Resolution Recap: August

This post is a little late, but better late than never, right?? And it's always a good review for me...

1) Read 14 books: I am making progress!  Labor Day Weekend allowed me to make major progress on this one.  I think I have completed 8 books so far.  My current work-in-progress is this:

2) Learn to sew: I have LOTS of cute fabrics that I want to do something with.  And I have borrowed a sewing machine from a friend.  Now, I just need to put it on a table and give it a try.  The worst thing that happens is I don't get it right the first time and need a seam ripper.  Does anyone have any good websites or blogs to get ideas for a beginner's project?  I was thinking of trying to do a pillowcase dress, but I may need something even more "beginner" than that!

3) Cook more frequently: Doing MUCH better on this!  Doing the meal share with our neighbors definitely helps, and then posting about it on Foodie Fridays holds me even more accountable.  I definitely spend a little bit more at the store, but if we ate out each night, we'd be spending even more!

4) Read the Bible everyday and read it all the way through: I definitely read passages everyday but have yet to get back into my daily reading assignments.  I really must do better at that this month.

5) Use treadmill/work out at least 4 times/week: Doing better at this too!  Since Katie is back in MDO, I make it a point to run or use the treadmill on those days.  And then I try to go by my mom's on another day and let her do art projects with Katie for me to run in her neighborhood.  I can run 1.3 miles without stopping - I consider that a huge feat!  Now if I can just get past that and add to it :)

6) Use coupons when I shop: If there are coupons for the items I need at the store for the recipes in my meal plan, I definitely use them.  And when meal planning, I try to use what we have on hand.  With that said, I find it hard to meal plan and find recipes and also use coupons.  But I need to get back into the drugstore couponing for toiletries, cleaning products, etc!

7) De-clutter & simplify: I haven't done so well at that this month.  In fact, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all our stuff.  We are coming up on living in this house for one year (can it be possible?!) and we have definitely accumulated a LOT of crap!  I need to use a day when Katie is at MDO and just go through different closets and have a big Goodwill box, a trash bag, and methods of organization ready to go!

8) Find a Sunday school class at church: Ugh.  We all want to.  I mentioned to Brad that maybe tomorrow we could go.  Hoping we can get up early and give it a go!

9) Buy fresh flowers once/month: I made up for not having any around in July - we had two different bunches this month!  Our neighbor's parents came to town and they brought these beauties!  They actually raise these and have won a bunch of awards!  LOVE them!

 And then my friend came over for dinner one night and brought us these flowers.  I love sunflowers, and I think the hydrangea combo is just perfect!

10) Have a date night with Brad at least once/month: Hm.  I think we did that.  I know we went to a Titans pre-season game.  I think that counts :)

11) Send 2 hand-written notes per month: I'm not so sure I did this.  So that means I need to do 6 this month to catch up for July and August!

12) Have another baby: Ugh. Nope.  But I do have a new plan.  And it doesn't include injectables anymore.  Hoping it works!

13) Use more eco-friendly cleaners: Still doing about the same.  So yes on some and also working on using up all the other ones we have purchased.  I also have yet to use my floor steam cleaner (gasp!).  Even after all of that research I put into it - I am happy with the purchase and am sure I will be even more excited once I actually use it.  I need to do that at least once a month (if not more often) to sanitize and clean!

14) Have structured learning time each day: Potty training has still taken the forefront of this.  We have lots of panties.  And some books about being a big girl and using the potty.  And potty treats.  And a doll that drinks and goes potty.  I just need to pull the trigger and go cold turkey with stopping the diapers - except maybe at naptime/bedtime.  Hoping we can get this going soon.  I think, rather than the little potties, I want to get the big potty inserts so that we don't have to have another habit to break.  We shall see.

How are you doing with your resolutions this year? I can't believe we only have a few more months of 2011 left...then it is time for more resolutions!