2015 Goals

I can't believe I haven't posted my goal list for this year!  Been very busy in so many areas of our families lives this just slipped away from me.

I choose less goals this year and I also choose a phrase to go with my year.  Last year my word was Flow and I think I did a pretty good job at getting a better flow to my life.  This year I want that flow to continue and help bring everything "together"

Here they are:


2015 WORD
- "Coming Together"

PLACES TO GO AND SEE
- Go to sony wonder lab in NYC

HOME AND FINANCE
- Continue to save for move to NC
- Front door and trim
- Fix sidewalk
- Curb appeal for the house

LOVING MYSELF
- Lose 50 lbs by year end
- Hula hoop 3x a week 15 mins on own
- Clean up more of our eating
- Mediate at least 2-3 days a week
- Workout at PF at least 3x a week

PERSONAL AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
- Learn photoshop
- Blog once a week
- Crochet for etsy shop
- Get more items into etsy BeachBumminGirls shop
- Learn jewelry making

I joined a gym!

If you know me, you know I hate working out in front of people.  I like more one on one so I can be coached and have someone to talk to.  I hate being in my own head.

When I got the flier in the mail that a Planet Fitness was opening up near me, I kept it.  I kept looking at it trying to decide what I wanted to do.  Do I join, do I get the regular membership or do I get the black card or do I just not join.  I would tell some family and friends how nervous I was to join, was scared what it would be like, if I could do the workouts and I didn't want to waste the money if I hated it and just didn't go.

I even stopped by the pre-registration trailer and talked to the manager about the equipment, the type of gym it is and what it has to offer.  I didn't sign up that day.  I thought about it more.  I joined a gym once back in 2003/2004 and the equipment just didn't fit this 4'11" person.  I had to use pillows they had to push me forward on some of the machines or lift me up on other, this was cumbersome to me.  I didn't want this again.

About a week later I decided to just bite the bullet and just join.  I went to the pre-registration trailer again and as I was walking in the manager was walking out and he remembered me, points earned there.  I signed up.  Then I had to wait about 2 weeks till it opened.  So I kept worrying did I make the right decision, am I going to hate this decision.  My neighbor also joined which really helped!

It's been about a month since Planet Fitness has opened and needless to say I LOVE IT!  The people are all very nice, members are nice, and the gym is nice, new and clean.  And the one thing I worried about with the machines not fitting me was just that a worry.  They adjust so easy and no pillows!

This was definitely a GREAT decision

Grades

There are many reasons schools use a grading system.  Some reasons are to give students feedback about their progress and achievement, for administrative purposes, to give guidance to students about future coursework, to provide instructional planning for teachers, and last but not least to motivate students.  

When I was in school I was not a great student and grades never really motivated me much.  With my own homeschool I took a stance of  anti grade and anti testing for a long time.  I preferred to teach mastery of the subject then give them a grade.   Last fall I decided to test C to see where she was level wise in math and reading/comprehension.  She took the test and really enjoyed seeing where she was and what she needed to do to advance to the next level.  

Over the year we worked on her math skills and her reading/comprehension skills.  In July she did the year end test to see how she advanced over the year.  She loved seeing how much she grew in each level and also where she still needed to work harder in.  This was a turning point for me.  

Over the summer we discussed different ways we can show this progress throughout the year.  I reluctantly said I could grade your work.  This makes more work on my end and I have to stay on top of the grading so they can see progress each week.  

We just completed our first week of lessons and I have kept up on the grading which is a huge plus for me.  The girls do really enjoy seeing those A's and B's and if they get a C say they will try harder. 

I use an online program for our lesson plans called Homeschool Minder love this program.  This is how I will be tracking their grades and creating transcripts for them.  I will have to get a better system to add assignments.  Instead of say read chapters 4-8 and do the quiz.  I will have to input two different lessons one for the reading and one for the quiz.  This is all a new learning curve for me.  I can see a lot of good this will do.  

For our family grades will be used as a tool for motivation.