Today I'm linking up for Favorite Things.
and Resolution Revolution 2013
I'll admit February has been a rough month. I've been SO busy and stressed at work and it's put me in a bad mood for most of the month.
Both Lee's and my birthday are in February and of course there's Valentine's Day. Lee and I also had the chance to have backstage passes to Winter Jam.
Overall, though, I'm glad this month is over and I'm on a 2 week break from work!
Both Lee's and my birthday are in February and of course there's Valentine's Day. Lee and I also had the chance to have backstage passes to Winter Jam.
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I'd rather you hear from some people who had a better month than me:
Pamela from Pam's Heavenly Treats' favorite thing from February was her post on a 5 minute crumb cake in a mug. This is perfect when you just need a quick treat and Pam has made this for herself 3 times this month! Seriously, if you're not following Pam, you're missing out on some yummy stuff!
Nadine from A Secondary Heartbeat's favorite thing was an evening spent with friends being crafty. She says she's not a craft kind of girl, but loves having pretty things around. The evening resulted in two walls in her apartment being outfitted with new decor and lots of ideas brewing in her mind for cards and prints. That sounds like a great night in my book and I think Nadine would be a great person to craft with.
Breanna from Sweet Silver Lining's favorite thing was using nail polish and coming up with cool designs for her nails. I think I need to get her to do my nails. Mine never look that good when I do them!
Kera from Nugget on a Budget enjoyed attending the Ash Wednesday service at her church. She says that it's always refreshing how it breaks up the cold of winter and promises spring and new beginnings in the coming weeks. That does sound neat. I've never been to an Ash Wednesday service.
Jo from Jo, My Gosh!'s favorite things was seeing her youngest sister's production of the Vagina Monologues. She's proud of her sister's commitment to advocating on behalf of survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. That's awesome. I love when people have a cause they're passionate about.
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Lastly, I want to share an update on how things are going with my 13 in '13 goals.
1. Make my blog more about me and less about "what everyone else is doing." {Read details here.}
I've begun to make some much needed changes. The biggest changes are yet to come, though. Look for those in March.
2. Cut down on excess in my life. I will be reading Seven: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker and I would like to participate as I read. {Read details here.}
2. Cut down on excess in my life. I will be reading Seven: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker and I would like to participate as I read. {Read details here.}
I finished reading this book and will be reviewing it tomorrow. Now, I need to figure out how to make some changes in my own life to cut down on excess.
3. Read through the rest of the New Testament. {Read details here.}
3. Read through the rest of the New Testament. {Read details here.}
I've done TERRIBLE with this. At the beginning of this post I told you how busy and stressed I've been. I know I shouldn't make excuses and this is something I want to get together this next few weeks while I'm tracked out.
4. Read a chapter from Psalm and/or Proverbs every Friday. {Read details here.}
4. Read a chapter from Psalm and/or Proverbs every Friday. {Read details here.}
I've also done terrible with this one. I think I've done this once.
5. Plan each month's meals in advance. Look for new recipes and cook a variety of things. Eat out less! {Read details here.}
5. Plan each month's meals in advance. Look for new recipes and cook a variety of things. Eat out less! {Read details here.}
I've done okay with this one. I'm still not on the schedule as well as I used to be, but I'm making progress. Since February's a short month, we haven't made a big grocery shopping trip and we're trying to eat the food we already have.
6. Write a letter every other month to the children we sponsor through Compassion, Alan and Malaiyarasi. {Read details here.}
6. Write a letter every other month to the children we sponsor through Compassion, Alan and Malaiyarasi. {Read details here.}
I wrote them letters just the other night.
7. Read at least 40 books. At least 10 of those books should be
nonfiction. At least 5 of those books should be classic novels. {Read
details here.}
This is probably the goal I've done the best with. I read a lot of books in January. I didn't read as many in February, but I'm still ahead of schedule as I've read 9 books. I need to read at least one classic novel next month, though.
8. Get healthy. Exercise at least 4 times a week. Make healthier food choices. {Read details here.}
Some weeks I eat healthier than others. I've done pretty well with exercising. The seminary where my husband goes to school is offering a few workout classes for free and some of my coworkers and I have started working out a few days after school.
9. Create the budget with my husband and stick to it! {Read details here.}
9. Create the budget with my husband and stick to it! {Read details here.}
I haven't done this at all! My husband creates the budget. I know nothing about it. We probably spend over budget. I need to improve on this!
10. Go on at least 2 intentional dates a month. Have 2 nights a month that are technology free. {Read details here.}
10. Go on at least 2 intentional dates a month. Have 2 nights a month that are technology free. {Read details here.}
Um...we've gone out and done things together, but we haven't been very intentional about saying "this is a date." We went out on Valentine's. We haven't had a technology free night, but we've backed down on the amount of time we spend on technology every day which I consider a win.
11. Do at least 10 things that I pinned on Pinterest. (Read details here.)
11. Do at least 10 things that I pinned on Pinterest. (Read details here.)
I haven't done anything that I've pinned on Pinterest lately. :(
12. Learn how to effectively use my DSLR camera. (Read details here.)
12. Learn how to effectively use my DSLR camera. (Read details here.)
This is on my list to do during my track out.
13. Create a cleaning schedule (AND STICK TO IT) so that the house gets cleaned little by little throughout the week instead of me having to clean all weekend. (Read details here.)
13. Create a cleaning schedule (AND STICK TO IT) so that the house gets cleaned little by little throughout the week instead of me having to clean all weekend. (Read details here.)
We did create a cleaning schedule and we've done pretty good with sticking to it. I like having a clean house.
