twenty-ten...

It is so hard to believe that Thanksgiving, Christmas and 2009 have all passed. I regret not posting more but even more, I regret not documenting my year in 2009. It was a roller coaster of a year with family, friends and life in general and looking back, it will be hard to remember all the little moments that made 2009 a good year.

Looking forward to 2010, I have a few goals -not resolutions because everyone knows that resolutions go out the window as soon as the newness wears off -- that I want to share.

Document more. A LOT MORE. I want to use my camera and really capture the times that I don't want to forget in the year ahead. Blog more to share these memories and experiences.

Be a better wife/sister/daughter and friend. In 2009, I had a hard time find a balance with being a wife but also caring for my Mom. I feel that sometimes, my husband took the back seat. He is such a great husband that he simply says he understands the situation and accepts it for what it is. It was hard for me to stay connected to my friends too. In the few emails, phone calls and the very rare times when I actually saw my friends, I realized what I was missing from those relationships. My sister and I grew closer in 2009 because of our Mom. I love that we are closer now but I want us to be closer on every level and not just because of our Mom. In 2010, I want to find the balance. I want to put my husband first, find time for my friends and grow closer to my sister all while being the best daughter I can.

Learn more. I have a few areas where I want to gain more knowledge -- photography/photoshop and sewing/embroidery. I want to learn to use these machines and become quite skilled at the same time.

Do more. More volunteering, specifically. I feel so fortunate to have the life and blessing that I have. Sometimes I take these things for granted. I want to find an organization where I can help others. I volunteered a lot when I was in college and I miss having a sense of fulfillment of helping others.

Take time for myself. I know, it sounds silly but over the past few years, I have not been as good to myself as I should be. I want to be healthy and happy. I want to start exercising and eat better. I want to do something that I enjoy and not feel guilty for it.

My hope for 2010 is to be the best me possible. {Cheesy, right!}

September Goals revisited

It is mid way through October and I failed {miserably, I might add} to keep up with tracking my goals. No excuses-- I simply failed! Not only did I fail about recapping my goals, I didn't even complete a majority of my goals.

Lets review:

1. Use my new treadmill three days of the week.

-- Not even once - maybe in November!

2. Make three new recipes.

-- Only one. Three cheese artichoke dip! YUM!

3. Share my recipes and reviews on the blog.

-- No photos, I didn't share the recipe, yet, but I will soon.

4. Read a new book this month.

-- I didn't even think about a book to read.. my brain was preoccupied...

5. Organize our office.

-- Oooh! I did get this done! Check! I organized the closet, bookshelves and the desk. I put up a few new prints and decor too. Again, no photos... :(

6. Get ready for Recruitment with my advisee.

-- I did get a good start on this, too. I have met with my advisee three times, decided on the voting process and feel so good about where we are now. Hopefully, we can keep things moving and continuing making process.

7. Sew some more cute stuff for *Smooches*.

-- I haven't even turned on my sewing machine since this post was posted. Oops! I have found some new patterns and fabrics that I can't wait to use. Stay tuned and I promise that I will have some items soon!

8. Set up my Flickr account.

-- Nope.

9. Plant tulips in the back yard.

-- HAHA. Didn't even think about it! And hopefully, we won't be in our current home much longer. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

10. Plant mums at my parents house

-- Scratched idea. When the weather changed so quickly, the mums would have died by now. Good thing I didn't waste my time.

11. Monogram my galvanized buckets before fall really gets here so I can show off my pretty mums!

-- My buckets are monogrammed but I don't have anything planted in them... sad :(

12. Take Maggie for a walk once a week.

-- Complete fail, again. Poor little Maggie only got a walk 5 times this month. And I didn't give her a single one. Her grandpa loves to take her for walks and since I was home so much recently, he took her for her well deserved walks!

Since October is half way over, I will wait until November to post goals. Hopefully, by that time, I will be settled done and in a better place to actually achieve my goals!

Does anyone else feel like a complete failure when you don't accomplish your goals? Help me feel better!

September Goals

One thing I love about Kim's blog is her monthly goals at the beginning of the month and a goal review at the end.  It is such a great way to keep you on track for your goals.  It also forces you to be honest with yourself as well! 

From now on, I am going to try to do the same thing.  I plan to list my goals for the month by the first day of the month and review my previous month by that month's end.  

Here are my September goals: 

1. Use my new treadmill three days of the week.  

-- I hope to start the coach to 5k program.  Earlier this summer, my mother-in-law gave us a treadmill and I need to start using it!  Even if its 10 minutes a day, I want to get into the habit of using this new machine. 

2. Make three new recipes. 

-- I don't have any new recipes in mind but I have acquired a few of my Mom's recipes books lately.  

3.  Share my recipes and reviews on the blog. 

4. Read a new book this month. 

-- I am thinking I will pick one of the many books that I have bought recently and have never read.  Maybe 'Always the Bridesmaid', 'The Smart One and The Pretty One', 'Bright Lights, Big Ass', or 'Such a Pretty Fat'.  Just one book and I will be satisfied.  I need to get back in the habit of reading instead of just watching TV. 

5. Organize our office. 

-- The space is in need of some major overhaul.  I need to tackle the closets, bookshelves and desk drawers. 

6. Get ready for Recruitment with my advisee. 

-- I recently volunteered to be the recruitment advisor for my sorority-- Go Kappa!  Anyway, recruitment is in January and I want to be as organized as possible.  I want to get started right away with the planning.  

7. Sew some more cute stuff for *Smooches*. 

-- I have some great stuff that I need to finish up and get posted.  I have a few projects that I want to work on.  Tutus, taggies and blankets -- you know you want this stuff for your little ones! 

8. Set up my Flickr account. 

9. Plant tulips in the back yard. 

10. Plant mums at my parents house 

11. Monogram my galvanized buckets before fall really gets here so I can show off my pretty mums!

12. Take Maggie for a walk once a week.  

-- I know that sounds terrible, but the pooch is awfully lazy.  I think if I can get her out once a week for about 45 minutes, she would be a little more behaved.  

I will update ya'll at the end of the month to let you know how I do!