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. 

Project 50 - Day 4

Day for of this challenge was on Monday, but I'm not good at writing my reflections. Also, since yesterday was Tuesday, there is no review for that day because I have no way of fitting all of this stuff in on Tuesdays. 

My morning routine is probably the easiest part of this challenge. I have it pretty much ingrained in me at this point on the weekdays. I enjoy my time praying, reading scriptures, and writing in my journal. It is my time spent in silence with God. 

I did ok with my eating. I am continuing to eat a can of fruit with my breakfast. We are starting to run low, but I will figure that part out. I'm not great at adding fruit or vegetables with lunch. I know I need to do better. Since I work from home, I have no excuse for this. 

I did my exercise and working on my skill at the same time. I walked in place while I crocheted. I was running out of time at the end of the day because I went out with my friend to a movie and dinner. I am excited that I have my first row of the picture done and can't wait until I get further into it. 

I'm moving along in Eleanor Roosevelt's autobiography. I love this woman. She did so many great things! I don't know how anyone could not look up to her. 

Project 50 - Days 2 and 3

I forgot to write my reflection last night, so I'm going to do it with today's reflection.

Goal 1: Morning Routine

• This went well yesterday but was a bit shaky today. I'm actually proud of myself for doing any of it on the weekend because I am horrible at setting aside the time to prayer, read scriptures, and journal on the weekends. (The shower and getting ready for the day part never get skipped.) Today was hard because I was trying to read at the table while I was eating breakfast with Chad watching tv in the living room. I was a bit too distracted, but I didn't want to do it in my room like I do on weekdays. I may have to concede and take my breakfast and morning routine bag to my desk in my room.

Goal 2: Read 10 pages

• This goal was hard for me yesterday. I was groggy all day. It actually took me three time of reading a few pages at a time to get through my 10 pages. It's not that I don't like the book. I was just tired.
• Today, this goal was a bit easier. I did break it into 5 pages at a time (before the Broncos game and during half time), but it wasn't hard to do. 

Goal 3: 1 hour of exercise 

• This is a hard goal for me, but I got it done both days even though I really wanted to skip it today. Yesterday, I went for an hour walk with Chad. Today I walked around the house for an hour. I much prefer walking outside. 

Goal 4: Eat healthy meals 

• I can honestly say I'm doing better at this than I was before the challenge, but I'm not doing as good as I would like. My breakfasts have been fairly healthy, I think. Yesterday, I had avocado toast with bacon and Swiss cheese and some grapes. Today, I had avocado toast with eggs and Swiss cheese and a can of pears. Lunch had been more difficult. I don't remember what I had yesterday, but today I had gravy and whatever I found to dip in it (mostly bread and crackers). Dinner yesterday was biscuits and gravy made with ground turkey instead of hamburger and some peach slices. Today, Chad made butternut squash ravioli. 

Goal 5: work on a new skill for one hour a day

• I have found it easier to do this while watching tv or on the phone with my daughter. Even with the distractions, one hour is kind long to cut and crochet. Maybe it will be easier to sit and do this when I get to the picture in the blanket. Right now it is basically a row of single crochet followed by a row of double crochet.