Time Flies

When I first started this blog, I had grand intentions of adding a post at least a few times weekly to give little updates and share interesting (or not so interesting) thoughts.  If you don’t update it, what’s the point of even having a blog.  Sadly though, here it is a few weeks later and I’m just now getting to it.  I hate to admit it but work has taken control of my life these last few weeks…teaching has a tendency to do that if you’re not careful.  But now the report cards are done, the fabulous observation has been planned and successfully implemented, and the trainings have been attended.  It’s time to restore some balance between work and “me time.”

Although bogged down by work, I did manage to steal a few minutes last weekend to make a few cards.  I’ve always been a big scrapbooker, but now I’m jumping on the card making bandwagon.  Right now I’m still new at this so the cards are pretty simple, but I’m excited about what I’ve made so far.  I’ve already sent a few out too, so my goal of sending random cards to friends is officially in progress. 

Here are a few of my favorites so far…

 

 

 

Let’s see if I can do this…101 goals in 1,001 days

 This year everyone seems to be forgoing traditional New Year’s resolutions in favor of making 101 goals to achieve in the next 1,001 days.  I’ve never been very good at keeping up with New Year’s resolutions so lately I haven’t even bothered making them.  This year though, I’ve decided to jump on board with the 101 list.  I think it’s a neat idea and I actually think it will be easier to keep up than traditional resolutions (or maybe I just feel that way because the 1,001 days gives me more time to complete them).  While there are some big goals on my list, most of them are little things that can be easily crossed off.  In fact, after trying this for a month I can already cross off some and mark some as officially in progress!  So why am I posting them for all the world to see?  It’s all about accountability.  I’m hoping that by keeping up with it here more goals will actually be crossed off rather than forgotten. 

Travel

1. Go on a cruise
2. Travel to Europe
3. Go skiing (not in Virginia)
4. visit the Smithsonian museums in DC
5. visit the National Zoo
6. see a Broadway play in New York
7. visit Morgan
8. visit Aunt Jackie
9. go snorkeling
10. renew my passport
11. take a vacation with my entire family
12. go snowmobiling
13. try snowshoeing
14. go jetskiing
15. try parasailing
16. go on a girls weekend trip with mom, Terry, and Cas
17. get together with Ed School girls 12 times (1/12)
18. take a beach trip with Ed School girls
19. take a roadtrip with friends
20. take day trips to try 5 new hikes (0/5)
21. escape to the tropics for a vacation during the winter months

Financial

1. Pay off car
2. double amount of automatic monthly savings
3. keep up with an expense journal for 3 months
4. create a budget based on expense journal
5. enter debits in checkbook and keep balanced on regular basis
6. meet with a financial advisor
7. buy a house
8. pay off credit cards in full every month (1/33)
9. learn about investing

Work

1. work-attend one week Kagan training
2. work-decide on next career move
3. work-begin school for next career move
4. write down 50 cute things my students do or say
5. work-clean out “to file” box
6. work-spend one day a week keeping “to file” box empty

Personal / Life

1. learn how to be alone
2. start using only organic and homemade cleaning products
3. start using reusable shopping bags
4. attend at least 5 outdoor concerts (0/5)
5. buy a piece of artwork I love from and art show and display in my house
6. get my car detailed
7. have a girly girl slumber party for Skylar and Campbell
8. help build a Habitat house
9. buy an external hard drive
10. backup my computer 1x a month
11. wake up early and go to Saturday morning garage sales 4 times (0/4)
12. turn off and unplug computer before bed every day for a month (0/33)
13. buy a new computer
14. get Adobe Photoshop
15. send an anonymous gift or flowers to someone I know just to brighten their day
16. read books by 15 new authors (0/15)
17. buy a nice, fancy camera and learn how to use it
18. plan a surprise party for someone
19. watch 20 movies from the AFI list (0/20)
20. make a gingerbread house with Skylar, Campbell, and Charlotte
21. try making my own granola bars
22. take a cooking class
23. send out Christmas cards
24. attend high school reunion and be confident about doing so
25. make photograh calendars for family
26. take a photo every day for a month
27. Try 10 new restaurants (0/10)
28. call each set of grandparents 5 times for no reason (0/10)
29. try rock climbing
30. go kayaking on the James
31. go oystering in the Lynnhaven, then cook and eat them with family
32. host people at my house 10 times (0/10)
33. host a game night for friends 5 times (0/5)
34. plant a garden
35. actually finish this list
36. organize photos on computer and put on flash drive or CD
37. go to a comedy club or see a stand-up comedian live
38. watch a meteor shower
39. attend 5 UVA basketball or football games (0/5)
40. With Dad’s help, design and build a piece of furniture
41. Donate, sell, or throw away 101 things (0/101)
42. complete a 5K (jog/walk)
43. learn how to care for an orchid and buy one
44. plant a mini vegetable/herb garden
45. get a massage
46. go see a ballet
47. fully complete a crossword puzzle without cheating
48. update my parents “Grandparent Brag Book”
49. mail birthday cards to all my friends in 2008
50. send 10 unexpected, handmade “Just saying hi” cards to friends (1/10)
51. take Jefferson for a picnic on the lawn
52. finish cross-stitching birth announcement
53. Try 50 new recipes (0/50)
54. try 5 new fruits and vegetables (0/5)
55. go apple picking and make multiples batches of applesauce to freeze
56. Get a dog
57. learn how to blog
58. clip and use coupons weekly for 3 months (2/12)
59. Donate $3 for each item not completed on this list

Health

1.  floss every day for one month (0/30)
2. get a hearing test and compare results
3. get cholesterol re-checked (in 2009)
4. take vitamins daily for one month (0/30)
5. keep a food journal for one month
6. lose 10 pounds