January goals.

Six days into January seems like as good as time as any to jot down some goals for the month. I like to put plans in motion so during the month I have a visual to stay on track to complete something (other than Netflix marathons). Plus at the end of the month I have the opportunity to feel some sense of accomplishment. Goal setting is good all around!

So, what are my January goals?

- schedule 3 events for Barefoot Books

- file our tax returns

- take down the Christmas lights (outside)

- keep the house "guest ready"

- set up our etsy shop (details to come)

- have a day of scrapbooking and nothing else

- join a gym

- go to the movies

- post a picture on instagram every day

We're nearly a week in... roughly 3.5 weeks to remain on track!

Hello, two thousand fifteen!

We brought in 2015 watching the ball drop from our living room. It's comfortable that way -- pajamas, cats and all. Before midnight, we visited family, ate food and laughed a lot. It was a warm way to ring in the new year. It also gave us time to reflect on 2014 and talk about hopes for 2015, resolutions and all. Last year, when I asked Sean about his 2014 plans -- his one goal was to install a bathroom toilet. He's so smart to set realistic goals -- he achieved it in case you wondered. Me on the other hand? I completed half of my goals -- maybe. So in 2015, I hope to achieve some and grow some and change some. I also hope to find hobbies.

We shall see.

How I exercise and pretend to enjoy it.

On June 21st, almost 3 weeks ago, I started working out. In the past, I claimed to have "starting working out" when in reality I maybe did it like twice and forgot about it. But this time is serious. I mean, I bought sneakers.

Here's what has worked for me:

1. Gear - I know, normally, people go on and on about how it doesn't matter how you look when you work out and that clothes should just be comfortable. I don't agree. I think if you like your work out clothes, and you think they look good on you -- you'll enjoy wearing them more often. I bought work out clothes from Kohls (they had really great deals and I got a bunch of stuff for $20 one day), really comfortable socks from Target and new Nike sneakers. Once I had all the stuff, I played dress up with my work out clothes. You know, to get psyched. Before I knew it, it was time to get dressed in the whole outfit to actually work out. And I didn't hate it.

2. Speed - I'm not a runner. I'm trying to be, but I'm not… yet. I used to be all "but people will see me running so slowly and they'll laugh". And you know what? Maybe. But only mean people do that. Let's face it. When I see someone running down the street, no matter their speed -- I'm envious that they're out there!  Plus, I just tell myself that onlookers (and really, if they are out there running… they're thinking about themselves not me) don't know whether I'm on mile 2 or mile 12. There could be multiple reasons that I'm going at a snail's pace. I mean… I could have just ran a marathon yesterday!

3. Change - The reason I never stuck to anything in the past is because two days of doing the same thing is boring. The past three weeks I have changed it up constantly. First of all, I've been running outside. This is a major surprise to me since I dislike being outdoors but the environment is actually better than being on a treadmill. At least there's stuff to look at. Along with running, I'm following a work out plan that includes 6 different circuits each week. So I'm on week #3 now. In addition, I've been going to classes -- zumba, pilates, yoga, barre -- you name it, in the past few weeks I've done it. It's hard but it keeps it fresh.

4. People - Ah, people. Getting in shape is not an individual thing, I don't care what you say. You need a team. I've been working out with my friend 2-3 times a week and with my dad who is a personal trainer a few times a week. People help to keep you motivated. If you're doing it alone it's easy to skip and slide by. But if you know someone is waiting for you -- you tend to hold your own. Also, it helps that Sean has started working out, too. We don't run together because he just gets up and runs… fast... for miles. But we compare our running apps later in the day. Oh, and it's especially good if the person you're running with can talk to you the whole time you run… without ever expecting a response from you. My friend tells me stories the whole time -- it makes the run go by quicker and since she doesn't expect a response I can still breathe (not easily, of course). I'm still working on the whole "chat and run" thing.

5. Goal - You always need a goal. But it's never been helpful for me to have a weight loss goal or a "let me SEE the change" goal. I was just never able to see results like that so I would quit. So now my goal is to complete the Mudderella. To do that I know I need to work on my core, balance, flexibility and strength. I still have nine weeks to go… so we'll see what happens. As of now, I just smile through the whole thing and pretend I'm doing the exercises just like the instructors and the women in the YouTube videos. It's sort of a "fake it till you become it" mentality. My goal is to finish but I don't need to be first.

19/52

We've made an executive decision of convincing ourselves that the previous owners never raked the leaves in the yard -- ever. We have a lot of trees standing plus the 5 or 6 that were cut down last weekend but are now just laying horizontally in the yard (we plan to do something with them, I swear). The yard is just nonsense. I'm not one to enjoy the outdoors. On Thursday afternoon, I got an impulse to rake leaves in the front yard. I got ready. I got the rake. I went outside. After a few minutes, I was done. The impulse passed. On Saturday afternoon, Sean asked if I wanted to go outside and finish what I started two days before. Again, I got ready. I got the rake. I joined Sean outside and then it turned into me just standing and watching and swatting bugs away from me. After 30 minutes, I was done. So I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed when Sean got out of bed this morning and went straight outside to continue Saturday's project. He was all about it. And unlike me and my 30 minute commitment -- his lastest for 6 hours. Unfortunately, there are so many leaves -- there's still so much work to do. 

Today marks five months in this house. The whole owning a house thing hasn't gotten old. Though it was a little close when the quarterly water bill arrived. Right after taxes were due. But then the heating bill came and it was only a fraction of what it's been (thanks, spring!) and that made up for some of the feelings of defeat that were surfacing. Last week we attended our first town hall meeting. It was the annual meeting and there were 41 articles on the agenda. I begged Sean to take me (I don't do anything by myself…) and he reluctantly agreed. So after my brush with raking on Thursday we left our house and drove down the road, to our former high school and sat at the meeting. First things first -- have you ever gone back to your high school? It's the weirdest thing… I hadn't set foot in that building since graduation day, oh, nine years ago? Once I got over the initial shock of being there I noticed that there were tables set up, sort of how things are set up when you go to vote. We had to go to the right table and tell them our name and address. That's when we were informed that since we're not registered in the our town yet (apparently, that doesn't carry over from previous towns...) that we would have to be silent observers, sit off to the side and not participate in the voting process. And then the moderator of the meeting, asked through the microphone, the entire audience if the two of us (he called us out by name and street address) could listen in on the meeting… and then they all took a vote. Fortunately, they all said yes, or that would have been embarrassing. And then for the next few hours we watched and listened as the people in the town fought and argued and not so politely interacted with one another. It was true politics at the core. And I loved every minute of it -- especially, the extremely involved  and "concerned" elderly citizens.

I guess it's about time to talk about goals, being May 11th and all… so here's how April looked:

Home:

- clean-up the yard - I wouldn't call this a success or a failure since we've started… just not finished quite yet

- plan out & plant a garden - we've planted, just not outside because of the weather

- buy a bathroom sink

- buy an area rug for the living room

- hang canvas above fireplace

Personal:

- organize computer files/pictures

- go to the Boston marathon 

- organize all my clothes

- blog 15 times

- get a pedicure

Not the best, I'll admit. April was a bit overwhelming for me and I didn't do much… let's hope for a better May.

Home:

- clean-up the yard

- mow the lawn

- hang something above the fireplace

- finish painting the living room windows

- plant our vegetables outside

- re-organize the kitchen cabinets

- hang a gallery wall in the living room

- buy fans or air conditioners

Personal:

- choose books for this book challenge

- make two things I've pinned

- get a manicure

- blog 10 times

Here we go!

April!

I'm excited that a new month is here. Sean and I were getting into bed last night talking about how we really need some warm weather and sunshine. The snow and ice and rain are getting old, Mother Nature. They're getting old. But finally after months and months -- the sun was out today. It was 56 degrees. I didn't have to bundle up. I didn't wear boots. I only wore a fleece. I drove with the car windows down. It was fantastic. Since it's the beginning of the month it's time to reflect on last month's goals and make some new ones for April.

My March goals:

Home:

- complete 1st floor bathroom -- floors, walls and toilet are done; we've yet to make a decision on the sink.

- paint pantry -- it's all primed!

- paint living room -- check!

- hang something above the fireplace -- I have a canvas and fabric, but I've yet to make it and hang it up.

Personal:

- catch up on Project Life -- I got pictures printed...

- order pictures for scrapbook weekend -- check!

- take a yoga class -- check! 

- take a pilates class -- check!

- celebrate Sean's birthday -- check!

- get around to changing my last name on license, passport, checks, etc. -- I got a new checkbook but that's it.

- blog 15 times -- only 11 times...

- enjoy two weeks off from work! -- check!

My April goals:

Home:

- clean-up the yard
- plan out & plant a garden

- buy a bathroom sink
- buy an area rug for the living room
- hang canvas above fireplace

Personal:

- organize computer files/pictures

- go to the Boston marathon
- organize all my clothes (donate some/put some in storage/closet)

- blog 15 times
- get a pedicure

Not a long list of goals, I'll admit. Success is what I'm aiming for.

Living room changes.

Our house has been going through some painting changes this week. It all started on Monday and, if you can believe it, is still continuing today. Painting is hard work. It takes forever and I really hope that I continue to love all the paint colors I chose because if I start to dislike them I'll have to just force myself to love them again because I can't imagine painting all this wainscoting ever again. In the past 5 days, I've dusted and swiffered and washed and primed and taped off and painted multiple coats on these walls and on this trim. Luckily, I had help. Still on the to-do list is to paint the windows (they're gorgeous but I'm only not even half way done taping them off) and some of the wood work around the doors still needs another coat of Decorator's White (Benjamin Moore).  

The thing about the walls is that people didn't really notice how yellow everything was until something white was pressed against it. You can really see the dingy color when you compare the walls to the white outlet cover and light switch cover.

See, here you can tell the difference between the original yellowish/peach color and the white primer:

It's still a work in progress and our furniture is still sitting in the middle of the room. But I have a little "original, in progress, finished" collage taken with my iPhone. I'll post more pictures from a real camera once the trim is totally done, the windows have been painted, the door is white and the furniture is back in place, oh and when the sun is shining so there's some natural light. But for now…

Welcome, March.

The other day I said how excited I was that March would be starting on Saturday and I'm still pretty pumped. Then I found out about a supposed snow storm tomorrow night and I think it must be a joke. Some stations are saying more than 18 inches. No, thanks Mother Nature. No, thanks. I was enjoying the melting snow and seeing glimpses of our backyard (it's been covered in snow since we moved in). I'm also thoroughly enjoying that our driveway is no longer a sheet of ice and you can see the pavement. But apparently that will be no more as of tomorrow night. 

This past week I was sick and couldn't go to work one day. I ended up going to the doctors and getting chest x-rays but they came back negative for pneumonia. Sean and I were joking that all four of us (cats included) visited the doctors this month. Apollo went to the vet on Tuesday night. She wasn't thrilled. On Wednesday Sean and I went to dinner at a local brewery that was serving a Baravian breakfast for dinner. I have a thing about eating breakfast foods after 11AM so I passed on that and had pasta instead. I'm trying to find a wine that I like and it's proving to be difficult. Any thoughts on wine that doesn't taste like cherries or children's liquid medicine would be greatly appreciated. Anyways… let's talk goals.

This is what I hoped to accomplish in February:

Home: 

- 1st floor bathroom (paint, install new sink/toilet) -- I wouldn't say this is "accomplished", but the bathroom has been making progress. 

- paint hallway, pantry, living room -- Nope.

- figure out electrical outlets -- Nope.

Personal:

- blog at least twice a week -- I accomplished this. I blogged on here as well as my new blog Prepare  the Environment.

- catch up on Project Life -- Nope. 

- take a vitamin every day -- I did well, for 2.5 weeks and then I was certain that the vitamins were making me dizzy so I stopped...

- make a new list of 101 in 1001 (my first one is up as of the 11th) -- it's here.

- organize clothes -- not yet.

Here are some March goals:

Home:

- complete 1st floor bathroom

- paint pantry

- paint living room

- hang something above the fireplace

Personal:

- catch up on Project Life

- order pictures for scrapbook weekend

- take a yoga class

- take a pilates class

- celebrate Sean's birthday

- get around to changing my last name/address on license, passport, checks, etc.

- blog 15 times

- enjoy two weeks off from work!

:)

February goals

January went by very quickly. I had made a list of things I'd like to accomplish in January and I don't think I did very well. 

Home:

- 1st floor bathroom (strip wallpaper, new floor, paint, install new sink/toilet)

- finish painting kitchen/hallway/pantry

- have all the electrical switches/outlets looked at that don't work

- set up my craft room

Personal:

- blog at least once a week

- start Project Life

- drink some amount of water each day

- organize papers and follow this guide for January

But sometimes there are things that come up that you don't really plan for. You know? Or things that you accomplish and do and celebrate that are unexpected or sneak up on you or happen routinely or just are. And a lot of those types of things happened in January; like snow days, and birthdays, and scrapbook days, and working on Saturdays, and writing reports, and receiving our first set of utility bills, and taking Artemis to the vet, and having date nights, and brewing beer, and completing unforeseen home improvement projects, and setting up a guest room, and paying our first mortgage payment, and meeting our neighbors, and hanging out with friends, and spending time with family, and watching award shows and watching football games. 

This is what I hope to accomplish in February:

Home: 

- 1st floor bathroom (paint, install new sink/toilet)

- paint hallway, pantry, living room

- figure out electrical outlets

Personal:

- blog at least twice a week

- catch up on Project Life

- take a vitamin every day

- make a new list of 101 in 1001 (my first one is up as of the 11th)

- organize clothes

Here's to knowing that the month will be filled with so much more. 

Plans and goals for 2014.

Since Tuesday I've been asking Sean what he hopes for in 2014 and his answer was finally "you know, installing the new toilet in the bathroom". That's it. My guess is he'll complete his goal since the new toilet is currently sitting in the dining room all set to be installed. Lucky guy. I was all about making resolutions until I thought about it for three days and realized that if I couldn't come up with resolutions on the first try -- there's probably a reason for it. So instead, I've thought of some plans for 2014 divided into home plans and personal plans. Here goes:

Home plans:

- save up for a new roof (that's actually a necessity)

- strip wallpaper and paint the whole interior

- set up the craft room and guest bedroom

- new flooring in master bedroom, music room, both bathrooms

- fix the screened-in porch and paint the interior

- build up the retaining wall off side walkway

- replace the basement door

- remove septic tank in the backyard

- remove dangerous trees from yard

- install our permanent mailbox

- plan out a garden area

Personal plans:

- refocus on blogging

- get healthy

- make a scrapbook with Project Life

- create a new 101 in 1001 list

- use this monthly guide to get organized

- plan 3 getaways/trips (spring, summer, fall)

This year, I hope to develop positive habits rather than declare unattainable or unrealistic resolutions. I've heard that if you do something for 21 days it becomes a part of your daily/weekly schedule/life. That's what I hope to achieve. To break down my plans into possible goals and not just wild aspirations -- my efforts and energies will be focused on these areas in January:

Home:

- 1st floor bathroom (strip wallpaper, paint, install new sink & toilet)

- finish painting kitchen/hallway/pantry

- have all the electrical switches/outlets looked at that don't work

- set up craft room

Personal:

- blog at least once a week

- start Project Life

- drink some amount of water -- each day

- organize papers and follow this guide for January

Let's see how this plays out.

Places to visit before 35.

Ever since we've gotten home from our latest trip to the west coast we can't stop talking about vacation and travel plans and where we're going to go next. Those conversations have inspired us to make a list "top places to go before we're 35". Don't ask why 35 -- I don't know that there's even an answer. It's a pretty random age and the number of places is also random: 18.

So without further hesitation -- here are the 18 places we'd like to see within the next 8 years (give or take).

*picture sources cited below.

There are plenty of reasons we chose the places we chose. First up: Roswell, New Mexico. I'm a sucker for conspiracy theories (I really try to believe in them). Plus, I want to see if there's really a Crash Down restaurant like on the TV show. Secondly, Vegas... because well it's Las Vegas and the last time I was there I couldn't gamble and Sean's never been. I feel like it's a place everyone needs to experience. Like the subway in NYC or Disneyworld in Florida (you may think I'm being sarcastic, but I happen to really enjoy both those places). Third up? Chicago! The windy city, Oprah, deep dish pizza. I could go on. But really pictures of the city sold me. Next... Nashville, TN. Ah, Nashville. Country Hall of Fame, cowboy boots, music + I specifically like when I hear people say they're from Nashville, TN. I feel like it happens a lot on American Idol... and finally, as far as US cities are concerned -- New Orleans. It's the south, I've never  been, it looks like fun?

For US states: I chose Hawaii (Sean has no interest in Hawaii but I'm assuring him that he'd enjoy it), he chose Alaska and I read that at some point of the year, if you're in the right spot -- you can see the sunrise and set at the exact same time. True? Oh, and I chose Montana. I just think it looks so peaceful. South of the US, in South America -- I also chose Brazil for a number of reasons and my major one would make you laugh. And I'm not ready to share it. It has to do with a movie...

With the exception of London (which I want to visit for the royals and Big Ben -- that's in London, right?), Sean's all about European countries like Sweden (capital of death metal music) and Germany (beer, food and the autobahn). Egypt (for the pyramids), China (because why not?) and Russia (I forget his explanation) are also on Sean's list. But I'll be along for the ride, obviously... assuming my passport is valid? And to wrap up the entire list (thus far) we'd both enjoy visiting Japan (maybe even to learn how to use chopsticks), and Australia -- how cool would it be if kangaroos were just everywhere? And I've added Fiji because I want to stay in one of those huts over the ocean with a glass floor.

We are already planning our next trip... and it's inclusive of three of these destinations... :)

I have 35 days left of summer.

Today marks the middle of my summer vacation. I've been out of the classroom for 36 days and I'll return to the classroom in 35 days. Which means I've over the hump. It takes me a while to get the whole feel of vacation; to realize and enjoy that I'm on my own time schedule. Usually it takes about two weeks. In that time, I like to do nothing but what I like to do (watch TV on my couch) and after that I try to be productive. It works about 50% of the time.

The truth is, I love not working. I enjoy my job, but I really feel like I'm meant to stay home all day. (who doesn't feel that way, right?) Given the chance, I'm almost positive I wouldn't spend all my time on the couch either. For example, I got out of the house every day this week. I forced myself -- granted my outings were to meet up with friends, have date nights with Sean, and spend time with my family... I was still out. And it was fantastic. Rough life, right?

For about two weeks I sort of did nothing. The third week, I was a bit more "motivated" and started pinning some activities/projects/works for my classroom, I organized classroom materials (which sort of took a long time and took over my living room, it was a bit messy) + I wrote out some lessons. After that point we left for our summer trips here and there and thankfully we have two more to go (road tripping down the west coast & a weekend in Maine). In the five weeks I've had since the end of the school year -- I think I've had my fair share of relaxing, traveling and hanging out. It's been real.

I started thinking about my summer plans + goals I created back in June:

As far as our planned events are going -- they're going. I'm dragging Sean to see Taylor Swift in concert this weekend (he's absolutely thrilled), we leave next week for Seattle and at the end of the summer we have our second wedding of the season. As for my goals? They make me laugh a bit. Water? Walking? Blogging? DIYing? Paying off debt? I don't think so...

source.

I had good intentions for these last 36 days. I swear. In a few ways, I've been successful (for example, in the reading department). I thought I would be more interested in blogging which is why I set that goal so high. Turns out, as of now -- I enjoy reading more than sitting at the computer. Who knew?

In the hopes of looking back at the summer, specifically these last 35 days, and holding a sense of accomplishment rather than utter failure -- I thought I'd make a revised list of my goals.

- Drink a glass of water for every glass of Coke
- Wear sunscreen every day
- Exercise 3 times per week
- Read 1 book per week + blog about it
- Blog 4 times per week
- Complete 2 DIY projects + blog about them
- Minimize my clothes/shoes
- Pay down one credit card

 I hope the next 35 days bring motivation and productivity.

Money, money, money.

Last week I wrote a post about money. 

Apparently, it's a topic most people like discussing.

Or questioning.

Either way, I thought I'd answer some questions people asked,

and maybe give some more insight on how we handle finances around here.

First off: 

I don't set budgets like "this month we're only spending $50 on eating at restaurants" 

or "this month we can only spend $150 at the grocery store".

Wanna know why?

You'll be miserable.

Trust me. We've been there.  

...Where I've budgeted every single penny,

and only allotted ourselves minimal funds for what we consider necessities.

You'll inevitably run out of money.

Something ALWAYS comes up, unexpectedly.

You'll be so bored - you'll sleep the month away, or you'll starve.

It took a couple of years to figure this out.
And I'm sure it'll have to be modified as our lifestyle changes (owning a home, having a baby, etc.)

But here's what I've come up with:

It doesn't matter how you spend your money as long as you have enough to do what is important to you.

You earn it, so you should be able to spend it on what you want/need.

.

To each their own.

It's totally up to you.
I can't answer that for you.

I say: figure out what's important, 
and work backwards to achieve it.

Just know, unless you're rollin' in dough, you can't have it all.

For instance, if your goal is to have a house and need to save money, or to go clothes shopping every day or to buy lampshades and frames to match your seasonal home decor, you'll have to use your money differently.


That being said, I hope you realize I said money.
Not credit.
I don't believe in putting anything on credit cards. Like ever.
If you don't have the money, you can't afford it.
Period.

So, for us?
It's important to pay our rent -- we need a roof over our heads.
It's important to buy food -- we can't starve.
It's important to pay our bills -- we need heat, cable/internet, a car, insurance.
It's important to pay our debt -- so it doesn't get worse.
It's important to pay for gas -- so we can get to work.
But it's also important that we have money for date nights.

We always make sure we have money for that.

We tried cutting this out. But it's not worth it.

In order to do what we want, and not just have enough for what we need, we make sacrifices elsewhere.

For example: 

The heat is at 62 degrees,

we bring leftovers for lunches at work,

we eat dinner at home Sunday-Thursday,

we shop at dollar stores for things that are annoying to buy anyways (like zip-loc bags and tin foil),
we buy in bulk when we can (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)

we buy generic store brands for everything,

we clip coupons, shop during sale hours,

and rarely buy things that are "extras".

So, here are answers to some questions that were asked:

- Target once a month??! How do you survive?

Well, it's hard! It's hard because I have to pass it most days and I just love the Nate Berkus line:

via.

But when I actually think about it, I don't need anything in Target. 

I love it, and I'm jealous of people who go there all the time,

but it's not a necessity.

It's impossible to leave there without spending $50+ and it's all "extras" that we don't need.

Except for a pasta strainer since ours broke last week.

But honestly... we need nothing. So I just keep telling myself that..

Over and over and over again. 

- Do you have a savings account together?

We do. Here's what works for us:

We get paid (thank goodness), each take out money for our own personal savings account + $150 of spending money, monthly.
Everything else goes directly into our joint checking account.
From this account we pay all our bills, pay for anything BOTH of us will benefit from - like food, gas, date nights, the new pasta strainer we need to buy -
and whatever is left on the last day of the month goes into our joint savings account.
Sometimes it's pennies, sometimes it's hundreds.
It really just depends on what went on that month.

We always have a short-term mutual goal for this money like a piece of furniture or a vacation.
I'm sure it's not what a financial adviser would suggest,
they'd probably say to save for a house or something, but we're not quite in that mind-set yet.

- Do you have any tips for a college student like me? How can I keep track of all my college & everyday expenses?

Personally, I like the mint app.
Once you set budgets and goals for yourself the app sends you reminders and "yells at you" through email if you go over your budget.
I think it's all about realizing what you want to spend money on, 
what you need to spend money on, 
and what you can do to cut corners to make that happen.

When I was in college I lived off ramen noodles and wheat thins,
but I had designer handbags and only shopped for clothes at Nordstrom.
Looking back, I would have chosen to spend money differently,
but I have a $1300 jacket hanging in my closet that reminds me of my previous financial woes and misguidance.
It's all about priorities now.
The last piece of clothing I bought was $6.

How the mighty have fallen.

:)

New goals for a new year.

It's a new year so it only seems fair to make some goals and resolutions.
I don't like to make goals that say I'm going to stop doing something, or break a habit or things like that.
I'm never successful in those.
When I want to stop drinking Coke, or stop watching so much TV it'll need to be spontaneous.
Not something that is written down and taunting me.

Last year was my most successful year in terms of progress with my planned new year resolutions. My goals were to:

- Accessorize
- Organize
- Prioritize
- Moisturize

In this next week, I'll let you know just how much I succeeded in those goals.

But today, let's talk about this new year that'll start in two days.

Not to be confused with my 101 in 1001 goals and my 26 in 26 goals... here are some goals for the new year.

- Create a 2013 memory jar like this one:

via.

- Write at least 200 blog posts

- Read for 30 minutes every day

That's it. Short and sweet. Easy-peasy. I want to be successful, okay?
Why set myself up for failure? That'd just be dumb.

What are your goals?

Twenty-six in 26.

In honor of my upcoming birthday [one month from today] I thought I should take the time to set some goals for me to accomplish in my 26th year of life.

This is not to be confused with my 101 in 1001 which is still on going... but I don't intend to have any overlapping goals. See that? Busy, busy.

So, Erin over at Living in Yellow thought up this goal idea:

And even though the link-up is technically over... it's never too late to add to your life. Amirite?

So here we go:

Twenty-six things I'll do in my 26th year of life.

1. Travel to [at least] two places that are new to both of us. [the husband and myself]

2. Meet my favorite little new man [this may require a trip to CA].
remember his baby shower?
and his mom?

3. Keep the tradition of sending out holiday cards.

4. Finish school and get my masters.

5. Go to Boston and pretend to be tourists.

6. Take a sewing class.

7. Buy a really nice & expensive pair of jeans.

8. Go to a concert (of my choice).

9. Go for a walk in our town.

10. See a movie in the theater downtown. (opposed to where we normally go).

11. Get a new passport with my married name.

12. Make scrapbooks of our first & second year of marriage.

13. Cook our very own Thanksgiving dinner.

14. Convince Sean to allow Apollo to dress up for Halloween.

[she wants too, I swear]

15. Cut back to one soda drink a day. Including fountain drinks [I always tell myself those don't technically count since they're mostly water. Guess what? They count]

16. Figure out an organizational method for the madness that is my clothes closet.

17. Bring our wedding china to our house and actually have something to display in it.

18. Find new lampshades for the living room.

19. Do a complete "keep"/"donate"/"trash" cleaning of all our things.

20. Wake up to watch the sun rise [it doesn't count if I'm driving to work].

21. Buy the Justin Bieber CD. Oh, yeah.

22. Complete 1 DIY project a month and blog about it.

23. Invest in a watch. Preferably this one:


via.

24. Decorate our bedroom walls.

25. See a Broadway show. In NYC. :)

26. Be an awesome wife, every single day.

:)

Yeah, I'm probably most serious about that last one....

Oh, motivation.

via.

That's how I feel about two things... specifically.

1. exercising

&

2. sticking to a budget

Ugh.

Week 2 of summer

Apollo and I have officially started week 2 of summer vacation. 

Our goals are coming around quite nicely.

- Travel to CA. (I leave on Wednesday)

- Attend 2 baby showers, 1 bridal shower, and 1 wedding.

- Blog at least 4 times a week. (so far so good!)

- Celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary.

- Go zip-lining.

- Exercise at least 3 times a week.

- Keep the house neat and clean. (so far so good!)

- Go to the beach at least once.

- Go grocery shopping regularly. (so far so good!)

- Cook more & eat out less. (so far so good!)

- Watch Will & Grace, Full House, Step by Step, Boy Meets World and all the other shows played during daytime tv. (so far so good!)

- Finish the Hunger Game series.

- Read at least 5 books.

- Continue checking off things on my list of 101 in 1001. 

This past weekend, we were busy! Which meant we were not on a proper schedule and did not follow our routine with the kitten. This made for a very exhausted kitty come Monday morning:

It took her all of Monday to recover.

Literally. 

Goals for summer.

Today is my first official day of summer. 

It's so nice to wake up without an alarm clock!

Here's a list of summer plans & goals:

- Train Apollo to stay off tables and counters.

- Travel to CA.

- Attend 2 baby showers, 1 bridal shower, and 1 wedding.

- Blog at least 4 times a week.

- Celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary.

- Go zip-lining.

- Exercise at least 3 times a week.

- Keep the house neat and clean.

- Go to the beach at least once.

- Go grocery shopping regularly.

- Cook more & eat out less.

- Watch Will & Grace, Full House, Step by Step, Boy Meets World and all the other shows played during daytime tv.

- Finish the Hunger Game series.

- Read at least 5 books.

- Continue checking off things on my list of 101 in 1001. 

:)