Goal #10 COMPLETED

Goal #10: Write 7 blog posts in a month 1/31/11

Goal #9 COMPLETED

Goal #9: Do organizational projects for 7 friends this year

Friend #1: Suzie, COMPLETED 1/14/11

Friend #2: Kathi, COMPLETED 1/21/11

Friend #3: Ivelisse, COMPLETED 1/22/11

Friend #4: Chloe and Isabella, COMPLETED 1/30/11

Friend #5: Heather, COMPLETED 2/5/11

Friend #6: Kathi, COMPLETED 3/11/11

Friend #7: Heidi, COMPLETED 5/13/11

Goal #17 COMPLETED

Goal #17: Complete 7 home improvement projects this year

Project #1: Install wrap holder in cupboard
COMPLETED 1/8

Project #2: Update basement lighting
COMPLETED 5/19

Project #3: Fix back door latch and trim
COMPLETED 5/17

Project #4: Finish master bathroom
COMPLETED 5/19

Project #5: Replace bedroom shades
COMPLETED 6/1

Project #6: Touch-up deck paint
COMPLETED 5/5

Project #7: Paint repairs in office
COMPLETED 5/12

Goal #1 COMPLETED

Goal #1: Eat only from the pantry for a month

Guidelines:

• Eat only from the pantry, freezer, refrigerator
• No eating out
• May purchase milk, eggs, bread and fresh produce
• Begins today with no pre-planning or stockpile shopping

Exceptions:

• Cooking for others: may purchase ingredients for donated meals
• May accept dinner invites from friends

Launch Date: 1/8
End Date: 2/8

Lessons Learned:

• Forced creativity: I have made some of the most delicious (and healthy!) meals just by trying new combinations based on what I had on hand.
• Rationing: I found myself more conscientious about quantities, leftovers, throwing away food. I might end up needing that item in a few weeks!
• Week 3 is tough. Not because I'm running out of food but because I'm getting bored with what I have and am tempted to go buy fries. I'm headed to PA tomorrow to spend time with family and will have to break the "no eating out" rule a few times.
• I am a person of excess. True American.
  

Revolution not Resolution

I'm not a New Year's resolution person. Never have been. Long story short, I wanted to do something goal oriented for 2011 but didn't know where to begin. And honestly, I didn't give it much thought (ok who am I kidding...didn't give it ANY thought!). Then during a girl's night out with my very inspiring friend, Anna, we landed on this idea. Based on Jen Hatmaker's concept of "Seven," we came up with our own personal "Seven" challenge.

Jen's goal for her "Sevens" was to minimize the excess in her life. My "Seven" project has a different purpose. I analyzed the areas of my life that I'm weak in and set a challenge or goal that will help me improve in that area. So each area ends up getting addressed in some small way throughout the year. When I finished composing my list (seen in the "Seven" Goals to the right), I thought that maybe I'd over done it. It seemed a bit much. But my hope is that I at least see progress...that I meet most, if not all, of the goals. And I won't label myself a failure if they aren't all completed.

So this blog is my progress chart. I will track each goal by updating its post and showing its progress. Goals will be tackled randomly, not in order.

Hmmmm...maybe one of my goals should be to NOT have seven health issues this year!

Here's to a revolutionary 2011!