Summer Goals Progress Report

Posted on by Laura & Brett
Mission accomplished: longer (very curly) hair, a few pounds gone, and in good health and good shape.

Shortly after we arrived in May, I posted a list of things I wanted to accomplish during our stay in Portland over the summer. As we’re nearing the end of our stay, it’s time for an update on how I’ve done.

  1. Lose 15 pounds. NOPE. When I got weighed at the end of July I had lost a whole six pounds, not the 10 I was hoping for at that point. The doctor said that I was doing everything right though (daily exercise, low carbs, lots of water) and to just give it time. I will have lost probably around eight to ten pounds by the end of our time here in Portland, but my clothes fit much better so I know I am changing shape.
  2. Get myself in top shape health-wise. DONE. My new bridge is in; I’m having my teeth cleaned today and my upper teeth have been whitened; I’ve gotten three fillings done and my broken tooth removed (along with many dollars removed from our savings) so I am all caught up with dental work. I had a bone scan and some other tests done (cholesterol and mammogram) and had one medication added as I’m still at risk for osteoporosis but otherwise no changes, and I should be off the GERD medication by the end of our time in England. The residual swelling on my leg from my fall in Auckland last February is almost gone but it may be another year before the last of it disappears completely. I can now climb seven flights of stairs without stopping and barely get winded. Things are not perfect, but all in all I’m in good shape!
  3. Read, read, read. DONE! I blew past my original goal of 30 books for the year and am now up to 39, and going for a total of 52 books read this year. I think for Christmas the only thing I will ask for is Amazon credit so I can load up my Kindle before we head to Japan.
  4. Improve my Japanese. DONE (I think)! I have no way to judge how much my Japanese has improved because I’ve had no chance to use it, but I can recognize and read a lot more kanji than I did at the beginning of the summer and I’m happy with that. I’ve been doing a half-hour of language practice every day with Memrise, but dislike that they initially relied mostly on memorizing phrases that had little to no backup or practice with grammar patterns and nothing to do with my life – I no longer want to party all night or get drunk, and will not be looking for love in Japan. And the speed tests! I can either read the Japanese phrase or the four possible choices, but not both in the time they allow.
  5. Shape up my travel wardrobe. DONE! I am super happy with the updates.
  6. Grow out my hair. DONE! I’ve grown my hair all summer and am happy with how the grow-out is going. I can’t get over how curly my hair is these days, but it’s super easy to style now.

    My summer-in-Portland bling
  7. Replace some earrings. DONE! I purchased a simple pair of silver hoops made by a local artisan, and along with what I already have I am now satisfied with my earring selection. I also bought a beautiful silver pewter cuff bracelet, designed by a NW Native American artist, so I’ve got enough shiny things for the time being, although jewelry is turning into my favorite souvenir these days – I wear my travel memories.

So, six out of seven goals were accomplished, and I’m calling that a win!

Published by Laura & Brett

Slow traveling the world with a sense of adventure!

18 thoughts on “Summer Goals Progress Report”

  1. I highly recommend in buying some of the tiny rubber stoppers for the back of all of your earings (in addition to the metal ones). Ever since I did that I have not lost any earrings!! And you can’t see them as they are almost clear. (or do like I did and buy a highly discounted set of earrings in a clothing store that came with them. I kept 1 pair and donated the rest and kept the rubber stoppers.

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    1. I have some extra backs now so I’m safe for a while. The plastic backs are almost too small for me to handle, and I’ve had problems with some of the holes in them actually being too small for the wires on the earrings (and for one pair, they were too big!). But your suggestion is a good one – if I’m ever near a Claire’s or similar shop I should get some more (or ask for them for Christmas).

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  2. I love your hair. Recently I had mine cut short too. I can still make a tiny ponytail. Feel so much better about it. Congrats on the goals!

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    1. I am really happy with my hair right now – it’s a great length. I’m going to continue to grow it for a few more months and see if I like it (and can deal with it) longer than it is now. I thought I would be getting it shaped up while I was here, but I don’t want to go any shorter than it is now.

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    1. Thank you! For the first time in my life, I think, I like my hair too (for the first time in my life, and even though it’s gray).

      I am grateful to be in good shape health-wise now. It’s not perfect, but I’m working at it. The cholesterol issue is hereditary – there’s nothing I can do about it, but I’ve been taking the same dose of the statin for over 15 years now and it’s thankfully still doing its job.

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    1. Thank you! I am finally happy with my hair. Between it becoming more curly and finding a great product, it finally actually doing what I want it to do!

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  5. You’ve gotten a lot done and you look great! FWIW, I have been faithfully eating healthy (read: less) and exercising all summer and have lost a total of 8 lbs. I think it’s just harder at this age, but I do feel better when I eat well and exercise, and like you, my clothes are fitting better, so there is that. 🙂

    Love the curls. With pin straight, fine hair, I’ve always wanted them. They look so carefree and easy to manage.

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    1. Brett caught me on a good hair day!

      It is hard to lose weight now, so very, very hard. Giving up sweets (well, other than whipped cream) and starches has been easier than I thought it would, so hopefully I can make this work (although I know there are some pastries in England I am going to want to try – I’ll just have to share them with Brett).

      As I’ve said, those with curly hair always want straight hair, and those with straight hair want the curls. My hair has always had a mind of its own, and done what it wants, and I’ve spent my whole life until now trying to get rid of or tame the curls. I am using a great product now (Aveda’s Be Curly) and it has made all the difference.

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    1. Thanks, Vivian! I am very happy with the results of my efforts this summer. I still have a ways to go with my weight, but I’m in much better shape these days.

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  7. I was pointing out all my jewelry that I regularly wear and telling my friend where it came from. She said, THAT’S all you need for souvenirs! And she’s so right. I get to wear my travels every day. My fabulous silver wire hoop earrings from a trip to Chicago with my BFF. A rose quartz heart necklace from an amazing trip to Argentina. A beautiful silver filigree ring from a great shopping day in Bali. And of course, two rings from the Saturday Market in Portland! Oh, and a koa wood ring from Kauai!!

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    1. I loved reading this! I think of the places we’ve been and our experiences there every time I look at my bracelets (jade from China, silver bracelet from Sedona, silver bangle from India and now my NW cuff) or put on a pair of earrings. I like the idea of something made from koa from Kauai – you’ve inspired me to look while we’re there next time!

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