Hopes and Aims - Third Quarter Review

Wow.

September.  Already.

This means that we are three quarters of the way through the year.  Scary.

It also means it is time that I review and evaluate my 'Hopes and Aims for 2012' - as originated in January as part of the Groovy Mums initiative with the fabulous Kate on Thin Ice.

Deep breath - here goes with updates on the outstanding items since the last quarterly review :

 

Family

 

- Continue to encourage J1 to try new activities and adventures to help with his fine and gross motor skills and his speech

 

We are hoping that J1 will continue to develop his speech and sense of humour with his class at school during this new academic year.  He has already come home and told me a knock knock joke this week so I am hopeful!  We are also encouraging him to go to after school club again (although it didn't take much encouragement - thankfully he was raring to go) and to join in with the schools Boccia programme.  He loves Ten Pin Bowling so think he will really enjoy this.  If he takes to it a Boccia kit might be a good idea to notify Father Christmas with.

- Be more vigilant with J1's home physiotherapy, even though he complains

 

J1 seems to be having increased tension in his right leg which is a very bad sign, so this has been an absolute must.  We are also ensuring that we are getting clear and positive updates that he is receiving daily physiotherapy, in some form or another, at school.  We have also taken steps to be put into the Government 'Direct Payments' scheme (this isn't payment in finance.  It is 'hours' that you can acquire and use on things best for your child - ultimately it means you have much more control over the professional help you think your child needs as you 'spend' the hours in the right place.)  However, it is a long process of which we are only at the very beginning.

 

 

- Potty train J2

 

This has started and is going quite well.  We are using 'big boy' pants throughout the day and have been doing so for about a week.  Overall we are doing very well, including a whole 'dry' day at Nursery.  It has been handy that the weather has been warm enough to get washing out to dry on the line so any accidents have been easily sorted.  I am a very proud Mummy.

 

- Start weekly swim sessions with J2 again

 

This got postponed over the Summer Holidays due to the sheer volume of holiday makers using our local facilities.  This is one of the hazards of living in a seaside town.  However, now school has resumed and the term time schedule is back in place swimming will once again feature in our week.  The good thing is that J2 has been asking to go, so he must really enjoy it.

 

 

- Start saving for a big family holiday

 

I am pleased, excited and elated to report that not only did we start saving for our big family holiday - we have booked it!  It has taken much researching, phone calls and information seeking with regards to accommodating J1's needs, but we took the plunge and went for it.  Next year we will be meeting Mickey and Minne in Florida.  Much list making and planning to commence over the next few months.

- Child - proof new garden for the kids to use in spring

 

I am exceptionally pleased with the progress made on the garden in our new home over the summer.  I have written specific updates previously regarding this and am planning a new one (with photographs of course) soon - watch this space.

 

 

Personal

 

- Read at least 1 book a month

 

My aim was 12 books in 12 months and so far I am on track.  My current read is Jodi Picoult 'House Rules' which is very good.  I am thinking of doing a round up review at the end of the year on the 12 books I have read over the year.

 

 

- Try and run twice a week, establish some safe routes

This aim has manifested itself into a real hobby once again and I am still thoroughly enjoying it.  I am now back out running after a month of being forced to stop due to damaging my Patella Tendon.  I have got a 10K race on Sunday in a very pretty country village and was thrilled to smash my PB for 5K during my last Summer Series race in August.  I have also just had notification that entries are open for our local Half Marathon in March so will be signing up for that.  In the meantime the 'big race' I am preparing for is the BUPA Great South Run in October.

 

 

- Treat self to a spa afternoon once every 3 months

 

This has categorically not been happening.  However I have got a date for a fortnights time pencilled in with a friend so fingers crossed a couple of hours relaxing is on the horizon.

 

 

- Plan one weekend away a year, just Hubby and Me

 

This is happening, in conjunction with the BUPA Great South Run.  My parents have offered babysitting services so that The Hubby and I can travel to Portsmouth on Saturday morning and return on Monday.  Let's hope this fine weather continues until then.

 

 

- Try and be more positive on believing in what I can achieve

 

The Olympics and Paralympics legacies have brought this to light and made me think about it alot of late.  The running certainly helps with this too.  When I think to how I started, to how I have progressed lots more seems possible.  I believe this is also showing in the fact that I have started to not only write but publish some fictional writing.  I keep remembering that time ticks away and you never get that back so make the most of it, with whatever set of circumstances you have facing you.

 

In general I am just trying to be more proactive.  I have taken steps with regard to several things for J1, for example arranging demonstrations and getting quotes in for a specialist bike (demo was brilliant) and mobile hoist (a necessity).  I have to acknowledge that he is going to need more specialist items as he grows, as hard as that (still) is to accept.  He needs them and I am the one that has to ensure he has everything possible to make his life as easy, full and social as it can be.

The First Quarter & The April Plan

I always remember my mum saying to me that as you get older, time goes faster.  Those six weeks holidays that stretched for miles as child, full of promise and playing anticipation now pass by in a flash, as my own children enjoy them.

Now we find ourselves in April.  A whole quarter of 2012 is now a bible of memories in our minds.  I have to say that on the whole the year has started off well for us and for that I am very thankful.  We have only had one event of sadness, when my Dear Uncle, decided he had had enough of being held hostage by Alzehimers and kissed us goodbye to go and be with our other loved ones in Heaven.

I started off the year with a list of 'Hopes and Aims' that I outlined in a post The 2012 Plan.  It was quite an extensive list and I did wonder if I had perhaps 'hoped' for a bit too much for one short year, however, I decided to break those things down into monthly aims and to date I haven't done too badly (various posts entitled The Plan - Month outlines individual progress).  Participating in the Groovy Mum initiative over at Kate on Thin Ice has helped massively with this as it has been great to have goal point to look to for getting those things done.

Now, having looked at what has been achieved already this year I am confident that, with good health continuing with everyone I will succeed in fulfilling my Hopes and Aims for 2012.  With this positively in mind I now don't feel so bad that March and April have been surrended to just one aim - to find a new house and move!  As we are hoping (everything crossed) that this will be completed by the beginning of May I am already thinking about which 'Goals' I will be looking to achieve in May and June.

So just for continuitities sake my Hopes and Aims for April are :

* For the house exchange to go ahead without any issues

* To pack up entire house without losing my marbles

* To move!

As always I am also continuing a good majority of all the 'Goals' achieved in the last quarter (I think the only *fail* has been getting to the Spa!  So technically I think I should do 2 sessions in the next quarter *wink*.

If you are making positive steps to make changes to your life, join in with the Groovy Mum's initiaitive over at Kate on Thin Ice, the support you will find is amazing and a great driving force on occasions you might not be feeling so positive.

The Plan - March

This post is somewhat late but I thought it was worth sticking to my targets no matter how late in the month, and the ladies over at the Groovy Mum's at Kate on Thin Ice have inspired me, yet again.

Firstly the round up on February goals.  Well, progress didn't really change much from the last update.  So closing the chapter on that month I am marching on, well March.

Straight on with it then what are my goals for the month that introduces the beauty of Spring into our lives :

Family

- Do house filing once a month and keep on top of it all - Yes this is a roll over from February because I just soooo didn't do it.  However, the reason for 'I am going to have to do this in March' will become clear

- Child - proof new garden for the kids to use in spring - I wish it could be this easy and here comes the big one.  Having moved to a period property at the beginning of December, we were told we would either love it or hate it.  This is not true, for I both love it and hate it. 

I love the space it gives us and the obvious amazing character the house has.  I loved how it lent itself to the Christmas season so beautifully.  However, I am so sad that it hasn't been maintained as a house this old needs (and deserves).  The longer we live here the more issues we see (and detect) and of course, because we are only renting it is not our place (or cost as they are not 'a lick of paint' fixable) to try and remedy them. 

The crunch point however was when we went out to assess the garden...All I can say is if we open that can of worms I fear we would never find our way out (probably why no other tenant, or even the landlord has ever attempted it and why it has got to the stage it has now).  What is frustrating is on the surface it all looks ok, but being a parent and needing to do a safety assessment for the kids before they yell 'Charrrrrrggggeeeeee' we had to heartbreakingly come to the conclusion that we would not be able to let the children out.

Add this to all the other 'little' downsides (the longer journey to J1's school and my parents being the other main one, I didn't think it would make the difference it has), we have had to take the decision to move somewhere more suitable.  Luckily we have amazing agent, who has not only smoothed an early move option out with our current landlord but is gung-ho on getting our little family into a home (suitable for J1) and into a garden (suitable for J2) before the summer.

So, my main task for this month (and the coming months one would assume...) is going to be packing up our home again (cue shuddering at the sound of the brown tape already).  With that in mind, I don't think it will be that feasible to add any further items to the list for this month (I will continue with past months sucesses e.g J1's extra physio, taking J2 swimming, baking with the boys).

I do have just one extra though, that what with the hunt for a new home and the potential packing bonaza, I think I will be most entitled too this month...

- Treat self to a spa afternoon!

Grooving my way through February - How did I get on?

Frankly I am not getting on as well as I was in January, and refer to my blog post F is For ... February, Frustrating and Freezing for more details on that!  However, as we draw to the end of F-F-February I thought I had better face up to my poor show (I am all for the good, but just as much admitting the bad and ugly) and take stock of what I need to improve on in March. 

So for inspiration to get my groove back on track I am going to be linking up with Kate on Thin Ice and the Grooving Mum's initiative, because like Kate says, nothing like asking other bloggers to give you a kick up the backside, in a nice, positive way of course.

My aims for February were :

Family

- Be more vigilant with J1's home physiotherapy, even though he complains

OK, this one has been achieved because there was no wiggle room.  More vigilant day to day physiotherapy has been incorporated into our routine (with complaining no less) and I have also kept up my badgering the school to ensure he gets all physio / massage / floor work time he should do whilst at school.  So big gold star on this one.  Alas, I think this will be the only one, but it was the most important.

- Start weekly swim sessions with J2 again

Illness / Viruses / Bugs and most recently Mumps has seen this one off.  So swim bag is still packed and ready to go, once J2's neck resumes to normal size.

- Do house filing once a month and keep on top of it all

Can you hear laughter where you are?  Yes, that is me.  Obviously moving this one onto March...

Personal

- Start notes on book idea

Well in fairness I did get down the initial stuff that I wanted to but haven't progressed further but I wasn't expecting to either.  I have also purchased a guide to help with novel writing and understanding publishing.  Baby steps.

- Continue to try and make an effort with my appearance as it is making me feel better

I would say this is being achieve 60% of the time.  If I can get my hair washed and straightened, it is much more likely to occur.  And days I am indoors for the duration it is a pleasure to have 'comfy clothes' days as well.

- Treat self to a spa afternoon once every 3 months

As I suspected back in January, this has made it to the 3rd month but as it is a once every 3 month item, still not failed as yet...

One item that should have also been on the 2012 plan was to see and catch up with friends more.  I am pleased to say that this has been and is in the pipeline to happen.  I have made a concerted effort to get dates in the diary, and due to various baby arrivals I have got numerous baby showers and 'first visits for a cuddle' to attend.  It is easy to forget how brilliant you feel after seeing 'other walking, talking adults' that are not the parentals or husband every now and then!

Now to start thinking about what the aims for March are going to be...

The Plan - February

In January I decided to break down my Hopes and Aims for 2012 into bite size chunks over the year (full list can be viewed on post 2012 Plan) and to try and achieve those in conjunction with the Grooving Mums initiative over at Kate on Thin Ice.  Every week you can link up your posts about how and why you want / need to achieve certain things in your life, and it is a great place to read how others are 'finding their groove' to get inspired.

I pledged to attempt to start to achieve two or three items from my Personal and the same from my Family list in January (The Plan - January) and was steaming along nicely until this final week when I was struck down with a nasty bug that put me into bed for half a week and made me very grumpy and tired for the remainder of it, thus the lack of blog posts this last week.

However, being almost back to normal now (just a snotty cold to shift and energy levels to get back up to full speed...) and trying to find 'the silver lining' in being unwell and forced to bed has allowed me some time to think about what I would like to try and work on throughout February.  Of course I want to continue to achieve the things I was working hard on in January, keeping up with cooking at least four 'real meals' a week, baking something at least once a month and getting at least three blog posts out per week and I am confident that I will be able to and I am now aiming to also get cracking on the following :

Family

- Be more vigilant with J1's home physiotherapy, even though he complains

There is a very serious reason for this one to be put up to red alert, a recent visit to J1's hip doctor this week has proved a little anxious, we have to go see him again in two months, with recent (i.e to go and get done) xrays as there is a possibility the hip is slipping out.  This is bad news if it is.  This means more surgery.  Bad, bad, bad all round, fingers crossed this is not the case.

- Start weekly swim sessions with J2 again

This was all planned to be started this week, but illness saw it off.  However, our swim bags are all packed and ready to go for next week.  Under 5's sessions here we come (well as long as we are not snowed in of course!)

- Do house filing once a month and keep on top of it all

Ha ha, once I have cleared the back log (do not enjoy the prospect, but once it's done it's done I suppose...)

Personal

- Start notes on book idea 

And this is not the children's book series, those are being worked on too, but I have also started a little file up on the ideas that have been bashing around my head for the last few months too on other possibilities.  I have found that I have been building characters in my mind of late and so want to get all those details recorded down, before they fall out of my ear.

- Continue to try and make an effort with my appearance as it is making me feel better

I was doing well with this pre-christmas, and it's fallen by the wayside again (I tend to find it does in the depths of winter, I go out much less (not a lover of the cold and all) and so don't need to but on spotting an almost mono-brow situation this morning I thought this should probably get bumped up the list.

- Treat self to a spa afternoon once every 3 months

Yes, this was on the list last month and not achieved so it's on again as it is a 'once every 3 months' item.  I am ever hopeful.

I am pleased to say that part of one of my other 'Aims' has also been achieved :

- Continue to learn about gardening and possibly go to The Chelsea Flower Show

My dear mum called very excited the other day to ask if I would like my birthday present to be a ticket to the Chelsea Flower Show with her?  YES PLEASE AND THANKYOU!  The other part of this 'aim' - well that will be a March / April, as I am a fair weather gardener!  However I have managed to locate my little collection of gardening books to try and have a look at soon, so that is a start.

I am pleased to say that the whole point of these posts, and the encouragement of hooking up with the Grooving Mum's, is to help me realise that I am achieving a lot when sometimes it really feels like I am not, and on days or weeks when I may not have much momentum and be in the possible situation of 'falling into a rut' (easy to do in winter with children, just stay in and play in PJ's), this encourages me not to do that. 

This week, with being under par that has been necessary (staying in and being in PJ's I mean) but I am soon fed up with it, and intend to get back out there in my grooving shoes (or maybe snow boots, brrr chilly).

Grooving My Way Through January (linking with Groovy Mums @ Kate on Thin Ice)

When I wrote my monster list of Aims and Hopes for 2012, I wrote them with optimism, of course, but sense that they might all get done?  Not so much.


However, since linking up with the Grooving Mums initiative over at Kate on Thin Ice, I think I may have just found a way to help me break those targets down into bite sized pieces and ...dom-dom-dooooommmmmm...achieve them.  Which is pretty damn nifty.


I decided to break the goals down, aiming for a couple a month.  Of course some are on going, but some are one off things that I will spread over the year.  I have to say though I am grooving on pretty well with the ones that I set for this month, and, have even dared to look at future ones to see if there is any ground work I can lay down now to make them more achievable. 


By keeping this written log of my aims and progress it really is proving to be a great help, there is nothing like the feeling of getting things crossed off of your 'to do' list to boost you up, and the outstanding things you can sweep up into a nice, neat new pile to start working on.  A list system was ALWAYS going to work for me!


So my progress report thus far for my January aims is as follows :

Personal


* Publish at least three blog posts per week, and if I can get really super good write extra and 'programme' (go me) them to publish themselves throughout the week

So far 'check'.  Somehow I have managed to get a couple written and published this week, even though J2 has been 'super' attached to my leg.  I even managed to sort out a couple of 'Silent Sunday' posts and schedule them to post themselves - got to love technology!


* Fit two runs a week in and see if I think I will be get up to standard for the half marathon I optimistically booked myself on to back in October (which is March - sorry just picking myself up laughing off the floor) but at least I will have tried

Have got my first run scheduled in for tomorrow afternoon when The Hubby gets in and he can look after the children.  My second run I am hoping to squeeze in on Tuesday...


* Fit one afternoon spa session in - it's January, it's miserable and cold and a little indulgence might go a long way

Originally the plan was to go Wednesday just gone, but that didn't happen.  I can't see it happening this week as Business Accounts are due, but fingers crossed for the week after (is that still January?)

Family

* Start reading with J1 again and try and find out the best way of helping him start to learn to read, rather than just remembering the whole story from memory, although that is pretty impressive too!

Yes, I am pleased to report that books are back in this house.  'Peppa goes Swimming' and 'Peace at Last' are still the firm favourites but I am trying to sneak a couple of new ones in too.

* Continue to encourage J2 to sit on the potty first thing in the morning and before and after bath time

Am also pleased to say that I am doing very well on keeping up with this one too.  J2 is more than willing to sit on the potty but we have only had one actual puddle to date, but as he isn't 2 yet am just trying to get him used to the idea of using it when we need a 'weeeeeeeeeeeeee-weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee' as he puts it, and so far, he is happy and so am I.

* Cook at least '4' real meals a week

Taaaaaaaaaaa-Dahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  Have managed to do this and can say I have seen a marked improvement in J2's eating quantities, which makes it all worth while (J1 is a star when it comes to eating so J2 and his lack of eating has come as a bit of a shock).  Must say that having a dishwasher has been a big encouragement to do this too.  The next stage of this master plan, get the super-duper, all singing, all dancing (scares the crap out of me) food processor out and crack out Jamie Oliver's 30 minute meals book.

I am also very proud to say that along with these chosen Aims from the 'Monster List' I have managed to also achieve the 'Bake once a month' goal too.  Chocolate Chip Muffins were baked and devoured, with possibly Lemon Drizzle Cake on the menu for next week.

For now though the only thing left on the menu for me is some sleep, but if you are not sleepy head over to Groovy Mums to read how other fabulous bloggers are doing with their own Aims and Hopes for 2012.

The Plan - January

In my last post I posed the question of whether expecting to have any 'non mummy / wife' time when you have a young (i.e babies not in school) family was in fact asking 'Too Much?', and was our cribbing about not having time to write / run / play golf etc was out of line. 


I had an unequivocal response that in fact 'No, it most certainly is not too much to ask'.  The general consensus was that if you didn't, you would drive yourself insane and to remember that we were individual people in our own right before we either had children or got married and we were entitled to keep a smidgen of that without feeling the 'parent / partner' guilt and that it was just a case of compromising and arranging suitable dates and times to do these 'extra curricular activities'.


Therefore I am moving forward with the idea of my '2012 Year Plan' and in fact am going to post a monthly plan that I am intending to work with in order to see as many of our 'Aims and Hope for 2012' as possible fulfilled.


Thus was born 'The Plan' posts and we shall start with January.  This is sort of, I feel, in line with the Grooving Mum's initiative and so I hope to be able to share these links with Kate On Thin Ice and I hope it gives others inspiration and motivation too.  I 'aim' to link the results of the previous months plan as the precursor to the next so that I can see at the end of the year how we / I have done.  My, this is the most thorough I have ever managed to get with 'New Year Resolutions' if that is what you want to call them!


So here we go, for January I am going to am to :


Personal


* Publish at least three blog posts per week, and if I can get really super good write extra and 'programme' (go me) them to publish themselves throughout the week


* Fit two runs a week in and see if I think I will be get up to standard for the half marathon I optimistically booked myself on to back in October (which is March - sorry just picking myself up laughing off the floor) but at least I will have tried


* Fit one afternoon spa session in - it's January, it's miserable and cold and a little indulgence might go a long way

Family

* Start reading with J1 again and try and find out the best way of helping him start to learn to read, rather than just remembering the whole story from memory, although that is pretty impressive too!

* Continue to encourage J2 to sit on the potty first thing in the morning and before and after bath time

* Cook at least '4' real meals a week

I think three aims on both the 'Personal' and 'Family' front is acceptable to try out for the first month.  Look out for 'The Plan - February' (...coming soon... cue over excitable music) to see how we / I get on.