Resolutions

With 2008 coming to a close and 2009 staring us in the eyes it is inevitable that resolutions are on the brain. The new year gives us a chance to start fresh and believe that this year we are going to do it. But if you're like most people this will fade by mid year if not sooner. A recent resolutions study showed that of the people surveyed 52% had confidence that they would succeed with their goals but only 12% actually did succeed. The study also showed that 20% would give up on their resolution within the first week of January.

Here are some ways to make it easier to succeed in your resolutions:

* Be realistic (hittng the Powerball or becoming a millionaire is not a realistic resolution)

* Set specific goals (Try "lose 4 pounds each month" instead of just "lose weight")

* Break down your larger goals into smaller goals ("lose weight" could be broken down into exercise more, join a gym and eat healthier)

* Only set goals for things you are passionate about not things you think you "should" do

* Get help from family and friends to stay focused and on course

* Don't get down on yourself

* Expect it to take time (you will probably not lose 30 pounds by Valentine's day and you will probably not quit smoking cold turkey tomorrow-unless you are my dad!)

* Keep a journal or success list

* Reward yourself when you are doing well

My goals this year are the same goals that were on my list last year... and the year before... and well you get the picture: lose some weight, eat healthier, exercise more, save money, pay off debt and quit smoking (again)

But I'd like to be honest with myself so here is my realistic list- the list I WANT to be successful with:

• Work on my anxiety issues

I'm not expecting to wake up one morning and no longer have anxiety- I'd just like to get a handle on it.

• Go down a size or 2 in clothing

I'm not obsessed with my actual weight, I know that building muscle will make you weigh more- I'm more conscious of how I look in and how my clothing feels on.

• Learn portion control when eating

I LOVE food (especially J's cooking) and refuse to go on a diet where I will constantly be craving things, I also know that I tend to eat until I'm "stuffed" or "eat everything on my plate" (the way we were all raised)

• Go to the gym more than the required times per month

(I joined Gold's Gym through my work and they pay 1/2 of our monthly membership as long as we use the gym 8 times per month). I enjoy going to the gym- especially my Body Flow Class- so this should not be that difficult to obtain- however December has not been a good month with the holidays and the terrible weather I find myself curling up in my jammies and saying "I'll go tomorrow"

• Start putting away money in savings for our future

I've always tried to be a saver but unforeseen issues would come up and the nest egg that had been packed away would get spent. Now that we have eliminated 75% of our debt, putting a little away from each paycheck should not be a problem. There are so many things we want to and need to save for: a certain Vegas Vacation (April 2010), Parker driving in 3 yrs & college in 5 yrs, purchasing a home down the road, and retirement (never too early to plan for that right)

• Keep in better contact with family and friends

I love talking and usually have a lot to say- so do my friends and family! I find it terribly hard- especially when on the phone all day- to make phone calls when I get home at night. I know I can't sit down and have a 5 minute conversation, so I tend to not do it at all. I really want to work on this- even if I have to start the conversation with "I only have 10 minutes but wanted to see how you're doing"

• Quit smoking

This is the hardest one by far and I start to get irrational thoughts just thinking about it- but I did it in the past- for 10 months- I can do it again, I know I can)

I'm sure there will be occasional blogs as to my success or struggles with all of the above.

So what are your goals for the new year?

May everyone have a safe and Happy New Year!

See you in '09

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS FROM ME AND MINE!

Where did we move to?

When we first made the decision to move- the Fox Valley was the obvious choice. We'd lived here in the past together and J had been raised here. We both are familiar with the area and enjoyed it the last time around.


I'm a little confused lately though. I'm pretty sure, when I went to the Pembine post office to put in our change of address/mail forwarding request, that I put 54952, which is the zipcode for Menasha. I'm also sure that our new bills have been coming to the same zipcode. How could it be then that we are living in Antartica? I know Wisconsin has some pretty terrible winters but this is getting a little rediculous! Sub-zero temperatures, gusting wind at 15+ mph, and constant snow fall. This can't be Menasha. I am totally convinced that we made a wrong turn somewhere in route on moving day. I've taken a few pictures-of this crap- for you to enjoy!





This is 2 days ago- we've since gotten another 3 inches, and there is another storm heading our way with "significant" snowfall.

Someone has changed their mind about loving the snow! Daisy (in her new jacket) can't even jump up over the edge to go potty- we have to shovel out an area for her to go.

Since we sold the house and paid off the majority of our debt we were going to start looking to replace the Blazer (it has seen it's better days). I'm now thinking of trading it in on a sled-dog team!

Stop back soon for more stories and pictures from the Arctic Circle!

Mixed Feelings

Today is an extremely joyful day... yet a day of bittersweet sorrow as well. Today marks the day that a HUGE chapter in our lives- J's and mine- is ended and closed and that another chapter is started.

Today is the day we sold our house. The documents have been signed, keys handed off and the new owners are moved in. This is the day we have been waiting for since September 1st when we listed and figured it would be a year or more before we sold, the day we've been waiting for since October 30th when we got the offer and the day we've been waiting for since December 5th (the original closing date) when the deal fell apart due to financing. This is the day we have been praying for and yet I don't feel as excited as I thought I would. I'm upset that we're closing a chapter of our lives, I'm upset that MY little house on Wisconsin Avenue is no longer mine, I'm up set that we are no longer "home owners" -just renters now. I'm upset that I no longer get to admire all of our "sweat equity" when we look around at what we did over the years and I'm upset to think that someone new is going to come in and change it all.

BUT on the same hand-

I am happy that we are closing a chapter and starting another, I'm happy that we no longer have the financial burden of that little house on Wisconsin Avenue, I'm happy that we no longer have the responsibilities, financial & maintenance, of being home owners, I am happy that we will be virtually debt free after this, I get excited to think of what we will do to a future house and I am happy for the buyers and hope they cherish that little house as much as we did.


I am in a total and complete state of mixed emotions right now.


So it is here that I pay tribute to our little house- never to be forgotten. Our first home together, our first large financial commitment to each other, the place that J carried me over the threshold after our wedding, the first chapter in our lives together.

Goodbye W11469 Wisconsin Avenue in Dunbar

*** We will miss you ***

What have I gotten myself into...

As most of you know, J was never too fond of living up north. The main reason being, not much to do for a young person- especially a young person that isn't crazy about the outdoors. His excitement in the months leading up to our move was almost comical. He just couldn't wait to get back to "civilization" (his words).

Well it certainly didn't take long for us to get into the groove of being back in the city with amenities and things to do- actually the things we used to do. Going out, ordering delivery and now..... volleyball. Yep, I said it- a big fat curse word right here on my blog! J has convinced me that it will be fun and something for us to do together once a week. Yes, I know we used to play when we previously lived down here- but the fact always was and always will be- I really suck at volleyball! And as you can see in the upper right side of the screen under "About Me" I am 100% athletically uncompetitive and always have been. I was never in sports in high school or college and have never been very interested in sports period.

BUT for the next 10 or 12 weeks I will be athletically competitive and "excited" about volleyball! Our team consists of Patie & Dave (J's sister & her husband), Me & J, Casey (J's sister Crystal's boyfriend) and a co-worker of Patie's. We are the DIRTY BUBBLES (note to self: ask Patie where the hell our team name came from) and we will be playing at The Bar on Wednesday nights. By the way- we started last Wednesday and we won all 3 games that night!

End of the year...sucks!

I have often said-since moving- that factory hours are fabulous! 7:30 to 4:30 with an hour lunch. Holiday's and the day after- paid time off.

HOWEVER, that was before I was involved in my first factory inventory. Since Wednesday morning (at 7 am may I add) I have been keying in part numbers & quantities, checking and re-checking reports, keying in some more part numbers and quantities and so on. The tips of my fingers are becoming tender, my eyes feel like they are bugging out of my head and my shoulders need a good massage. We are almost done- today being the last day!

Inventory is like that one annoying friend or family member (don't deny it-everyone has one) that you see at a holiday party once a year that brings weird snacks or presents. BUT in this case the snack is tasty....... overtime!!!

The things that make me happy....

For the past year or so I have been compiling a list of things that make me happy. I periodically add or delete items from the list as things change in my life. I read an article once that said "it's the little things- the things we take for granted- that make us the most happy and more often than not we don't even know it." After reading that article is when I decided to start my list. Once I started writting and thinking it all became very clear. There are a lot of things that make me happy that I rarely even think about. Another great blog for you all to check out is http://www.happiness-project.com/ Gretchen Rubin- former lawyer turned writer spent a year trying out every principle, tip, theory and scientific study to find true happiness in her life and will compile the results & findings in a book due out in late 2009.


The things that make ME happy:


Icecream * Puppies * Rainy days with a good book * My husbands laugh * Drinking wine on Friday nights * French manicures * The smell of clean laundry * All baby animals * Smell of Christmas trees * High thread count sheets * The perfect pair of heels * A great purse * Playing pool * Chapstick * Having such great family and friends * Scrapbooking and making cards * Commission checks * Mexican food * Office supplies (especially highlighters, lined post it notes, paper clips) * Raspberry flavored anything * Finding money in a pocket * Fun socks * Pjamas * A perfect pair of jeans * Girls weekends * Rollercoasters * Fall colors * Waterfalls * Dancing around the house (with or without the dog in my arms) * Fat baby cheeks * New car smell * Paying off an outstanding bill * Hot showers * Puppy breath * Perfectly waxed eyebrows * Pizza and pasta * A full body massage * Interior design * My favorite quilt (thanks Missy) * Watching movies * Camping somewhere new * Get-togethers * Giving gifts * A good hair cut * Bold colors * Jewlery * Reading a great book * Body Flow class (tai chi, yoga & pillates rolled into one) * Doing really well on Guitar Hero * Meeting a deadline * Playing and/or snuggling with Daisy * Making Holiday dinners * Throwing suprise parties * Being organized * Back rubs from J * Getting compliments on something * My ipod * A warmed up car on a cold winter day *



So above is my compiled list so far.

What are the little things that make you happy?

7-14 inches... A girls dream, right?

Think again!
7-14 inches of the cold, wet, white stuff that accumulates in Wisconsin this time of year.


The first BIG storm of the season- we currently have 6 inches- winter has just begun and I am ready for spring already. Our friends the Payne's definately had the right idea transplanting to Georgia.
For some reason the snow and bad roads seem worse here in the city than in Dunbar. The wrecker service could have had a decent cash flow today just sitting in our apartment parking lot! 3 stuck cars just trying to leave this morning. The roads don't get plowed very well or very quickly, either. And for some reason we are living in some kind of a wind tunnel. There was a snow drift higher than my knees by our garage door this morning, not to mention shoveling a path out there only to have it gone 15 minutes later.







The only one enjoying this...crap... is Daisy! For some reason our 13 pound princess loves the snow. She loves running in it, jumping in it, sticking her head in it and climbing it (snow banks). If the wind ever quits I will try to get some pictures of her this year but for now enjoy a picture of her last winter.