simplify.focus.create - march 2010

remember my vision for 2010?   

simplify.focus.create.

two months in - one-sixth of the way through the year - and i still rocking this.  does anyone else think of the year as one-sixth of the way through?  just me?  does anyone else think i am rocking this vision? or that i just rock in general?  i am really tired - i probably wouldn't ask otherwise.  or maybe i would. 

i kept telling myself i would post a february goal update last month. and it never happened.  last month was super fast.  days whizzing by.  i ended up combining my january and february goals anyway.  because i was in denial that january was over.  so here is a look at how things have gone so far.

january/february goals recap:

• sort through file cabinets/paperwork (reorganize files, shred dated paperwork, etc.) (simplify) - almost done
• sort through toys (purge and organize) (simplify) - ongoing
• give jesse time to clean and organize the basement workshop (simplify) - postponed due to kitchen facelift
• purge and reorganize kitchen (simplify)  finished!

• pray for my marriage everyday (focus) yes, but would like to pray with jesse as well
• pray for my children everyday (focus) - yes, but still would like more specifics
• exercise at least three times/week (focus) - no, but sick kids and sick mama are to blame
• pray for one area of ministry to serve in future (focus) - no, didn't make the time, on hold for now
• have a date with jesse every week (focus) - success!
• get time with a friend once/week (focus) - success!

• develop more efficient meal and grocery shopping plans (create) - still working on it, but progress made.
• develop potager plan and order seeds (create) - uggh - super behind schedule
• finish knitting luca's scarf (create) - finished!
• gifts from the hart projects/series for blog (create) - finished!
• paint kitchen (create) - finished!

obviously some hits and some misses. that's okay. giving myself grace.  interesting to look back at what i had hoped for and see how it worked out.  the unexpected hiccups - almost the whole hart clan getting sick for two weeks, jesse working crazy amounts of overtime, kitchen walls needing repairs after wallpaper came off, the latest fibro flair-up, and jesse's back issues this weekend (which i am still trying really hard to not be bitter about - cue music.)

the biggest lesson i am learning is to be more realistic with the time it takes to get stuff done with three kiddos.  we are definitely feeling the rewards of simplifying the kitchen and creating a more beautiful and cheerful place to cook.  i think this project has helped our grocery shopping and meal planning immensely.  we cut down our eating out spending to $14 for february by being better organized and focused. 

now here are my goals for march:

• finish filing paperwork (simplify)
• finish toy purge (simplify)
• set up new seed shelving (simplify)
• start reorganizing craft area (simplify)

• pray with jesse every week (focus)
• pray for my marriage everyday (focus)
• pray for my children everyday (focus)
• exercise at least 3 times/week (focus)
• pray about homeschooling curriculum (visit co-ops) (focus)
• have a date with jesse every week (focus)
• get time with a friend every week (focus)
• attend hearts at home conference march 13th (focus)
  

• plan luca's 5th birthday celebration (create)
• finish potager plan (create)
• start seeds indoors (create)
• plant outdoor seeds when soil warms (create)
• prune roses and apple trees (create)
• finish works in progress (create)
  
• plan blog party week for end of the month (super fun - stay tuned!!!) (create)
  

and as will probably be typical - this is just my starting point.  i will tweak things a bit as the month progresses.
keep you updated (for reals this time)

how is your 2010 progressing so far? are you rocking this year?