Spicy Motivators 2024 - April, May June

[A-M]

Come and join us to be motivated:

" You might need encouragement in exercising more (that’s me). You might want to do more walking. You might need encouragement to eat healthier or lose some weight. Your desire might be to cook more home cooked meals. Maybe you need some push to get more memory pages scrapped or maybe a desire to do more other crafts like sewing, yarn crafts or painting. You might like to set yourselves a monthly goal of how many challenges you want to take part in... or how many pages you want to achieve for an album you are putting together. "

You are welcome to start a post to share your goals and edit to add when you achieve things. Otherwise just pop in here at the end of each week and share how your week has been in achieving your goals.

Also, please feel welcome to ask for any encouragement you may need.

 

[DebraB]

April, May, June Goals. I did horrible for my Jan-March goals. We will try it again. I have decided for my scrapbooking I am going to do 1 page a week just for me. I will not necessarily be posting them in the gallery, but will post here how I am doing. It is going to be super busy with farming. Physical I am going to walk 10 minutes a day, morning, noon, and evening. I am having procedure done on my vericose veins in June and that one of the requirements for aftercare, so I might as well get in the habit now.
April 1st week- played around with some new kits. probably 1/4th of the walking.

April 19th - I am feeling good about my scrapping. I have gotten a couple of pages done that I wanted to get done. And I just played around with some layouts I went through the April Challenges and wrote down some I was interested in if I could work a kit I wanted to use with the challenge, or the photo. but decided to try and focus on what I want to do. Except for a couple that I enjoy the freebie that goes with. Health part: haven't walked everyday--but I have picked rocks for 30 hours if that counts.

April 26 I Haven't had time to do any scrapbooking since last weekend since I've been out everyday using the backhoe and picking rock. With the up and down and dehydration I had major leg cramps last night in both thighs at the same time.
will maybe get some scrapping done this weekend since we got rained out.

 

[Grace.]

April - June 2024 goals

Do my qi gong routine per day

I have done my qi gong routines almost everyday during this month.

 

[A-M]

Debra, great idea to write down the challenges you want to do and just aim at creating something for those. There are so many here at Ginger Scraps it can be a little daunting. Picking up rocks definitely counts as exercise.

Grace, I have at times dabbled in some qi gong and find it really makes your body feel good afterwards. I should do it more
often.

Me, I am still aiming at doing some form of exercise each day. I enjoy my walking style exercise via Youtube - especially this instructor HERE. I have now got into such a good habit that when I miss a day I really feel like I am missing something.

 

[Grace.]

Anne-Marie dear, thank you so much for sharing the link, I will check them out later, seems that the channel has a very interesting videos.

Qi-gong helped me a lot, when I have had head-neck and shoulders pain, because the movements are gentle helped me to feel more relaxed too, and lately having so much stressful situations, it's helping me more than I have would believed.

 

[AJsRandom]

I believe my goals are:

Read 50 books this year

Post once a week on my blog

Exercise 3x a week

4/28/24- I have no idea where I am in my book goal- I keep forgetting to put my books into by Goodreads app. I should do that, then I'll have an idea of whether I'm on track or not. I am not doing well at posting on my blog. I think I only did once in April. And I've unfortunately fallen off of my exercise habit, but plan to restart tomorrow. I just got so depressed this winter and I'm still recovering from that.

 

[A-M]

Ane, I do like your chosen word "Joy". You know we can experience joy in some degree even when things do not seem to be going well. We can always find joy in some of the little things in our day - just being thankful for what we eat can be an expression of joy that you live where food is plentiful.
You have given yourself a task I could never match - 50 books in one year. I am flat out reading one a month. I enjoy reading but unless the story really grabs my attention I am a slow reader.

 

[Carla minicooper452]

I've been posting in the old all of April too A-M. Never got a message that you updated. Here's what happened in case anyone's interested.

Keeping my Goals for 2024

Scrapbooking:
*do one page (aka start again)
I did tell you that I actually started a page, but I haven't finished it yet. That was two weeks ago! smh. I just can't seem to get those scrap-creative juices flowing.

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*do my 5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes

HELLO APRIL!
Apr 1 -

... Life is Good! Happy Easter yesterday. We had a good day.
Shoulder is much better. There are days when I don't have any pain. YAY! And there are days when it still aches like the dickens. My knees are shot, but that's normal. I'm a human barometer, so I can tell you when the weather is going to change by how my joints are feeling and now my shoulder is apparently included in that... dangit.
I've actually "started" a scrapbook page. lol. Last week and it's not even close to done. But I am really, really liking my card-making. I'm just starting a four-week, team challenge with my sales group. We're the Nutso Average Stampers. I "sell" Stampin' Up! (but not really... only sorta to myself unless anyone I know happens to want something... I'm what they call a hobby-demonstrator) So this challenge is three cards a week with specifications, tic-tac-toe style. We started last night. It's loads of fun. I'm also just starting Spring Break this week, so off I go to make my three cards!
Buh-bye!
Apr 15!!! -

I haven't checked in for two weeks! Omgosh! Well, there hasn't been much to tell. Obviously, my siggie hasn't changed. My shoulder is getting better. Still aches a bunch, but so do my knees, so I think that's just what I have to live with. ROM isn't back to normal, but it's getting better. Not going into regular PT. Checking in with her on a monthly basis to make sure I'm not backsliding.
Still playing with my paper, making cards. Having lots of fun there.
Girls still aren't speaking to each other so it's making family life... interesting. We see them separately, so we see our grandchildren, but the cousins don't get to see each other. SO sad. And they miss each other so much, but Anne doesn't seem to care about that. Maybe someday she'll pull her head out of the sand.
Gotta get to work... Love ya, bye!
Apr 22 -

… Had an okay week. Started out great. Went to a forum for work so I was able to spend the night out of town with a bunch of great people. Unfortunately, it took a huge toll on my body. My knees are definitely not up to walking that much in one stretch and I was shot by the time I got home on Tuesday night. I had to go to work on Wednesday because I had to test a student and then I made the mistake of asking if I could organize some materials for another test at another building, as long as I was out. BIG mistake. By the time I got home Wednesday night, I thought I was going to cry. Didn’t go to work on Thursday. I went to work on Friday and Freddy got me my meds Friday night and I felt SO much better by Saturday. I hate to say it, but some of my meds are truly God-sent! I’m actually feeling human today.
Apr 29 -

… Just finished a four-week card challenge with my SU! team and our mini team WON! It was in tic-tac-toe format and each week we got a new board. We had to create three projects and there were some extra “rules” every week. The first week was just normal. The second week, one had to be 3D, the third week, we could do two (or more) rows/columns at a time in one project to get extra points. Last week was really convoluted. Too hard to explain. Anyway, it actually involved some strategy. And we won. It was really fun. Except for the second week after I got home from my forum and I was totally exhausted, but still had to make my three projects in only three days instead of the usual seven. Got it done, but I was pushed. And we did win a prize! $20 each, to spend in the new catalog that goes live on Wednesday!!!

 

[Grace.]

(...) There are days when I don't have any pain. YAY! And there are days when it still aches like the dickens. My knees are shot, but that's normal. I'm a human barometer, so I can tell you when the weather is going to change by how my joints are feeling and now my shoulder is apparently included in that (...)

Carla dear, I wonder if your doctor has ever investigated whether you suffer from fibromyalgia? exactly the same thing happens to me, my joints hurt, and my bones hurt every time the weather changes, plus I feel very tired. I used to say that the best thermometer, and barometer was my own body, until a doctor told me that I was suffering from fibromyalgia. Hope you feel better my dear.

 

[A-M]

Carla, Thankyou for sharing all your updates for April. I think I agree with Grace about the pains you are experiencing.

 

[Grace.]

Happy May!

 

[DebraB]

Anne-Marie and others is, since it is May is it easier if we just do a 'reply to thread' and list how we are doing in May or should we 'edit' our original april, may, june thread? I would say it has helped stating my goals. not fantastic with meeting them, but it does help me stay focused....especially with new challenges out. To do a page that I want to do before working on the challenges. Unless I can truly make the challenge work into photos/layout I want to do.
Deb

 

[A-M]

Anne-Marie and others is, since it is May is it easier if we just do a 'reply to thread' and list how we are doing in May or should we 'edit' our original april, may, june thread? I would say it has helped stating my goals. not fantastic with meeting them, but it does help me stay focused....especially with new challenges out. To do a page that I want to do before working on the challenges. Unless I can truly make the challenge work into photos/layout I want to do.
Deb

Deb, I feel it is easier to just reply each time you want to share how you are doing. Editing a post will not be seen by all of us.
Also, Deb you are welcome to share a link to the pages you are creating for challenges or especially if not for a challenge so we can encourage you by making comments in the gallery. Just share the link of the web page - not necessary to share the image.

 

[DebraB]

need encouragement for today and tomorrows goal to organize 15 kits using ACDSEE. And then to File those and 30 more that have already been organized into the correct designer folder. A lot to do, but it is a Rainy Day
AND it will remind me that I really don't need anything during the sales coming up
AND can't forget to do a complete backup of all my digikits.

UPDATE :
Yahoo!! I got everything organized AND all backed up!! now I can maybe go do some INSD fun.

 

[A-M]

Debra, hope you achieve your goals.... especially not buying anything during the sales! :36_15_8:

 

[Grace.]

May - June 2024 goals

I continue exercising and doing my qi gong routine daily, plus drinking water.

 

[DebraB]

so much for not buying anything at the INSD sales, but that's ok. just more to organize.

 

[Carla minicooper452]

Keeping my Goals for 2024

Scrapbooking:
*do one page (aka start again)
I did tell you that I actually started a page, but I haven't finished it yet. That was two weeks ago! smh. I just can't seem to get those scrap-creative juices flowing.

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*do my 5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes


May 13 -

… I missed last week. Sorry. This is why…
Thank God for answered prayers? I guess. Mom died at 1:16am this morning. I’m supposed to be sad. I am. But right now, I can’t even cry. I’m happy. I’m thrilled… for her. She’s free from her body that was failing and her mind that was leaving her ever-so-slowly. She’s with Daddy now and she’s happy and healthy again. It sucks for me and my kids and grandkids and everyone else. But I am at peace today, right now. I suppose that’s because I know she’s not suffering anymore and I miss who she was. I’ve missed that for a long time. It was so hard to even go see her like that. It was hard to talk to her on the phone… when I could get ahold of her. LOL. So many times she would have her phone on mute or the volume turned down so low that she couldn’t hear it ring. Then there were the times (yes times, plural) that she actually blocked me. BLOCKED ME! We figured out that it had to be some button that she inadvertently clicked as she was hanging up. She didn’t even know that she’d done it. SMH. She was a good egg. She was my best friend. I’m not crying today. I know I’ll cry later. I’ll cry at her funeral and I’ll cry a bunch alone. I’ll cry when I remember things and I’ll cry when I talk about her. But today I feel like everything is right with the world, except that my Mom is gone. Both my girls said, "She hung on through Mother's Day. She always loved Mother's Day. Her Day." Just like Mom.

 

[DebraB]

CARLA Hugs and Prayers.

 

[A-M]

Carla, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know what you are going through as I felt relief when my mother died after a slow death.

 

[Carla minicooper452]

Keeping my Goals for 2024

Scrapbooking:
*do one page (aka start again)
I did tell you that I actually started a page, but I haven't finished it yet. That was two weeks ago! smh. I just can't seem to get those scrap-creative juices flowing.

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*do my 5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes

May 20 -

… Really good week considering we had to deal with all the Mom stuff. I actually took the week off, so that helped. Tuesday was a meeting with the funeral home. That was pretty easy because she’d prepaid. Not pre-planned entirely, but prepaid. So all we had to do was plan a bit. The National Cemetery caused a bit of a quandary as they were booked out for “spouses/children” who are only allowed burials during very specific times. Okay. Got that figured out and it’s set for June 26th. Oldest brother and SIL are leaving tomorrow for Europe for three weeks and youngest is leaving for a week just after they get back so we had to go into June and the 26th was the earliest we could get everything done in one day. So, that’s done. Now we wait. The week off was good. I needed it. Work is fine, but there are some things going on that are not… nice and I’m a little tired, so this just happened to be a good break. Driving back into the parking lot this morning was a little tough because I always called Mom in the morning from work. I guess I got over it pretty quick and just got to work. Got my email cleaned out and tomorrow it’s just back to the grindstone.

 

[A-M]

Carla, I hope all goes well on the 26th June.

 

[Carla minicooper452]

Keeping my Goals for 2024

Scrapbooking:
*do one page (aka start again)
I did tell you that I actually started a page, still haven’t finished it. smh.

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*do my 5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes

May 27 -

Doing okay. I had no idea how ridiculously difficult it was going to be to write an obituary! We’re not putting anything into the papers, so it’s all just staying in the funeral home online notice. It’s basically her eulogy. I asked the boys to give me some ideas and, because I’m the one who got her gift of journalism, they asked me to write it. OMG… Not that I minded doing it. I adored my mom. She was my best friend. And surprisingly, I didn’t cry much while writing it. I really loved telling her story. I didn’t want it to get crazy-wordy, but I wanted everyone to know how truly wonderful she was. So, I got that done last night. Sent it off to the oldest DD and she liked it. Now to send it to the boys for final ok, then to the funeral home for publishing. Other than that, nine more days of school and I’m off for the summer. Can’t wait. It’s been a really, really long year. It’s flown by, but I am so ready to be done. I am really close to pulling the plug and retiring, but I still love my job. Just don’t love some of the people I work with. More the people I supposedly work “for”, who get in my hair once in a while, but don’t really know my job so they don’t have a clue what they’re doing when they get into my hair. Very frustrating, which makes me want to retire, but I love my job… when I can do it without interference. *sigh*
Have a great week all!
Love and Blessings!

 

[Carla minicooper452]

Keeping my Goals for 2024

Scrapbooking:
*do one page (aka start again)
I did tell you that I actually started a page, still haven’t finished it. smh.

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*do my 5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes

June 03 -

LAST DAYS OF SCHOOL! I feel like a kid! How silly is that, but I am really ready for this year to be done. Aside from the fact that I found out that I’m not technically supposed to work the actual last day of school for our middle school kids. SMH. I’m on an altered schedule, so I only work 176 days and they attend 178, so I won’t see them leave the last day and I’m kinda bummed, but I’ve asked if I can work that day. We’ll see if the witch will allow that. I sorta doubt it.
It’s okay though because I am ready to be done…
Got Mom’s obit back from the funeral home. If you’re of a mind to… here it is. I guess, I’m sort of pleased. A couple of my nieces and nephews helped out with words and phrases they remembered. She was a really, classy lady and I loved her so much. This tells that really well.
https://www.washburn-mcreavy.com/obituaries/Carol-Letch/#!/Obituary
Have a great week all!
Love and Blessings!

 

[DebraB]

CARLA a very loving tribute to your Mom. Prayers are with you.

 

[Carla minicooper452]

Thanks so much Debra. It was a little tough to write, but I got through it and I've had so many compliments.

Scrapbooking:
*do one page (aka start again)
I did tell you that I actually started a page, still haven’t finished it. smh.

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*do my 5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes

June 10 -

Well, first days/week out of school proved to be a bust, as I knew it would, because I worked most of the time. As I said, I knew this was coming. I found out that I was only supposed to work 176 days out of 178 and the rest of the staff was working two days later than I was, so it was inevitable that I would get paperwork that had to be checked and confirmed after I was technically finished with my year. And it had to be checked to make sure it was correct in case the people that needed to correct it were leaving because that paperwork needs to be audit-proof. Well, yeah, a bunch of it had to be fixed. So, I’ve already worked the equivalent of a day-and-a-half, without pay. So far. They’ll hear about it next fall (or in a couple weeks… I haven’t decided when to tell them)
Other than that, I’ve been busy playing with my paper, making cards. I actually sold a couple of my cards last week. That was really fun! One of my teachers asked if she could buy a grad card and a couple father’s day cards. Then she asked if she could add some random birthday cards. What fun! One of the custodians saw the grad card and asked for one of her own and said that I should put a plastic shoe box out next year and sell them to everyone. Maybe… just to feed my habit. Hehehe.

Have a great week y’all!
Love and Blessings!

 

[A-M]

Carla, I just read your tribute to your mother and it is so lovingly written. Thankyou for sharing the link so we could read it.

 

[AJsRandom]

I have not written for my blog in about 2 months. Aack! But I'm sure I will again sometime--I just need some motivation and that's what I'm here for!

I have been doing better at my exercise though. I fell off track for a few months, but I'm slowly coming back.

I've been a great little scrapper too! Last month I did over 30 layouts! I don't think I want to do that many every month, because it's just more that I have to sort through and I know I have used the same photos many times. My kids need to get off their lazy bums and send me more picture, LOL!

 

[DebraB]

goals....I'm not even sure what mine were anymore. I know my goal was to walk 10 minutes 3 times a day....some days there were none, others way more. In 5 days there were 110 man hours put in picking rock. Some days we had 3 kids helping, sometimes 5. All in all A LOT of rocks were picked. I said NO to my helping since Thursday. I had procedure done on my vericose veins and I'm not doing anything to jeopardize it not working. The procedure went well, but threw up 5 times afterwards from being anxious and nervous.
I have also started doing some CT layouts for Memory Mosaic $2 sale tuesdays.

 

[Carla minicooper452]

Thanks Anne-Marie.

WOAH Ane. Wish I could say the same. I got a couple pages done, but still no real mojo. Well done.

Sorry you had such a tough time with your procedure recovery Debra. Better to be safe than sorry. Good to relax and heal. Good luck getting those layouts done.

Keeping my Goals for 2024

Scrapbooking:
*do one page (aka start again)
I did tell you that I actually started a page, still haven’t finished it. smh.

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*do my 5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes

June 17 -

Let’s see… what’s happened since last week. Got my schedule squared away and they were wrong. My union prez got involved and HR fixed things within about 24 hours. My schedule has been aligned with secondary for as long as I’ve been with the district and no one has any idea how it got changed last year. Now I am considered a “district-wide” employee and 179 days, permanently. Yay me! Also, had to notify my “boss” (on my union’s recommendation) that I had to finish up my EOY work, to the tune of about 15 hours plus about 3 hours during summer school coming up in July due to this whole snafu. She sorta had to approve it posthumously because I’ve already done it and it had to be done. She doesn’t “like” me anyway and the feeling is quite mutual. So that’s taken care of as well and I’m getting paid for all of my time.
Only downfall right now is that I’m feeling like what I believe is carpal tunnel in my right hand is really, really, really acting up is getting far worse. It used to bother me at night and I’ve been wearing a brace for years, but now it’s almost all the time. I’ve been doing exercises during the day, but it’s just not helping much anymore. I think I’m going to have to go into the doc and have him “investigate”. I don’t want surgery… Think good thoughts for me, please.
Have a great week y’all!
Love and Blessings!