Time to check in with y’all on my goal setting. I’ve been working through Michael Hyatt’s book Your Best Year Ever as a way of looking at my life and planning a few goals.

August’s craziness had me hoping for a mellower September. I did not get my wish. I kept most of my goals, but a few of them definitely have bruises. 

♥ Goal #1a – Stick with the daily Bible reading plan for 2018 from my church. Post a comment to the board conversation at least once a week.
♥ Goal #1b- Read from my daily devotional –  Find Rest 

My Bible reading was done in those moments when I came up for air, but I did manage to finish out on schedule. I continue to read Find Rest as a devotional.

♥ Goal #2a – Read a marriage book each month
    Jan – The Path of Intimacy . Scott Means
    Feb – Cherish . Gary Thomas
    Mar – The Relationship Cure . John Gottman
    Apr – Love Busters . Willard F. Harley, Jr.
    May – Have a New Husband by Friday . Kevin Leman
    Jun – The Respect Dare . Nina Roesner
    Jul – Hot, Holy, and Humorous . J Parker
    Aug – Resolving Everyday Conflict . Sande/Johnson
    Sep – Awaken Love . Ruth Buezis
    Oct – Friends, Partners & Lovers. Kevin A. Thompson 

♥ Goal #2b – Be aware of how often my sweetie and I have sex. Have sex more days than not.

I was very impressed with my September book, Awaken Love by Ruth Buezis. When I read a book, I try to imagine who would benefit from it. This is an “everyone” book. Regardless of where you find yourself in your sexual journey, you’re likely to find something of benefit. There’s a good deal of sound biblical information on sex, plenty of relational insights, helpful stories, and some how-to’s as well. If you’re looking for a good book on married sexuality, I highly recommend Awaken Love.

My book for October is Friends, Partners & Lovers by Kevin A. Thompson. He’s got a new book coming out on October 16th (Happily), so I thought I’d read his first book this month and his new book in November.

My “sex more days than not” goal suffered this month. Paul and I were so tired from the RV move, utility set up, clean up, and such that often we crawled into bed, looked longingly at each other, and then Zzzzzzz. We’re through the worst of it, so we are back to “sex more days than not.”

♥ Goal #3a – Stay current in my tangle*a*day calendar.
♥ Goal #3b – Keep yarn on hand. Crochet as needed.
♥ Goal #3c – Create two birdhouses for my flower/herb garden. (one finished, working on the next)

I’m still tangling away, but this is another goal I crawled through this month. I packed up my drawing supplies when we moved house and played catch up after the move.

For most of the month, I didn’t have anything to crochet, but then I saw a neat color combination (that I will likely use in my living room), so I bought yarn and started an old-fashioned granny square afghan.

My first birdhouse is done (instructions here) and I’ve started work on two others. 

A friend of mine wants a stone birdhouse too and I’m trying to figure out how to cover the birdhouse gourd with fall leaves (we’ll see how that works out).

♥ Goal #4a – Keep working on creating a healthier diet and stick with the 16/8 18/6 intermittent fasting (a 6-hour eating window).
♥ Goal #4b – Exercise 3 times a week.
♥ Goal #4c – Use the MyFitnessPal app. Not happenin’.
♥ Goal #4d – Use the blood pressure monitor once a week. 

I’ve continued to fluctuate between a 16/8 and 18/6 intermittent fasting. If I had a more physically demanding day, I tended to eat a bit more and extend hours (and I confess, one day I ate cookies most of the day). I’ve started a new exercise class (Essentrics) plus I’m doing all the physical work of cleaning up our old RV site and helping with the skirting and insulation at our new site. My blood pressure is still looking good.

♥ Goal #5a – Take five courses this year.
   Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing – finished!
   Biblical Counseling course at a Bible church – finished!
   Treating Trauma Master Series – finished!
   4 Weeks to a More Productive Life – finished!
   SEO course – working on it
   Marriage Intensive training – November
♥ Goal #5b – Read 5 books on the brain. (Some of these books are non-Christian and need to be read with discernment.)
    Mindsight . Dan Siegel, MD – finished!
    Switch on Your Brain . Dr. Caroline Leaf- finished!
    Anatomy of the Soul . Curt Thompson, M.D. – just about done
    Making a Good Brain Great . Daniel G. Amen M.D. (I can’t get into this one so movin’ on.)

I mentioned in a past post that I bought the 4 Weeks to a More Productive Life course. I felt like my life was a bit too chaotic (yes, I know it’s a season, but the course went on sale and the chaos was getting to me). Her morning and evening routine lessons were helpful and, though I’ve “finished” the course, I’m still thinking through the other two lessons about values, priorities, and time use. It is an excellent course and I will likely listen to the lessons again when life settles down.

Paul and I have our plane tickets for the marriage intensive training in November. I’m really excited about it.

I couldn’t get into my latest brain book, so I just set it aside. I need to find a couple more books.

♥ Goal #6a – Spend time one day a week for planning blog content.
♥ Goal #6b – Have established writing hours four days a week.
♥ Goal #6c – Keep 2-3 days of posts and social media set to go out.
♥ Goal #6d – Have 1½-2 weeks worth of posts written and waiting for all the additional bits.

Another month of writing posts and social media blurbs each day. Is it safe to hope October is a mellower month?

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.  Jim Rohn

♥ Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you understand and deal wisely with your values, priorities, and time use.

♥ To Love, Honor, & Vacuum: You Can’t Change the World. You Can Change Your Family. Don’t worry. Be an influencer.

♥ Awaken Love: Add a Little Excitement by Changing Your Starting Point A simple thing, but a real game changer.

♥ Paul and I are donation supported. You can give to our support through The Marriage Bed, Inc. (tax-deductible giving for US folks). Thanks so much for your prayers and support. Give here.

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