New #1, #3, #4

Update later this week. I'm sleepy.

Things I've Completed Without Knowing It.

So, I'm back again. I don't know what happened to March, April, May and most of June...where did the time go?

I was looking over my list and realized that I've completed a few of the items.

#1. Finish reading "The Case for Christ." I finished it the other day, actually. It was a really good read, but honestly, I couldn't tell you all the things that were in it. It's quite heavy and while it makes perfect sense and did nothing but solidify my belief in Jesus Christ, if you asked me what about the book made me feel that way, all I could do is tell you to read the book. I ordered the student versions of "The Case for Christ" and "The Case for Faith" and so far, it's interesting to compare the two "Case for Christ" editions. So far, the student edition says basically the same thing, but in a simpler way. I guess simple minds need simple explanations.

#3. Finish the "Family" wall at church. Something else I just finished the other day. I'll get a picture up here soon. It looks pretty good. ALMOST as good as I had envisioned it.

#4. File the papers. I don't even know where these papers are now. I hope they weren't important.

#5 Complete! Sorta. And NEW #5

Well, I did it. The dishes may not have been COMPLETELY done (soaking in the sink, etc.) and sometimes there was stuff left arranged somewhat neatly on the stovetop, but the counters were clean and wiped each night. HOWEVER. I really want to make this a habit, and I know that at this point it would be VERY easy to stop, SO, my new #5 is to keep the counters cleaned off each night for

2 WEEKS.

5.2...Starting strong...

Almost bedtime, the counters are clean, the dishwasher is running. I have lots of places to be and things to do these next 2 days...either I'll putter out, or this will give me motivation to clean up right after people leave. We'll see...

General Update - March 2nd 2008

Congratulations to Zaak for keeping up with this! I need to get back to it.

* 1. Finish reading "The Case For Christ" (**NEW**)
I started reading this because of a new friend who has challenged me to remind myself why it is, exactly that I believe what I do, and I have added to that challenge by aiming to REMEMBER this time. It's sad, isn't it? My excuse is lame, I know...I just feel like my brain is on overload so much of the time, and it's easy to forget the "whys," even though I know I've been through this all before and had everything straight. But that doesn't help one little bit in the here and now when you're asked very good questions that you KNOW you should know your answers for. I'm hoping this book will help get me going. I got the book from the library (note to self...time to renew) and am about 1/2 way through. I think the best chapter so far had been the one I'm on now, "The Profile Evidence."

* 2. Learn a new piano piece
I haven't even picked one yet, but my students will hopefully be performing in a recital at the end of April, and I need something to play. Good motivation.

* 3. Clean the ceiling fans.
I cleaned the one in the kitchen. Just need to do the bedroom one. Wait, I think I did it. Nevermind. This one is DONE!

* 3. Complete the "Family" wall of pictures at church (**NEW**)
I came up with the idea and committed to do this quite some time ago.

I've made little steps: purchasing 100 of those little pine frames from Ikea, paint, brushes and some of those nice, large letters for your wall to spell "Family"...as well as some 4x6 mirrors to go in a few of the frames. I also got a bunch of people together to help me PAINT the 100 frames.

Now the pictures need to go in them, and they need to be hung in a STRAIGHT grid on the wall in the foyer at church. And the letters need to be hung. I hear this is a nightmare. Anyone done this successfully before? This all NEEDS to be done in the next couple of weeks...

* 4. File the papers that need to be saved from the former "shredding" pile
Honestly, I don't even know where this pile is. I think it's on the desk here somewhere. I guess this is a small part of my greater goal to generally pare down the contents of our house. I'm starting to feel closed in by "stuff."

* 5. Keep the counters clear each night for 1 week
Good goal for this week!!

#1.2 Complete?

Well, I don't know if I did it or not. I didn't step on the scale, my clothes didn't fit much differently, but I definitely felt like I LOOKED better. I bravely donned my bikinis in Jamaica (posting pictures seems a bit egocentric, don't you think?) and was HORRIFIED by the pictures that came out my camera...that is NOT what I saw when I looked in the mirror. Oh, well. No sense crying now!

We used the G.I. Diet, and it was pretty good. Lots of healthy food, mostly non-refined, high fiber stuff. The recipes for muffins, granola bars, etc. were DELICIOUS. The meal recipes were hit and miss with Aaron. If I didn't like it, it was pretty much a sure bet that he wouldn't like it. If he didn't like it, there was still a good chance I would like it. For me, it was helpful because it kept me eating. My problem is not eating junk, or over eating...it's actually that I don't eat enough. Or often enough. I can go a day or two without eating much...I just don't think about it, and I think my body goes into that whole starvation mode.

Eating/not eating at the resort in Jamaica was a NON-ISSUE. Buffet for every meal, snacks at the snack bar whenever...yum!!!!

Now that we're home and I've had a week to recover, I plan on getting back on the "planning to eat" wagon. If I don't plan to eat, we won't eat. Simple as that...So, adding to the list of things to do tonight:

Meal plan.

#1.1

Well, count that as a complete failure. Oh, well. Aaron and I have decided to both follow a "food plan" (ok, a diet) and increase our exercising from next week until when we go to Jamaica. I think I would like to TRY to lose 15 pounds. I know that the time does not allow for the "healthy" 1-2 pounds a week, but whatever. I'm going for it, anyways.