Project 50 - Day 11

Yesterday, I felt accomplished. I pushed past the feelings of not wanting to do things and past the feelings of things being too hard. The morning routine of course went great. I enjoy knowing that part of what I am reading each morning is the same as many people around the world, the Old Testament. Even when I don't understand it, I know there is someone who does. I can research and learn more if I desire. My eating is ok, but not great. I had eggs and toast for breakfast, leftover tater tot casserole for lunch, and chicken with rice, peach slices, and corn for dinner. Those things don't seem too bad. The snacks throughout the day are my weak spot. I'm going to have to figure out how to curb the cravings. When it comes to exercise, I have a Gazelle which is like an elliptical in a way. I worked out on that for an hour while watching the news and talking to my daughter. It's not the most fun way to work out, and I really just wanted to relax and watch the news after work. I knew that I would have kicked myself if I had done that later that evening, though. I'm glad I did it when I did because after dinner, I was working on getting new car insurance because outlets was being canceled due to a mixup when Noel was in her accident in August. It took and hour and a half to get everything figured out and quotes to compare. I had already done my reading in Eleanor Roosevelt's autobiography while making dinner and only had mosaic crochet left for the day. By the time everything was taken care of and dishes were washed it was after 9pm, but I still got the crochet done. It was a long day of fitting throngs in when I didn't want to and pushing through when tired and frazzled, but I completed all of my goals. I love knowing that I was able to do this even with the stress and struggles of the day. 

Project 50 - Day 10

It's hard to believe I am this far into the challenge. There are days than harder than others. Monday started off great. I got almost everything done before Eric came to dinner. However, I never got the exercise in because he stayed so late. Honestly, I would rather spend time with him since he only comes over about once a month. The good news is that my eating was better than it's been. I had apples with breakfast and lunch, and for dinner Chad made tater tot casserole with green beans and orange slices on the side. It was probably one of the best meals we've had since all of his health problems started earlier this year. I am still reading the wonderful Eleanor Roosevelt's autobiography and learning so much about her and details about history I wouldn't know any other way. I'm going to feel so lost when I finish it. My crochet has gotten harder. I feel like I'm having to pull out and redo a lot, but I guess that's the point of learning a new skill even when it is building of an old one. My morning routine is still going well. I don't see than changing any time soon. I love spending my mornings praying, reading my scriptures, and soon my journal. It is a quiet time I get to reflect on my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the direction they would like me to take my life. Even though Monday wasn't as successful as I would liked, it was a good day. Next time Eric is supposed to come over, I will get everything done before he gets here.

Project 50 - Day 9

 Yesterday was hard but good in the end. I fasted 2 meals, so what I ate came down to dinner. For dinner, Chad made macaroni and cheese with tuna in it and  some zucchini cooked in butter and herbs. Then, we had ice cream for dessert. My crochet project threw me off for a while. The first row I tried, I figured out my count was off when I was almost to the end. I had to take out most of the row to correct the mistake. I put it to the side for a few hours and watched the Broncos game instead. After dinner, I got up the nerve to try the row again. This time I got it right. The next row gave me similar problems. It was harder to figure out where the mistake was, but I got it figured out and powered through to the end of the row. Because of these issues, it took longer than an hour to get through those rows. Then, I happily read my 10 pages in Eleanor Roosevelt's autobiography about her work in the Human Rights Commission. She was such a fascinating woman! I can't believe I have less than 2 weeks left of reading about her. For my exercise, I walked around the living room and kitchen for an hour. I wish that messing up on my crochet project hadn't thrown me off so bad, but I'm glad I showed myself that I can move past such things and still accomplish my goals. 

Project 50 - Day 8

Yesterday wasn't too bad. I finished my morning routine and was able to do the reading and journaling at the table which is a rare treat. For exercise, Chad and I walked to the ballot box at the town center which is about a 30-minute walk each way. It felt so good to be out in the cool fall air. I need to remember that feeling and get out more often for walks. My eating was both good and bad. I had leftover pizza and an apple for breakfast, chicken noodle soup with an apple and crackers for lunch, and homemade Jack-O-Lantern pizza for dinner with ice cream for dessert. I easily got through my nonfiction book. I read about Eleanor Roosevelt's experience as a delegate in the first UN assembly. I did my mosaic crochet after dinner as a wind-down activity while Sean and Chad did the dishes. It was a good way to end the day. I would have to say that I am enjoying this challenge even on days in which I drag my feet to finish all of the tasks. It's giving me the sense of accomplishment that I so badly need right now. 

Project 50 - Day 7

 Yesterday was a bit hard, but I accomplished my goals. The morning routine as always was the easiest part. I love spending my mornings growing closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study. My eating wasn't great but also wasn't horrible. I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast with some homemade apple cider donuts, leftover chicken taco for lunch, and pizza for dinner with various snacks intermingled. Getting exercise and crochet done was more difficult. I spent a while talking to Chad and crashing out because of some things my sister said. By the time I calmed down, Sean was done making dinner. Then, I had only a few hours to read, exercise, and crochet before bed. Of course, I wa going to make sure I read at least 10 pages in Eleanor Roosevelt's autobiography. There was no way I was putting that off. I tried to tell myself it would be ok if I missed either exercise or crochet for one day, but I knew I wouldn't be happy if I did that. Instead, I decided to crochet while walking in place for an hour. It worked better than I thought it would. By the time the hour was up, I was more than halfway through the third row of the day and decided to sit down and finish that row. I'm glad I didn't give up on myself and and found a way to accomplish my goals. I already have a good start on today, so I have no excuse to not get things done this time. 

Project 50 - Day 6

Yesterday wasn't bad. I was able to get everything done without feeling rushed. The morning routine is still going smooth. I can't think of anything I would want to change right now. My eating is still a bit off, but we had some money come in that will make this an easier goal as we go. One thing that made our eating better yesterday was that I was craving apples and was able to send Chad to the store to get them. Also, we had chicken tacos for dinner, so we had the veggies that go with that. That is an improvement from the day before yesterday. My skill (mosaic crochet) is moving along. I am now working color rows for each row which makes it both more fun and more challenging which is the point of working on a new skill even if it builds on my current abilities. For my exercise, I hopped on the Gazelle while Chad and I watched a movie. It's not as fun as other forms of exercise, but it got the job done. Reading my nonfiction book is going great. Eleanor Roosevelt was such an amazing woman! Reading about her life in her words is something I love doing. Her personality coming through the pages makes me love her even more. I am loving this challenge so far. It is helping me prioritize things that I want to do and gets me off my phone and using my brain instead. 

Project 50 - Day 5

Yesterday was fairly smooth in most areas for this challenge. My diet is a bit off because we didn't know what was going on financially, so we did a bare minimum grocery shopping this week. I believe we have things figured out, so I may send Chad to the store to get a few things so we can do better at this challenge. My morning routine has been going really well. I have been reading in the Bible in the morning lately, and I can feel

It strengthening my testimony in the Lord. The mosaic crochet blanket is coming along decently so far. I am now 3 rows into the picture which means it has gotten a bit more difficult, but that's the point. I'm supposed to be learning. I also finished part 2 of Eleanor Roosevelt's autobiography. She was truly a remarkable woman. If I could be even a portion of the person she was, I would be happy. For my exercise yesterday, I walked in place for an hour while watching a movie with Chad. I know that most people wouldn't count that, but I do. It is more movement that I did for a long time. I will get into other things like workout videos from YouTube. I just haven't yet. 

Overall, I think this challenge is helping me a lot. I have personal goals I want to reach in life, and this is giving me a bit of direction to reach them.