Big To Do List Update

I cannot believe 100 days have already passed in my ginormous to do list, but alas I have accomplished some things and learned bunches more....

Like many things, I started out with a bang! First off, I made a spreadsheet (which was #100) and divided things up into ONE TIME ONLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY/EVERY OTHER MONTH, QUARTERLY, and then PROJECTS (such as read 30 books, or be vegetarian for 30 days). This was an effort to help keep my to do list organized. Here's the progress:

• ONE TIME ONLY: I have a few that are DONE--one of my husband's best friends mailed us some low flow shower heads, and I did get another car. Then a few things are IN PROGRESS--my clinical hours (on target to be done in January 2010); I've started a list of 100 things I am thankful for; Hubs and I have talked about when we are going to see the Holocaust Museum (plan to this summer after we drop kids off at camp); the debt free plan is in the works; I'm about to deposit more than $500 into the emergency fund; we've purchased paint for the kids' rooms (how do you motivate yourself to paint them now?); and, I have purchased one of the five reusable shopping bags.
• WEEKLY: OK, this was really hard for me and started out really well....I think I had too much to start and was overwhelmed and ended up dropping them all. However, although I will have to donate $5 for each of the weekly items (#101), I still intend to implement these weekly things, just at a slower rate.
• MONTHLY/EVERY OTHER MONTH: see "weekly" above :-( If any of them happened, it was unintentional and not really worth counting!
• QUARTERLY: If I forget about 2008, I can start fresh for 2009 and perhaps actually DO these items!
• PROJECTS: These haven't really begun much, other than revisiting Financial Peace (#60), although we are only beginning the "sticking to a budget". I have been more intentional about commenting on blogs but I haven't officially begun my 90 day project (#98).

I am not giving up. I am regrouping and persisting on. There is no failing on this...progress, not perfection! Plus, donating $5 to a charity for each one I don't do...it is a win-win!

It's Over!

Well, the six weeks are over. I came in like a lion (well really more like a lamb), had a lion moment, and then as I end....I have this weird-ness to report! I did not go to my meeting Monday! I have no idea how it ended :-( I chose not to report last week when I gained 4/10 of a pound. And I just don't know how I've done this week. I HAD lost a little over 5 pounds and wanted to lose 10. But there will be more challenges, right?

I've mentioned doing the Beth Moore Esther Bible Study, and I think God is doing some work on me. You know....truth is....God doesn't make mistakes. And He made me, just like I am. He made me with a tendency to eat sweets, with a tendency to gain weight (10 to 30 to 50 extra pounds). And I have done nothing but be critical of His creation. I am, after all, His child....a princess warrior of HIS! I wonder if He's frustrated with my attitude about my body! But, I struggle with my own thoughts on this because I am just not happy with these extra 25 pounds. I have lost the weight in the past and feel so much better at a lower weight. And I believe my God wants me to be happy and healthy. *sigh*

To check in on others involved in the Valentine challenge, head over here.

Keeping THIS Priority

I have been away from a computer for several days now. Work sometimes keeps me from it, but these last few days it has been Mr. Headache. This particular guest is unwanted and I wish I knew when he'd vamoose! Nonetheless, I want to keep one particular priority....that of memorizing Scripture. So, my second verse for February is:

"Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands." (Psalm 119:66, NIV)

It is a fairly easy one....simple....but what I need right now!

Dave Ramsey Pick Up Lines

Not sure where I got these originally, but they are good stuff....well, if you are familiar with Dave Ramsey and his teachings. If you aren't familiar with him, I HIGHLY recommend Financial Peace. If you can't find a class (aka Financial Peace University), get his book....read it....and try him out! Hope you get a little giggle out of these:

• I still have money in my "restaurant" envelope ... can I buy you dinner?
• Would you like to dance? I'd love to show you my Baby Steps.
• Why am I nervous about talking to you? Because you're better than I deserve.
• Allow me to introduce myself ... I am "borrower", and you must be "lender".
• Good thing I just got term life insurance .. because I saw you and my heart stopped!
• You can't spell Financial Peace University without U and I.
• I've already kicked Sallie Mae out. Want to take her place?
• I just bought a bass boat with cash ... and it's a good thing, because you're quite a catch!
• I'm not mortgage interest, baby ... don't write me off.
• The good news? I'm debt free. The better news? I'm also date free.

Rescue

This song has been ministering to me....thought I'd share it with you all!

Money Troubles

Yesterday, I attended a financial seminar, not a Dave Ramsey event, and while it was OK....I left early. He wasn't telling me anything I hadn't heard before. My family has been through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and it was EXCELLENT!! So, we are recommitting (this is actually a process we started back in December) to some of the principles which you can learn about here!

Digging through my archives, I found a few references to the class. I feel like I would have blogged more about it....it was powerful. But here are the ones I found:

• Envelope System
• Talked about the class in the midst of some random stuff
• This one even has a link where my hubby blogged about it

About the Girls....

Almost a year ago, I went to my gynecologist for my yearly exam and she scheduled me for my first EVER mammogram. I knew that they were in my future, because....well....I have boobs and my mother had breast cancer. Somehow, I liked hearing from some doctors that I could wait until I was 40. But my doc said, almost as an afterthought, to get one as a "baseline" at 35 and I could wait 5 more years before having another. This has become a rollercoaster ever since. I haven't blogged about it unless you count this. I guess I just keep waiting for it to be over and guess what? It just won't end. I would have a mammogram in April, another in May....I would meet an excellent doctor (who specializes in breast health)....have a biopsy in June. Come January of 2009, I would have two follow up mammograms, followed by an MRI. My future holds more tests, more waiting, and more money to be spent. But alas....I do NOT have cancer! There is no guarantee that I will get cancer, but what I do have is believed to lead to cancer. And quite honestly, I am just tired. I have struggled with fibroids in my uterus before which was controlled nicely by some birth control pills...but the dr took me off of that (seems they are bad for the boobies....but they worked wonders for the fibroids and the moods)! The drug the doc wants to put me on has some wonderful side effects (bleeding, clots, hot flashes, night sweats) that I just can't wait for. But BEFORE we start that regimen, I need to have a procedure to take care of the fibroids. I know I am starting to sound like I am whining, but I've been quiet...a little whine MIGHT just help me feel a bit better. In six more months, I have another mammogram and another MRI. If I've had the "procedure" for the fibroids, I'll start the Tamoxifen (the anti cancer drug I alluded to earlier). There was talk about surgery but the MRI showed that there were 3 places, which is why the doc is wanting me to do drugs. I just wish the "world" would back the heck off and leave my boobies alone...


***please know that I am grateful that things were detected so early....I had no pain, no symptoms...without technology like we have....it would have been a few years before we knew there was a problem and it could have been a much greater problem....please also know that I am aware of the blessings I do have, just needed to have a small gripe session...work and life have been stressful, and I consider this blog something of a stress reliever....I enjoy my time on here and when work and life keep me from this, more stress builds up....which is what happened this past week....which led to the little cyber burp I just had***

Finally....

Can I tell you how long I've wanted to reach that 5 pound mark? Last year this time, I had been with WW for 4 months and would go up and down each week, NEVER crossing the 5 pound milestone. Talk about discouraged! This week, when I stepped on the scale, I only had to lose 6/10 of a pound to do it. And the wash of relief when I had was amazing. I've lost a total of 5.2 for this challenge....only 4.8 to go. Will I do that MUCH in two weeks? Maybe....but if not, the progress made is worth celebrating!

Check out other losers by going here. And if you are the praying type, say a little prayer for me. This week will be challenging....lots of eating opportunities that are in the hands of someone else (luncheons, etc.)...meaning I won't know the points so I'll have to be sensible and not "fall off the wagon" (for me that looks like this: I've blown it already, bring on the oreos and ice cream and cake and....and.....and....)!

Scripture Memory, Take 3

Okay, it is time once again to add another Scripture to my repertoire of memorizing for 2009. Previous verses can be found here and here. Doing two per month is really do-able. I'm having lots of fun so far....and the other two are in the ole noggin! So, here's my next one:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Philippians 4:8 (NIV).