Here at the FIX we learn how to evaluate our lives. We keep a monthly summary of what we're doing, what our plans are and how we're doing on any given day. The FIX allows us to see and create balance in our lives. It takes some work because we ask that you evaluate your life and then jump into FIXing the areas that need some attention.

For inquiring minds... The FIX doesn't stand for anything specific, just that we are FIXing our lives by bringing them into balance.

To evaluate our lives, we start by using what we call our wheely thing or charty thing, or some assemblance of those words.

· Draw a circle, slice the circle into pie segments, each section represents each element of your life. Most of us have about 12-15 sections. (Your sections may be fewer, and defined as you choose!)

For example:

Career
Health
Spiritual
Environment
Education
Fun/Leisure
Finances
Family
Friends
Significant Other
Pets
Children
Becoming Me
Big Goals
Hobbies
Community
Time Management

· Take some time and define what it means to be 'successful' for YOU in each area/section you've chosen. That helps to make a better & more concrete evaluation of what your life really looks like.

For Example: success in one person's health area might look like: "I cook balanced meals including lots of fresh veggies, drink lots of water, take my supplements, exercise and relax. I'm not overweight and enjoy outdoor adventures." For someone in the midst of a hightened medical situation, success in the health area probably will look radically different.

· Then on a scale of 1 to 10 or high-medium-low or great-good-ok-bad-awful, determine and chart how satisfied you are with each area and how close are you to what you think is 'ideal' for you. (You get to choose whether 10 is best or worst!)

· On your circle, the number or term you determine is bad, is in the center - the good number is on the outside. You might want to show the numbers in between as well. For evaluating, the better an area of your life is, the closer you make it to the outside of the chart. And the worse a section of your life is, the closer it is to the center. The purpose is that when your chart is finished, you can see where you have a 'flat tire' in life i.e. where the chart dips into the middle.

· To actually chart each area, put a dot at the good or bad level you've determined for each section. Then draw an arc from one inside edge of each slice, up to the dot, then back down to the other outside edge of the slice. You might want to color the arc just to keep things interesting.

When you get the chart complete, it is a picture of where your life is and how its working. From there you can set goals to make things better in the areas where you aren't doing so well. And continue to maintain the areas that are doing pretty good.

Good planning will make this year so much more enjoyable. So good luck, I can't wait to see where we all go from here!

In the United States, we're celebrating our Independence Day on Sunday. If you're from the U.S., what will you be doing? How will you be utilizing this week to help you have smooth plans for the day and/or weekend?

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I'm still not sure if, at my work, we're getting the fifth off of work, or not. With the stormy summer we've had for the past six weeks, we're really behind. However, a lot of our work is state and city and we may not be allowed to work on those projects.

However Saturday is my DFather's birthday, so we'll likely travel for that. If I have to work on Monday then we'll leave early on Sunday so that we miss the traffic and partake in the Fourth of July events in our town.

If not then we'll spend time with extended family in my parents town.

I'll be making some more quick breads or muffins and buy some fruit to help round out desserts, salads, and breakfasts. I know my DMother appreciates the help of not having to prepare everything.

We're trying to figure out which day is the extra holiday day ~ Fri or Mon. This wkend falls btwn my bday and our ann. so we're hoping to get away for a few days. I'm hoping to treat myself to some new pieces for my wardrobe. Mostly try to have laundry caught up before.

My garden is starting to grow! So need to do some weeding. Dh put together and org. and hung some curtain rods, so enviro will get a bit of a boost once I get around to hanging things, and putting things away.

Had a joing bday celebration on Sat plus it was our town's big wkend so lots of community events ~ mostly food related ~ so dh didn't have to do much cooking/clean up while I was re-couping and we ate good food and helped out the community at the same time

The girls have their last swim lesson today and the forecast is for beach weather all week. The girls also filled their candy jar so a trip to a special park is their reward...

Healthwise I am doing well ~ my incision is starting to itch, I'm in no pain, my chest is a pretty green colour Taking it easy as I still tire.

thanks for all the well wishes ~ they mean a lot.

Canadagirl: You're scaring me! I'm glad you're healing. For me the itchy incision is the worse. I hope you're nice and cool and not sweaty and itchy. My wish to you, LOL!

scaring you how?

"my chest is a pretty green colour" That doesn't sound fine.

You're in my thoughts and prayers. I sincerely, hope that you taking it easy in your recovery phase. (Set backs are not a good thing.)

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CAREEER: This is keeping me hopping right now, which in this economy is a great thing.

BECOMING ME: I need to get back with the progress that I was making.

FAMILY/FUN: I need to talk to my DB and see if he can bring a couple of outdoor games with him for the visit over the Fourth of July.

Not much to report lately.

My environment spoke needs some much needed prodding.

I held a luncheon on Sunday, to celebrate DD's graduation, and it impacted quite a few of my spokes.

SPIRITUAL: I was unable to participate in a religious event held at the temple over the weekend since I was busy with DD's party.

ENVIRONMENT: The whole house got cleaned for the party.

CHILD: Enjoyed her party.

FAMILY: Several members of my family came to DD's party. Others couldn't make it, but that's OK.

FUN: Went shopping with DD on Friday and it included a trip to the $1 bookstore, where I bought 5 books for $.50 each. The party on Sunday was fun, too, although it was a lot of work.

LEISURE: Read 3 of the 5 books I bought; started on the 4th.

FRIENDS: Several friends came to the party. One particularly good friend came on Sat. afternoon and stayed overnight to help me with the party prep and clean up afterwards.

FINANCES: Doing OK.

CAREER: Going well.

HEALTH: Had my dr's appt. Most lab results were good. A few things could be improved. Got my medication authorizations. Scheduled the next appt.

BECOMING ME: Working on it.

BIG GOALS: My main big goal is coming along fine; need to start reviewing the other big goals.

HOBBIES: I've been reading but that's about all.

TIME MANAGEMENT: I did well with managing my time as far as the party prep. was concerned. I need to get back to routines, though.

Bless: hmmm, other big goals? I can't wait to hear about those!

Routines are my downfall, too!

Are you doing anything fun for this weekend?

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We spruced up the outdoor environment. I transplanted some plants and planted some other items. DS mowed the lawn and DH pulled some weeds. The exterior looks very nice.

In addition DS and DH moved everything out of the shed and converted it to a "man cave" for DS. DS slept out there last night.

I talked to my DSIL and we came up with some fun ideas for the DGrandkids to do on the Fourth. We're having a good ole fashioned fourth of July! We're having relay races, making ice cream, an egg toss, a waterballoon fight, a water/sponge contest. For the adults there will be ladder ball. We might even do a watermelon eating contest. Something for everyone.

The day before is my Dad's birthday, so the kids will keep busy by making banners and a "paper" tablecloth to design.

Work has been extremely busy, too!

I feel like I got quite a bit done yesterday.

My plans are to listen to the books on tape I already picked up this week for the holiday, and work on whatever project or craft I wish to while listening. No plans. Might make some ribs and a nice picnic type dinner for myself (been craving ribs for weeks). I also have to feed my DBs cats while they are on vacation. My type of holiday!

Things are going well in my life. TYG!

Environment:
Started weeding this week. Boy, that rain really did well for the weeds. DS2 put on the water fall and hung the bird feeder for me yesterday. The various birds are loving the feeder.
The special thing about it is it was made by one of my grandson's with his dad! Too cool.

Health:
Trying to watch. Have two tests next week, Bone density and blood work. Been eating more fruit and veggies. Planning meals help keep on track.

Environment:
Keeping up with the routines

Spiritual:
Reading and back into quiet time each day
Our old pastor retired, anxious to meet the new one. Debating whether or not to change parishes. Praying about it.

Becoming Me:
Working on projects for donations and myself while listening to the books on tape. So nice to sit in the screened in yesterday doing xstitching for ME, while watching the birds eating at the feeder. Not having had one before, do you refill the feeder each day or weekly or what? Need help on that one.

Also going to more classes and enjoying them tremendously. Taking ceramics again, and was able to compelte a few things for my "girls" to go with their christmas checks.

Working on donations and using up items I have in the house.

That is about it for me.

I'll put up a few decorations, and fly the flag, of course. I hope to see the fireworks, a really good display, at the U. of Maryland campus. It's about a mile away. And I'll reread a section of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. Otherwise, we don't have particular plans. I want to get plenty of sleep, swim everyday, do a lot of yard work, and maybe a project or two inside.

Simplicity: That sounds like a lovely way to spend the holiday. It feels very balanced too.

Dianaro: When we first hung our birdfeeder we were filling it daily, for about a week. Now we've gone about 10 days before we need to refill it. Maybe you need to decide upon a monetary amount and see if you can come close to it. Enjoy the birds! What a neat gift.

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I shopped last night, instead of tonight. So everything is in the house that I need. Tonight I'll make a couple of things and get us packed so that we can go on Friday.

The birds are still flying to the feeder. I checked it and there were still seeds in it yesterday. Will refill it for the holiday! I am sooooo enjoying all the birds, for their baths, and food. I also give them some bread out the front and back door each day. It disappears so I know they like it. I only catch the bluejay, he thinks it is all for him, but I 've seen a local squirrel eating it also.

Well, I'm glad it's a local squirrel and not a transient squirrel. LOL! That comment made my day. THANKS!

Oh another treat for blue jays is peanuts in the shell, plus sunflower seeds.

OMG! I'm blushing. What I meant was the squirrel lives in the tree by the back porch and I see him come down and eat! ROTFLOL
Thanks STRIVING. I have to check what I write!

Not at all! I was just teasing, but I did get a good laugh!