Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first part of the book focuses very heavily on dealing with issues that stem from growing up in a household of a) abuse, b) neglect, c) alcoholism, etc. as a means of explaining why we become women who love to much.  None of these issues were relevant to me and my childhood and so I felt I had wasted my money (buying this book) and time (reading this book).  However, once I got past those chapters, I got into the more relevant issues of self-esteem and feeling lack of worthiness for a good relationship.  The help and homework offered in the book did help me sort through my behaviors and choices and get to what I believe is the core issue in why I love too much and choose the wrong guys to love.

For those who are reading the book and (like myself) finding it difficult to relate to the women with the horrible childhoods (mine was pretty great), stick with it and give it a chance.  You may find some tools to help you sort through your behaviors and choices that may help you make the positive changes you need.


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An end is also a beginning

Four weeks ago I posted for the first time in two and a half years.  I know that journaling and blogging is good for me both mentally and emotionally and so I'm making a personal commitment to myself to do this more regularly.

2012 was a very difficult year for me and though I suffered several losses and setbacks, I also had a lot of successes and I never want to forget that.  Here is my list of achievements for 2012:

      SPIRITUAL

·         Completed my Sacrament of Confirmation

FINANCIAL

·         Joined finances and managed a household budget for two people
·         Job change doubled my income

PHYSICAL

·         Started my first 90-day Challenge on ViSalus (lost 16 lbs. in 8 weeks)

SOCIAL

·         Maintained my friendships during my relationship

·         Reconnected with long distance friends

MENTAL

·         Worked through heartbreak using tools I learned in therapy and through self-help books

·         Started watching less TV and reading more books

CAREER/SCHOOL

·         Completed my Associate of Science degree in Computer Science

·         Nominated student speaker for the 2012 SFCC Commencement Ceremony

·         Completed two courses at UNM

·         Started a new job and doubled my income

FAMILY

·         Built a closer relationship with my Dad

·         Learned new things about myself in a committed relationship

a.       Successfully cohabitated

b.      Joint finances and budgeting can work

c.       Need to be with some who is at least my equal in every way

·         Survived three major losses

Now that I've recapped my 2012, I want to make sure that I start off the new year with very specific goals in mind.  I want to have a plan to work from to continue my growth journey.  Here is my list of goals for 2013:

SPIRITUAL

·         Read my devotional every morning

·         Attend Mass weekly

·         Attend choir practice Wednesday nights

·         Spend at least 15 minutes a day in prayer and meditation

FINANCIAL

·         Balance my accounts every pay period

·         Update my budget every pay period

·         Join classes to review Financial Peace University program

·         Build my emergency fund and pay off loans

PHYSICAL

·         Drink at least one ViSalus shake per day

·         Kickboxing class on Saturdays

·         Schedule a workout time Tuesday and Thursday evenings

·         Get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a night

SOCIAL

·         Spend less time on Facebook

·         Email or call my long-distance friends at least monthly

·         Join or start a Meetup group for activity outside the home

·         Plan a bi-monthly happy hour for CMBC

MENTAL

·         Journal every night before bed

·         Update blog every week (sometime on the weekend)

·         Read a book monthly for pleasure (weekly when school's out)

·         Do something everyday to fine tune my brain (http://www.dumblittleman.com/2009/09/47-ways-to-fine-tune-your-brain.html)

CAREER/SCHOOL

·         Avoid personal distractions at work

·         Document processes for every request I work on

·         Set up a schedule for online class work

·         Set up a plan for financial aid: how to spend it wisely or how to finish school without it

FAMILY

·         Do my relationship inventory homework (Chris, Jason, Dad, Mom)

·         Write down who I want to be and how I want to behave in a good relationship

·         Write down what I am looking for in my life partner

·         Regular contact with family: monthly emails and phone calls (alternate every two-weeks)

There it is.  Ready.  Set.  Go!

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read the final book in less than a day, it was just as riveting as the first two.  A lot of beautiful and tragic events occurred and the ending was not what I imagined what it would be.  The book was so great that I experienced a great letdown when i finished them.


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