Like a new school year...

I'm going into September like I would a new school year. Not like college or anything, but elementary school and middle school-- when each year was going to be completely different- and my mind was always really excited for everything I would learn-- I had relaxed all summer and felt refreshed walking into the new year. I'm going into the COA this month the same way. It's not any kind of "new year" for me, but I'm going to make it that. The late August COA meeting REALLY helped me. Good food, good friends, and good honest conversations. I sometimes feel like I can talk in circles and never get to a place of "resolution" about anything. But- these several months we've been meeting I feel like I have reached different places with my goals, and I do feel like there are people who are holding me accountable!

Goal: De-Clutter
I've been posting things on Craigslist non-stop on the Saturdays that Jeff has been working at weddings. It makes me feel better about watching hours of bad television, annnnd I get something done. I finally sold a violin I had, but I think ebay might be my best bet. I went through my whole GWTW collection and found all the duplicates, and now I am cataloging. I feel pretty good about my de-cluttering. We haven't added to the clutter, and Julie will make sure I don't buy any un-necessary books at the conference, or postcards for that matter (I just found a bunch of postcards I bought at the last conference in my laptop bag, certainly made good use of them!)
Goal for September:Don't buy books at the conference, post duplicates on ebay


Goal: Lose Weight
 Eh, I am putting this goal on hold. I have reached a good place with my mental health- and I would like to maintain that and focus more on making me "healthy" in all aspects. Yes, this includes physical- but I seem to bring myself down more when I focus on my weight. Jeff and I cook together and enjoy restaurants together, and being still in the newly married stage, I am not wanting to give that up (right now). There will certainly be  a time where weight is my biggest focus- but not right now. But, in this "healthy me" focus- I am going to run and be physical. Jennifer said she is going to make me a plan. Now that I just read that Julie may be bringing her running shoes to the conference we are both attending, uh-oh! I don't know how I will feel if Julie goes running and I sit in the hotel room watching the Today show. Maybe I'll have to go for a walk or something.
Goal for September: Start the training program Jennifer sent me on Monday the 9th. Stay away from crap food that I binged on all weekend on vacation! Go to yoga!

Goal: Debt
We have been doing very good with our budget. We have about one more month of large medical bills, then we are back to  putting money away in savings, etc. Of course, I think life will always throw unexpected costs our way. But- between these unexpected costs we will continue to try and save. Our vacation really didn't cost much, which is good. But- October is packed with lots of fun things we have planned- so we better start saving!!! I successfully sold something on craigslist, so I let myself buy some shoes that I needed.
Goal for September: Keep the spending minimal- and keep trying to sell things on ebay to have some spending money!

Goal: Career
I've been on a roller coaster with my job. I went weeks with feeling stagnant and wanting more, and then it changes.  There have been a lot of changes at my job in the last few weeks-- lots of changes that I think are going to be very good. I'm actually very excited right now about a lot- and want to keep this mindset. After talking soo many times with the COA- I feel like I finally got to a good place with me thinking about my career. I'm ready to be productive and successful! I'm going to be happy where I am at - make the absolute best of it so when my next step in life makes itself present, I'm ready!
Goal for September: Write a list of what I'd like to accomplish. Pick one project to accomplish each month. Remember this feeling next time I get frustrated. 

New Goal?
I want to spend time figuring out what I want to do with my time, less focusing on what I don't want.
Goal for September: Start a "bucket list" of things I would like to do sometime.