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Here it is, just about the end of May!! I’m actually overdue for this check-in; had been hoping to get to it earlier in the month but it’s been a busy one and hey…I’m human! :-).

So here was my original list for 2008:

(obviously not a complete list):

• continue to learn and train as necessary for my first sprint-level Triathlon; I want to do my first in the spring of ‘09 so the bulk of my learning and prep should be within this year.
• obtain and learn to play the guitar (leftover goal from last year, completely untouched).
• read fiction again this summer.
• paint again.
• hit my buisiness goal.
• transition my children healthfully, teaching them to live honestly, loving them patiently.
• continue, and to some extent return to, eating whole, traditonal foods prepared at home, wherever home comes to be.

And here was my last update, in February. Because I had made such good progress on my goals in the first month, I also added to my goal list at that time:

• work on “greening” things up a bit more….compost the food scraps, contribute to the garden, be more diligent with power consumption (turn off this ‘puter at night!), use a reusable water bottle instead of buying them…etc.
• get my budget written. I am now “variable income” and Dave has sheets for that. It’s time to get very, very intentional with money, more than I ever have done so before; there’s no excuse not to because I certainly know better!
• kayak…another long time wish that I’ve done nothing to attain. Saying it in writing is a start.

And here is my mid-year check-in:

• I’ll actually update on my Triathlon Training progress in a separate post but a quick synopsis would be that I’m now doing the run/bike combination a few times each week, with a 5 mile run/walk and a 9.5 mile ride. Biggest need is still for equipment; everything from a cap, shorts, & shoes to a real racing bike, and next to add in for the work out is a swim. Perfect timing with summer here.
• My guitar: oh how I love thee! I’m still strumming by moonlight in my little camper and working on a little finger picking. It probably sounds moody and cliche and that’s just what I love! It’s like the gooey frosting on a cupcake…Sweet On Purpose. And a totally selfish joy, of which I’ll not waste a moment feeling guilty over. My guitar, even played in ways others’ would chuckle at, makes me happy.
• Fiction: I didn’t wait for summer. And, now that summer is here, I’m currently reading through more NON fiction: Dark Nights of the Soul (which is awesome btw) and some fiction: The Whistling Season (which I find to be slow). As it gets hotter, I may ditch reading all together though and go with movies. I have some catching up to do on my never-ending lists!
• Painting: slow but constant. Sunday afternoons are the days that I paint, when I have one that allows for it. I’ve finished two paintings and have begun a third. It’s a good pace that I’m pleased with and the experiments I’m doing with oil and texturizing my canvas are much fun!
• My business goals: cooking right along. I’m hoping for a very good second half of the year and with articulated goals and a schedule for hitting them, seem to be right on track. I’m launching my new website within days.
• My children: oh joy are they doing so much better! Winter has passed in more ways than one. New friends, new sports and activities, new adventures, combined with the restoration of old comforts and traditions, has helped and I thank all of you who pray for them. The road ahead is still a long one and that’s all I can say about that.
• Food: a miraculous thing happened yesterday….I worked a long day and took my tired and sweaty self into the kitchen, cleaned up a bit, and made supper. A creative supper. Without thinking about it too much! It just rolled out, like the old days. I’ve cooked good food in the past few months but I was distressed over how much EFFORT it took to think it through, come up with an idea, and experiment. Last night felt restorative. I twittered it. I think, especially as I’ll soon have my own kitchen again, I will see this return in gradual force.
• on greener: BAD progress. Actually stagnant. I guess it’s good that we’re still using real air…no AC yet. Mom makes tremendous strides (and blogs them here) and I go along with her efforts. But if they weren’t there, I probably wouldn’t be initiating them right now and I still want to change that. Takes energy I haven’t had yet; maybe in the next quarter?
• Budget’s written. ER fund is being worked on (Baby Step 1) with slow, sometimes backwards, motion. Business + a settled divorce should = progress in the next quarter. If I did one TMM, I can do another! The determination is there and that is always the very start.
• Kayak: zero progress. But I have a birthday coming up and I’m kind of eyeballing that company on the waterway that does tours. We’ll see.

Okay…so now it’s YOUR turn! Blog your own goal progress and leave me a link in the comments. Also, link to this post in your own post. I’ll take the names off all who participate and randomly draw one to receive a FREE UseAgainBag…a reusable grocery bag, completely made in America (fabric included), with super-strong handles, hooks for the baggers, and a deep capacity. This ain’t the cheapies they sell for a few bucks that look like they could fall apart in a few trips….made in China, of course! I promise you’ll love your bag!

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