No.688: August in Review & Goals for September 2022

FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. a generous friend who helped us with pig processing logistics
2. baking with my daughter
3. the return of the dining room puzzle (and how it brings us together)
4. an easy start to school
5. new opportunities for my husband

FIVE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. The hits keep coming. // We were blindsided with bad news, but continue to trust that God will produce good fruit through this trial.  We pray the lament of Psalm 42 and imitate the psalmist’s hope: “I will praise Thee upon the harp, O God, my God: why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me?  Hope thou in God, for I will yet praise Him: Who is the salvation of my countenance and my God.“
2. God can turn a little into a lot. // I read that sentence on a blog and it really resonated because it’s true!
3. Scammers are everywhere! // I fell down the rabbit hole of a Youtube channel called Catfished that chronicled the stories of people who were tricked by “romance scammers.”  These slimy guys are everywhere, from Facebook to dating sites to Words with Friends.
4. I need to strengthen my “reading aloud muscle.” // I almost lost my voice by the end of the first week!
5. You can’t pour from an empty cup. // A lesson I need to learn over and over again.

FIVE GOALS FOR AUGUST REVIEWED

1. Try to blog every weekday.  I ended up writing 17 (out of the planned 23) posts.  I started off so strong, but couldn’t keep up during processing and the first week of school.  Oh well, 74% isn’t terrible!  I’ll try again next year.
2. ✔ Complete a “low buy” month.  I consider this a semi-success.  We were very intentional about every penny, but didn’t see the huge savings I had envisioned.  Maybe I was unrealistically optimistic?
3. ✔ Get some animals off the property.  We successfully got Fiona to the butcher and processed the broilers ourselves the following week.  We welcome the breathing room after such a busy season!
4. ✔ Finish as many homestead projects as possible.  My list isn’t completely checked off, but I got a big chunk of it accomplished: I finally finished moving the pile of compost to the food forest, amended garden soil, and tidied up/organized unneeded items from the animals and garden.  We are also almost finished with one of the permanent winter pig paddocks.
5. ✔ Start school!  Yes!  We’ve had a really easy transition.

FIVE GOALS FOR SEPTEMBER

1. Go on a date with my husband.
2. Follow a daily skincare routine and see if I can notice any difference.
3. Send some snail mail.
4. Try a new sourdough recipe once each week.
5. Paint the back doors.