Wednesday, October 28, 2009
36 before I'm 37
Well let's see how I do with this. I'm keeping the same goals as last year and only replacing the ones I actually did. I will also remove the private ones b/c I really don't remember what those were.
36 before I'm 37:
1. Donate my time to a charity
2.Travel to BelizeAug '10
3.Get Monkeyface The Yellow Submarine album(Nov '09)
4.Pay off $5,000 in debt(Jul '10)
5. Lose 60 lbs
6. Print and put Monkeyface's photos in an album
7.Create a work of art(Nov '09)
8. Go to a movie alone
9.Send 3 friends gifts for no reason (I liked this one) (1-Apr '10) (2,3,4, &5-Jul '10)
10. Sell clothes on ebay (see debt elimination above)
11. Walk a 5k
12.Donate a box to charity each month-at least 12 boxes total(Jul '10)
13. Paint the bedroom
14. Find a new dresser for the bedroom
15.Resave $1,000 in an emergency fund(Nov '09)
16. Learn to fold an orgami t-shirt
17.Take Monkeyface to a movie(Mar '10)
18. Take Monkeyface to the art museum for a hike
19.Make my own face lotion (Nov '09)
20. Visit Ikea again
21. Wear my hair straight once
22.Walk around Lake Johnson(Sep '10)
23.Take Monkeyface out on a walk while he rides his tricycle(Apr '10)
24. Take Monkeyface to a drum circle
25.Read book 4 of twilight series(Mar '10)
26.Read one new book a month(Jul '10)
27.Attend one new church (Nov '09)
28.Get rid of picnic table (May '10)
29. Have a yard sale OR donate all items to charity
30. Plant something in my yard
31.Grow an herb garden(Apr '10)
32. Get a bookshelf for Monkeyface's room
33.Have my dad take the glider to the river(Apr '10)
34. Own a pair of black boots
35.Get a massage (May '10)
36. Entertain a group of friends at my house
36 before I'm 37:
1. Donate my time to a charity
2.
3.
4.
5. Lose 60 lbs
6. Print and put Monkeyface's photos in an album
7.
8. Go to a movie alone
9.
10. Sell clothes on ebay (see debt elimination above)
11. Walk a 5k
12.
13. Paint the bedroom
14. Find a new dresser for the bedroom
15.
16. Learn to fold an orgami t-shirt
17.
18. Take Monkeyface to the art museum for a hike
19.
20. Visit Ikea again
21. Wear my hair straight once
22.
23.
24. Take Monkeyface to a drum circle
25.
26.
27.
28.
29. Have a yard sale OR donate all items to charity
30. Plant something in my yard
31.
32. Get a bookshelf for Monkeyface's room
33.
34. Own a pair of black boots
35.
36. Entertain a group of friends at my house
Update 35 before I'm 36
How many did I complete?
35 before I'm 36-or a way to get around having resolutions
1.Go on a family picnic (done Mar09)
2.Go to the beach
3.Teach Monkeyface to ride a tricycle
4. Pay off $5,000 in debt
5. Lose 60 lbs
6. Print and put Monkeyface's photos in an album
7.Rent a park for Monkeyface's birthday party(done april 09)
8. Go to a movie alone
9.Send 3 friends gifts for no reason
10. Sell clothes on ebay (see debt elimination above)
11. Walk a 5k
12.Get rid of 3 pairs of shoes
13.Buy new sheets (done april09)
14.Buy a new duvet cover (done april09)
15.Save $1,000 in an emergency fund (done 2/12/09)
16. Learn to fold an orgami t-shirt
17. Take Monkeyface to the art museum for an outdoor movie
18. Take Monkeyface to the art museum for a hike
19. Make a sugar body scrub
20. Plan a monthly budget as of Jan 2009
21. This entry is private
22.Walk on the treadmill at my house (done March09)
23. Take Monkeyface out on a walk while he rides his tricycle
24. Read Obama's book-the audacity of hope
25. Read book 4 of twilight series
26.Read 5 random books
27.Potty train Monkeyface
28. Move picnic table down to back yard
29. Have a yard sale OR donate all items to charity
30. Plant something in my yard
31. Grow an herb garden
32. This entry is private
33.Wear a dress(done April 25, 2009)
34. Own a pair of black boots
35. Go to the spa
35 before I'm 36-or a way to get around having resolutions
1.
2.
3.
4. Pay off $5,000 in debt
5. Lose 60 lbs
6. Print and put Monkeyface's photos in an album
7.
8. Go to a movie alone
9.
10. Sell clothes on ebay (see debt elimination above)
11. Walk a 5k
12.
13.
14.
15.
16. Learn to fold an orgami t-shirt
17. Take Monkeyface to the art museum for an outdoor movie
18. Take Monkeyface to the art museum for a hike
19. Make a sugar body scrub
20. Plan a monthly budget as of Jan 2009
21. This entry is private
22.
23. Take Monkeyface out on a walk while he rides his tricycle
24. Read Obama's book-the audacity of hope
25. Read book 4 of twilight series
26.
27.
28. Move picnic table down to back yard
29. Have a yard sale OR donate all items to charity
30. Plant something in my yard
31. Grow an herb garden
32. This entry is private
33.
34. Own a pair of black boots
35. Go to the spa
Monday, October 26, 2009
Things that need to be done this week:
1) The header is a work in process. That needs to be finished.
2) Make cookies for Friday
3) Trick or treat with the family
4) Wash bottles I got from Ikea
5) Hide kid table I got from Ikea b/c Monkeyface is starting to ask questions
6) Jewelry making class
7) Grocery shopping
8) Laundry
9) Pick up chips for Monkeyface's Halloween party
10)Balance a budget
11)Decide if I'm going to catch up on Heroes
12)Invite B&M out for dinner Friday night
13)Crunch some leaves
14)Take cider home
15)Take knife home
16)Stop by Food Lion for some free eggs (email me if you need the coupon)
17)Pick up some more Ziploc bags (Paid me $1 to buy 4 boxes)
18)Clean out car
19)And now I need to stop b/c this is getting too long and it's only things I need to remember...not things I'll do any way.
2) Make cookies for Friday
3) Trick or treat with the family
4) Wash bottles I got from Ikea
5) Hide kid table I got from Ikea b/c Monkeyface is starting to ask questions
6) Jewelry making class
7) Grocery shopping
8) Laundry
9) Pick up chips for Monkeyface's Halloween party
10)Balance a budget
11)Decide if I'm going to catch up on Heroes
12)Invite B&M out for dinner Friday night
13)Crunch some leaves
14)Take cider home
15)Take knife home
16)Stop by Food Lion for some free eggs (email me if you need the coupon)
17)Pick up some more Ziploc bags (Paid me $1 to buy 4 boxes)
18)Clean out car
19)And now I need to stop b/c this is getting too long and it's only things I need to remember...not things I'll do any way.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
This weekend
Inspired by my brother-in-law BB (I think I'll call him Bubble Butt), I'll be going about this list style.
1) Friday took off work early and drove 2.5 hours south to watch my niece cheer at a football game.
2) Discovered that high school is exactly as I remember it and she is graduating exactly 20 years after I did. I swear I do not feel that old.
3) Went to Niece #2's soccer game out in the Fuh-reeeeezing cold. She made 1 assist and 1 goal. It was really awesome. My little one played with his new umbrella the entire time. It took me over a month to actually find a kid sized umbrella.
4) We then went to the giant yellow store (aka IKEA) and it was awesome. Seriously. I couldn't even traverse the entire store b/c it was too huge. Anyone want to go back?
5) Brought home all kinds of goodies. The best was the tiny tiny espresso cups complete with saucers, a creamer pitcher, and a pretend sugar bowl. My little one loves to make coffee for me. He's going to be thrilled.
6) Fingers crossed that Santa actually brings him the kitchen he keeps asking for. ;)
1) Friday took off work early and drove 2.5 hours south to watch my niece cheer at a football game.
2) Discovered that high school is exactly as I remember it and she is graduating exactly 20 years after I did. I swear I do not feel that old.
3) Went to Niece #2's soccer game out in the Fuh-reeeeezing cold. She made 1 assist and 1 goal. It was really awesome. My little one played with his new umbrella the entire time. It took me over a month to actually find a kid sized umbrella.
4) We then went to the giant yellow store (aka IKEA) and it was awesome. Seriously. I couldn't even traverse the entire store b/c it was too huge. Anyone want to go back?
5) Brought home all kinds of goodies. The best was the tiny tiny espresso cups complete with saucers, a creamer pitcher, and a pretend sugar bowl. My little one loves to make coffee for me. He's going to be thrilled.
6) Fingers crossed that Santa actually brings him the kitchen he keeps asking for. ;)
Friday, October 9, 2009
Spud Special Soup
I got this recipe from Keeper of the Home
Spud Special Soup
3 Tbsp butter
1 large onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot
1/2 cup diced celery
1 garlic clove (or more, if you like it, which I do!!)
4 cups diced potato
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. parsley flakes
2 cups milk ( you could also use yogurt in a pinch-I used soy milk)
(My own addition to this recipe is chopped sausage-I have used smoked and breakfast)
1/2 cup grated cheese for garnish
Put first 5 ingredients into a large pot and saute veggies until onion is soft and clear.
Add potato, chicken broth, salt, pepper and parsley (and sausage, if desired). Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer slowly until all cooked, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk at the very end, after turning off the heat (do not allow it to boil once the milk has been added).
Garnish with cheese. Serves 4-5.
Stop by Gayle's for more recipes
Spud Special Soup
3 Tbsp butter
1 large onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot
1/2 cup diced celery
1 garlic clove (or more, if you like it, which I do!!)
4 cups diced potato
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. parsley flakes
2 cups milk ( you could also use yogurt in a pinch-I used soy milk)
(My own addition to this recipe is chopped sausage-I have used smoked and breakfast)
1/2 cup grated cheese for garnish
Put first 5 ingredients into a large pot and saute veggies until onion is soft and clear.
Add potato, chicken broth, salt, pepper and parsley (and sausage, if desired). Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer slowly until all cooked, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk at the very end, after turning off the heat (do not allow it to boil once the milk has been added).
Garnish with cheese. Serves 4-5.
Stop by Gayle's for more recipes
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
It's ok
This is the time of year when I normally sit down and reflect on what I want to accomplish before my next birthday. I'm not really in that place this year. Autumn is normally my new year. It's when I thrive surrounded by vibrant colors, cold crisp air, wide flung windows, warm apple cider, and the crunch of leaves under my feet. This year is different. I've spent a lot of time lately thinking and allowing myself to trust. My faith has been tested and has grown. It's been a very personal time for me these past few months. It's been unlike anything I've ever experienced. I was reading some poetry today by Jen Lee and it opened something in me that made me want to sit down and write. So I am. I'm also going to go out on a tremendously long limb (for me) and share.
I hope that one day I am able to look at myself the way I look at my son. I forgive his mistakes quicker than I forgive my own. I don't believe his angry words that he spits out at me when he doesn't get what he wants. I have hope for his life. I know his strengths and weaknesses, and am constantly surprised by what he is capable of doing. I hold no grudges against him. I can see him for all that he is and all that he is not and I have nothing but love for him.
I know that one day he's going to look at me and realize that I am not perfect. I'm okay with that because I'm slowly starting to realize that it is ok not to be. It's ok to want my space. It's ok to dance when I want and to sing loudly when it hits me. It's ok to want to use my energy to be creative. It's ok to forgive and forget. It's ok to cry when music moves me. It's ok to be over the moon for my husband. It's ok to allow myself to be sad, to hibernate and really feel it. It's ok to be vulnerable even though it hurts me down to the core. It's ok to ask for help even though it makes me even more vulnerable. It's ok to constantly make lists of things I want to accomplish but then never mark them off. It's ok to like knowing that the list is out there. It's ok to live simply and delight in the beauty all around me. It's ok to want more memories and not more "stuff".
Since having my son and almost losing myself, I have learned that I also don't like being right all the time anymore. I hate to think of all the energy I have wasted throwing up walls, giving up my empathy, arguing, holding grudges, & generally thinking I'm better than some people. In the end, who cares? My phone used to ring off the hook with people that called themselves my friends. Now it sits silent most of the time and when it does ring, I'm excited because I know it's someone I love. I used to love to be the center of attention. Now I enjoy comfortable silences. I used to love to talk just for the sake of talking. I used to think that that was the only way you learned. Now I know that you learn more by getting your hands dirty and walking your talk.
I don't think I'll ever stop pushing people's buttons. I like to watch people accomplish things they never thought they could. Maybe now I just won't push them into getting in trouble...though who knows?? I think I'll always be a mischevious little monkey. I'm intrisically curious and you'll be hard pressed to fit me into a stereotype. I'm the girl that will listen to IIIrd Tyme Out, Motley Crue, and Shug Avery's gospel music all in the same hour. I'm the one that will weep for The Color Purple, Lloyd Dobbler, and puppies wrapped in toilet paper. I'm the one that will befriend the freaks with multi-colored hair and tattoos, the dirty hippies, the queers, and the Mormons. I'm the one that will always believe that when my left hand itches I'll get some money soon and you'll never see me walk under a ladder. I'll be the one that will always have a story and I'll never stop believing that everyone has something good inside of them. I'll never stop trying to help them see what I see. I'm learning to see what people are and what they are not and having nothing but love for them.
I hope that one day I am able to look at myself the way I look at my son. I forgive his mistakes quicker than I forgive my own. I don't believe his angry words that he spits out at me when he doesn't get what he wants. I have hope for his life. I know his strengths and weaknesses, and am constantly surprised by what he is capable of doing. I hold no grudges against him. I can see him for all that he is and all that he is not and I have nothing but love for him.
I know that one day he's going to look at me and realize that I am not perfect. I'm okay with that because I'm slowly starting to realize that it is ok not to be. It's ok to want my space. It's ok to dance when I want and to sing loudly when it hits me. It's ok to want to use my energy to be creative. It's ok to forgive and forget. It's ok to cry when music moves me. It's ok to be over the moon for my husband. It's ok to allow myself to be sad, to hibernate and really feel it. It's ok to be vulnerable even though it hurts me down to the core. It's ok to ask for help even though it makes me even more vulnerable. It's ok to constantly make lists of things I want to accomplish but then never mark them off. It's ok to like knowing that the list is out there. It's ok to live simply and delight in the beauty all around me. It's ok to want more memories and not more "stuff".
Since having my son and almost losing myself, I have learned that I also don't like being right all the time anymore. I hate to think of all the energy I have wasted throwing up walls, giving up my empathy, arguing, holding grudges, & generally thinking I'm better than some people. In the end, who cares? My phone used to ring off the hook with people that called themselves my friends. Now it sits silent most of the time and when it does ring, I'm excited because I know it's someone I love. I used to love to be the center of attention. Now I enjoy comfortable silences. I used to love to talk just for the sake of talking. I used to think that that was the only way you learned. Now I know that you learn more by getting your hands dirty and walking your talk.
I don't think I'll ever stop pushing people's buttons. I like to watch people accomplish things they never thought they could. Maybe now I just won't push them into getting in trouble...though who knows?? I think I'll always be a mischevious little monkey. I'm intrisically curious and you'll be hard pressed to fit me into a stereotype. I'm the girl that will listen to IIIrd Tyme Out, Motley Crue, and Shug Avery's gospel music all in the same hour. I'm the one that will weep for The Color Purple, Lloyd Dobbler, and puppies wrapped in toilet paper. I'm the one that will befriend the freaks with multi-colored hair and tattoos, the dirty hippies, the queers, and the Mormons. I'm the one that will always believe that when my left hand itches I'll get some money soon and you'll never see me walk under a ladder. I'll be the one that will always have a story and I'll never stop believing that everyone has something good inside of them. I'll never stop trying to help them see what I see. I'm learning to see what people are and what they are not and having nothing but love for them.