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Post by mountainma on Dec 28, 2023 14:40:41 GMT -6
What were your hi's and low's for 2023? What are your plans for 2024?
My main goals for 2023 were financial. I really focused hard on saving up a $1,000 emergency fund, and am happy to report that is now complete! In addition to that, I also managed to get a few needed repairs/replacements for our house and property. Part of the financial goal was growing my sewing business and learning to advertise and earn income outside of dh's paycheck. We've learned a lot through trial and error and I'm confident this will continue to grow and improve with time and effort.
My physical and mental health took a slide downward this year. This is something I need to make a better priority for 2024. My other big focus for the new year is to sew items for Operation Christmas Child. I'm organizing items to sew for each month, cutting the fabrics, etc. and putting into bins so I can just pull a monthly storage bin and batch sew the item for that month. January will be tote bags for the 2-4 year old children. So far I've figured out monthly items up until July. DD2's baby is due in August and I figure sewing will take a back seat once our new grandbaby arrives! Of course, I'll be sewing plenty of baby items though!
Do you have goals or resolutions for the new year? Please share!
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Post by eyeofthestorm on Dec 28, 2023 16:06:11 GMT -6
Reflections on 2023: - DS2 graduated (win!)
- I wanted to spend this calendar year really preparing for expanding (my) work after DS3 graduates (expected 2025). Well, my efforts didn't go exactly as I planned. I made progress, but put some of my effort into an area that wasn't a good fit for me. It's all learning, right? I did begin getting new students independently, which mades an enormous difference in income.
Focus areas for 2024: - Keep coaxing DS3 toward graduation. He has lost a lot of motivation since DS2 graduated. I suspect that he kind of "measured" himself off his brothers... He's kind of competitive, and he was never, ever the one who fell furthest behind, if behind at all. Now, they're not around during the day.
- My health. 1. The eyesight in my right eye continues to get worse. My eye doctor is (almost) alarmed, but it may just be that he thinks I don't grasp the gravity. I do... I'm just not worried about it. I hope that makes sense. It will get sorted, I don't need to drive most of the time, and when I do, I either feel 100% safe (I take no chances) OR I take an Uber. Anyway, this year I expect to either have surgery, decide against surgery, or possibly find out I don't need surgery. I really like and trust my doc, but it occurred to me that I haven't gotten a second opinion(!). 2. Talk to my doctor about my weight again. She's not worried, but I think that losing some will definitely improve my health and how I feel.
- Keep moving my online work away from big companies and toward independence.
- I want to clear out a lot of clutter we've accummulated. Things we thought we'd really use, but turns out we just don't. Some can be donated, some can be sold. I need a system, I think.
- One more thing. I really, really like participating in church activities beyond workship and Sunday school... but I often can't keep up. I will commit to continuing with the group Bible study; other things, I am setting up more "restrictive" parameters. Basically, if I feel rushed or harried, or it seems like I'm not actually helping, I'm not going to go. i think this is especially important because I volunteered to run a new type of music group. No one is sure if that will happen, but "trainings" for discernment will begin this winter, and if that comes about and if I'm involved in running the group, it doesn't make sense to overcommit.
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Post by ginakay57 on Dec 28, 2023 16:51:28 GMT -6
A high was getting my diabetes more under control with the help from Jardiance. It wasn’t too much out of control but my fasting numbers were about 20 points higher than normal. Also a high was finding I could get it very reasonably through an online pharmacy. A low was finding out I have MGUS but that can be a high because at least it wasn’t cancer. Another low is that my DD hasn’t spoken to me since last spring.
For this new year I want to do some major decluttering. I do a little here and there but need to do a major one. I also want to do more to build our savings.
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Post by michelle on Dec 29, 2023 6:24:36 GMT -6
Highs in 2023 was finding a new job at a more financially stable institution and we've committed to putting as much money towards our mortgage as possible so that we can pay it off and move within the next 4 - 5 years. Also my ulcerative colitis is finally in remission thanks to my new meds.
Lows in 2023 were it taking me two tries to find a job with a decent boss and also getting in the habit of filling our weeks with commitments. Also my weight.
Plans for 2024 are to declutter, have more margin during the week and finally get serious about getting my weight under control.
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Post by andrea on Jan 3, 2024 11:37:02 GMT -6
Hello ladies, I seem to make it here about once a year. I would like to start being more active this year.
2023 - Started learning some more new hobbies,or rather relearning old hobbies. I loved art back in high school, but haven't touched a pencil or brush in 50 years. So I have started learning how to draw and paint, mostly painting. I also started learning to sew, crafty stuff. I was also diagnosed with glaucoma, caught it before any vision loss so am on eye drops for rest of my life.
Goals for 2024 - Continue improving on my art, and sewing. Finish incomplete crochet projects. We want to do more camping this year, only got to go once last year. We had a lot of cost increases last year(property taxes more than doubled) and utilities increased their rates this year, so need to find ways to reduce costs elsewhere.
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Post by michelle on Jan 3, 2024 11:54:56 GMT -6
Andrea reminded me of one of my goals for 2024 - finish a couple of counted cross stitch projects.
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Post by ginakay57 on Jan 3, 2024 17:01:38 GMT -6
Andrea, glad to see you here. You reminded me that I’ve been intending to get back to painting and sketching more. Used to oil paint & sketch back as a teen but stopped when I married my ex-dh. Started watercolor when my dd started taking art classes after my divorce. I want to get back to those.
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Post by thursdayschild on Jan 13, 2024 11:20:48 GMT -6
Hi. I've enjoyed reading this thread.
In 2023 I started the carnivore diet. Since July I've lost almost 50 pounds. I was also diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (Berger's) and so far I've raised my kidney function by 10. Still stage 3 but my GFR is 54 and thr lower limit for stage 2 is 60. I was in the lower 40s when diagnosed so yay! My goal for 2024 is to continue with carnivore for health and enjoy the weightloss. My yarn budget should go down too as my size does. LOL
Work is going well and the kids are doing great. The restaurant has done really well this year so that provides some breathing room for hubby.
Another goal for 2024 should probably be to check in here more.
Children are the most delightful pledges in a loving marriage. They are the best wool on the sheep. - Martin Luther
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