Monday Blahg: Pansy Ankle...among other things

Phew!  Last week was busy.  I had my first day off in two weeks yesterday, and it was MARVELOUS! 

Things I accomplished last week:

--Finished reading a book (second read-through) AND wrote a review on it.
--Successfully began my diet/exercise regimen, restricting extra calories so I'd get a good start on things.  I think I went a little too low on calorie intake this week.  I lost about 5 pounds, which is too much, even for the first week.  So that means I get to eat more!  Hooray food!  I also hurt my ankle (just a little) while running (it was just really sore/achy).  I badly sprained that ankle about 8 years ago, and apparently my ankle is now a pansy.
--I started and finished knitting a scarf for "The Princess" (7 yr old I watch), who requested a "purple, yellow, red, green, and blue" scarf.  I asked her if she wanted a rainbow scarf.  She said, "Yes.  So NO pink, because pink isn't in the rainbow."  So I found some rainbow yarn (w/out pink) and made a scarf.
--I made a spreadsheet that will hopefully help me keep up with my writing and editing, as well as my efforts towards getting published.  I'm not sure this spreadsheet is the best format, but it's a work in progress.
--I kinda sorta cleaned my room, but not really.  I utilized the "shove everything under the bed" method. 

Things I want to try to accomplish this week:
--I plan to contact a couple people about the website I'm working on.  I need their help if it's going to happen, so I've got to be proactive about talking to them.
--I plan to contact someone about recording a music project--and will hopefully set a time when I can actually get something recorded.  I need a deadline to work towards!
--I plan on completing the second read-through of one of my friend's books.
--I plan on starting another scarf for "The Diva" (the 10 year old).  She has requested light blue and yellow.
--I plan on beginning the tedious process of editing my second novel.
--I plan on continuing the diet/exercise plan, making adjustments as needed.  My ultimate goals in dieting this year are first to get back to the weight I was before I started gaining again, AND to learn how to maintain that weight.  I'm trying to determine an average of how many calories I burn each week, and compare that with the average calories I eat in a week.  These numbers need to be pretty close, because I'm tired of the dieting yo-yo.
--I plan on going to one of those running stores that measures you for shoes and evaluates your running style to see what kind of extra support you need.  My old shoes are cheap and just aren't cutting it.  That might be one of the reasons my ankle keeps being a pansy.  If I'm going to run a half marathon this year, I'm going to have to start taking better care of my feet.  Can't have my ankle pansying out on me around mile 12....

So, with the things I want to accomplish, I realize that sometimes things just don't go as planned.  There are going to be things that happen this week that I don't expect, for which I can't plan.  There are going to be interruptions and things that deter me from completing my tasks.  I just want to have a written guideline of things I hope to accomplish (all the while keeping in mind that my true Hope is in God).  I also hope that posting them in a blog helps me feel a little more accountable to someone.  I don't think I'm going to accomplish all my weekly goals EVERY week, but I'm going to put forth an honest effort.  It's just that God's often got His own agenda with what He wants to do with my life, so I've got to keep an open mind about what I do with my time.  One of my New Year's Resolutions is to be more flexible.  (Good luck with THAT, Ruth.  Stop talking to yourself in your blog, Ruth.)

What are some of your goals, dreams, plans, hopes for 2012?

Happy Monday, and may your ankles be strong.

Sunday Update: Quick Version

I have to keep this quick because I have to go to work in a few minutes.  I typically do NOT work on Sundays, but there's a birthday par-tay at one of the places where I work, and no one else wanted to do it.  Neither did I, really, but somebody had to.  So, Miss Stefanie, if you're reading this, yes, you do owe me big time.  And I love you.  And you're awesome.  And I had better get out of there by 4:15, or I'm coming to get you in your sleep.

1. I got to talk to friends this week.  Actual friends.  That was nice.  In the world of multiple jobs and sometimes multiple personalities, it's nice to be able to find time to just grab a cup of coffee with a friend.  While I haven't done anything official towards my new project/experiment thing, I was able to get some good encouragement and some good ideas from those conversations.  I'm very grateful God gives us friends.

2. I signed up for a 10K (6.2 miles) which will take place on Nov. 5, which, in case you're keeping track of the passage of time, is just a little over a month from now.  Most days, I'm able to comfortably run 3 miles.  Sometimes I can do 4.  I haven't attempted more than that, and lately, my running has been increasingly difficult.  Last week I got sick on Saturday while trying to run.  I also got sick on Tuesday, partly because it was humid as...um, something really humid.  Thursday, however, I ran a really good 3 miles and would have run more if it wasn't already too dark for personal comfort.  Then Friday, my left ankle (which I badly sprained like 7-8 years ago) started hurting like the dickens.  Like the dickens, I tell you.  I don't even know what that phrase really means, but my ankle hurt.  So I'm hoping it's just being mean because it doesn't like the colder weather we've been having, because I really need my ankle to start being nice again.  A nice ankle or two are kind of important to training for and running a 10K.

3) I broke a rule and checked out a library book.  I"m not supposed to be reading right now--not for fun anyway.  But see, I was at the library with the kids I watch, and the almost 13 yr old recommended this book, so I HAD to check it out.  I haven't read it yet, so there's a possibility I might just take it back without getting caught up, but...yeah, I'll probably read it.  And the two books that follow it in the series. 

4) I need to start editing one of my books.  I was supposed to start that this week.  I did not.  Feel free to poke me with sharp objects until I start doing what I'm supposed to be doing.

5) Please keep praying for me for wisdom, courage, and a good kick in the pants.  And also that my ankle starts liking me again.  And that I don't die on November 5.

Thanks!