2014 {tentative} Goals

Happy 2014 to everyone! I am very excited about what this year will bring!

While I really enjoyed doing monthly goals on my blog last year, I decided to not continue them this year. It was a tough choice but ultimately I just wanted to do something different. There are a couple things that I would love to complete this year and I think I will still share them with you, it just won't be every single month per say.  Right now, here are a few things I would like to accomplish in the near future:

1. Start up my couponing again. I did this religiously last year up until I went to Florida for the summer. When I got back, school just took up way too much time for me to be able to. So far, I have reorganized my binder and next week I will begin searching for deals. I don't think I will do a lot of 'extreme' couponing but more of just saving on items I will buy anyway (with a bit of extreme thrown in every once in a while). {Oh, I should mention that grocery shopping is my household chore...It's relaxing to me!}

2. Create a budget and stick with it. Believe it or not, I haven't really made a budget for myself. I do keep a list of everything I need to pay (cell phone, gas, etc), but I never really budget on my extra expenses/ fun money (clothes, makeup, books). Therefor, I plan to use the envelope system. I am actually really excited about this!

3. Track my foods in Myfitness Pal. I'm not making a goal to lose weight (although I want to!) because I know that I need to start small and gradually work my way there. My first step is to track all my eating habits into the app My Fitness Pal. This means that the good, the bad and the ugly will get tracked. I've done this before and it's a really eye-opening process to see exactly how many calories you are actually eating. Now, I just want to (again) stick with it!


Bring it on 2014!

November Update and December Goals!

Before I begin the goals, I need to mention one thing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Thank you for loving my unconditionally. I know it's cliche, but words cannot express how thankful I am to have you in my life. You make this world a better place and I am a better person because of you

"I'm everything I am because you loved me."

I love you.

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 January's Goals

February's Goals

March's Goals

April's Goals

May's Goals

June's Goals

July's Goals

August's Goals

September Goals

October Goals

I'm back for another update on my monthly goals!

Here's a recap of November Goals:

1. Enjoy my birthday!

Check! It was fabulous!

2. Focus on School

I'm in the home stretch and I cannot wait to be done. 5 classes plus labs and observations (and work!) has literally killed me. I can't wait to sleep!

3. Save up a bit for Black Friday

This year was awesome! I finally felt like an adult when I had to buy new sheets for myself! 

4. Start the Transfer Process for University

dragging my feet in the sand.

*said in a winy kid's voice*

but I dooonnnn'ttt wannnnnt toooooo!

(I do, but it's a long and confusing process)

getting there, though. 

5. Work on Christmas Presents

So far I've crossed three people off my list!

My 2013 Bucket List:

-Cut out processed foods-work in progress. Darn oreos! still darn oreos. 

-buy local produce/go to local farmer's market more-

-volunteer somewhere

-have my first giveaway on my blog-again, work in progress

-figure out my college plan

-save my money up for something big-Do sheets count?

-bake a blackberry cobbler from scratch

-eat better and be active

-make new friends 

-work on my scrapbook

-go on a road trip

-write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

-go camping

-read at least 8 books-  

-teach myself how to sew-yeah I don't see this happening. 

and now for....

December Goals:

1. Stop and enjoy the season.

The holiday season seems to go by in the blink of an eye (I'm a poet and didn't even know it!)

So amidst  the hustle and bustle, I want to stop and smell the balsam. I want to go christmas light looking, drink too much hot chocolate and listen to Bing Crosby.

2.Try to be present more

This kinda goes hand in hand with the first one, but I find myself on the computer too much and kinda half-living in the past and the future. I want to be present!

3. Finish up the current book I'm reading.

I wish I had more time to devote to reading, but as soon as the semester is over, I will!

That's it for now, I can't really think of anything else to add right now. 

I'll check back in at the end of December and tell ya how I did!

September Update + October Goals

 January's Goals

February's Goals

March's Goals

April's Goals

May's Goals

June's Goals

July's Goals

August's Goals

I'm back for another update on my monthly goals!

September Goals:

1. Keep up with Algebra

I am terrible at math. There's no other way around it. I'm working hard, doing all my homework and quizzes. I got a 66 on my first test, so that kinda stinks. I will definitely be going in for tutoring. 

2. Work on my Migraine Experiment

I can report that it's inconclusive. I don't think they correlate, at least not for me. I exercised and still got headaches. So who knows.

3. Use my planner!!!

I can't live without my planner! With 5 classes but work to keep up with, I have a lot to remember. I love being able to know exactly what I need to complete and when. Like I said, can't survive without it. 

4. Catch up with my Online Shop 

I added lots of new items (lots of jewelry), so that's exciting! I can't wait for fall yard sales to get some great deals!

5. Read More, Watch less TV

Check! I've read two books this month: Lunch in Paris and Sarah's Key.

Lunch in Paris was ok, and I liked Sarah's Key (although I thought it was dumb how they compared a woman's pregnancy drama to the Holocaust. I would've loved it if that aspect of the story was gone and it just focused on the war.) I haven't seen the movie yet, and I'm not sure if I want to :)

this pic sums it up well

My 2013 Bucket List:

-Cut out processed foods-work in progress. Darn oreos!

-buy local produce/go to local farmer's market more-

-volunteer somewhere

-have my first giveaway on my blog-again, work in progress

-figure out my college plan

-save my money up for something big-I doubt if this is going to happen... ha!

-bake a blackberry cobbler from scratch

-eat better and be active- tracking my calories and also started the Couch to 5k program.

-make new friends -work and school! Yay!

-work on my scrapbook

-go on a road trip

-write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

-go camping

-read at least 8 books-  

-teach myself how to sew

and now for....

October Goals:

1. Yard Sales!!!

There's nothing better than a good yard sale! Fall is the perfect time of year for them. There's something about waking up early in the crisp fall air with a cup of coffee, whilst driving around town searching for deals that just makes me so happy. 

2. Stop Procrastinating 

I don't know if I can actually do this, but we will see. 

3. Switch my closet from summer to fall!

bring on the sweaters, boots and coats!

4. Continue on the Couch to 5k

The Color Run is on the 26, and I need to be prepared!

I'll check back in at the end of October and tell ya how I did!

August Update + September Goals

 January's Goals

February's Goals

March's Goals

April's Goals

May's Goals

June's Goals

July's Goals

I'm back for another update on my monthly goals!

August Goals:

1. Be Kind. 

I kinda forgot about this one. Not that I haven't been kind to anyone, but I just forgot to put more effort into being kind to people who really need it. I think that instead of getting hurt, angry or upset, I need to stop and just be kind. So... kinda. Work in progress, how about that?

2. Use up products before opening new ones.

You should have seen my trash can before I left the mountains. 

I literally used up 3 hairsprays, 4 body washes, two mascaras, and several other miscellaneous products. Check!

3. Live in the Moment.

I'm trying. I am starting stop and relish in the now. Life goes by so fast and I hate to think that I'm wasting it. I've also started a weekly wrap up to help me remember the small things. 

4. Read "The Fault In Our Stars", "Beautiful Ruins", "The 

Spectacular Now" or "Gone Girl" 

I read "The Fault in Our Stars" and "Gone Girl." 

I made the mistake of reading The Fault during an emotional transition. Warning:

 DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IF YOU ARE EMOTIONALLY UNSTABLE.

I was bawling, but it was so good, probably one of the best I've ever read. It is very heartbreaking and I was a wreck for a good three days after I finished it. I read it in a 48 hour period It was so good I couldn't put it down (I read it entirely in about 2 days)  but once I got to the end, I knew what was coming so I didn't want to read as fast (as if I took my time, "it" wouldn't happen). Does that makes sense? I don't know... but take my advice. Read it, but make sure you have a box of tissues.

As far as Gone Girl, like I said, it was great! I read it right after 'Fault' and it kinda helped me get over all my emotions! hehe :) It was awesome too, and I once again, couldn't put it down. 

I can't wait for the movie, too!

My 2013 Bucket List:

-Cut out processed foods-work in progress. So far Costco is winning for food with less than five ingredients!

-buy local produce/go to local farmer's market more-

-volunteer somewhere

-have my first giveaway on my blog-again, work in progress

-figure out my college plan

-save my money up for something big-My very own car!!! just starting though :(

-bake a blackberry cobbler from scratch

-eat better and be active-starting to track my calories and also starting to work out 4x a week

-make new friends

-work on my scrapbook

-go on a road trip

-write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

-go camping

-read at least 8 books- 6 down, 2 to go :)

-teach myself how to sew

and now for....

September Goals:

1. Keep up with Algebra

I am terrible at math, no surprise there but this semester I am taking algebra (required to graduate). There's a lot of homework so I know it can be easy to get behind. I want to make sure I keep up with everything and go to the math lab, call my grandpa, get help etc when I need it. 

2. Work on my Migraine Experiment

I want to keep up with my exercise and healthy eating and develop a routine to my new schedule. I also want to get some help from my sister-in-law who's a personal trainer.

3. Use my planner!!!

I can't be the only person who buys a new planner with good intentions to regularly use it. 

Sometimes I just get so behind, I just give up on it all together. But I am taking more classes this semester so I know I need to use it to remember everything I need to do.

4. Catch up with my Online Shop 

My poor shop needs some serious attention. I haven't been able to list more items, so it's looking pretty bare. I really really need to play catch up with it!

5. Read More, Watch less TV

I feel like I always end these post with a book I want to read. Oh well, I guess I really need the encouragement. It's so much easier to just flip the TV on and mindlessly spend all my free time. I genuinely enjoy reading more than TV, so I need to set my priorities straight.  

There you have it! I'll check back in at the end of the month!

July Update and August Goals

 January's Goals

February's Goals

March's Goals

April's Goals

May's Goals
June's Goals

I'm back for another update on my monthly goals!

July's Goals:

1. Do my daily devotional

Check! My favorite one being this:

In the scripture, it says that God didn’t lead the Israelites by the shortest route to the Promised Land; He took them the long way on purpose because they were not prepared for war. God knew that if He would have taken them into the land too quickly, they would have been easily defeated. Their enemies were much bigger and much more experienced. I’m sure they prayed many times, “God, we’re uncomfortable out here in the desert. We’re hot. We’re tired. Where’s our Promised Land?” But God didn’t answer that prayer, not because He was trying to make their lives miserable, but because He knew what was up in front of them. He had to prepare them to step into the fullness of their destiny. In the same way, God has already laid out the plan for your life. He knows exactly what you need and when you need it. If you are in a difficult situation that’s taking longer than you had hoped, know that God is preparing you. He is strengthening you. Stay in faith and keep praising Him as you move forward into the Promised Land He has for you!

  

2. Continue doing something active for at least an hour once everyday.

Check! I'm not sure about at least an hour, but there is lots of hard work that's been done at my grandparents!

Especially this:

cutting down trees is hard work!

3. Stress less

I don't know if I'll ever be able to fully do this, but being up here with my grandparents is a nice break from reality. I love it. 

4. Read more (and pick better books!)

I always think that I should be reading more because there are so many books I want to read, but I've finished one book "Always Something There to Remind Me" that I randomly found and decided to read. I really enjoyed it!

Oh, If you're wondering, I gave up on "Love Walked In." It stunk.

2013 Bucket List:

-Cut out processed foods

-buy local produce/go to local farmer's market more-a perk of living near farmers!

-volunteer somewhere

-have my first giveaway on my blog

-figure out my college plan

-save my money up for something big

-bake a blackberry cobbler from scratch-So picking my own blackberries didn't turn out so great, so I'm making it with frozen instead. Bummer. 

-eat better and be active-

-make new friends

-work on my scrapbook

-go on a road trip-Sarasota, Daytona, Rainbow River, Florida to Georgia!
-write a letter to myself to open in 10 years
-go camping
-read at least 8 books- 4 down, 4 to go :)
-teach myself how to sew

and now for....

August Goals:

1. Be Kind. 

I often find myself getting too absorbed in the moment, and forget to be kind. Does this happen to anyone else? I just snap with my pre-programmed answers and forget to truly listen. I want to change that!

2. Use up products before opening new ones.

I may be the only one that does this but I have like a million different hair sprays, 40 billion different soaps and I feel like I am wasting so much stuff! I want to use what I have first, then try others. 

3. Live in the Moment.

Life is too short not to, right? I

4. Read "The Fault In Our Stars", "Beautiful Ruins", "The Spectacular Now" or "Gone Girl" 

I can't make up my mind! 

There you have it! I'll check back in at the end of the month!