an Indo balance board which arrived yesterday. I haven't used it that much but the little bit I was on it was fun and challenging. I'll post more about it later.

I hope to reach my weight goal by October 1st. That gives me 42 days to lose up to ten more pounds. My goal is a little bit in flux because I want to achieve a realistic weight that I don't have to starve myself to maintain and I'm not sure where that magic number is for me. Time will tell I'm sure.

So, what are your goals and what are you doing to achieve them?

Brutal Honesty from my Son

When you reach a certain age (cough, cough) you have to start spending time getting poked and prodded by the doctors every so often. My cancer diagnosis in 2000 sped up the process for me and so today I was at the hospital for a few tests. I had my cholesterol tested because in the past it's been a little high. The doctors have wanted to prescribe a statin drug but I've always resisted.

I've been exercising quite a bit and watching what I eat so I really thought my cholesterol would be good this time around. Well, they called me right way just a few hours after the labwork to tell me it was high and that I needed to come back in asap to see an internest. Ugh. More doctor appointments, just what I want - NOT!

Anyway, we were discussing this tonight before dinner and I was telling my family that we need to take CPR classes because you never know when you might need it. I saw my dad die of a cardiac arrest when I was a young girl and something like that stays with you your whole life long. Women who have hysterectomies when they are young are at a much greater risk for heart attack and so I think our family learning CPR would be a good thing. To which my ten year old son comments: "When it's your time to go, Mom, it's your time to go."

Heartwarming, isn't it?