My February Goals/Bucket List

January was a bust in terms of things I wanted to do, as I lacked the motivation to do stuff. And I feel really bad about that. 

Hopefully, February will be better in that regard.

Here is what I would like to work on this coming month:

• Get bedroom at least 1/3 of the way cleaned up
• Put books I don't want anymore in a box to donate
• Put CDs I don't want anymore in a box to donate
• Put DVDs I don't want anymore in a box to donate
• Put accessories I don't want anymore in a box to donate
• Journal at least once a week
• Try making bread from scratch
• Start working on writing on book
• Learn Spanish
• Learn Sign Language
• Make a chicken pot pie
• Dye my hair purple
• Relearn how to play the violin
• Finish the cape I started making in December
• Write grief letters (something I learned about from Grief Share)
• Purchase a laptop for myself
• Work on putting together my 3D Downton Abbey puzzle
• Read at least one book

Here's to hoping that I can actually get at least some of these done!

Cautiously Optimistic and Excited

Registration for this year's Joni and Friends Family Retreats is now open, and I immediately signed up to volunteer.

But, with the way last year went, I am not totally convinced that we will be able to have in-person retreats this year.

I hope and pray that we do, but obviously since I and others don't know what will happen, I am half expecting retreats to be cancelled/postponed/changed to at-home retreats again.

My first, and only, time volunteering at retreat was in June 2019, and I absolutely LOVED it!!!

Plus, it was my first time traveling entirely on my own, so that was a huge step for me. And I am so glad I took that step.

I really miss my retreat friends, and would love to be able to see them again this year. Please be kind, 2021, and let us meet up again!!!

I loved every bit of my experience, and I am so grateful I got to go when I did. Before 2019, it just didn't work out, for me to be able to go to retreat, but 2019 was finally my year.

I made some wonderful friends, and experiences that will last for a lifetime, and I hope to be able to make more this year, and in the years to come.

I am just not sure how this year will turn out, but I am being cautiously optimistic. I would love to be able to go to retreat again!

Dear 2021

Dear 2021,

This year has been a very rough year for people all over the world, so please be kind to us.

We had more than enough of what the pandemic has brought.

It has been so hard for people around the world to deal with everything that went on. Please do not let it last much longer.

We need the connection we get from in-person get togethers, that we can't get any other way. Especially children.

I am fortunate enough that I got to keep my job (and get paid), and that no one I loved has died. But many cannot say the same, and I pray that these hard times come to a close soon.

Please let people come together in person again. 

Please let there be travel, and birthday celebrations, and retreats, and all the good things that people want to do, see, and experience.

Especially hugs, and all the good things that come from actually being with the people we love.

Everyone is tired. Everyone is frustrated, maybe even angry. Many are sick. We all need a better year. Especially those that are struggling (be it with their health, work, or whatever it may be).

Please be kind.

My Goals/Bucket List for January 2021

Like I've said before in other posts, I love making lists, and making goals/bucket lists is no exception. 

I have decided to make goals for each month, and I will see if I can break some of these up in smaller goals/steps, so I can achieve them.

In no particular order, here are my goals/wishes for January:

• Get my bedroom halfway cleaned up (there is a TON of stuff to go through in my room)
• Save at least half of the money I earn from each paycheck
• Finish the crochet cape I started making in December
• Try baking a loaf of bread from scratch
• Go to bed between 11 pm and midnight each night (pretty much every night, I stay up until around 3 am, and that needs to change)
• Wake up between 9 am and 10 am each morning (7 am on work days)
• Have at least one spa/mental health day
• Start writing book (or at least figure out the plot and characters)
• Make a vision/dream board/book
• Make a prayer journal and write in it on a regular basis
• Make a dream journal and write in it on a regular basis
• Pick up journaling again (regular journaling)
• Take better care of my possessions
• Stop procrastinating on things I want/need to do
• Put together the 3D puzzle of Downton Abbey that I got a couple years ago
• Read at least one book

Hopefully, I can get myself to work on at least some of these, and find the motivation to stick with them.