I will admit my failures

52 Weeks to Simplify Your life: What Values Do You Stand For - Check!
This wasn't too hard.  I mean sitting down to make a list of values and then deciding which were the most important doesn't take too long.   I'm guessing this challenge will be getting harder as the year goes on.

My top value...

52 Challenges in the Organized Home: Clean the Drawers and Cabinets - Check!
I did this on Sunday, didn't take long because I was in a throwing-out mood.  I had a counter covered in "stuff" I didn't need and within 24 hours people from Craigslist had come to pick it all up.  The drawers and cupboards have stayed organized AND my counters are still clean (if you don't count the mixer I brought up from the basement and I have been using it pretty regularly.

52 New Foods Challenge - Check!
I should probably admit that I haven't even read the blog or the website attached to this challenge.  I am simply trying to eat something each week that I haven't ever had before.  This week I semi-cheated because I just tried the other jar of tea stuff.

52 Week Money Challenge - Check!
I already pulled the money out of the bank a week ago and had it tucked away.  So I just had to get the money out and put $51 in the jar this week.  Balance: $103

Listmania: The Current Season... - Check!

I wasn't all artsy-fartsy with my completion of this task, like the original author of this topic, but I completed it.  I like winter, I like snow, so it wasn't bad.  I'm more of a list person.

Wellness Calendar: Schedule workouts, eat greens and healthy, love myself  - Check!

Scheduling my workouts was easy, I go to the gym every weekday morning at 4AM.

Yes, really.  If I don't go at 4AM, then there is no other time for me to go, so I started working out at this time about a year and a half ago.  It works for me, most days.  And since I take advantage of the treadmill, that made it even easier for me to "plan" my workouts.  I'm doing 3-4 miles a day walking at least 4.2 mph, with the weight vest (currently at about 16 pounds.)

Eating a healthy breakfast wasn't hard, eating the fruits and veggies wasn't even hard since I do that usually.  Eating something green at every meal was something I had to think about.  Breakfast is usually fresh eggs, or oatmeal, and then a banana when I drive to work.  I had to change things up a bit on Thursday morning and ended up having kiwi as part of my breakfast and celery with peanut butter in my lunch to make sure that I had green stuff.

And yes, I did write in my journal about one body part that I like.  It was boring.  And just for the record I chose my shoulders.  Not because I think they are great, I just really couldn't think of a body part that I'm not still trying to improve and I thought that saying "my eyes" would be a cop out.

I didn't sign up for a dance class, but I already knew that was something I wouldn't do. My gym is small and I don't do classes, so it wasn't going to happen.  I'm not 100% sure that I ate 5 fruits and veggies on Saturday, because I haven't stopped to think about what I ate, but I think I met this goal.

28 Day Mom Challenge: Hugging, New words, favorite foods, lunch notes, and hearing them out  - Yikes!

I won't lie.  This is the one challenge that I have the most trouble with.  From losing the paper copy of my calendar (and not turning the computer on to view the online one) I forgot what the challenge was one day, I didn't get a note in their lunches, and I'm not sure that they asked to do anything on Saturday that I let them do.  I can't remember them asking me to do anything really.

I have been torn between continuing this challenge and just seeing what I can get done, or giving up and starting over another time.  I've also thought about changing the challenges to just being things like not yelling - each day.  While I am constantly hard on myself and hating myself for my parenting deficiencies, I also know that I am constantly analyzing things and trying to figure out what I can do differently to make my little boogers grow up to be productive and happy members of society.

No Spend February - Check!

I'm actually really proud of myself with this challenge.  I've had a rough week and I tend to spend money on food when I am stressed out.  But I didn't.  I didn't stop for a muffin or a donut either of the mornings that I wanted one.  I didn't go to Tropical Smoothies on my way home like I was craving.

I made it two weeks before we went to the grocery store and then I only spent $26 at the grocery store and under $70 at Costco.

I bought a 50 pound bag of flour and a 25 pound bag of sugar at costco which may not have been a "need" except that I am determined to make more of our breads instead of buying them and I also buy in bulk to save money in the long run.  Besides those two things I bought 2 gallons of milk, strawberries, blackberries, heavy cream (to make bread and real butter), two loaves of bread, and parchment paper (we were out and I need it to make the bread.)

At the grocery store I bought apples, pears, bananas, shortening (I was out), baking soda and yeast, potatoes (on sale), and I don't know what else.  I feel like I am forgetting something.

I should be able to avoid needing anything else from the store for two more weeks, which means there is no reason why I can't end up spending less than $150 on groceries for the entire month.