Every so often, I join in with Jamie at http://www.jamieridlerstudios.ca for Wishcasting Wednesday. This helps me to focus on where I want my life to go and what dreams, goals, and passions I have. This week Jamie asks: "What do you wish to work on?".
I could answer this in so many ways. The way I am going to answer this week is: I want to work on making time to do the things I love to do!
I want to try to continue to get more organized to be able to have more free time to do the things I love to do. I want to feel free to go fun places with my kids. I want to budget my money better so that I have money to do things with the kids. I want to make time to work on the different creative things that I want to do; sew, embroider, knit, paper crafts, jewelry, learning new crafts, etc. I want to work on making time to spend more special time with my husband like having a date night more often (hopefully the warmer weather will help with what to do). I want to work on making things to sell. I want to work on getting healthy and staying healthy. I have a herniated disc that pretty much makes me not want to do anything for the last couple of months. I miss running, even though I never really ran a lot. Now that I can't run, it's all I want to do. I'm hoping that after my back gets better, I can work on my running and get to enjoy it again like I was before I stopped!
I guess there are a lot of things that I want to work on, but unless I work on making more time and getting organized, none of it will happen.
I just read a couple of fellow wishcasting posts and it reminded me of another goal that I guess I should put down in writing. I want to work on utilizing my love of creativity in my social work profession and I want to work on figuring out how to have a brick and mortar studio and gallery for my community. I want to have a gallery that people can show off what they create and not worry about it being good enough; the fact that they created it makes it good enough!
What do you wish to work on?
Amy
Showing posts with label organizing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organizing. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Friday, May 11, 2012
Cancer!
I hate this word! Like most people, I have been more than touched by cancer within my family. I also have the breast cancer gene mutation which freaks me out more than just a little. The decisions I know have to make suck to say the least, but at least I have the options to make decisions (about the only positive that I see in knowing that I have the gene, well along with knowing that my kids are at risk instead of not knowing.
I just found out that someone who I went to high school with lost her husband to pancreatic cancer last night. As a person with a BRCA2 mutation, I am also at risk for pancreatic cancer, although that risk is low especially in comparison to my breast and ovarian cancer risk. I also found out that there is more pancreatic cancer in my family that I ever knew. Granted it is the familial lineage is pretty far away, but at least for me, it scares the crap out of me.
Every time I hear that some has been diagnosed with cancer or passes away from cancer, I get more freaked out. I know that I need to make certain decisions, really just whether or not I am going to have my ovaries removed or not. Every time I think I've made the decision, I think and then lose my nerve to stick with it. Right now I am leaning against surgery and looking more at lifestyle changes. That may change as I get older, as I get more peri-menopausal, or as life happens. For me, not having surgery means that I will have the chance to have surgery if I choose at a later date. If I have surgery when I am not ready, I can never take it back. I do know that I am putting myself more at risk for ovarian cancer, but for now, that is my decision. I did get my blood test back for my ovarian cancer test and it was normal, good news, and I have my ultrasound next week. I still need to schedule my breast MRI, but need to do it at a certain time so I am in a waiting period right now.
After hearing the news of my friends's husband's passing, I really need to stick with my goals. I really need to focus on eating right, exercising, being creative, and getting my life organized. Following through with my goals all help me relieve stress on my mind, my body, and my spirit. Now I just need to keep this resolve and follow through. As I sit here typing, I am drinking my green shake (after I ate a crappy lunch). I need to make sure that I actually drink these and eat more fruits and veggies in general as well as good whole grains!
For all that want to know what I put in my shake, this is it:
Green Smoothie
1cups of green leafy veggies (today was swiss chard)
1/2 an apple (green or red)
1/2 a pear
1 banana
1/2 an avocado
1/2 a bag of frozen blackberries
10 oz of water
Blend til smooth and enjoy! I do have a vita mix. I'm not sure how it would work in a traditional blender. I believe that you should have a high speed blender so that it can really get things blended so that your body can incorporate them easily.
Enjoy life and take care of yourself!
Amy
I just found out that someone who I went to high school with lost her husband to pancreatic cancer last night. As a person with a BRCA2 mutation, I am also at risk for pancreatic cancer, although that risk is low especially in comparison to my breast and ovarian cancer risk. I also found out that there is more pancreatic cancer in my family that I ever knew. Granted it is the familial lineage is pretty far away, but at least for me, it scares the crap out of me.
Every time I hear that some has been diagnosed with cancer or passes away from cancer, I get more freaked out. I know that I need to make certain decisions, really just whether or not I am going to have my ovaries removed or not. Every time I think I've made the decision, I think and then lose my nerve to stick with it. Right now I am leaning against surgery and looking more at lifestyle changes. That may change as I get older, as I get more peri-menopausal, or as life happens. For me, not having surgery means that I will have the chance to have surgery if I choose at a later date. If I have surgery when I am not ready, I can never take it back. I do know that I am putting myself more at risk for ovarian cancer, but for now, that is my decision. I did get my blood test back for my ovarian cancer test and it was normal, good news, and I have my ultrasound next week. I still need to schedule my breast MRI, but need to do it at a certain time so I am in a waiting period right now.
After hearing the news of my friends's husband's passing, I really need to stick with my goals. I really need to focus on eating right, exercising, being creative, and getting my life organized. Following through with my goals all help me relieve stress on my mind, my body, and my spirit. Now I just need to keep this resolve and follow through. As I sit here typing, I am drinking my green shake (after I ate a crappy lunch). I need to make sure that I actually drink these and eat more fruits and veggies in general as well as good whole grains!
For all that want to know what I put in my shake, this is it:
Green Smoothie
1cups of green leafy veggies (today was swiss chard)
1/2 an apple (green or red)
1/2 a pear
1 banana
1/2 an avocado
1/2 a bag of frozen blackberries
10 oz of water
Blend til smooth and enjoy! I do have a vita mix. I'm not sure how it would work in a traditional blender. I believe that you should have a high speed blender so that it can really get things blended so that your body can incorporate them easily.
Enjoy life and take care of yourself!
Amy
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
AEDM 11/8/2011
I am sitting at Panera sans kiddies going through my old jewelry magazines trying to get rid of things. Unfortunately or fortunately, I am starting to get the feeling that I really need to get back to making jewelry. As much as I love all things crafty and creative, I am thinking making jewelry may be the way to go. Granted, there are lots of different mediums that I love that I can use in jewelry making, which is a good thing. I think I am realizing that I need to focus on jewelry and start getting more proficient in different things related to making jewelry. This may be the first time that I have recognized wanting to focus on one creative area. I can and will learn more about glass fusing, lamp working, using polymer clay and ceramic clay in my jewelry making, using wire, using paper, and Im sure there are other things that I want to learn, but I am going to focus more on learning these things in relation to making jewelry.
I have a number of things to make that are not jewelry related, but once they are completed, I am absolutely going to focus on making jewelry. My new goal is going to be to become proficient in things related to making jewelry instead of trying to always learn new things without really fully learning and becoming proficient in one thing.
So, I may actually make something today, like sew my mother's Christmas gift, or I may just use this time of reflection and motivation as my AEDM post. The nice thing about going through old magazines, at least for me, is that I get motivated and then I get creative. I hope that I can use this motivation to move forward and actually complete goals!
Amy
I have a number of things to make that are not jewelry related, but once they are completed, I am absolutely going to focus on making jewelry. My new goal is going to be to become proficient in things related to making jewelry instead of trying to always learn new things without really fully learning and becoming proficient in one thing.
So, I may actually make something today, like sew my mother's Christmas gift, or I may just use this time of reflection and motivation as my AEDM post. The nice thing about going through old magazines, at least for me, is that I get motivated and then I get creative. I hope that I can use this motivation to move forward and actually complete goals!
Amy
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Organizing
I know that there are a lot of times that I tend to repetitively write about the same thing over and over and over, or at least that is how it feels to me. Here I am again writing about organization and my lack there of. I really need to go through my kids' toys and get them organized so that I can feel like my house is not full of toys. On the other hand, I really need to get my craft supplies organized so that I know what I have and figure out if there are things that I either have double of (because I was not organized) or if there are things that I can get rid of. I am really getting tired of feeling stressed because I am so unorganized! Also, maybe, just maybe if things are organized, then I will find time to be creative and enjoy my craft supplies.
The other area that I need to get organized in is meal planning. Actually after I write this post, I am off to plan for the next week. I really need to plan what I am going to eat and what I will eat when I have certain cravings, since I really need and want to get my eating under control. I talked to my husband about some of these things today and we decided that I just need to do it. I can't keep putting it of, rationalizing it, or making excuses. It is hard without a set schedule like we have during the school year, but I guess I just need to put a schedule together for myself and plan my meals and go grocery shopping around the foods that I need to be eating.
If I can get myself organized, I am sure that I will have more time for other things and I am absolutely sure that I will be way less stressed. I am hoping that if I get my eating under control that will help me with some of the procrastination that I am having since I think the foods that I am eating are making me feel less motivated and almost spacey. What I need to do is just do what I know needs to be done and know that I may need to work a lot harder at it than some people who are just naturally organized and neat.
I know what I need to do, how I need to do it, but now I just need to actually follow through and do it!
Amy
The other area that I need to get organized in is meal planning. Actually after I write this post, I am off to plan for the next week. I really need to plan what I am going to eat and what I will eat when I have certain cravings, since I really need and want to get my eating under control. I talked to my husband about some of these things today and we decided that I just need to do it. I can't keep putting it of, rationalizing it, or making excuses. It is hard without a set schedule like we have during the school year, but I guess I just need to put a schedule together for myself and plan my meals and go grocery shopping around the foods that I need to be eating.
If I can get myself organized, I am sure that I will have more time for other things and I am absolutely sure that I will be way less stressed. I am hoping that if I get my eating under control that will help me with some of the procrastination that I am having since I think the foods that I am eating are making me feel less motivated and almost spacey. What I need to do is just do what I know needs to be done and know that I may need to work a lot harder at it than some people who are just naturally organized and neat.
I know what I need to do, how I need to do it, but now I just need to actually follow through and do it!
Amy
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Organizing
Ok, so yet another organizing post. I am starting to attempt to do my version of spring cleaning, even though Spring isn't officially here yet. With trash day tomorrow, I decided I would be good and clean out the fridge. I really need to get a system for storing leftovers, reminding myself what I have in the fridge and what needs to be used when. I couldn't believe what I threw out. Here I am trying to be money conscious, a little green, less wasteful, etc, and here I was throwing out all sorts of food that had gone bad because I had forgotten about it, or because I wasn't really sure if it was bad, but I didn't want to take the chance. My older son is going to pre-school in a couple of weeks, and I want to keep all of the paperwork I need somewhere safe. I want to have toys put away yet accessible for me to get for the kids. I have started putting some things in bins, but I think I need to be better at organizing the toys and only allowing certain things out at a time. I think I need to get more bins, shelving, space so that I can have a place to put eveything. I want to have their art stuff accessible so that we can do projects without trying to find the supplies. I want to have their favorite toys all together so they can easily play with them. I want to have a living room where I can feel comfortable having people over no matter when they may pop in. I want my kitchen to look clean and pretty, like other people's kitchens instead of cluttered and crazy.
Right now, I have a bunch of things that I want to work on, but I need to remind myself, babysteps. It didn't go crazy over night and it won't be fixed over night. I just have to take baby steps each day and maintain what I have already completed.
I would love my own desk, but I have no idea where I would put it. Maybe in the spare room that is just being piled with toys and clean laundry right now? I really need to utilize my space better. I kind of have a plan and I just need to follow it.
Amy
Right now, I have a bunch of things that I want to work on, but I need to remind myself, babysteps. It didn't go crazy over night and it won't be fixed over night. I just have to take baby steps each day and maintain what I have already completed.
I would love my own desk, but I have no idea where I would put it. Maybe in the spare room that is just being piled with toys and clean laundry right now? I really need to utilize my space better. I kind of have a plan and I just need to follow it.
Amy
Thursday, March 3, 2011
One Step At A Time
My last post gained me a couple of comments that I wanted to to talk about. My friend Nicole seriously recommended that I check out the Flylady website. The unfortunate thing about this is I already have checked out her website, joined her group on facebook and bigtent, and get e-mails from the website. The issue is that I have to follow through and actually read and put into practice some of the things that she recommends. Actually my husband mentioned this site to me when he was talking with someone about getting organized at work. I also have the Sidetracked Home Executives (S.H.E.) book, which would be great once I actually put it into practice. The funny part about this book is that it is how my mom trained us to clean house. As soon as I started reading it, I knew exactly what it was. It's really funny how the things that I am looking at implementing in my life as an adult are the things that I was used to as a kid.
The other comment that I got was about taking it easy on myself. I understand the thought behind the comment and I so appreciate the reminder. I just so have to get myself in a place where I am comfortable with how my house looks. That means that I want things to be put away and have things look neat and orderly, but I don't need to have things immaculate. I have 3 kids that are actually still all 2 for another week. I know not to expect too much from myself, but I still need to have some expectations from me and the kids and even my husband (who is really good, sometimes better than I am at keeping things neat).
I have one week completed for my meal plan. I have a bunch of recipes to plug into other days so that I get the rest of the month complete. I still need to get a calendar to hang up on te fridge that I can reuse and erase if things change.
I need to get a little bit better of a handle on my laundry. I know that it will never be fully completed, but I just want to look at my hamper and feel like I am in control not my laundry.
What I really need to do is just start. It does not need to be perfect right away. I need to start with one room and get that completed and maintain it and then I can move on to other rooms and maintain them. Once I have things clean and orgainzied, I just need to maintain and that is the hardest part for me (you would think it would be the easiest). I know once I get to the maintainence stage, I am golden as long as I actually maintain.
Here's to menu planning and organizing my house so that I can actually enjoy my house and not be stressed by it.
Amy
The other comment that I got was about taking it easy on myself. I understand the thought behind the comment and I so appreciate the reminder. I just so have to get myself in a place where I am comfortable with how my house looks. That means that I want things to be put away and have things look neat and orderly, but I don't need to have things immaculate. I have 3 kids that are actually still all 2 for another week. I know not to expect too much from myself, but I still need to have some expectations from me and the kids and even my husband (who is really good, sometimes better than I am at keeping things neat).
I have one week completed for my meal plan. I have a bunch of recipes to plug into other days so that I get the rest of the month complete. I still need to get a calendar to hang up on te fridge that I can reuse and erase if things change.
I need to get a little bit better of a handle on my laundry. I know that it will never be fully completed, but I just want to look at my hamper and feel like I am in control not my laundry.
What I really need to do is just start. It does not need to be perfect right away. I need to start with one room and get that completed and maintain it and then I can move on to other rooms and maintain them. Once I have things clean and orgainzied, I just need to maintain and that is the hardest part for me (you would think it would be the easiest). I know once I get to the maintainence stage, I am golden as long as I actually maintain.
Here's to menu planning and organizing my house so that I can actually enjoy my house and not be stressed by it.
Amy
Monday, December 20, 2010
Christmas Week
So here we are, the final few days before Christmas. Am I ready yet? Let's see..... I have most of my gifts wrapped. Most of my cards are mailed out, but there are a few that have not gone out yet. Again, I need to be little more organized with my list, but I am better. I still have to get a gift for my husband, maybe 2, one from me and one from the kids. And then, there is my little 18 year old sister. I have little to no idea what to get her. I need to get to the mall, but I'm not sure when. I am thinking I may try to go later after the kids go to bed either tonight or tomorrow night, depending on when or if my husband needs to go out.
I still need to cook, but I think I have a pretty clear plan for that. I think I am going to make the spiced nuts Thursday, the coffee cake Friday, as well as the Indian spiced beans Friday. We have to make lemon cookies for Christmas Eve also and I am not sure if my husband or I will be doing that. I am thinking that I will bake with the kids Tuesday and Wednesday and pass out some things to the neighbors (just something little). Then Saturday morning, I will make the egg casserole so that it will be fresh and hot that morning. Unfortunately, the only healthy food item I am making is the Indian spiced beans and rice, but after Christmas, I need to get on top of my healthy eating. I am still going to try to be good this wekk, but I am not going to drive myself crazy. The other thing, is that I need to clean the house for Christmas. We are having my family over for Christmas breakfast, and if I do things right, I will spend a little time each day cleaning, instead of waiting til the last minute to clean the whole entire house. May this way too, I will get myself on a good cleaning schedule that will work for the rest of the time, not just when we are having company.
I have gotten a couple of of good suggestionson time management. I now just need to figure out what is going to work for me. I have some ideas, but I just can't decide what is the best route to go. Google calendars seems like a good idea. I like the idea that I can sync to my husband's calendar if I choose. I like that I can use it on an ipod, even though I don't have one yet (but would love to get one soon). I do have to look more into it. I like having both the technology based organizer as well as the paper, so that would mean that I would probably print out what ever I put on the calendar in the computer. I just need to fine tune things.
One thing that I want to plan into my day, and I mentioned this to my husband, is time to be creative almost daily, even if it's only for a short time. My goal is to limit my television watching, or if there are shows that I just can't give up, to find something to do while I am watching them so that I don't just veg out in front of the television. He and I both enjoy making things, him in his woodshop and me all sorts of things. I also, like I said in a previous post, want to start making things to donate. I have enough supplies that I don't think I would even have to spend money. that way, I could enjoy making things, use up some of the spplies that I have on hand, and donate things to someone in need.
I have a lot of goals for the new year, but they are all things that need to happen. I'd like to say that they are New Year's resolutions, but I know that often, people end up not following through when they wait until New Year's to make changes. I am starting to work on these now, and hopefully, things will just start falling into place once I have a plan in place.
Have a great holiday and keep the organizing tips coming. Also, any tips on meal planning, grocery shopping, and saving money on food are totally welcome.
Amy
I still need to cook, but I think I have a pretty clear plan for that. I think I am going to make the spiced nuts Thursday, the coffee cake Friday, as well as the Indian spiced beans Friday. We have to make lemon cookies for Christmas Eve also and I am not sure if my husband or I will be doing that. I am thinking that I will bake with the kids Tuesday and Wednesday and pass out some things to the neighbors (just something little). Then Saturday morning, I will make the egg casserole so that it will be fresh and hot that morning. Unfortunately, the only healthy food item I am making is the Indian spiced beans and rice, but after Christmas, I need to get on top of my healthy eating. I am still going to try to be good this wekk, but I am not going to drive myself crazy. The other thing, is that I need to clean the house for Christmas. We are having my family over for Christmas breakfast, and if I do things right, I will spend a little time each day cleaning, instead of waiting til the last minute to clean the whole entire house. May this way too, I will get myself on a good cleaning schedule that will work for the rest of the time, not just when we are having company.
I have gotten a couple of of good suggestionson time management. I now just need to figure out what is going to work for me. I have some ideas, but I just can't decide what is the best route to go. Google calendars seems like a good idea. I like the idea that I can sync to my husband's calendar if I choose. I like that I can use it on an ipod, even though I don't have one yet (but would love to get one soon). I do have to look more into it. I like having both the technology based organizer as well as the paper, so that would mean that I would probably print out what ever I put on the calendar in the computer. I just need to fine tune things.
One thing that I want to plan into my day, and I mentioned this to my husband, is time to be creative almost daily, even if it's only for a short time. My goal is to limit my television watching, or if there are shows that I just can't give up, to find something to do while I am watching them so that I don't just veg out in front of the television. He and I both enjoy making things, him in his woodshop and me all sorts of things. I also, like I said in a previous post, want to start making things to donate. I have enough supplies that I don't think I would even have to spend money. that way, I could enjoy making things, use up some of the spplies that I have on hand, and donate things to someone in need.
I have a lot of goals for the new year, but they are all things that need to happen. I'd like to say that they are New Year's resolutions, but I know that often, people end up not following through when they wait until New Year's to make changes. I am starting to work on these now, and hopefully, things will just start falling into place once I have a plan in place.
Have a great holiday and keep the organizing tips coming. Also, any tips on meal planning, grocery shopping, and saving money on food are totally welcome.
Amy
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