Getting Accountable -- Tools

So, how do you "monitor" your resolutions??? Do you make lists? And post status reports in your planner or iPhone? Do you know where you should be at all time??? Do you drive yourself crazy?? That's kinda my style, jump right in with both feet and plan it all in the beginning. It works for me. Otherwise, I just get a little lax, and slowly start eating the wrong things, not exercising, not moving forward.....so, since I have some pretty significant financial goals for the year, it was time to revisit the budgets, check on the expenses and monitor my spending a little more tightly.

So, I went to the place I always go when handling money, my Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Binder. It's years old and tattered. It was once a workbook (before it was online and fancy, it was a softback book that you wrote in, and it wasn't called the TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER, it was the companion to Financial Peace), but a few years ago (okay, a decade ago) the spine broke, and pages started falling out, so I cut the spine off with a Xacto knife, punched holes in it and put it in a binder. An ugly plain black binder (from before they had the sleeves on the front and could be personalized). This is the binder that I used every time I needed to pay a bill for 10 years...it's old and ratty, and the information is all common sense, and I've read it a bazillion times. But reviewing it and getting clear about my financial goals for the year is always inspiring. Breaking it down to how much to save per week makes you realize that it is doable, and not really as inconvenient as it is in your mind. BUT, the binder, well it's just ratty, and yuck, and there are so many better options out there now, whether it be Dave's Gazelle Intensity Online Program, or mint.com, or even just a simple spreadsheet. Dave's plan is envelope based, which kinda freaks some people out, but it's awesome!!! If there is no money in the envelope, then you can't spendy. That simple. You plan all of your spending at the beginning of the month, and then you just check it all off. And you know me and lists, I heart lists.


So, I updated my budget, and got ready to make my envelopes....and what should I find on pinterest but an ADORABLE pdf to make your own envelopes...just like the ones you get from the bank, but with a spending log printed right on them......needless to say, the ones online were cuter than any paper I had in the house (pola dots, stripes, etc)...and since I hadn't allocated myself any $$$ for crafts in January, so I couldn't spendy, I had to make due. I first printed on some astrobrights from the shop -- plum, and vertigo green, and a dark teal, they were really fantastic colors, but you couldn't read your writing on them, so they had to go. I replaced them with these, in shades of sunrise....a new dawning for a new era. I'll go with that, why not???

aren't they cute???

What tools do you use to resolve your resolutions???

It's a list kinda day/week

For those of you that know me well, you know of my obsession with lists. For those of you who don't know me yet, let's just say it's a mild compulsion, as in, I make at least one every day. There is something so incredibly gratifying about making the list, and the crossing out the items as they get finished. Not sure what that is about, I am sure there is some deep rooted psychology to it, but I'm not sure I want to know more. Just make the list already. Or in this case, multiple lists...you see it's that time. The time has changed and suddenly I always feel like Christmas is upon us, and I have not really started my Christmas shopping....well yes, I have a few things that I tucked away in the summer, and a few that I purchased at market for a few special people, but other than that, zip, nadda, zilch. So, I'll start this week off with a number of lists.....

laundry
dishes
clean the house
invoicing (which I ADORE, not!)
project plans
order new fabrics for the shop
online shop research (yes, I will be changing providers by the end of the year)
confirm teaching in January and February
Send remainder fees for January and February Shows (which all means balance the checkbook)
Sew new samples for January shows
Finish Amazon Star
Finish Bali Wedding Ring Bedrunner
Update the website with new pictures and schedules (yes, she is getting very sad and lonely)
work on taxes for Q4
call a couple of friends
call Mom
make Christmas list
Thanksgiving menu (yes, it's a list, yippee)
play bunco with the girls
plan a retreat for March/call Sharon/Margie
order new books for the Nook Color
Call Brooke - make hair appointment

Maybe instead of Happy Monday or Freebie Friday, I'll do a weekly to do list...perhaps that would make sure that the "blog weekly" got done.....what do you think?

The RULES

Well, I struggled to come up with what to say today...not for lack of things going on, but to ensure that I didn't write the 17 page post and bore everyone to death. You see, it has been a really busy week here at Queenie Quilts. New kits being worked on, new patterns going off for printing, new photos being taken, as well as a really busy class schedule (6 classes in one week). The truth is I just wanted something fun and silly to talk about rather than all of the business stuff......so, I was looking around for inspiration. I looked everywhere, the fridge (no inspiration, but I did find some girl scout cookies in the freezer), in the sewing room (which just made me tired), in the car (nothing there), at the beach (it was gloomy and rainy this afternoon). So, I was finding myself depressed, and had almost given up on writing a post this week....and then I stopped by to read Carrie Nelson's blog "La Vie on Rosie" (http://lavieenrosie.typepad.com/lavieenrosie/). If you have never checked he out, you really should, she is quite adorable (and Rosie is her equally adorable dog, who occasionally writes posts).

She was sharing some info (and having a giveaway) about a couple of new books, which are quite lovely. She also was sharing some info about her new projects (in the Schnibbles series, which I ADORE!) and talking about her post project "routines" -- you know those things you do after a project is done to get ready for the next one....which got me thinking about the rules. Those who know me, or have met me, probably know all about the rules......


The top 10 quilting rules at Queenie (at least in theory)...
1. Each project must have it own box (btw, I like the ones from the container store, they fit perfectly in my closet, all 40 of them).
2. Only one box is allowed to come out and play at a time. All other boxes must wait their turn.
3. All rulers and tools specific to an active project should remain in the project box. This ensures that when I decide to work on something, I can grab the box and go, and not worry about not having everything I need. This would also include the pattern or book that I am working from.
4. All generic rulers and supplies should remain in the sewing room in their designated area (yeah right, just try to enforce this one).
5. Restock, replace, resort all supplies at the completion of each project. (includes replacing machine needles, rotary blades, and checking glue stick levels). Preventative maintenance is important.
6. All binding must be made BEFORE the quilt is delivered to the quilter or before I start the machine quilting (some day I'll do a post on my binding phobia).
7. No new projects shall be started in the small hours of the morning....you will only have to start over at a decent time tomorrow.
8. Diet Coke is essential to the success of all quilt projects.
9. Pajamas, friends and chocolate are optional for all quilt projects. (as are retreats, Girls Night Ins, and wine, but let's stick with the essentials).
10. Rescue all triangles and give to Amy Foster for rehabilitation.

So, that's the basic rules according to Catherine for quilting. What are your rules/habits/routines?