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Goals for the Year – Are You Behind?

Posted on by Kimberly Anne
Boy showing shock

Let’s face it; the year is over halfway done. Your goals aren’t even close to being complete. So is it time to give up and try again next year? No!!

Please don’t give up. I haven’t, and you wouldn’t believe how far behind I am. But, together, we can do this, or at least come out with most of our goals clicked off our lists.

We make goals so that by the end of a period of time (usually a year,) we will have achieved the goals, not failed most of them. It’s sort of like a broken promise to ourselves. And it’s not always easy. Especially if unexpected things get in the way. If something truly stopped you in your tracks and ruined your chances of completing all of your goals, I can understand that. My best excuse ever was my brain tumor two years ago. But I can’t continue to use that excuse every year. Do you have an excuse that you are using this year? Can you still complete some of your goals? What’s stopping you?

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Solvang, California – Something for Everybody

Posted on by Kimberly Anne
Something for everyone in Solvang

We recently went to Solvang, the “Danish Capital of America,” with our children and grandchildren. We spent four full days and five nights. Even though we saw many things, there is still a list of things that we could have done, but time ran out.

Yes, we spent a little bit of time relaxing, but there was a lot of time on the go. Since we had children ages 4 months to 8 years, we focused on mainly seeing things that interested the children and threw in a few things for the adults. We were also working around nap time on the two youngest.

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Retirement Plan Gone Awry

Posted on by Kimberly Anne
When a retirement plan goes wrong goes awry

Before I retired I was planning for my retirement. It seemed like the thing to do. It seemed the smartest thing to do.

I told my daughter on a Saturday that I planned to work another year or two and then retire from my part-time job. So that meant I would have worked for my current employer for about two years. For the most part, I really enjoyed my job. It was flexible, and the work was work I’d been doing for over 20 years, so it was not difficult or stressful. My retirement plan seemed like a good plan for both my husband and me.

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2021 Goals June Update

Posted on by Kimberly Anne
June 2021 Goals Update

Here is my list for 2021

  1. Status: Complete our front yard landscaping. This is an absolute must since it’s carried over from last year.
  2. Status: Lose 5 pounds. I lowered this, but since I ended the year up instead of down, I will lose 5 pounds from my beginning weight of 2020, not 2021. I am currently gaining weight. That’s not good. In June, I started losing weight, only to gain it all back. I have to get serious about this.
  3. Progress: Ancestry: Type up the list I already have started on my mom’s mother’s side. Spend time contacting at least 2 cousins. I have made contact with two cousins; however, they have not answered me back.
  4. Progress: Read 45 books. I have finished 26 books. I am on track to make this one.
  5. Status: Ride my bike. This can be a challenge because of my balance issues that seem like they will be permanent.
  6. Progress: Visit three states that I have not visited before. I have made all the plans, except for possibly finding restaurants. Now we wait for the trip to happen.
  7. Progress: Complete 3 quilts. I’m doing much better than last year. I have three baby quilts cut out already. I have started sewing one – it is now about 3/4 done. Adult or baby. Instead of all baby, I might get working on a quilt for my son-in-law and one for my daughter-in-law.
  8. Progress: Walk 1000 miles. I’m not as far as I should be, yet, I have walked 326 miles. I have attempted this for 3 years and never reached it. This year it is in writing, so I hope I will complete it at last. However, I have to speed things up to come close.

In June, I read 2 books. I did get really ambitious about our trip for this fall to three states. All reservations are made. My weight remains an issue, and I know why. It’s hard to believe, but I had an excellent week. One week is not enough. At the end of the month, I have not made progress.

How are you doing with your goals? June was another busy month, so I’m hoping that maybe in July, I can make more progress. Hoping, however, is not enough. I need to be making progress. Do you have a secret that you use to accomplish your goals? Please comment below.

Learn Something New Every Day

Posted on by Kimberly Anne
Learning is important

The older we get, the less we may remember and the more important it can be to keep our brain active. For this reason, I think all of us over 60 or maybe younger should learn something new every day, or at least once a week.

I don’t actually learn something every day, but I try to learn something new as often as possible. So some months, I may learn 30/31 new things. Other months less and maybe others more. By learning new things, we keep our minds working and, hopefully, our bodies moving.

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5 Reasons You Should Give to Charities

Posted on by Kimberly Anne
Give to Charity

If you have never donated to charity, you have been missing out. There are so many positive reasons to donate. You can donate money, food, used clothing, furniture, books, vehicles, stocks, and mutual funds. You can donate your time to help organize, hold a fundraiser, or work in a Thrift Store that raises money for charities. Plus so much more. There are so many benefits to giving to charities.

Maybe you have never donated because you felt like you can’t afford it. That is between you and God. I cannot force you to donate, but I believe that if you do, you will be blessed, even if, in your opinion, it is only something small. Giving of your time is also a donation. This can be once a week or once a year. I have seen people that are retired turning to one of their local charities to volunteer part-time.

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