Cheer First - Plan Second

Whoooo! It's September 1st.  I absolutely love fall. I love the hustle of back to school (don't despair - it will come soon - pray for your teachers and districts and for a good resolution). I love football and sweaters and boots. I love rain and changing colors. I love the look back over a busy fun summer and I love the look forward into what's next. So here are a few things I'm cheering and the next things I'm going to focus on.   

What I'm Cheering

WE DID IT!!!  In August my household tackled the White House Black Shutters 40 bags in 40 days challenge. My husband did the last bag last night and I'm sitting with a big fat grin on my face.  Partly because I love a completed list and a conquered challenge. But mostly because when I get ready in the morning I can find my stuff.  One of my happiest moments in the challenge was silly.  I hauled an entire box full of wire hangers to the dry cleaners and they were happy to get them back. I so love when junk is out of my house and back where it belongs. Recycling at its best.  We went to the dump, sold stuff online, cleaned out closets and generally simplified.  Is it perfect around here now?  Nope.  We could probably do 40 boxes more.  But its better and I'm cheering.  If you need some space in your head - try this challenge - moving your junk out of your house helps with the clutter in your brain too.  ​

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The 10th Annual Scramble for the Kids is a charity golf tournament.  I'm on the leadership team and we hustle all summer to get golfers, find volunteers, sign up sponsors and wrap up a million little details. We have a ball.  (See what I did there?) Most importantly we raised over $21,000 for needy kids.  Huge thanks to everyone who helped -  this is worth cheering! 

There are lots of other things I'm cheering. My youngest learned how to tie her shoes. She's proud. I'm proud.  I've gotten myself back on an eating plan which involves more vegetables and fewer bags of candy. This is a win. We spent time cuddling and reading and playing in the sand.  Wins.  Whoo Hoo. 

So what are you cheering over the past summer? 

What's Next

I have a short attention span. I'm a great project person - not as hot when it comes to keeping on indefinitely.  So on things I care about for the long haul (faith, my family, work, Quirky Faith) I find I have to do short term goals to keep my commitments.  My creativity and enthusiasm increases when I'm on a goal.  

So for September I'm participating in Jon Acuff's September/January challenge. I am actually doing three goals for the month. The reason is when I'm doing a challenge - I can tend to ignore my family.  And when I'm focusing on my family I can tend to ignore my own health and personal care. So this month - I'm really focusing on all three. Can I work on a goal, pay attention to my family and do some self care?  We're gonna find out! 

1. I'm going to work on Quirky Faith every day.  Well.  As John says - perfectionism is garbage - so I probably won't make it every day - but I'm going to try to work on it every day.  

2. I'm going to try and do something nice intentionally for a member of my family every day.  I love my family.  But I can get so busy I don't make sure to slow down and pay attention. This back to school month my kids will need some care.  And my husband likes it when I listen to him occasionally. 

3.  My pants almost fit again. I like how vegetables taste. I really need to make an appointment for a checkup with my doctor.  I haven't worked out in - um - a long time. Clearly I need to take care of myself.  So here it goes.  Something small every day to remind my soul I'm in charge of it's care. 

So how about you?  What are you working on this month?