I found this blog recently called Uncork and Unwined. This blog is all about a couple who are stationed in Germany and how they are making their way through Europe while drinking plenty of coffee, wine and beer! I, of course, became immediately enamored with this blog. I mean, coffee??? Yes please!! Wine??? Oh heck yeah! Beer??? Drooling here! Then throw in all the traveling and pictures of Europe and I was a goner!
I may have scared K a bit when I mentioned being the possible president of her fan club and I may or may not have eluded to a possible Single White Female encounter that she and I have to have soon. But she moved past my insane ramblings and tagged me in a bloggy note thing.
Well, naturally, being her biggest fan and all, I have to comply with her wishes and answer these questions. Then I get to tag 8 of my readers to answer these questions as well! So here goes.
1. If you could have any superpower what would you have? Why?
I think I would want to have that cool "water to wine" trick. I mean, who wouldn't want to invite me to a party then right?? Also, it would definitely save me some money in the wine department. Because we all know how much I like wine.
2. Who is your style icon?
Hahaha!! There are people that I wish I could dress like. I am obsessed with the Kardashians right now. They all look great all the time. I absolutely LOVE pin-up girls and would love to look like one all the time! So Marilyn Monroe would definitely be a style icon for me. But I don't dress like her. I also super duper love Gwen Stefani and her crazy eclectic look. But if you want to think about who I most often dress like...it's probably more like Drew Barrymore because I often wear jeans and t-shirts and that's pretty much it!
3. What is your favorite quote?
I have a quote journal and I love quotes! Here are a few of my favorites that pertain to certain passions in my life:
Book/library quote: "A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone." ~ Jo Godwin
Coffee quote: "Coffee should be black as Hell, strong as Death, and sweet as Love." ~ Turkish Proverb
Inspirational quote: "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
4. What is the best compliment you've ever received?
That I am a good mother.
5. What playlist/CD is in your CD player/iPod right now?
I don't really do playlists because I love shuffle. The CD in my player right now is one for Little Butt. The book we checked out from the library had a CD with it. It's Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble. The song I have paused on my iPod is Everywhere by Michelle Branch. I have extremely eclectic taste.
6. Are you a night owl or a morning person?
I'm an all the time person. I don't really sleep. I sometimes stay up until 3am and wake up at 7am. I think sleep is a waste of time.
7. Do you prefer dogs or cats?
I don't really care for animals in general. We had a cat for a while and it was annoying to me. But I really want a big dog. I fell in love with a Great Dane in December and a Rhodesian Ridgeback in February. I can't wait to get my own Ridgeback.
8. What is the meaning behind your blog name?
I grew up in the Army. I always say that my blood runs green but I thought having "blood" in a blog title wouldn't be the best idea. So I came up with this blog title. It's a bit about me and a bit about my life but my life is constantly and has always been touched by the military.
Now. For the tagging. Here are my 8 choices:
Devil Dog Darling
Goodnight Moon!
I Could be Fake
Postcards from Oblivion
Scatterbrained Wife of a Soldier
This American Wife
Within a Mile of Home
{Mis}Adventures of an Army Wife
For Further Reading Check Out:
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: The Fire Hat Edition
Monday, September 6, 2010
Wild Mind Monday #1
Welcome to Wild Mind Monday! This is a virtual writing group in which we are going to be working our way through Natalie Goldberg's Wild Mind. The link each writing assignment will be posted here the first Monday of each month and will remain up for the duration of the month. If you are interested in joining in, leave a comment with your email address and I will send you this month's assignment. I also ask that you go to each linked blog and make comments on each other's work. When critiquing and making comments, please remember there is a person on the other side of the computer and we need to be kind and respectful while helping each other develop our writing skills. So let's have fun!
This week we are supposed to write for 10 minutes using the prompt "I remember." Walk around for a few minutes without talking then sit back down and write for another 10 minutes using the prompt "I don't remember." Here's mine:
"I remember when things were easier. I remember that life didn't just take over. I remember happiness and playing and just having fun. I remember. I remember. I remember summers at my grandma's house. I remember my older sister. I remember seeing pictures of us just being kids. I remember one picture where we are on my grandma's front porch and we are laughing our butts off because one of us, I think it was me, was barely flipping off the camera. I remember the field across the street with the huge ditch. I remember it was so hot and humid that you could barely stand to be outside. I remember laying in front of the air conditioner in the dining room next to the long formal table that was never used...unless it was a holiday of course. I remember Thanksgiving. I remember all the kids would go into my mom's old room and watch television or play the Nintendo. I remember my mom's room. I remember it was pink. I remember the bedspread was a pink and white quilt that my grandma made. I remember the middle room had this dark furniture in it that was really tall and the room was green. I remember the garage. I remember the garage was always clean. I remember the red rubber ball that hung by a string from the ceiling. I remember my grandma and grandpa always gingerly driving the car into the garage until the red ball touched the windshield of the car. I remember my grandpa's tools. I remember that each tool had its place and that the peg board the tools hung on had each tool outlined in masking tape. That way there could be no confusion as to which tool went where. I remember their dog. I think her name was Susie but I'm not sure. I remember one summer my grandpas introduced me to a little girl. I remember he told me he had met her when she was walking her dog past their yard. I remember we played that summer until she had to go visit her own family. I remember sitting on the steep hill on the side of my grandparent's yard. I remember the hill was on the outside of the fence and it was fun to roll down. I remember sitting on that hill wearing my black Debbie Gibson shirt with the lime green plastic shirt tie thing. I remember those used to be so awesome. I remember we would always buy our t-shirts a size or two too big so we could tie them off to the side with those plastic circles with the line in the middle. I remember the hair wave. I remember trying so hard to get my hair as high as possible. I remember a school picture I took one year. I remember I had a piece of gum in my mouth. I remember thinking that if I just pushed the gum to the side of my mouth no one would notice it and it wouldn't mess up the picture. I remember getting the pictures back and wishing I had spit out the gum. I remember my cheek looked pretty lumpy because of the gum. I remember hating almost every school picture and wishing I didn't have to do them. I remember. I remember. I remember high school. I remember getting someone else to do my homework sometimes. I remember. I remember being with psycho boy."
............................................................................
"I don't remember. I don't remember much of my childhood. I don't remember feeling loved. I don't remember what it was to live in my house. I don't remember much. I don't remember. I don't remember. How can you write about what you don't remember? I don't remember a lot of what I read and I think it's annoying. I don't remember people's names. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember last year sometimes. I actually sometimes find myself thinking about last year and realizing I was alone the entire year. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember the guy's name in high school that I kissed. I wish I did. But I don't. I don't remember how we started talking. Maybe it was gym? I don't remember why I felt the need to stay with psycho boy after he found out about that kiss and went and jumped the guy. I don't remember. I don't remember. Wow this one is hard. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember most of my friend's names over the years. I don't remember all of the childhood boyfriends I had. I don't remember some of my best friend's names. The only reason I remember the name of my first kiss is because he had the same name as psycho boy. I don't remember seeing the truth of all the crazy stories I hear about my father. I don't remember ever feeling loved. My father recently gave me a scrapbook with a bunch of letters and drawing I had done for him when I was little. I was shocked because I absolutely do NOT remember writing or drawing them. I've always said I don't remember anything (except my grandma's house) up until around the age of twelve or so...but that scrapbook blew me away. Seeing my handwriting and reading those letters and knowing how much I really don't remember scared the crap out of me. I don't know why. I've always thought it was no big deal that I don't remember. But that brought it home. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember how my sisters and I used to be. I don't remember my younger sister as a baby. My mom says I used to want everything my older sister had. Even if it was the exact same toy I would always want hers...I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember where the time goes. I don't remember details of a lot of things. Often, when I would leave a classroom, I didn't remember what the professor had said. I don't remember half of the things I learned while earning my bachelor's degree. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember what happened to The Hubble's car registration. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. Man this sucks. I don't remember. I don't remember. I may have to write this sentence for another full minute. I don't remember. I don't remember all the friends I had in high school. I honestly figure they don't remember me either. I don't remember. I don't remember. Boo! I don't remember. I don't remember."
This week we are supposed to write for 10 minutes using the prompt "I remember." Walk around for a few minutes without talking then sit back down and write for another 10 minutes using the prompt "I don't remember." Here's mine:
"I remember when things were easier. I remember that life didn't just take over. I remember happiness and playing and just having fun. I remember. I remember. I remember summers at my grandma's house. I remember my older sister. I remember seeing pictures of us just being kids. I remember one picture where we are on my grandma's front porch and we are laughing our butts off because one of us, I think it was me, was barely flipping off the camera. I remember the field across the street with the huge ditch. I remember it was so hot and humid that you could barely stand to be outside. I remember laying in front of the air conditioner in the dining room next to the long formal table that was never used...unless it was a holiday of course. I remember Thanksgiving. I remember all the kids would go into my mom's old room and watch television or play the Nintendo. I remember my mom's room. I remember it was pink. I remember the bedspread was a pink and white quilt that my grandma made. I remember the middle room had this dark furniture in it that was really tall and the room was green. I remember the garage. I remember the garage was always clean. I remember the red rubber ball that hung by a string from the ceiling. I remember my grandma and grandpa always gingerly driving the car into the garage until the red ball touched the windshield of the car. I remember my grandpa's tools. I remember that each tool had its place and that the peg board the tools hung on had each tool outlined in masking tape. That way there could be no confusion as to which tool went where. I remember their dog. I think her name was Susie but I'm not sure. I remember one summer my grandpas introduced me to a little girl. I remember he told me he had met her when she was walking her dog past their yard. I remember we played that summer until she had to go visit her own family. I remember sitting on the steep hill on the side of my grandparent's yard. I remember the hill was on the outside of the fence and it was fun to roll down. I remember sitting on that hill wearing my black Debbie Gibson shirt with the lime green plastic shirt tie thing. I remember those used to be so awesome. I remember we would always buy our t-shirts a size or two too big so we could tie them off to the side with those plastic circles with the line in the middle. I remember the hair wave. I remember trying so hard to get my hair as high as possible. I remember a school picture I took one year. I remember I had a piece of gum in my mouth. I remember thinking that if I just pushed the gum to the side of my mouth no one would notice it and it wouldn't mess up the picture. I remember getting the pictures back and wishing I had spit out the gum. I remember my cheek looked pretty lumpy because of the gum. I remember hating almost every school picture and wishing I didn't have to do them. I remember. I remember. I remember high school. I remember getting someone else to do my homework sometimes. I remember. I remember being with psycho boy."
............................................................................
"I don't remember. I don't remember much of my childhood. I don't remember feeling loved. I don't remember what it was to live in my house. I don't remember much. I don't remember. I don't remember. How can you write about what you don't remember? I don't remember a lot of what I read and I think it's annoying. I don't remember people's names. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember last year sometimes. I actually sometimes find myself thinking about last year and realizing I was alone the entire year. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember the guy's name in high school that I kissed. I wish I did. But I don't. I don't remember how we started talking. Maybe it was gym? I don't remember why I felt the need to stay with psycho boy after he found out about that kiss and went and jumped the guy. I don't remember. I don't remember. Wow this one is hard. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember most of my friend's names over the years. I don't remember all of the childhood boyfriends I had. I don't remember some of my best friend's names. The only reason I remember the name of my first kiss is because he had the same name as psycho boy. I don't remember seeing the truth of all the crazy stories I hear about my father. I don't remember ever feeling loved. My father recently gave me a scrapbook with a bunch of letters and drawing I had done for him when I was little. I was shocked because I absolutely do NOT remember writing or drawing them. I've always said I don't remember anything (except my grandma's house) up until around the age of twelve or so...but that scrapbook blew me away. Seeing my handwriting and reading those letters and knowing how much I really don't remember scared the crap out of me. I don't know why. I've always thought it was no big deal that I don't remember. But that brought it home. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember how my sisters and I used to be. I don't remember my younger sister as a baby. My mom says I used to want everything my older sister had. Even if it was the exact same toy I would always want hers...I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember where the time goes. I don't remember details of a lot of things. Often, when I would leave a classroom, I didn't remember what the professor had said. I don't remember half of the things I learned while earning my bachelor's degree. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember what happened to The Hubble's car registration. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. I don't remember. Man this sucks. I don't remember. I don't remember. I may have to write this sentence for another full minute. I don't remember. I don't remember all the friends I had in high school. I honestly figure they don't remember me either. I don't remember. I don't remember. Boo! I don't remember. I don't remember."
Thursday, September 2, 2010
2010 Goals: August Update
Do you ever set New Year's goals or resolutions for yourself?
I usually don't. I tend to believe that New Year's resolutions only set someone up for failure. However, this year I did set some goals for myself. I had been keeping up with the goals with monthly updates but have gotten out of the habit the last few months. It's time to get back to my goals...
- Make my own sushi
March: Waiting until I have my own kitchen. Already making sushi plans for MO.
April: Still inspired and ready. Need a kitchen but that should happen soon. Have found several recipes
May: I'm finally in MO and have my own kitchen. I think I need to choose a month to get it done. Need to look around grocery stores in the area and find out my seafood options.
June/July/August: Still have not made sushi. Realized the other day I'm running out of time and need to step it up. Have talked about having a sushi night with the girls. I WILL get this done this year.
- Lose the rest of my weight and maintain
March: Currently a work in progress.
April: Am 3 pounds away from original final goal. Will reassess when goal is met.
May: Well, I was a little over 1 pound away from my goal and now I'm like 9 pounds away. Oops! LOL!!
June/July/August: Well. I'm a definite fail here. I am back up to 155-157 and it's annoying. I was at 141 back around April but being here has definitely changed that. I've even been talking about buying bigger jeans. Boo!
- Run a 5K
March: I did not run one but I did walk/run one. Race for the cure on 2/21/2010. Still working up to the 5k.
April: Still working on building up to running a 5k but running has been sporadic.
May: Running has ceased for the moment but I'm glad I walk/ran that one 5k in February.
June/July/August: I've been walking again lately. Running isn't really happening but it needs to. I did the Run for the Fallen last weekend (walked most of it, ran a bit) so that's another 5k but still didn't run the whole thing like I want to.
- Cook (cook more healthy foods and experiment with new recipes)
March: Doing fairly well considering I don't have my own kitchen. Doing what I can.
April: Recently made a delicious and healthy meal for my in-laws (All recipes from this episode). Tried quinoa for the first time: delicious!! Also made lower fat cupcakes for Easter by using applesauce instead of oil.
May: I finally unpacked my cookbooks and magazines and have a grocery list going. I made my first meal in my new home tonight. Penne with Italian sausage and marinara sauce. Yum! (I somehow burned the toast though. :-/ )
June/July/August: I've definitely been cooking a lot more. My food blog is up and running and I'm loving it. However, I could probably make the meals healthier and or stop eating so dang much of it!
- Bake (try new recipes and baked goods, do not eat though, send with O to work/school)
March: I baked a yummy cake recently.
April: Made cake balls, tried a new cake decorating technique, and made cupcakes for Easter.
May: Working on putting together a distance type baking club with some friends. Tres leches cake is on my agenda this month. Also made Little Butt's third birthday cake and a cookie cake.
June/July/August: I've been really good at this! Though I've kind of fallen off a bit lately but I have plans for something soon. I'm thinking this is complete. Will cross off the list.
-Take more cake decorating classes and work on the skill
March: Super proud of my most recent cake but have to wait until I'm settled somewhere long enough to take a class.
April: Bought the Wilton Course 2 kit and booklet. Haven't started on it but have plans!
May: Hoping I will be able to take some more courses here. The nearest store is an hour to an hour and a half away but it is only once a week.
June/July/August: I did it! I've taken the courses! However, the first and second courses have been revamped so I'd like to take them again. But I'm considering this goal completed!
- Do more yoga/pilates and possibly take classes
March: Definitely haven't worked on this at all. I did look for JM's new Yoga Meltdown DVD that came out today but it wasn't at Target. Planning on doing some yoga this week. It's a JM challenge for the week.
April: Ordered JM's Yoga Meltdown DVD from Netflix and tried it. Really enjoyed it! Need to buy it. Had planned to do Pilates today but did other things.
May: Haven't done any since the Netflixed DVD. Was thinking today that I really want to buy that Yoga Meltdown DVD.
June/July/August: Another fail. A friend sent me the Yoga Meltdown DVD but do you think I've done it more than a couple times?? No. Man I suck.
- CONTINUE WORKING OUT
March: Has been sporadic but I haven't stopped completely. Getting back into it.
April: Been using my HRM to track calories burned. Going to focus this week on burning 3500 extra calories each week.
May: Definitely stopped for a bit but started up the 30 Day Shred Challenge today.
June/July/August: I did the 30 Day Shred for 30 days straight and felt awesome. Then I pretty much stopped. I've been going to the track 3 times a week but that isn't enough.
- Define arms
March: Did 800 tricep exercises in one week. Still working on it.
April: Did 100 push ups today. Going to do 100 tricep dips tomorrow. Need to focus on this area still.
May: Haven't worked toward this but hoping the 30 Day Shred Challenge will help.
June/July/August: I'm noticing a theme here because this is another fail. I was doing great when we first got here but have lost it.
- Get swimsuit ready
March: Again...still working on it.
April: Feel back on track. Have lost 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks.
May: Took a hiatus but is hoping the 30 Day Shred will help!
June/July/August: Fail. Fail. Fail. I'm worse off now than before.
- Lose baby belly (flat abs??)
March: Have been trying to run more since that's supposed to be the best for belly fat.
April: Have regained my focus and am working on this. Need to do tons of cardio and ab work. Pilates would be good!
May: Haven't been working on this just yet but I will probably add some more ab work to the 30 Day Shred Challenge because I don't think it offers enough.
June/July/August: Though I probably won't lose the full on baby belly without surgery, it was better. I was excited that I fit nicely into my size 6 jeans with no sucking in or spanx and I felt awesome. Now talking about getting a size 8. Blah.
- Read 60 books (or at least 50 that I've never read before)
March: Have pretty much changed this goal. Not going to focus so much on the quantity, rather the quality of the book.
April: Have now read 8 books so far this year. No longer going to focus on this goal.
- Eat healthier (snacks and meals, more fruits, MORE VEGGIES)
March: Have been incorporating spinach in a ton of food and have definitely been eating more veggies than I usually do.
April: Loving more fruits and vegetables. Have been counting calories and am feeling much better. Even munched on some delicious watermelon with Lilz earlier today.
May: I was doing great and then I took a break. I ate healthy today though and it felt good to be back to it.
June/July/August: Again, was doing great when we first got here but lately it's been nothing but Taco Bell, McDonald's, KFC, etc. Gross!
- Eat "clean" foods
March: Have been cooking more and trying to do less processed foods. Have bought more organic than usual.
April: Still working on this. Need my own kitchen. Would like to grow my own herbs.
May: Fighting The Hubble on this issue currently. Need to change his way of thinking. ;-)
June/July/August: See this update for the above goal. Enough said.
- Take more pictures
March: Pulled out the camera and started taking more pictures.
April: Doing all right here. Not as good as it could be but better. Even took Lily for her very first Easter Bunny picture.
May: The Hubble has taken over the pix taking recently. I'm okay with that though. As long as we have pix I'm happy!
June/July/August: I've taken some pictures. Not as much as I'd like. I take a lot of pictures of food for my food blog. Does that count??
- Blog more
March: Doing good so far I think.
April: I have some things I've been meaning to post but I've done a lot better this year than in previous years.
May: Need to get better at updating my baking/cooking stuff. Should get better once we get the house situated.
June/July/August: Moved from LJ to blogspot. Doing pretty good. Picked up my paper journal the other night too. It felt good to just write.
- Read moreself improvement personal development books
March: My next book I have lined up is The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin.
April: Read The Happiness Project, read The Last Lecture, ordered and received a couple parenting books. Making good progress.
May: Have been reading the same book for a few weeks now. I am working on the personal development books. I'm even considering working through (and blogging about) The Artist's Way.
June/July/August: Haven't read any recently. Would like to get back to it.
- Run!!
March: Ran today actually.
April: I run whenever I have a sitter for Lily. Even when I think I'm just going to walk, I end up running instead.
May: Nope. Been sitting instead.
June/July/August: I've been walking. Was trying to do intervals. If I ever get Little Butt into daycare it is on!
- Conquer the push-up (final goal: 100 consecutive push-ups)
March: Need to get back to this.
April: Haven't worked on this yet.
May: For some reason I keep forgetting about this!
June/July/August: Yeah...not so much.
-Embrace Missouri
March: I'm ready. Let's go!
April: Almost there. Talked to a realtor and may have a place set up. If everything goes well, O should be here next week and we will be there by the end of the month.
May: I'm finally here and so far I'm pretty happy. I need to give it more than just a couple days though I'm sure. We'll see. But I'm pretty excited to be here.
June/July/August: I am having a blast! I've met some of the best people ever here. It kind of makes me sad that this is only temporary. Everything is what you make of it. I'm going to say I have conquered this goal!
- Acquire more patience (basically have none so any would be more than I have now)
March: Work in progress.
April: Kind of have to have patience with this "hurry up and wait" game we like to play so much.
May: I think I'm doing okay so far. Give me a little more time with The Hubble and we'll see how it lasts.
June/July/August: Still working on this one. Kind of mandatory given our situation. I get frustrated at times but I'm doing all right I guess. Let's just not ask The Hubble his opinion.
- Acquire running shoes for me
March: Done! Went to a technical store and got my foot fitted for the perfect shoe!
April: No longer a goal since it was completed. Need to make sure I replace my shoes regularly though.
- Acquire new work out clothes
March: Done! I have 2 pants, 3 shirts, 2 sports bras, 2 special socks, and new shoes.
April: Another completed goal. My MIL even gave me some capri workout pants for the warmer weather.
- Do not let fear of the unknown beat me
March: Haven't so far! Even forced myself to go for a walk/run in a new neighborhood because it scared me.
April: This isn't really a goal but I'll leave it as a reminder.
May: I'm here aren't I?? I think I'm doing pretty good with this one!
June/July/August: This is still an awesome reminder. I still have to tell myself this every day.
- Be kind to my body and my self
March: I'm doing pretty good here too.
April: I've refocused on me and what makes me happy. I'm watching my food intake and working out again. Need to get more sleep though.
May: I definitely need to take care of myself again. It started again today. Just a minor blip in the road.
June/July/August: I'm hoping that talking about all my failures of these goals will be my wake up call. What am I doing. Did I feel great after KFC last night? No. I felt disgusting. Get it together woman!
- Play it smart
March: Shins!!! I've definitely been taking care and making sure I do this.
April: Shins have been great! I know better than to screw up now. So I'm going to call this done!
- Continue reading "word a day" calendar
March: Fail. It's in the car and has been since we left NY. I should probably find it and start again.
April: Pulled it out of my car and have been working on it but it's sporadic at best. Getting better though.
May: Hahahaha! Where is that thing anyway??
June/July/August: Again, Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Let me go see what day it's on....I'll be right back....it's on June 26th. I am AWESOME at this!
- Write book reviews!!!
March: Fail! I've thought about it...does that count???
April: Haven't written any reviews that are "publishable" but I wrote a little blurb on the last book I read. I think that's decent.
May: Nope. I've thought about it though, does that count??
June/July/August: Yay! Finally something I can say I've been doing! I've done a couple lately and I do love it so. I don't know why I stop.
Okay. So this month I'm definitely noticing that I've fallen off the wagon quite a bit. I need to get back to my goals and remember what I'm doing. I need to regroup and refocus. I have had enough time sitting and being lazy. There is no reason why I shouldn't be accomplishing and flying past these goals. FOCUS!
I usually don't. I tend to believe that New Year's resolutions only set someone up for failure. However, this year I did set some goals for myself. I had been keeping up with the goals with monthly updates but have gotten out of the habit the last few months. It's time to get back to my goals...
- Make my own sushi
March: Waiting until I have my own kitchen. Already making sushi plans for MO.
April: Still inspired and ready. Need a kitchen but that should happen soon. Have found several recipes
May: I'm finally in MO and have my own kitchen. I think I need to choose a month to get it done. Need to look around grocery stores in the area and find out my seafood options.
June/July/August: Still have not made sushi. Realized the other day I'm running out of time and need to step it up. Have talked about having a sushi night with the girls. I WILL get this done this year.
- Lose the rest of my weight and maintain
March: Currently a work in progress.
April: Am 3 pounds away from original final goal. Will reassess when goal is met.
May: Well, I was a little over 1 pound away from my goal and now I'm like 9 pounds away. Oops! LOL!!
June/July/August: Well. I'm a definite fail here. I am back up to 155-157 and it's annoying. I was at 141 back around April but being here has definitely changed that. I've even been talking about buying bigger jeans. Boo!
- Run a 5K
March: I did not run one but I did walk/run one. Race for the cure on 2/21/2010. Still working up to the 5k.
April: Still working on building up to running a 5k but running has been sporadic.
May: Running has ceased for the moment but I'm glad I walk/ran that one 5k in February.
June/July/August: I've been walking again lately. Running isn't really happening but it needs to. I did the Run for the Fallen last weekend (walked most of it, ran a bit) so that's another 5k but still didn't run the whole thing like I want to.
- Cook (cook more healthy foods and experiment with new recipes)
March: Doing fairly well considering I don't have my own kitchen. Doing what I can.
April: Recently made a delicious and healthy meal for my in-laws (All recipes from this episode). Tried quinoa for the first time: delicious!! Also made lower fat cupcakes for Easter by using applesauce instead of oil.
May: I finally unpacked my cookbooks and magazines and have a grocery list going. I made my first meal in my new home tonight. Penne with Italian sausage and marinara sauce. Yum! (I somehow burned the toast though. :-/ )
June/July/August: I've definitely been cooking a lot more. My food blog is up and running and I'm loving it. However, I could probably make the meals healthier and or stop eating so dang much of it!
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March: I baked a yummy cake recently.
April: Made cake balls, tried a new cake decorating technique, and made cupcakes for Easter.
May: Working on putting together a distance type baking club with some friends. Tres leches cake is on my agenda this month. Also made Little Butt's third birthday cake and a cookie cake.
June/July/August: I've been really good at this! Though I've kind of fallen off a bit lately but I have plans for something soon. I'm thinking this is complete. Will cross off the list.
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March: Super proud of my most recent cake but have to wait until I'm settled somewhere long enough to take a class.
April: Bought the Wilton Course 2 kit and booklet. Haven't started on it but have plans!
May: Hoping I will be able to take some more courses here. The nearest store is an hour to an hour and a half away but it is only once a week.
June/July/August: I did it! I've taken the courses! However, the first and second courses have been revamped so I'd like to take them again. But I'm considering this goal completed!
- Do more yoga/pilates and possibly take classes
March: Definitely haven't worked on this at all. I did look for JM's new Yoga Meltdown DVD that came out today but it wasn't at Target. Planning on doing some yoga this week. It's a JM challenge for the week.
April: Ordered JM's Yoga Meltdown DVD from Netflix and tried it. Really enjoyed it! Need to buy it. Had planned to do Pilates today but did other things.
May: Haven't done any since the Netflixed DVD. Was thinking today that I really want to buy that Yoga Meltdown DVD.
June/July/August: Another fail. A friend sent me the Yoga Meltdown DVD but do you think I've done it more than a couple times?? No. Man I suck.
- CONTINUE WORKING OUT
March: Has been sporadic but I haven't stopped completely. Getting back into it.
April: Been using my HRM to track calories burned. Going to focus this week on burning 3500 extra calories each week.
May: Definitely stopped for a bit but started up the 30 Day Shred Challenge today.
June/July/August: I did the 30 Day Shred for 30 days straight and felt awesome. Then I pretty much stopped. I've been going to the track 3 times a week but that isn't enough.
- Define arms
March: Did 800 tricep exercises in one week. Still working on it.
April: Did 100 push ups today. Going to do 100 tricep dips tomorrow. Need to focus on this area still.
May: Haven't worked toward this but hoping the 30 Day Shred Challenge will help.
June/July/August: I'm noticing a theme here because this is another fail. I was doing great when we first got here but have lost it.
- Get swimsuit ready
March: Again...still working on it.
April: Feel back on track. Have lost 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks.
May: Took a hiatus but is hoping the 30 Day Shred will help!
June/July/August: Fail. Fail. Fail. I'm worse off now than before.
- Lose baby belly (flat abs??)
March: Have been trying to run more since that's supposed to be the best for belly fat.
April: Have regained my focus and am working on this. Need to do tons of cardio and ab work. Pilates would be good!
May: Haven't been working on this just yet but I will probably add some more ab work to the 30 Day Shred Challenge because I don't think it offers enough.
June/July/August: Though I probably won't lose the full on baby belly without surgery, it was better. I was excited that I fit nicely into my size 6 jeans with no sucking in or spanx and I felt awesome. Now talking about getting a size 8. Blah.
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March: Have pretty much changed this goal. Not going to focus so much on the quantity, rather the quality of the book.
April: Have now read 8 books so far this year. No longer going to focus on this goal.
- Eat healthier (snacks and meals, more fruits, MORE VEGGIES)
March: Have been incorporating spinach in a ton of food and have definitely been eating more veggies than I usually do.
April: Loving more fruits and vegetables. Have been counting calories and am feeling much better. Even munched on some delicious watermelon with Lilz earlier today.
May: I was doing great and then I took a break. I ate healthy today though and it felt good to be back to it.
June/July/August: Again, was doing great when we first got here but lately it's been nothing but Taco Bell, McDonald's, KFC, etc. Gross!
- Eat "clean" foods
March: Have been cooking more and trying to do less processed foods. Have bought more organic than usual.
April: Still working on this. Need my own kitchen. Would like to grow my own herbs.
May: Fighting The Hubble on this issue currently. Need to change his way of thinking. ;-)
June/July/August: See this update for the above goal. Enough said.
- Take more pictures
March: Pulled out the camera and started taking more pictures.
April: Doing all right here. Not as good as it could be but better. Even took Lily for her very first Easter Bunny picture.
May: The Hubble has taken over the pix taking recently. I'm okay with that though. As long as we have pix I'm happy!
June/July/August: I've taken some pictures. Not as much as I'd like. I take a lot of pictures of food for my food blog. Does that count??
- Blog more
March: Doing good so far I think.
April: I have some things I've been meaning to post but I've done a lot better this year than in previous years.
May: Need to get better at updating my baking/cooking stuff. Should get better once we get the house situated.
June/July/August: Moved from LJ to blogspot. Doing pretty good. Picked up my paper journal the other night too. It felt good to just write.
- Read more
March: My next book I have lined up is The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin.
April: Read The Happiness Project, read The Last Lecture, ordered and received a couple parenting books. Making good progress.
May: Have been reading the same book for a few weeks now. I am working on the personal development books. I'm even considering working through (and blogging about) The Artist's Way.
June/July/August: Haven't read any recently. Would like to get back to it.
- Run!!
March: Ran today actually.
April: I run whenever I have a sitter for Lily. Even when I think I'm just going to walk, I end up running instead.
May: Nope. Been sitting instead.
June/July/August: I've been walking. Was trying to do intervals. If I ever get Little Butt into daycare it is on!
- Conquer the push-up (final goal: 100 consecutive push-ups)
March: Need to get back to this.
April: Haven't worked on this yet.
May: For some reason I keep forgetting about this!
June/July/August: Yeah...not so much.
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March: I'm ready. Let's go!
April: Almost there. Talked to a realtor and may have a place set up. If everything goes well, O should be here next week and we will be there by the end of the month.
May: I'm finally here and so far I'm pretty happy. I need to give it more than just a couple days though I'm sure. We'll see. But I'm pretty excited to be here.
June/July/August: I am having a blast! I've met some of the best people ever here. It kind of makes me sad that this is only temporary. Everything is what you make of it. I'm going to say I have conquered this goal!
- Acquire more patience (basically have none so any would be more than I have now)
March: Work in progress.
April: Kind of have to have patience with this "hurry up and wait" game we like to play so much.
May: I think I'm doing okay so far. Give me a little more time with The Hubble and we'll see how it lasts.
June/July/August: Still working on this one. Kind of mandatory given our situation. I get frustrated at times but I'm doing all right I guess. Let's just not ask The Hubble his opinion.
March: Done! Went to a technical store and got my foot fitted for the perfect shoe!
April: No longer a goal since it was completed. Need to make sure I replace my shoes regularly though.
March: Done! I have 2 pants, 3 shirts, 2 sports bras, 2 special socks, and new shoes.
April: Another completed goal. My MIL even gave me some capri workout pants for the warmer weather.
- Do not let fear of the unknown beat me
March: Haven't so far! Even forced myself to go for a walk/run in a new neighborhood because it scared me.
April: This isn't really a goal but I'll leave it as a reminder.
May: I'm here aren't I?? I think I'm doing pretty good with this one!
June/July/August: This is still an awesome reminder. I still have to tell myself this every day.
- Be kind to my body and my self
March: I'm doing pretty good here too.
April: I've refocused on me and what makes me happy. I'm watching my food intake and working out again. Need to get more sleep though.
May: I definitely need to take care of myself again. It started again today. Just a minor blip in the road.
June/July/August: I'm hoping that talking about all my failures of these goals will be my wake up call. What am I doing. Did I feel great after KFC last night? No. I felt disgusting. Get it together woman!
March: Shins!!! I've definitely been taking care and making sure I do this.
April: Shins have been great! I know better than to screw up now. So I'm going to call this done!
- Continue reading "word a day" calendar
March: Fail. It's in the car and has been since we left NY. I should probably find it and start again.
April: Pulled it out of my car and have been working on it but it's sporadic at best. Getting better though.
May: Hahahaha! Where is that thing anyway??
June/July/August: Again, Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Let me go see what day it's on....I'll be right back....it's on June 26th. I am AWESOME at this!
- Write book reviews!!!
March: Fail! I've thought about it...does that count???
April: Haven't written any reviews that are "publishable" but I wrote a little blurb on the last book I read. I think that's decent.
May: Nope. I've thought about it though, does that count??
June/July/August: Yay! Finally something I can say I've been doing! I've done a couple lately and I do love it so. I don't know why I stop.
Okay. So this month I'm definitely noticing that I've fallen off the wagon quite a bit. I need to get back to my goals and remember what I'm doing. I need to regroup and refocus. I have had enough time sitting and being lazy. There is no reason why I shouldn't be accomplishing and flying past these goals. FOCUS!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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