Monthly Goals : September 2026

I always say that I can't believe it's [insert month here] already, but it does feel like time flies, and I really CAN'T believe it's already September! At least I'm consistent with my disbelief? 😂

Let's do a quick recap of my April Goals (the last month of goals I've posted...oops!). My goals were:

1. Put away winter clothes and shoes - I've kind of done this. We are in consignment prep mode for a big sale coming up, so I've been getting the winter clothes and shoes that she's outgrown together. That's been helping clear out her closet, but I'm embarrassed to say that she has piles of clothes everywhere in the house - winter and summer gear - we're a hot mess! I pulled most of my winter clothes out of my closet and put in a bin, but that bin has been living in our bedroom floor all summer. I really, really, really need a better system for switching over our clothes...or fewer clothes, like my husband!

2. Declutter and deep clean kitchen - I didn't do this. I cleared out our pantry over the summer, and the kitchen was next on the list, but I never quite made it there. Plus, now the pantry is a mess again! Ugh!

3. Work on daughter's room makeover - I worked on this a little bit but not nearly to the extent I thought I would. Just riding the struggle bus lately!

4. Put together daughter's trampoline - We did this! Okay, my husband did it, and he did it in August instead of April, but it's still done, minus the safety net around it, but we'll count this one as a win!

5. Read 12 books - I read 6, which isn't terrible but not quite enough to keep me on track for that month!

Now, onto this month's goals!

1. Clear off dining room table

Every flat surface in this house has piles on it, but the dining room table is particularly bad. I need to excavate it and get it cleared off and cleaned off so that we can actually start eating at it again and so Char can do her homework there if I don't get her desk put together this month, which bring me to goal number 2...

2. Work on daughter's room makeover

She has been so patient with us, but I feel bad that we haven't made much progress on this. If I can get it cleaned out and the unused furniture moved out this month, that would be good progress. Bonus goal - get her desk put together!

3. Do one of my craft or art projects

I have a diamond painting my husband got me for my birthday, Lego plants he got me for another occasion (Valentine's maybe?), bracelet making supplies, coloring and puzzle books, sticker by number books, and bedazzling supplies, and yet my screen time is abysmal. I really want to spend less time scrolling and wasting time online and stretch some of my creative muscles. So in September, I want to complete one of the projects or spend significant time working on one of the other projects. 

4. Find a cleaning schedule or cleaning inspiration that works for my brain

I know that some people don't need a cleaning schedule or suggestions for when to do certain tasks, but that's not how my brain works! I need at least a loose schedule of when certain things need to be done so that I can check tasks off a list and not wonder when the last time I've done something was. We also need to majorly declutter, so I hope that having cleaning inspiration will help on that side too. I'm looking into the index card system that's going around social media right now. I actually have the book it was inspired by (Sidetracked Home Executives) somewhere and need to find it!

5. Spend at least an hour per week working on courses

I have purchased some courses to help with gaining some new skills and changing career paths, but I have a bad habit of buying them and letting them gather dust (virtual dust of course, since they're online courses). Along with pursuing some creative outlets, I'm going to carve out at least an hour per week to work on these courses and see if I can get some trajectory making some long overdue changes!

6. Read at least 18 books

My reading goal this year is 150 books, and I've read 80 books so far. 70 books divided by the 4 months left this year is 17.5 books per month, so I went ahead and rounded it up to 18 books. I'm currently juggling a couple of audiobooks, a book with our daughter every night, and a couple that I'm reading, so I'm off to a good start for the month, and once again, if I spend less time scrolling, that's more reading time! Plus, I can listen to books while I do creative stuff - two goals in one! 

7. Decorate for fall

I used to decorate for different seasons/holidays, but I got out of that habit at some point. I miss it because it always gave me a little extra joy to switch the decor and see the things that I only get to see once a year. Plus, I feel like it makes use of things we've bought in the past, rather than letting them gather dust in the garage and basement, so this month, I'm busting the fall decor back out and bringing some fall whimsy into our home!

I have some fitness, finance, and other reading goals, but I'll put those on my other blogs and platforms (that I should share here at some point but one thing at a time!). What are your September goals? Share them below so I can cheer you on! 

Linking up with My Random Musings!

Monthly Goals : April 2026

Somehow I blinked and it's already April! I'm trying to get into the habit of blogging regularly, so let's kick things off this month with some monthly goals!

1. Put away winter clothes and shoes

Even though we have some chilly mornings in the forecast, I'm hopeful that winter is over around here (especially after the ice storm we had in January...that was rough!!). Our daughter and I have a ton of winter clothes and shoes - both things that fit and things we've outgrown - so I need to clear up the winter stuff so that we're not sifting through those things this spring and summer!

2. Declutter and deep clean kitchen

Quite frankly, our entire house needs to be decluttered and deep cleaned. We are drowning in stuff!! I thought starting with the kitchen would be a quicker win than some of the bigger rooms. It will also make our house look so much better because our kitchen is tiny and the counters are so full! Hopefully I'll document the process and share here!

3. Work on our daughter's room makeover

Our daughter turns 10 this month, and we've decided instead of more toys or things to clutter the house, we're going to give her a bedroom and playroom makeover. The playroom makeover will just be decluttering and rearranging some things, but the bedroom makeover will be a little more detailed. She wants to repaint her room, get a new desk chair, and get a rug. We also need to move some unused furniture out of her room. She has some posters she's gotten at various Book Fairs, so we need to hang those in one of the rooms too - probably the playroom. We may not finish everything this month, but I think we can make good progress!

4. Put together our daughter's trampoline

I hate to admit this, but we got it for her birthday last year. My husband and I have been procrastinating on putting it together (understatement of the century), and she has been really patient, so it's time for us to get our act together and get this done!

5. Read 12 books

I want to read 150 books this year. I've read 46 so far, so to stay on track to finish my goal, I need to read 11.5 books this month. I'm just going to round it up to 12! 

I have a few other goals related to finances and fitness, but this is a good number for my personal goals this month. What are your April goals? Share them below so I can cheer you on!

Let's Look - February 2026

I am a big fan of linkups and always enjoy finding new ones. I don't remember how I stumbled across this one, but it looks (pun intended) like a fun one to join!

This month, the Let's Look Linkup is talking about Ways We've Turned Into Our Parents and oh boy, this is a good one!

My mom and I talk daily and hang out on Friday nights during my daughter's gymnastics class and afterwards. Since my husband works Friday nights, that has become our time to watch TV and decompress from the week. At least one time on those nights, my mom and I will say the exact same thing at the exact same time! It's usually something pretty random too! We don't just do that on the Friday nights either; it happens pretty frequently!

I've noticed that I've started singing along with music in the grocery store. My mom did that when I was growing up, and it usually embarrassed me! Now that the grocery stores are playing music from my high school and college days, even though there's no possible way that music is considered "classic," I completely understand why she sings along with it!

Even though my dad has been gone almost five years, I've noticed a big way I'm turning into him - my love of Crocs! We used to make fun of him because he wore them all of the time, but the man was onto something! They're comfortable!

I'm sure as soon as I publish this, I will think of another 50 ways I'm turning into my parents! 

Linking up with Erika and Shay!

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 02.11.26

I haven't done a Wednesday Hodgepodge since November 2024, so I thought I'd finally rejoin!

1. What's something recent that had you 'tickled pink'? 

We had snow and ice a couple of weeks ago, and we got an extra, unexpected day off of work/school. I love when we get those random days off, especially since I'm so burned out from my job and will take all the time I can!

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has it's thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns...which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way? 

The one I need to apply to my life is "stop and smell the roses." Things feel so busy right now, and I feel really frazzled. I don't know if I'm trying to do too much or what, but I need to slow down and do intentional things to help me recharge. I'm guilty of too much scrolling, staying up too late, etc., which I know doesn't help the feelings of being frazzled and overwhelmed, so it's time to make some changes!

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

I like random surprises, but they don't have to be big or expensive. My husband got me a coffee drink for work recently just because he knew it would make me happy. Things like that to show me someone is thinking of me make me feel so loved and appreciated!

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day? 

Since I kill flowers, and I'm a chocoholic, I have to go with a box of chocolates on this one! Valentine's Day is the 15th(!) anniversary of the first date my husband and I went on. He has to work that day, so I think he and I may go to dinner another night. On Valentine's Day, my mom, brother, and daughter are talking about taking a day trip since we have a long weekend!

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love. 

I'm not the best at this. My husband fusses at me a lot for negative self-talk and not taking good care of myself. There are a lot of things I can improve in this area. I think I'm going to print out the graphic below and put it somewhere I'll see it regularly!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Thank you for taking the time to read! I appreciate the love! 😍

Linking up with Joyce!

What's Up Wednesday : July 2025

 

It's the last Wednesday of the month, so I'm linking up with Sheaffer and Shay and sharing what has been going on with us lately! 

What we're eating this week

I went back to work this week, and Charli starts school Friday, so I'm in panic mode because I've realized what I haven't accomplished this summer! So, this week will be full of leftovers, easy food, and whatever we can throw together! We will go to Burger King after her school Open House tomorrow night because that has become our tradition!

What I'm reminiscing about

The beginning of summer and how much time it seemed like we had! It has flown by!!

What I'm loving

These dresses from Walmart! They're comfortable and long (but not too long for my short self) and so easy to throw on for work or errands. Three of us at work have the black one, and I'm sure there will be a day that we all wear it!

What we've been up to

Enjoying the last bits of summer break, including a short trip to Jellystone Park in East Tenneseee. It was so much fun! They had a ton of free activities, plus a small water park. I think we're going to go back next summer!

What I'm dreading

Honestly, I'm dreading the school year. Summer is so relaxed, and the school year just goes at breakneck speed. We already have something planned for every Saturday in August! Also, I don't love my job, and I didn't get any of the jobs I applied for over the summer, so I'm really, really, really dreading it. I've only been back one day so far, and I am already over it!!

What I'm working on

A new career path, obviously! I'm also starting the process of getting ready for fall consignment sales. We have one right after Labor Day, so I need to work on cleaning out Charli's clothes, shoes, and toys so we can declutter and make some money! I'm also working on the remnants of yard work that I didn't finish over summer break; we have a lot of brush that I have either burned or bagged, but there's still a bit more that I need to work on and want to finish soon so we can move on to the next (not) fun yard project.

What I'm excited about

I've got a couple of Saturday lunch and dinner dates scheduled that should be fun! I'm also excited for one of our Girl Scout events because it's cave exploring, which we haven't done before. 

What I'm watching/reading

My mom, Charli, and I watch a few shows on Friday nights after gymnastics - our current lineup is America's Got Talent, The 1% Club, and Wife Swap (older but entertaining!). Will and I watched the first Happy Gilmore movie because I hadn't seen it, so now we're ready for the second one.

I've got a stack of ebooks checked out from the library, including Cher's biography and Better Than Before about habit building. I plan to do a recap of what I read in July in the next couple of weeks.

What I'm listening to

I set a goal to listen to 25 new to me albums this year, and I haven't listened to any yet. Oops! I've started  a list, but I'll take any suggestions that anyone has - any genre is fine!

What I'm wearing

The dresses that I talked about earlier in this post, along with the rubber two strap sandals that a ton of stores sell. I've got a couple of other dresses in the rotation also. Dresses and sandals are so easy when it's this hot!

What I'm doing this weekend

Will works weekends, so Mom, Charli, and I have plans to go check out a dance studio open house where she's interested in taking classes. We also have to return things to a couple of stores, and of course, Friday night gymnastics and shows! I plan on prepping for the first full week of school too - clothes out for Charli and me, making some protein muffins, lunch prep, etc.

What I'm looking forward to next month

As much as I have complained about my job in this post (oops!), I am glad to be back at work to start earning money again since I don't get paid over the summer! I won't get a check until the end of August, but that'll be here before we know it! I have a free pumpkin spice latte towards the end of August, so I'm looking forward to enjoying that!

What else is new

I'm going to work hard on posting more regularly this month; I've even made a posting schedule. I'm also working on routines, so I'm curious to see how those changes help our household as we ramp up into a busier season!

On your ninth birthday

Dear Charli,

I used to write these letters for you on my blog every year for your birthday, but I can't find one since your sixth birthday! So, let's restart this tradition and hopefully, I'll be able to dig up the other posts!

I can't believe you're already 9! When you were first born, people told me how quickly it would go, and I believed them a little bit, but when you're in the middle of the newborn phase, the days drag on and on sometimes, so it's hard to visualize that far ahead in the future. But, somehow, we've flown through these years, and here we are, on the edge of double digits!

You've been doing great in 3rd grade this year! You were nervous because you said there was so much you didn't know, but your dad and I kept reminding you that you weren't supposed to know those things and that was the purpose of school! I still don't know if you believe us! 🤣 

You love PE and Art and recess. You've also said you like math and book club, which is a surprise since Gran and I beg you to read at home and you won't! You're a great reader, though, and you're great at math. Keep up the good work!

This is your third year doing Girl Scouts, and although we didn't do a lot as a troop this year because life has been busy for everyone, you've still had a lot of fun! You're also still into tumbling class and your form is getting so much better on your cartwheels! This summer, we're going to try to enroll you in a dance class, and you have theater camp for a week! I'm so excited to watch you explore these new things and see what you like!

You are still so sweet and caring, although I see a lot more of your fiery personality than I used to! You have a lot of big feelings, which leads to a lot of fussing back and forth sometimes. I promise to work on my reactions and work on being a calmer presence for you! You are very empathetic and pick up on people's emotions and feelings. I think that will be a good trait later in life, but right now it's tough because you get a little more upset about things sometimes than I think you would otherwise. I think you'll learn how to harness it as you get older, but we're going to work together on it more!

You are also super funny! Sometimes you come out with things that I don't expect, and it catches me off-guard! You love to do "try not to laugh" challenges, even though you usually end up laughing! 

You love to dance and sing and be outside. You also love to play Uno, Mario Kart, and things on your tablet. You enjoy being on the phone with your bestie while you're on your tablet, but sometimes when those big emotions get you, we have to have you take a break! You love to draw also, and your top bunk is covered with papers and a bin of markers. 

You love animals, but cats are your favorite, with dogs close behind. Your cat at Gran's is your favorite pet ever, and your dog here at home is so patient with you. Your cat is younger, so he's still learning that patience! You like to pet dogs that we see in public, and you like to look at the cats for adoption at the pet store. Unfortunately, you lost your fish this year, but maybe we can get more later on.

Little girl, you're growing up so fast, and I love watching you continue to discover things and find out more about who you are and what you like. Don't lose that spark that makes you, you. Things are going to get tougher as you get older and look more towards your friends and peers. You've already started to discover that sometimes your classmates aren't as nice as they used to be. Unfortunately, that's going to continue for the rest of your life. But, keep your close friends around you and surround yourself with people who love and support you. We'll always love and support you, and we're always there for you!

I hope this year is full of growth and excitement! We love you so much our sweet, silly, sassy, smart, brave, beautiful girl!

Love, 

Mama, Daddy, and Koopa

Monthly Goals : February 2025

Happy 2025! I didn't intend to not write at all in January, but between snow days, sickness, and just settling back into the routine of life, things got away from me! Let's see if I can stay on track!

 It's the first Friday of the month, so it's time for some new monthly goals! 

December recap

I missed doing this recap in January, so here's how I did with my December goals!

1. Read 3 (or more!) books - Yes! I can't remember my exact number, but I hit my reading goal for the year!

2. Implement a weekday - and weekend bedtime - Failed on this one so hard! I think I need to revisit this one!

3. Deep clean/declutter living room - Another fail!

4. Finish Charli's clothes and shoes and move at least one furniture piece out of her room - I finished hanging all of her winter clothes and swapping out some of her shoes but didn't move the furniture piece out. Boo!

5. Blog and social media schedules - I stalled out on this one. Dang!

6. Stick to our budget and spending/income trackers - I did okay on this one but stopped tracking towards the end of the month during the holidays. 

7. Find one new quick dinner recipe and actually make it - Didn't do this one either

8. Make Charli's eye appointment - Yes! Done and we have a follow up appointment next month!

9. Order new glasses - Yes! Two pairs and sunglasses! I'll have to share pictures soon!

10. Schedule a donation pickup - I didn't do this one yet but want to wait until we have more to give. I hate having them come to our house for just one bag of items!

February goals

There are some repeats for this month too! Maybe this will be my month for some of these!

1. Read 13 (or more!) books 

My goal for this year is to read 150 books! To do that, I need to read 12.5 books per month, so I'm going to round up to 13 just to make it easier to track!

2. Implement a weekday - and weekend - bedtime

I'm so bad about staying up too late, and then I drag through my days. I really need to work on this! That's what I wrote when I originally made that goal, but it still stands!

3. Deep clean/declutter living room

It's such a mess, and it makes our house feel chaotic as soon as you walk in. There's a lot of decluttering work we need to do, but this is my starting point. 

4. Finish Charli's clothes and shoes and move at least one furniture piece out of her room

It's consignment season, so I should be able to get all of the too small spring/summer stuff out for selling and see what else I need to swap around...just in time to start phasing out winter clothes and boots next month! 

The first furniture piece I'm going to move out is a small entertainment stand that has piles of toys, clothes, and who knows what else on it! I'll either donate it or just put it on a local buy nothing group!

5. Blog and social media schedules

I have a lot of this listed in a document, but I printed some schedule templates that I need to fill in so that everything is in one place, and I can check things off as I write and post!

6. Stick to our budget and spending/income trackers

I slacked on this a lot in January, but I have some financial and career goals, so I need to get on top of these so that I can make progress on those goals!

7. Find one new quick dinner recipe and actually make it!

I think I'm going to find a slow cooker meal to do, especially since next week is supposed to be cold and rainy!

8. Schedule a donation pickup

I've got a full black trash bag of items, plus I'll have that entertainment stand from Charli's room, and I'm sure as I work through consignment stuff, I'll come across more items that are still in decent shape but not pristine enough to sell.

9. Gather/hang up consignment stuff and start inputting them into the system

The two consignment sales I'm participating in have March drop off dates. If I at least get everything gathered and hung up and start inputting items into the systems, I'll be in decent shape in March and should just have to print and place tags. I'm usually doing everything the day before the drop off days, so I'll be doing really well this time!

10. Schedule an oil change for both cars

My car isn't overdue because I don't drive very far, but it's had an issue with running out of oil without warning before, so I'm trying to stay on top of the oil changes! My husband has a longer drive for his job, so we need to keep his running smoothly also! The oil changes may not happen this month, but I can at least get them scheduled!

Hopefully I'll do better this month than I did in December! 

I'd love to hear any goals any of you have this month!