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Savoring life in the Berkshires

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Goals in Progress: July

Published on August 1, 2011 By Emily. Updated on August 31, 2011

…and it’s August.  Yikes. And yet, I don’t have that panicked “oh no! Summer vacation is almost over and then I have to go back to work!” feeling that some of my teacher friends get around this time.  I feel like, so far, the summer’s been really good and it’s not even over yet.

Last month, along with my progress, I listed all the goals I wished I’d made.  This month (and probably for the rest of the year), I’ll be documenting my progress on both my January goals and my June “if I’d only known” goals.

1.  Waste less time/Create a posting schedule and stick to it

Considering that it’s summer and I’ve had lots of time to waste, I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of making good use of my time.  I taught summer school, worked hard on this website, finished a book, hung out with my husband, participated in some other work-related activities and got some good relaxing in.  Unlike last summer, which I felt like didn’t exist, I feel really good about July.

And, within the last week or so, I created a posting schedule and calendar and I’m feeling really excited about it.  I’ll be posting on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, which is close to what I was posting previously.  Now that I’ve formally set my own deadlines and mapped out when I’m writing about what, I’m hoping more quality, consistency and clarity is on the way, plus less stress.

2.  Read a chapter of the bible every day/(no revised goal)

July was definitely an improvement over June’s almost non-existent reading, but there’s still room to get even better.  Hopefully the majority of August days will feature some bible reading.

3.  Drink more water/Drink at least one water bottle of water a day and drink something else with every meal

I didn’t really keep track, but I’m pretty sure I made it on this one.  As I’ve mentioned, for some reason if I’m teaching, I tend to carry my water bottle around the room with me and drink from it often.  Teaching summer school, even though its not a full day, has once again increased my hydration.  That, and the miserable hot weather.

just don't fall

4.  Read at least one book a month/Read at least 12 books this year

During July, I read 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam.  I didn’t agree 100% with what she said, but I did pick up a lot of really good tips and have started looking differently at how I spend my time. There’s a full review of the book coming, I promise.  August’s book is Just Don’t Fall: How I Grew Up, Conquered Illness, and Made It Down the Mountain by Josh Sundquist, which I’m really looking forward to reading.  I’ve seen some of Josh’s videos on YouTube and they’re hilarious.

5.  Improve my fitness by going to the gym twice a week and doing sit ups and push ups on off days/Do something physically active at least 3 times a week

Again, I haven’t really been keeping track, but I did well this month.  I ran my second 5k (and set an awesome PR) mid-month and have run a few more times since then.  I haven’t been sticking to the 3000 in 35 ab challenge too closely, but I have been doing more ab exercises than usual.

me heather and liz

6.  Open our home at least once a month/Have at least 12 different groups of people over to the apartment

At one point, I thought we were going to double up this month, but there was so much stuff going on it just didn’t happen.  We did have some friends over at the beginning of July and I made my mom’s Spaghetti with Herbed Tomatoes and Cheese, which was a hit.  We’re definitely going to get together with them again.

7.  Give Relishments a makeover/(no revised goal)

The makeover was done this spring, but this month I discovered a new plugin that allows for easier printing of recipes.  Maybe if I get the chance I’ll edit some of my old posts to include it.  I’ve been feeling really good about what I’ve been producing for the blog, as well as the feedback I’ve been getting.  Finally, my readers are giving up lurking and have begun leaving comments!  I’m sure I’ll come back from HLS this month with a lot of ideas of how to keep making things better as well.

8.  See new things/(no revised goal)

Brian and I ventured to the Northampton/Hadley area one afternoon, partially to attend at Kim O’Donnel book signing, and had a lovely time walking around downtown.  We also explored a local park I’d never been to.  We’ve got some really great adventures coming up in August, so stay tuned.

IMG_4716

Don’t forget to check out my 2011 goals page to see how I’ve been progressing since January!

Speaking of adventures, in order to get the most out of what’s left of summer, I’m taking a little blogging break over the next couple of weeks.  Fear not-I have some really excellent guest posts lined up and I’ll fill you in on how I spent my free time when my break is over.

Related Posts

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Being Intentional
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Filed Under: life Tagged With: goals

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Comments

  1. Maggie says

    August 1, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Your doing a great job with your goals! Wish I could get a little more organized with what I want to accomplish, but. As for now I am just going with the flow and enjoying summer…Fall always brings a little more time and a better schedule for us! Keep it up Em!

  2. Michelle @ The Cooking Life says

    August 2, 2011 at 11:04 am

    I’m such a goal-oriented person so I need to do a list like this. I think it’ll help me tremendously, to keep things in order. Enjoy your break :)

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Emily
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
Link in profile.
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One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
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I can't remember the last time I baked bread, some I can't remember the last time I baked bread, something that was part of my routine for a long time. Today school was cancelled due to the extremely cold temperatures outside and I took the opportunity to make 8 loaves - most of which will be put into the freezer until they're needed. Baking more bread was part of my 2022 theme of "resume" and I'm so happy to be back to it.
Recipe, as usual, from @breadin5
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New on the blog: my first posted CSA menu plan sin New on the blog: my first posted CSA menu plan since September! I didn't intend to take so much time off, but I'm looking forward to the meals I've planned over the next 2 weeks using @mightyfoodfarm produce.
Follow the link in my profile to see the post.
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My blog post with my 2022 theme word is now publis My blog post with my 2022 theme word is now published! Click the link in my profile to read more.
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