Seriously need to stop mixing my blogs...

And who in the heck is reading this? :-) I checked my stats and I saw a lot of hits. Odd. Well whatever floats your boat lol. If your going to read it, I'll give you a better update. 

As a...ugh...36 year old mother of one. I'm in a very stressful yet extremely happy part of my life. I have a significant other who loves me and respects me and treats me as a desirable person. However, due to our current financial situation is very stressed out because he has to watch our child and work at the same time. Which I am horribly grateful for. 

I'm struggling, as most people do, to find a balance between mom, girlfriend, and individual. I feel like individuality right now is at the sacrifice of my own boyfriends free-time. Both of us feel guilty whenever another goes out. 

I feel I can improve at my job, but lack the motivation at all. I went from being the best in my company to being the floundering newbie. And I'm not sure if it's because of the culture or my ineptitude. It's definately been an interesting experience though and I have learned a "few" things. 

I'm struggling with my weight. I've lost a few lbs, but still haven't really restricted myself and taken the dive. I know friends that are doing fantastically and it's all because they put their whole heart into it. 

I guess thats what I struggle with most. I don't put my whole heart into anything lately. I just half-ass it. But I don't have the time to whole-heartedly do everything. So I really need to reprioritize. 

Whew! Well I guess next I will attempt to reprioritize and set my schedule. I really need to finish 7 Habits. Bleh.

Really? 7 Days??

Okay, time to focus up. Choose one or two and prioritize:

My main concern is my professionalism at work and my family's health right now. Okay, and money. Ugh!

So...

Family health: I will be proactive and prepare healthy meals. If I won't be home, it's time to crockpot.

Money: Start sticking to the daily budget. No exceptions.

Work: Start looking at your requests through your requestors eyes. Give them what they want + 20% more.

Catchup

Okay, it's been awhile. So much has happened. We've moved, fixed the car, taken care of some finances, lost poor Pookie. Stress is boundless right now. So I believe I need to add some "me" time or stress relieving habits to my list. Time to revisit again:

• Love and respect for all people: Been getting somewhat better at this. Been more patient and forgiving with Will. I notice I still need to listen more and really get involved in those around me. The stress has taken away all my energy and focus, but I think it's time to get involved again. Action: Look at the person who is talking to you and reiterate what they said slightly varied. Get excited for them.
  
• Patient and appreciate life: Goodness, patience is a big one for me lately! I am so impatient with everyone and everything. I'm not sure why when what am I rushing for? I need to just relax and enjoy. Even home has been a flurry of clean, clean, clean. Action: Redo schedule to focus on relaxing and enjoying and less cleaning.
• I am healthy and my family is healthy: I've been cooking at home more often and eating better. However, I really need to focus on making a menu and sticking with it. Action: Make a menu with breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, and make sure every meal has a vegetable and fruit. Focus on diabetic friendly meals.
  
• I am passionate and enjoy life: I think I've been getting better at this too. Not making excuses to stay at home. Been going out with friends more often. I think we'll take more of a direct approach for this one. Action: Take pictures of everything!
• I am professional and creative at work: Another difficult one. I'm finding it hard to get really excited about work. I'm in this fog and getting very close to talking to a therapist or doctor about it. Need to focus again and stay sharp and enjoy work. How do I do this? Action: Develop mission and goals for work. Get focused. Review 7 Habits.
  
• I am proactive in dealing with conflict: Need to refocus on this again. I was doing so well and then finances went in the crapper. Action: Schedule time to call debt collectors. Avoid email and voice mail for communication.
  
• I have my finances under control: Weelll, budgeting has gotten better. Spending has not. However, in the past three months we have spent $2500 on a DOC Band, $3800 on a new engine, $900 (minus 400 from Will) on a rental car, XMas spending, ~$400 on moving expenses, $130 on a dryer....so yeah. I supposed I can give us a little leeway on that one. Action: Stick to budget.
  

And most importantly...review this every day. That really is the most important step.

I did it!

I mustered up my courage and finally called on a creditor that I was so dreading. Of course, now I have to do this a couple more times, but finances are much better in check. Perhaps I should pull out cash for each week, to ensure we don't go over.

So let's review all the goals today:

- Love and respect for all people: Well I have been trying to be less nagging and more respectful of Will and Ricky. I still need to work on it though. My exhaustion is affecting my overall interactions with people and I need to relax and enjoy life better. Next step: Make eye contact with people more.

- Patient and appreciate life: Oh goodness, well I suppose Riddles does help me work on my patience. However, I need to be more patient and relaxed in general. Perhaps this is the goal I should focus on next.

- I am healthy and my family is healthy: Well, I have been cooking more often as well as trying to get Ricky to eat healthier. I love that man and want to spend as many years possible with him. next step: menu planning.

- I am passionate and enjoy life: Yeah, need to totally work on this one. Especially after the move. I have not been thoroughly enjoying life like I should. Perhaps I'll arrange a date night with Ricky. At least we get to go out St Pattys Day.

- I am professional and creative at work: I have been improving in this area, however I really need to get out of this fog I have and focus on details. Maybe I can Google some ways to accomplish this.

- I am proactive in dealing with conflict: Yay! Actual improvement here. Still need to make a couple of calls, but working on this and doing well.

- I have my finances under control: Since dealing with conflict has been better, so has finances. Yay! Should be doing much better in a month or so!!

So next steps: (wow, this is really working)
- Enjoy life ultimately. Try to make things more fun and actually interact with people more. Take an interest in them. No talking about you or Riddles until you've talked about 3 different subjects with them.
- Cook at home 5 days out of 7 of the week. Doesn't have to be elaborate, just healthy. Must include at least one veggie.
- Find a way to better budget flexible daily spending.
- Find a way to get out of the fog at work. Check and double-check. Take your time.