January Review (Month 1 of Quests)

January 2016 Questing Report

Quests Completed

Quest # 17: Cleanses
Boss 1 and 3 have been defeated (liver and kidney detoxes), but Boss 2 (liver) remains. I only needed to defeat one in order to complete the quest, but I may revisit Boss 2 later this year. Overall this was interesting, and good to know what to expect if I try to do a detox diet/cleanse again (and do them a little more thoroughly).
Reflecting:  I'd like to continue including fresh veggie juices in my diet, and one day a week do a juice fast to give the digestive system a rest.

Quest # 25: Skin care
Created whipped body butter - with organic and all-natural ingredients. Smells good and feels great on my body skin....  But not strong enough for my hands, and a little too oily for my face.
Reflecting: This was a good skill to learn, and I'd like to experiment later to try other types of skin care products.

Quests-in-Progress

Quest # 2: Finances

I've gone through my finances a few times, attempting to understand them and create a budget.  I'm still not entirely sure what I'm spending every month, other than the set amount I have to for bills. Also, my income is stable now, but in a month I will he switching over to commission so.... this budget thing seems like it might get a little complicated. So, I read around a bit, found an especially cool blog post about budgeting apps, and took the leap with Mint.  It seems to be helping me get a clearer big-picture of what's going on. It's been a good first step. 

Quest # 3: Tithing
I did fair on the quest this first month:
Time: I spent half a day with Rebuilding Together,  working on fixing an old deck.
Money: Although I selected Corral Riding Academy, I didn't actually donate this month.  I did,     however,  make them my charity on AmazonSmile.

Quest # 6: Exhibits
I visited the Page-Walker Arts & History Center with my student (is "tutee" a word?). It was originally built in 1868 as a very fancy hotel for passengers of the North Carolina Railroad. The first floor now has rotating exhibits (I really enjoyed the photos that were on display when we went), the second floor seemed to be all photos and art about the history of Cary, North Carolina, and the third floor is a historical museum (which we didn't venture up to see). It was really cool to see photos of people, farms/estates, and old building which townships, neighborhoods, and the roads we drive on every day are named after. My advice to everyone: get to know the history of the town you are living in. It's really probably some of the most fascinating history you can learn about, since you will directly live in its influence every day.

Quest # 11: Photography
Just did some fairly typical photo-taking this month. In an effort to share (and later remember that I did do something) I'm posting the pictures I took of our flowers with some lighting I thought was pretty.
    

Quest # 12: Utilize Pinterest

Used Pinterest to find a recipe for the whipped body butter; for some recipes for meal-planned meals; for getting ideas for this blog; and for saving ideas to later use for my quests. I have been using it in a productive way this month, but have still managed to spend way too much time growing my "Fantasy Art" board (816 followers for that board now though, so that has me pretty stoked!).

Quest # 16: Job Work

Getting a little faster at work, thanks mostly to my supervisor taking the time to sit down and show me how to do the work. Now that I have a better understanding, I think I can get this (wasn't so hopeful in December). Also, we're getting stand-up desks! I'm looking forward to the possibility for more movement while in the office. I can't for the life of me stay awake and focused while I'm slumped over at the typical desk/chair situation. Feel like I'm folding away into an awkward sleep-coma by the end of every day. The new desks have arrived, but I haven't quite gotten the chance yet to set them up. Hopefully by the end of this week... but that's for February's recap.

We are totally going to take our pictures like this now...

Quest # 18: Exercise

The goal is three times a week, and I haven't come close to that goal this month. I had two weeks there that I did nothing whatsoever, because of being too busy with work (staying until 9 or 11 at night), and generally feeling lethargic because of consuming almost nothing but liquids. I also had tried switching things up and did Jazzercise this month (which was fun, but very hard on my knee). I'm not happy with this goal progress, but I don't think I'll beat myself up about it too much since those cleanses won't happen too often. Work however, that will need to be squished around to fit my life. February has been better so far. 

Quest # 20: Meal Plan

Was doing great during the detox diets/cleanses. I would make a bunch of juice every Sunday, and then make another batch halfway through the week. I made a root veggie with kale gratin the following Sunday, and a chicken pot pie (I modified it to be gluten free, and mostly dairy free) the next. So, for January I have done well. February has been off to a rough start though, so we'll see how February's recap goes..

Quest # 24: Floss

Been averaging about 3 times a week, which is about a 300% increase. Not too shabby.

Bonus:

Although not officially a quest (maybe it should be one of my electives?),  I did some quality catch-up time with a old friend this month.  

My little sister from my sorority had a baby shower.  I hadn't seen her since before her wedding, and before I left the country (about 3 years ago),  so it was quite a shock to my memory to see my cute little "Little," preggo and about ready to pop a little baby boy out.  She's looking beautiful; has a perfect, new family house; seems to be doing well in her marriage; and now has a baby due in about a month and a half.  I am so excited for her,  and glad to have her back in my life.  Hopefully whenever I have the money to get a sturdier car,  I'll be able to make the 3-hour journey to see her more often (there is only so much borrowing of your little brother's car one can do). Took some pictures on the drive out to see Little, I went through some pretty rural areas (places which had an equal ratio of gospel/Christian music radio stations to secular stations, and odd little home-made dune-buggy things on the road).

On my way to the baby shower,  I attempted to stop for a hike. Didn't find the ranger station until I was passing it at 60 miles an hour and in a growing need for a toilet,  so a pressed onward to my lunch stop of The Mickey D's. 

On my way to the baby shower -  interesting,  old movie theater. 

Is that supposed to be on the highway...? Or is this a small-town thing? 

Coming up next:

Quest # 1: Biographies
Starting this quest with Black History Month. I will be reading a memoir in which a woman recounts what life was like growing up rich and black in the US.

Quest # 13: Garden
Looking through plant ideas and raised bed plans right now, getting plant ideas from my coworker (who used to work at a nursery), scouring Pinterest for general ideas, and talking garden construction plans with a friend who has home construction experience.

Quest # 14: Compost
Already have a small bin inside to collect kitchen scraps, but plan to purchase a full compost bin for the yard this month, with the help of some points I've earned on my credit card (debt is good for something, eh? -_^ ).

Quest # 15: House Work - bathroom remodel.
Already have picked out some tiling ideas for the shower area, and paint ideas for the walls. Need to figure out fixtures, the vanity, and tiling for the floor. I'm using Pinterest for what (I'm pretty sure) it was originally meant to do, and it's working well.

and... continue with the above Quests-in-Progress!
   
KJets