Progress Report 26 - Half Way?!

How can we be half way through the year already?! Unbelievable. I was just looking over my list from the beginning of the year and have realized how much my priorities have changed in just six months. I am also feeling a bit forlorn at the thought that maybe I overreached in my list. Perhaps I have only lost my focus, but how to get it back, is the question. I don't feel as though my desires are any different, but the energy it takes to keep up the pace seems to be leaving me.
What have I accomplished in six months from my 2010 list?

1. Write a business plan for Designed by Row - I took a couple of seminars which pointed me in the right directions, but haven't actually done a formal plan. I have also read a couple of books that, I feel, were more of a benefit to the actual running of DbR.
   
2. Plan a trip to Scotland for spring 2011 - Haven't done a thing. Too depressing at the moment. This type of trip will probably have to be put off for a few years.
   
3. Complete 2 semesters of classes - I think I have killed this idea. I spent a year trying to complete one semester and didn't hit that goal. Now I am overdue and screwed.
   
4. Complete renovations of studio and move in - Interior renovations are complete and I am working out of the studio now. The outside has not been done yet, but hopefully before winter.
   
5. Pay off my computer - not even close
   
6. Pay off my credit card - nope
   
7. Take a family vacation - It's not looking good for this one either, but perhaps late summer.
   
8. Plant cedar hedges - Not happening this year.
   
9. Bring in regular freelance or web income - What I failed to realize when I was writing this list, was that if this one came to fruition, I would have very little time for everything else. However, I have had some regular work coming in. Not a lot, but it is steady.
   
10. Wainscoting and new paint for my kitchen - I definitely have not given up on this one. It takes money, which has been a bit hard to come by lately.
    

My goal for the next half of the year is to try to stay focused. I am too easily discouraged and part of growing my box is to break away from old habits that hold me back. The negative self-talk has got to stop. Life is what I make it. Obviously I need to get back to posting more often as it will help keep moving forward and not just treading water.

Progress Report 26 - Half Way

We are now half way through 2010. It's time to re-evaluate and re-commit. I've spent the last hour going over my original list. The recent events have effectively messed up my list. I've tried to reorganize it, but haven't yet come up with new items to fill in the blank spots. I'll have to give it some more thought this week.

This week I plan to:

1. Take Ella and friend shopping
2. Start weeding around house
3. Lori's birthday party
4. Pick up patio chairs
5. Rework 2010 list
6. Prepare for yard sale

Progress Report 25

I am back home again and back to the grind. Our trip to Las Vegas was fabulous and memorable! I'm so glad we had the opportunity to go. But honestly, I was desperately glad to get back home to my kids and try to build a normal lifestyle again after the upheaval of the last few weeks.

Our new house is starting to feel like home now. Thanks in part to Row who was very kind to unpack most of our books and arrange the bookshelves while we were away. It gives the house a lived-in feel. One major project this week will be to unpack some more boxes and arrange some rooms.

I'm heading back to work in just a few minutes. I feel tired just thinking about it. But perhaps this afternoon I can take a nap. My schedule has been affected by the time change and has been out straight since our arrival back home. Catching up on some rest will also be a priority this week. Thankfully, I am now in my summer schedule for work and have tomorrow off. I can sleep in and then work on my own house. :)

This week I will:

1. Sleep!
2. Unpack boxes
3. Arrange kids' room
4. New budget
5. Grocery shopping
6. New chore chart
7. Take Ella and friend shopping

Progress Report 24

From sunny Las Vegas, Nevada! This week, though a working week for Eric is also a vacation for us. Eric's business conference in Las Vegas gave us an opportunity to take a trip, see some sites, and take in some shows. We are staying at the Luxor Hotel, which is a large, black glass pyramid.The weather is currently 87 degrees and sunny.

Our flight to Nevada was exciting but uneventful. It was my first time in the air, but I was fascinated rather than nervous. The tops of the clouds were beautiful and the terrain was awesome from that height. Houses were tiny dots and rivers were just lines in the trees. Whole mountain ranges were visible and entire cities were mapped out before us. As we left Atlanta, heat lighting flashed in the clouds but the sailing was smooth. I was able to doze on and off.

Our layover in Atlanta, GA was not a layover at all, but just enough time to disembark from one airplane, walk half a mile to the other side of the airport, and board our next flight. Other than only eating airline pretzels and drinking 2 oz of Coke on the planes for supper, we enjoyed our travel. We arrived at our hotel this morning shortly after 1:00 am PST. Which was 4:00 EST! It was a late night but the extra 3 hours gave us time to recoup some rest.

We've had a relaxing day so far. We found the food court in the hotel, got some breakfast, walked around out side for a few minutes and checked out the gift shops. With the casino in the center of the hotel, salesmen in every aisle trying to push vouchers, and tourist pricing at ever place of business, it's a full time job to try to keep money in our pockets. So far, so good.

Eric is putting in a couple hours of work now, and I'm thinking of my kids. I'm glad they are doing well and having fun with Auntie and Arianna back home. Again, I'm thankful for my sister. She's been a rock in sifting sand.

Viva Las Vegas!

Progress Report 24 (sans list)

I may not have posted a list recently, but my weekly planner had quite a bit on it. I have had multiple projects for DbR flowing through these past couple of weeks. It is very satisfying to be able to come home and work for me. This week is looking much like last week in that my list involves mostly client work. However, I need to add some house cleaning to it. :-P Arianna is at her mother's, so it is a good time to take care of it.

On another note, I am so thankful that Mandy and her family were able to rent the house they looked at. It was a roller-coaster of a week for them. I am glad that J and I were able to be there to help. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else when my sister was in need. I will be spending the first part of next week at her house watching the kids and helping to unpack a few things. I'm looking forward to the break from MMA, though feel slightly guilty that J will be home on Father's Day by himself. I will need to make sure he has everything he needs before I leave on Saturday, which means grocery shopping and some meal prep.

Time to go make supper. I'll post an actual list this weekend for week 25.

Progress Report 23

Progress. Two steps forward and one step back is still progress. It's slow and frustrating, but it's still progress.

Since finding out that we were losing our house and would have to move, we were served with a notice that said we had exactly 48 hours to vacate the property. After such time, we would not be allowed back on the property and anything left behind would no longer be ours. After the shock wore off and panic set it, I called my sister. Row and J made the immediate decision to drive 150 miles to rescue us. Eric's parents and sister also came to help as well as my friend, Katie. It was amazing how everyone came together and worked to move a household. Boxes and newspaper showed up, trailers and strapping. Even a storage unit was located.

I can honestly say that Row and Jay were my heroes that day. Row kept me sane and just worked without being asked. Jay took the initiative and hauled out everything of value; anything that could be sold to help us out. When it was all said and done, the house was an empty shell. Katie also was quick to help and even offer us a place to stay in a camper at her house.

On the bright side, we were able to rent a house minutes down the road from our previous residence on Friday. The house is beautiful and spacious, even if it's smaller. The kids have a yard to play in and we were able to keep the dog. The chickens are being taken care of by Katie for now. We are hoping to get permission to keep them at our new place. We have two apple trees, and two pear trees. There is a screen porch and a large deck. We have a full basement and attic as well as an attached garage.

Yesterday, we rented a 16ft moving truck and a bunch of guys from our church came out to help move. In two trips they moved everything from storage into the garage at our new home. A couple ladies helped me clean cabinets and arrange the furniture. We were able to unpack most of the kitchen and Eric set up his office enough to get back to work.

The last week has felt like a month and my legs are tired. Friday we are headed to Canobie Lake Park, and Sunday it's off to Las Vegas! I hope I can find my clothes before then...

Progress Report 22

Last week I was able to cross several things off of my list for the year. I paid off my car, hiked the Ecotat and lost my house (which effectively marked one thing off of my 2010 list and 3 off my 30 Things list.) Strangely all three things bring a sense of excitement. Having my car paid off frees more of my income for other things. The Ecotat was beautiful and refreshing. Definitely worth a second visit. And moving always brings new adventures.

Since moving has become an immediate priority, it will become top of my list over the next few weeks. Every room must be thoroughly sorted and packed. A yard sale is a must, some things will go into storage, and a lot of preparations must be made in finding our next home, and possible our pets' next home. In the midst of all this, I am taking a trip to Canobie Lake Park with my SS class, going to Las Vegas, NV, attending a ladies conference, grading school papers, working and preparing for a yard sale. So without further ado... my list.

Next week I will:

1. Pick up boxes
2. Grade 4 subjects
3. Submit state school forms
4. Clean out garage for yard sale
5. Look for houses to rent
6. Make some phone calls