The Me Monthly - Volume 17

ME THIS MONTH
**Everything within asterisks is being written when this is posted, everything else is stuff that I actually wrote in November and I'm not going to make any changes to. I got to a point with this update where I was feeling down about not accomplishing my 30 day project, feeling in a rut in general, and feeling like it was fine to miss this month because the holidays were starting to take over. But now it's the middle of January and I'm mad at myself, but finally feeling less in a rut so I'm just writing something quickly and getting it over with!

In November we got to go to St George for Thanksgiving and it was so wonderful. I had missed my parents a lot and it was great to see everyone. During the week I also ate a lot of yummy foods, including half of chocolate pecan pie, without too many bad side effects. Overall it was just a good, chill weekend with family. Although we did learn that Daisy is not good at sharing with her cousin Jack - so many tears. But we made it through and it was fun. We need to make sure we plan to This is going to be all I'm going to write in here because when I think back to November all I can remember is that chocolate pecan pie!! Enjoy the rest of the stuff I wrote at some point, but don't take any of the goal-related stuff at face-value and just rejoice with me that we can always try again when we fail.**

Eating: pie..mashed potatoes..stuffing..Durango's.....I cheated a LOT over Thanksgiving at my parents' but it was so delicious! I'll be cheating more over Christmas because we'll be in Texas (and because Christmas)....but then I'll be back to being a good kid and start reintroductions and cheat very sparingly.
Spending: a liiiiiittle too much on Christmas presents and board games..
Needing: more sleep! Daisy has been sick and teething and just having a hard time going to sleep/staying to sleep lately, so Jonathan and I haven't been getting very much sleep either. I miss it.

THE FOCUS GROUP
29. Learn some knife skills, especially for cutting onions
I know I just had this one up here, but I was cutting some stuff the other day and I know I've gotten better at using a knife. I really want to go a little further and try a few different cuts and stuff, so I'm going to be mindful of that when I chop veggies this month. With that being said, I will be considering this one done by the end of November almost either way. I don't feel stupid when using a knife anymore, and I think that was the main goal of this :)

53. Learn the health benefits of different fruits and vegetables
Still slow-going on this one, but I've already shared some of the knowledge I gained! That was cool :) Like I said last month, I'm excited to keep doing this one!

1 YEAR - 12 PROJECTS - 30 DAYS

Project 6 - No Complaining (November - Started)
My ultimate goal for this 30-day project was to limit my complaining, to be more mindful about/address why I'm reacting negatively, and to find ways to be more positive about the situations I'm in. I wanted to:

• Not complain out loud to anyone.
• I specifically said "out loud" because I know negative thoughts WILL happen. And I don't want to totally keep in or shut down my grievances because I believe acknowledging those things is important. But for this project I plan to work through those thoughts/feelings on paper, in my mind, through prayer, etc.
• I know this will be hard, so I'm giving myself some "pardons" for the first week or two, because I know this is going to be one of my more challenging projects (5/day for the first week, 3/day for the second week, 1/day for the third week, none for the last week)
• When talking with others, use a "mixture of truth and positivity" (this blog)
• Address and be mindful of negative/complaining thoughts, reactions, and attitude
• Think through that "complaint". Is it something that can be controlled? (this other blog)
• If yes, then take measures to change it.
• If no, then determine how you can make the best of the situation.
• Write down, pray about, and/or think through feelings and thoughts related to the situation I'm in. Be honest. 

And folks. I FAILED. It honestly didn't last past the first week. I do have to say though, during that first week I noticed the situations when I complain the most, I found some ways I complain that I never realized before, and I **this is where I just stopped writing. Looking back at this (and other parts of my update format) I've come to some conclusions that I'm going to write about in the next update! So go to my next post to read more :)**

KEEPING YOU POSTED
20. Read the Book of Mormon twice during the list
I got to Alma yesterday! I need to read 11 pages a day to finish by the end of the year, and I'm still marking everywhere that mentions God/Christ. Whether I make it or not, I have LOVED reading the Book of Mormon this way. I've gotten so much more out of it then I ever have before :)


NUMBERED NEWS
49. Play 51 new games (at least 15 award-winning)
26. Founders of Gloomhaven (11/28/18)

85. Watch 101 new movies (at least 20 award-winning)
39. To All the Boys I've Loved Before (11/10/18)
40. Crazy Rich Asians (11/14/18)
**41. My Hero Acadamia: Two Heroes (9/26/18) recently remembered this one and realized I missed recording it!**


DAISY'S BOOK OF THE MONTH
**Asterisks again. I hadn't started this one, and I can't remember which book we read the most in November, so I'm just picking this one that I haven't written about yet but that we read a lot: The Little Red Hen

Daisy loves doing the "Not I!" parts in this book, especially because I try to do the voices different for each character and she tries to copy me. It has some really great art too and she always says that an animal is doing a "funny face" and laughs. It's a good little telling of this story and I'm glad we have this classic!**