Happy Half-Year!

Yesterday marked the halfway point for 2013. Seriously, where has the time gone?? This year is flying by!  Time for a New Years Resolutions check-in!

2013 New Years Resolutions

1. Cross something else off of my Life List
   Not yet, but I'm trying very hard to organize my life, and I have a trip planned with some girlfriends to go to French Lick Winery this fall! One way or another, I'll have something crossed off by December 31st.
2. Finish the Great Kitchen Project of 2013
   Because this project seems (to me) to be a big undertaking, I'm going to finish the rest of my downstairs before finishing the kitchen. I'm almost there, though! I just have the entryway and playroom to do.
3. Read 42 books... including the entire Harry Potter series!
   I'm so behind on my reading list. Like by 5 books or something. I need to catch up BIG TIME! Not a single HP, either... Just not feeling it.
4. Get caught up on Jaden's birthday scrapbook
   Maybe this is what I'll work on at the weekend scrap in October...
5. Get promoted to Lead in my Scentsy business
   I did it!  I have one consultant under me and would LOVE to have more! Contact me if you are interested. It is a really great side business :-)
6. Take my kids on monthly "dates"
   We actually have done a couple.  One was as an entire family. The summertime is pretty crazy busy and we try to get to the zoo as often as we can, so I'll pick this one back up in the fall.
7. Take a family vacation
   Plans are made and the girlies are excited! I'll post about it when we get home :-)
8. Start AND complete 71 craft projects
   Well, I've done a lot of craft projects, but I don't think I'll make it to 71. What the heck was I thinking?!
9. SERIOUSLY lose 10 lbs and reintroduce exercise into my life regularly
   I absolutely accomplished this goal! I'm part of an amazing group that keeps me motivated. This is a post in itself. I'm definitely down ten, though.
10. BLOG MORE!
    Starting now... ;-)

Drum roll, please...

Happy New Year!  I still have a few more "Missed Moments of 2012" posts, but guess what... We all survived the end of the world and because you are no longer worried about dodging zombies, I know you have been on the edge of your seat wondering if I kept all of my resolutions for 2012, right?

Resolution Check-In for 2012

1. Cross something else off of my Life List - I did!  I crossed off # 8 and #32 at the Train concert.  I also crossed off #33 and haven't looked back!
2. Reach my goal weight and maintain it (within 2½ lbs.) throughout the year - Turning 30 has not been kind to my body!  I did NOT reach this goal... ugh...
3. Sell my house and move into our dream home - See #1... I know, this is cheating (kind of).  It's ok though. The whole process was exhausting and totally deserves to get two spots on my list!
4. Read 40 books... including a re-read from high school! - I DID IT, YOU GUYS!!  I am so proud of myself for sticking to this!  This year-long challenge is definitely in need of it's own post.
5. Get caught up on the girls' birthday scrapbooks and our wedding scrapbook (finally!) - And this, my friends, is where I set myself up to fail.  Why on earth did I think I should cram THREE books into one number when I also had #3 and #4 to tackle?!  I met 1/3 of this goal by getting our wedding book completed... after our 6th year of marriage.
6. Live one day at a time - I'm really proud of myself for this.  This goal kind of goes with #7.  I have tried really hard to be more easy-going.  I have tried to leave bad work days at work and take a deep breath when I get home.  I feel that I have definitely met this goal.
7. Don't sweat the small stuff - Like I said, I'm trying really hard!  Little things can get to me sometimes, but if I try to take a step back and look at those little things as part of the big picture, they don't seem so big :o)
8. Make someone's day :o) - I'm very unsure on this one, but I'd like to think that I have succeeded.  I like to do nice things for people just because. I don't expect any thing in return.  I also don't expect praise or thanks.  It just makes me feel good as a person to do little things to help out other people.
9. Do what I love! - Every single day I do things I love and I do things I don't love.  This is a very vague resolution, but I feel like I'm working toward a life with more LOVES than not.  Actually, I really do feel like I'm there!
10. Draw something again. - I really want to put pencil to paper again.  The closest I came was painting Mike's cornhole boards.  That was so relaxing and fun!  I need to make time for myself to create more art.

So, because I did so well last year, I have upped the ante and created my list for the new year.

My Resolutions for 2013

1. Cross something else off of my Life List
2. Finish the Great Kitchen Project of 2013
3. Read 42 books... including the entire Harry Potter series!
4. Get caught up on Jaden's birthday scrapbook
5. Get promoted to Lead in my Scentsy business
6. Take my kids on monthly "dates"
7. Take a family vacation
8. Start AND complete 71 craft projects
9. SERIOUSLY lose 10 lbs and reintroduce exercise into my life regularly
10. BLOG MORE!

Well, I have 364 days to do these ten things... Challenge accepted!  Happy New Year!

Thinking about 2013...

Over the weekend, I told Mike one of my New Year's Resolutions.  He threatened divorce.

You can do it!

There are 47 days left in this year; the busiest year of my life!  When I set my resolutions 300-some days ago, I never would have thought anyone would have taken any interest in them.  Now, with mere weeks left, I find myself with quite the "resolution watch" crew!

"What book are you on?"
"How many have you read this year?"
"Did you finish the book you were reading last week?"
"Are you going to make your goal?"

It's funny to me.  You see, I planned my 40 books out perfectly throughout the year. I knew that on November 14th, I would be reading book number 35. Just like I know that on December 14th, I'll be starting book number 39.  After having said that, I do admit that I haven't always been on track. This summer was the busiest time of my life! Insane. I got off track a couple of times but always was able to get back on.

Right now I am reading my way through book number 35.  I have 5½ books to go. I'm totally confidant that I can do it! You can follow my progress here.  I can hear the cheers!  I'm rounding the corner; the race is almost over! There's no stopping now!

Resolutions for the New Year

Speaking of perfection, let's take a look at those 2011 New Years Resolutions, shall we?

1. Cross something off of my Life List - DONE! Actually, I crossed two things (#30 and #14) off my list this year and added two more people to #23!
2. Lose 5-7 pounds - Yeah... Not even close. I unfortunately weighed in at 6½ lbs. heavier than January 1, 2011... ugh. 
3. Get my freakin' family room ceiling fixed! - DONE! See the renovation here! 
4. Read 40 books - I was SO close!  I finished book #33 on December 30. 
5. Complete my 2010 Project Life album - Hahaha!! Yeah right! Hahahaha!!!

Because I enjoy setting myself up for failure goals for myself, I've compiled a nice, organized list of resolutions for the new year.  I present to you:

My Resolutions for 2012

1. Cross something else off of my Life List
2. Reach my goal weight and maintain it (within 2½ lbs.) throughout the year
3. Sell my house and move into our dream home
4. Read 40 books... including a re-read from high school!
5. Get caught up on the girls' birthday scrapbooks and our wedding scrapbook (finally!)
6. Live one day at a time
7. Don't sweat the small stuff
8. Make someone's day :o)
9. Do what I love!
10. Draw something again.

I know, I know... Not much change.  But, considering how badly I failed last year, I believe these are very good resolutions! - UPDATE: I added 6-10 later after thinking that I need to set goals to make me a better me!  Sometimes I get too caught up in life and everything involved in it.  I need to learn to live in the moment more.  Now, let's see how successful I can be at that!

So, what is your number one resolution for 2012?  If you need help setting goals for yourself, check out this site: http://moninavelarde.com/newyears/  It's pretty cool :o) 

Happy New Year!

New Year Resolutions... 3 Months Left!

Like the rest of creation, I made resolutions on January 1st.  I resolved to do/change five things that in turn, would make me a better person (?)  Well my friends, we have less than three months left.  Let's see where I stand:

1. Cross something off of my Life ListDONE!  Actually, I crossed two things (#30 and #14) off my list this year!
2. Lose 5-7 pounds
   Yeah... Not even close.  I'll work hard on this one for these last three months and hopefully achieve it, but with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas coming up, I doubt that will happen!
3. Get my freakin' family room ceiling fixed!
   Sorta in the works!  I have a handyman coming over tonight to look at it.  My goal is to have the entire room fixed by Christmas.
4. Read 40 books
   I'm on number 27.  I know I can do this!
5. Complete my 2010 Project Life album
   Hahaha!!  Yeah right!  Hahahaha!!!

So, I guess I could be doing worse, right?  What about you?  Have you completed your resolutions or did you give up by February 1st?