Getting a grip...

on life that is. I know I'm not getting the rest that I need and if I don't make some changes, over time, it will catch up with me. I don't feel overwhelmed and I'm not sure if that has to do with a change in attitude or if I'm afraid to complain because I choose to do the things I do. Either way, I do know that I need to get a "grip" or better handle on things. I recently bought a little cheap mini planner to write things down. I have the calendar on my phone, but I get so frustrated with the touch screen. I'm not very patient with typing things out on my phone. Wish I had a keyboard to do that. Anyhow, hopefully this planner will help with staying organized.
One thing that I was told and didn't want to accept is that I spend a lot of time on the internet. I didn't want to admit it, but I do and now I'm trying to limit the amount of time I spend. For example, instead of wasting time throughout the day, I'm limiting it to the morning and evening only. Someone once asked me what I do at work, I responded by describing what I do. To my surprise, the individual asked because she said I am on Facebook a lot posting status updates, videos, etc. Okay, if that's not a hint, what is?

So far, my goal is to get organized, spend less time on the net. Thankfully we do not have cable, so watching too much tv is not a problem. I don't miss tv at all. Besides, we are rarely home so it was a waste of money for us.

Another thing I am trying to get back on is saving money. I am horrible at saving. In fact, sad to say, my kids have more money in their savings account than I do in mine. In my attempts to save money, I am jumping back on the coupon bandwagon. This time around, I am limiting myself to 10 inserts instead of the 20+ I use to get. Along with that, buying just the things we need, instead of things to make my pantry look nice and never use.

I was so proud of myself when I was on a roll with 2 weeks of coupons, cut and organized. I was so anxious to shop. Maybe a little too anxious because earlier this week I lost my coupon binder. It made me so sick. I didn't even realize my binder was missing until the next evening when I was prepping for the sale that was to begin the next day. I called the store, not once but twice thinking the first person I spoke to was mistaken. I even drove to the store. Long story short, the binder was gone. I had to literally talk to myself telling myself it was okay, it was only 2 weeks -- not months worth of coupons. When I finally came to terms that the binder was gone and that other deals will come up, a friend of mine messaged me saying she had 10 inserts for the past two weeks. It was the best news I received. So excited, I made arrangements with her and picked up my inserts from her the next day. Thank you so much Susi!!! It was the highlight of my week.

Along with all the changes mentioned above, I am trying to get back on track with my weight ordeal. I know I posted not too long ago about tryng to lose the weight I gained the past few months. Well, it hasn't happened and I really need to get serious about it because over time, the pounds are adding up. I know what I need to do, it's just a matter of doing it. Some of the things I need to do: I need to cut the soda out completely. Working early morning Saturdays on very little sleep has me thinking that I need Mountain Dew to keep me awake. I just need to stop. I also need to stop the late evening meals. I need to get back to eating my bigger meals earlier in the day and eating something light in the evening. Along with all of that, portion control and the junk food snacking in between. It's back to healthier snacks such as nuts, fruits, etc. instead of cookies, chips and candy.

Even though I teach Zumba Monday through Friday, I know I am not pushing myself as hard as I use to. I don't know if it's because I have other instructors helping me, so I start slacking, but I need to push myself during the routines I teach as well as during the routines the other instructors teach. I know if I do all of the things I mentioned, I will be able to lose the weight I gained. I know sleep is also a big factor, that is another thing I need to focus on. The sleeping at midnight and waking up at 4 am is not enough. I need to force myself to sleep earlier.

Along with all of this, I've got to focus on my job at home. I know I haven't been keeping up and there's no excuse. There's that saying that always sits in the back of my mind, "No success can compensate for failure in the home". The school year begins this coming Monday. I will have three in elementary, one in jr. high and one in high school. Getting them to and from school will be a challenge, but I tell myself, it will be this year only. Come next year, I will have a driver - a 16 year old. Not sure if I'm ready for that, but I know once I feel comfortable with his driving, it will be lots of help.

Wow, what a list. The main key will be staying focused. If I can do that, then I will be able to accomplish everything set.