The Family Band

The kids and I decided to start a band.  I can't decide which picture to use as our album cover.  While you take a look and think it over, I'm going to give you an update on how I did with my goals for the year.

One of my goals was to post a weekly photography assignment.  While I neglected to label all of my photography assignments on my blog I definitely took pictures and posted them at least once a week.  I feel like my pictures are improving and I've had fun learning some new editing techniques.  I'll tell you my secret: Picnik.  It's free, it's user-friendly, and it's good fun. 

My second goal for the year was to plant something and not kill it.  When my mother-in-law Patti came to visit last April, she was kind enough to buy us flowers for our many planters.  She taught me how to choose plants and how to plant them.  Not all of them survived the heatwave this summer, but as of this morning my geraniums were still blooming and beautiful.  Eight months!  Geranium high-five!

I wanted to get my basement cleaned out and organized.  Jeff has this adorable little thing he does where he'll decide something bothers him and he can't stand it anymore and he won't sleep until it's fixed.  He decided one day that the basement needed to be organized and got 'er done.  Thank you, Jeff, for taking care of that goal for me.

I set a goal to teach my kids to tie their shoes.  Harrison learned to tie his shoes in April!  I haven't attempted this, yet, with Chloe but I mistakenly bought a pair of lace-up boots for her for the Winter so I think we'll have to give it a go.

Another goal I had was to make sure the dishes were done every night so I wouldn't have to wake up to a messy kitchen.  After eight years of marriage, Jeff and I have finally worked out a system for getting the dishes done each night.  I still hate doing the dishes, but I love waking up to a clean kitchen.

My last goal was to lose ten pounds.  I DID IT!  Secretly that's the purpose of this post.  With the holidays coming up, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to keep it all off, but I wanted to get credit for accomplishing this goal.  In all honesty, I didn't think I was going to be able to do it.  As of May, I had actually gained four pounds.  Also that month, I got the worst haircut I've ever had in my life.  (Two words: Ramona Quimby.)  So not only was my hair the ugliest it has ever been, but I was the heaviest I've ever been (without being pregnant).  I decided since I couldn't do anything about my hair (except wear it in a ponytail for the past six months) I should attempt to lose a few pounds.

My sister, Jen, recommended a great book called The Perfect Recipe For Losing Weight and Eating Great by Pam Anderson (not the "actress").  It was nice to hear weight loss advice from someone who likes food because I also am a fan of food.  Her recipes are delicious.  Check it out.