July Goals

 Here are my goals for the month! I'm looking forward to spending time with the boys in July, and then heading to Portland at the end of the month for my special needs aunt's big birthday party (70), followed by Sam's college orientation & registration.

Financial:

• Sort out tuition payment/timing
• Figure out what to do with M's expiring BA miles
• Sort out a plan with United credits (goal plan + backup plan, as his mom's availability to travel will be limited & likely down to the wire)
• Freezer challenge: use up remaining bag of cranberries + bananas

Family:

• Have a great 4th of July with Nick & a friend in Lake Tahoe
• Help Nick edit draft college essays & work on new ones
• Get Sam set up for his solo senior trip (show him how to install airline app, activate credit card, use Uber, etc.) This will all be useful before heading off to college
• Plan one fun family activity + days for my nephew to visit

Fitness:

• Finalize legs for relay (me + Sam)
• 70 miles of running, including some longer runs for relay prep
• Stretch 12 times
• 12 strength workouts
• Follow the No S diet 15 days

Personal:

• Meditate 20 times
• Get together with friends
• Practice Farsi 20 times
• Declutter 25 items (I've done so much, the goals have to get smaller this far into the year)
• Continue exploring jobs
• Spend time on volunteer role

What about you? Have you set any goals for July? Any top priorities for the month?

June goals - how did I do?

 The summer is going by really quickly. I'm more of it than usual, given the countdown for Sam leaving for college is on. I'm not ready! 

Here's how I did with my goals for the month:

Financial:

• Create revised 2024 budget, & estimate taxes owed from severance - done
• Earn $300 in side hustle - $224/300
• Monthly pantry/freezer challenge: use up fish sticks & bag of cranberries - I've used up a bunch of freezer items, & most of the bag of cranberries, but some remain. Overall, I'm pleased with the state of the freezer, as we had a lot of leftovers at the start of the month, and have whittled them down.
• Work on plan for United credits - need to roll this over to July, with a better plan

Family:

• Help Sam with college roommate assignments - done
• Spend a week with Nick on college prep - done, but we have a bunch more work to do. Nick wants to apply to a lot of colleges, many with their own essay requirements
• Enjoy all of our June fun: Sam's graduation, time with my parents, Sam's party & our long weekend in Las Vegas - We had a fantastic month, with so many celebrations!
• Finalize the rest of our summer plans - yes!
• Plan one fun activity with the boys - We've had multiple corn hole matches

Fitness:

• 10 stretching workouts - I did more than usual this month, as I've had a lot of hip tightness I'm trying to work through = 13/10
• Lose 3 lbs - no progress. I did okay towards the end of the month, but a long weekend in Las Vegas meant many fabulous meals
• 12 strength training workouts - 10/12, due to not being around as much in June
• Follow the No S diet - eh, I've had a few days here & there, but definitely inconsistent
• Run 70 miles - I ran 75 miles in June

Personal:

• Get together with friends - lots of coffees, hikes, etc. 
• Practice Farsi 20 times - 18/20
• Declutter 100 items from the house - 49/100
• Meditate daily - I hit this most days, & tried to be much more mindful when I was traveling/not at home
• Continue exploring various jobs - I look at least several times per week
• Start college counseling project - I'm currently matched with two students, and have done one meeting & am hoping to meet my other student soon

Given how much we had going on in June, I'm pleased with my progress. July should be a tiny bit easier - we shall see!

What about you? How did you do on your June goals? 

Menu Plan Monday

 We are all home again, and it's nice to have everyone together! The boys are at work this morning, & I'm staring down a mountain of laundry & clothes that need to be put away. Of course! M & I had a fabulous weekend together, & the boys had a great time in Bend. It's a "short" week, as we're going to be in Lake Tahoe for the 4th of July this year. We're trying something new, as we've actually never been to Lake Tahoe in the summer. Let's hope it's fun!

• Sunday - I made spaghetti & meatballs, while M picked up the boys at the airport
• Monday - tacos
• Tuesday - baked chicken over salads
• Wednesday - Friday - eating out in Lake Tahoe
• Thursday - hot dogs & pasta salad
• Friday - chicken & gyozos

What about you? What's on the menu at your house this week?