The Big White Farmhouse

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Can you believe there’s only 45 days left in 2022?!  Since we’re on the homestretch, I thought it’s about time I reviewed my goals!  This should be interesting…

#1. GET SERIOUS ABOUT NUTRITION.  

My original intentions: 2021 was the year where I stopped making excuses and really took my health seriously.  I’m keeping that momentum by continuing intermittent fasting, weaning off of almost all processed foods, and giving up sugar for at least six months(!!).  I’d also like to focus on nutrient dense foods, with bonus points for food grown and raised by us.  My kids will be joining in on this adventure, just maybe a little less extreme.

How it’s going: BUAH HA HA HA.  Oh boy…I could not have fallen further from this goal.  During planting season, I survived on granola bars and “healthy” white cheddar puff Cheetos.  And this fall, my emotional eating habits went berserk as I dealt (poorly) with all of the stressors going on.  I’ll give myself a few bonus points for eating things grown by us (thank goodness for healthy meats and veggies!) but I’m a far cry from where I envisioned myself in January.

My plan for the rest of 2022: I’m feeling the effects of a lackluster diet and really need to refocus on nutritionally dense meals.  And the sugar…definitely need to rein that back in too.  Baby steps.

#2. READ MORE NONFICTION.

My original intentions: One of the cons of my 100 book reading goal was that I prioritized “easier” books that I knew I could breeze through quickly.  This year, I’d like to read more nonfiction, even if it takes me awhile to finish.  I entertained the idea of a new challenge (something like a 1001 Nonfiction Book Reading Challenge?), but ultimately decided to complete the Alphabet Challenge for Nonfiction first.

How it’s going: As of this writing, I have read 8 nonfiction books, which is 12.5% of my total reading.  Not exactly what I had pictured back in January, but not too terrible!  The eight books I read were:

• Let Them Eat Dirt: Saving Your Child from an Oversanitized World by B. Brett Finlay & Marie-Claire Arrieta PhD || ★★★☆☆
• Communism and the Conscience of the West by Fulton J. Sheen || ★★★★☆
• Dirt to Soil: One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture by Gabe Brown || ★★★★☆
• Escape from Camp 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West by Blaine Harden || ★★★☆☆
• The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You by Eli Pariser || ★★★☆☆
• The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother’s Hidden Life by Jasmin Darznik ||
• Hidden America: From Coal Miners to Cowboys, an Extraordinary Exploration of the Unseen People Who Make This Country Work by Jeanne Marie Laskas || ★★★★☆
• Indestructible: The Unforgettable Memoir of a Marine Hero at the Battle of Iwo Jima by Jack Lucas || ★★★☆☆

My plan for the rest of 2022: I think I can squeeze in at least one more before year’s end!

#3. MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL WITH MY OWN HANDS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.  

My original intentions: This is lifegiving in the best way for me.

How it’s going: When I made this goal, I was imagining twelve finished projects that I could share at the end of each month.  And as we know…that definitely did not happen!  In reflection, though, I realized that I chased beauty in different, sometimes non-traditional ways: expanding my gardens, perfecting my sourdough bread, stitching and quilting and interior design.  It didn’t fit nicely in a box, but I think I was successful.

My plan for the rest of 2022: My focus has been on the house lately, so I’m going to keep running in that direction.  Maybe I’ll even finish the laundry room!

#4. EXPAND THE HOMESTEAD.  

My original intentions: Bigger gardens and more animals!  Little by little, we are creating a more self-sufficient way of life.

How it’s going: Big YES for this one!  We expanded the gardens, started the construction of the food forest, raised/processed 300 broiler chickens and 15 more hens, raised/processed two pigs and kept two other pigs healthy for breeding.  I’ve never worked so hard, but it’s the most satisfying kind of work.

My plan for the rest of 2022: I’m looking forward to doing the bare minimum!  I need the rest before hitting the ground running in 2023.

#5. AGGRESSIVELY WORK TOWARD THE GOAL OF PAYING OFF OUR MORTGAGE EARLY.  

My original intentions: Lots of thoughts fall under this huge goal.  I know my first order of business will be to brainstorm multiple income streams…what I can offer in the state of life I’m currently in?  What are my gifts?

How it’s going: This goal has ebbed and flowed throughout the year, but we are still inching closer and closer!  Some months we were able to put a big chunk on the principal, some months we could only manage the payment amount.  Even so, we’re still passionate about this goal so we’ll keep moving forward.  As of this writing, we’ve paid off 13.9% of the loan…only 86.1% to go!

My plan for the rest of 2022: As inflation soars, side hustles are becoming more and more important to keeping this goal alive.  2022 was the year for brainstorming and creation, 2023 will be for a more focused execution.  I hope to flesh out some goals before New Year’s Eve.

#6. IMPROVE MY SELF-PROTECTION SKILLS.

My original intentions: The world can be a dangerous place, but knowing you can protect yourself produces confidence and not fear.  This is the year I’ll finally finish my self defense course!

How it’s going: Zero progress made in this area.  I didn’t even pull the self defense course out of my closet!

My plan for the rest of 2022: This might make a good goal for the winter.  I’ll start by finding those DVDs, ha!