End of Year Goals

To be totally transparent, I did back to work goals and didn't follow through with any of them. Lie. I saved money. More than my goal in fact. I meal prepped, then didn't take half my food. I use going to get lunch as a way to get away from work for a break, as I eat while I work. It's a horrible habit, but I don't go to the teachers lounge, so I eat at my desk while working.

I know that I do better when I set goals. I know that I am more accountable when I post the goals. Therefore, I'm going to get past my recent ugh moment and set goals for now trough the end of the year.

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Blog at least 2 times per week. I enjoy sharing rando stuff and creeping around the blog world. It's my me time during the day and I want to get back at it and continue to build the relationships I enjoy so much!

Workout at least 3 times per week. This has fallen by the wayside, again it's the me time that I haven't been doing and I feel better when I set aside time for me.

Go on at least 2 intentional dates with my boo. I'm not talking about cheapo Friday night (mexican and home by 5:30), but rather the two of us looking nice and going somewhere to spend quality us time.

Continue to pay down my debt, even with the holiday season and both my birthday and Gabriel's. I have my savings account padded and have paid off a credit card, but Sally Mae still owns my ass. Paying off debt has been #1 since I graduated grad school, but after buying the house 2 years ago, it has slowed down and I want it to be my priority again.

Take lunch 4 days per week. I've said this one before and I do well for a few then go back to using lunch as an excuse to leave work. I get a 25 minute lunch which makes it the perfect amount of time to get fast food and a large diet soda then sit at my desk and eat. Which is gross and fattening and I make better food... well except maybe some salads!

Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to catch up with everyone again! 

Back to Work Goals

I've noticed that as I've shared my goals with you all, I've done better with them. There have been some that I haven't met, but overall I feel like I put more effort into achieving them when I share them. I want to create some goals for August and September, so that I am starting my work year off right.

Without further ado, here are my August and September goals:

1. Drink 1 gallon of water per day- I frequently forget to refill my cup at work need to focus on this! 
2. Attend 3 exercise classes per week and cardio 2 times per week- I've had a goal previously of adding another workout class, but with all the night classes I teach and evening back to school events, I just want to maintain consistency. 
3. Save $200- This is pretty self-explanatory. I want to continue to pad my savings account. 
4. Meal prep on Sundays and take lunch every day- I generally give myself a "pass" one day a week, but I want to get out of that habit since it's money I could save and I make healthier lunches than I buy. 

What are some of your goals lately?

May Goals Recap

Since May is now officially over, I thought I'd let you all in on how I did with my goals.... At first glance, I thought I did pretty shitty. Then, I realized I didn't do too terrible! Woot, woot! 

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So, did I make May count?

Take another class at the gym weekly- I have been taking yoga 2x and Pilates 1x per week, so I would like to go outside my comfort zone and add the Monday night Barbell Strength class to this as well. If I understand correctly, it is extremely similar to Body Pump. F- I didn't do this. At all. I added nothing new in weekly and was a little ambitious in thinking I could for the last few weeks of work. 

Drink more water- I have been slacking on this one lately, so I want to make it a priority again. I will just not drink anything all day, then go home and drink a little bit of water. Not cutting it, Tracie. B+ I did really well with this because I bought a new $5 reusable cup. I'll be honest, bribing myself works. 

Clean out guest room- I took out my warm weather shoes from storage and just plopped them into the guest room. I need to switch out the shoes, clean out the closet (nope, still haven't done it), and take the donate pile of stuff to the thrift store. I have to wonder why I always have something guest room related on my goals... B+ I did all but clean out the closet. Fuck that closet. I am so over it. And by that, I mean you will see that on my July to do list as well. 

Set aside $100- We leave for Mexico June 14th and will be gone 9 days, then July 19th is my 1 year anniversary, and I also have to renew my social work license in June/July. so I have been planning for all that. I want to make sure I have enough cash on hand to shop, leave tips, and go on outings in Mexico. I get paid on the 20th of each month, so technically I will get paid while we are there, but I still want to make sure I have more than enough prior to leaving. I have been setting money aside for  these big events the past few months... which has greatly affected by shopping habits. A+ I actually set aside $250 from this months check. Once I realized I didn't need gas money, grocery money, etc. for that week it made it a lot easier. Especially since I realized that I needed to also add in the kennel costs for the boxers. 

I think that I did pretty good overall for the month of May. Was I awesome? Nope, but I can handle that. I didn't slack on what I had going on workout wise, even though I didn't add anything. The first week of summer (the week of Memorial Day) and I did slack off on eating healthy but I'm not beating myself up about that. 

Did you make May count? Share something awesome you accomplished!

May Goals

I want to make sure that I continue to make every moment of my days count, so I am writing up some May goals for myself. 

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Take another class at the gym weekly- I have been taking yoga 2x and Pilates 1x per week, so I would like to go outside my comfort zone and add the Monday night Barbell Strength class to this as well. If I understand correctly, it is extremely similar to Body Pump. 

Drink more water- I have been slacking on this one lately, so I want to make it a priority again. I will just not drink anything all day, then go home and drink a little bit of water. Not cutting it, Tracie. 

Clean out guest room- I took out my warm weather shoes from storage and just plopped them into the guest room. I need to switch out the shoes, clean out the closet (nope, still haven't done it), and take the donate pile of stuff to the thrift store. I have to wonder why I always have something guest room related on my goals... 

Set aside $100- We leave for Mexico June 14th and will be gone 9 days, then July 19th is my 1 year anniversary, and I also have to renew my social work license in June/July. so I have been planning for all that. I want to make sure I have enough cash on hand to shop, leave tips, and go on outings in Mexico. I get paid on the 20th of each month, so technically I will get paid while we are there, but I still want to make sure I have more than enough prior to leaving. I have been setting money aside for  these big events the past few months... which has greatly affected by shopping habits. 

My overall goal this month is to not get too crazy with money/shopping and my time, there seems to be parties galore- wedding showers, retirement parties, baby showers, end of year happy hours... You name it, I've got it this month so I want to make sure that I am still conscious and aware of how I am spending my time AND my money. 

What are some of your goals?

March Goal Recap

March came and went lightening fast. I liked putting together goals for the  month, it held me more accountable. I also managed to watch a lot of TV, hang out with my boo thang A LOT, and visit a new zoo.

Paint "C" and "&" for bedroom gallery wall. I found an easy tutorial that I think I may actually be able to pull off for antiqued letters. Her monogram looks sooo cool, but let's be honest G C T doesn't look that great in the same pattern as hers. Grade: A+; I got them painted with a quickness! They look so good and it was a super easy project. 

Complete gallery wall in the bedroom. I have little odds and ends to do a small gallery wall, but haven't taken the time to put it together. Grade: A; I ended up not liking all the items together, but did put up 3 items that I did like. I call that a good start! 

Replace pictures in window and get window hung (hubs has to to do this part). We saved the window from our wedding that had childhood pictures in it. I want to replace the pictures with wedding photos and hang it in our breezeway, which so far has no decor. Grade A+; this got completed and looks so awesome in that room! 

Clean out guest room closet. I need to sort and organize my craft supplies, so that I can bring some to work and move what I keep into cute baskets in our breezeway, where there is a ton of shelving/storage with nothing in it. Grade F; I didn't even start to get this one done. I did however clean out the medicine closet, hall closet, and switch out my clothing closets. Thus, creating a new to donate pile. But still, no guest room closet. 

Attend Tuesday night yoga class with work friend. Trying to be healthy and make friends, what more can I say? Grade D; We've gone once and it was to pilates. I swear to goodness, I learned to twerk when doing some of the moves on the ball. So this could actually be a D+ just for learning that skill.

How did you do on your goals?! Tell me!

March Goals

Since I have done reasonably well setting goal lists and accomplishing them (mostly), I decided to set one for March specifically since I have Spring Break during that time. Generally, I like to set 90 day goals (i.e. seasonal), but with having a week off, I now I can get a lot accomplished during that time.

• Paint "C" and "&" for bedroom gallery wall. I found an easy tutorial that I think I may actually be able to pull off for antiqued letters. Her monogram looks sooo cool, but let's be honest G C T doesn't look that great in the same pattern as hers. 
• Complete gallery wall in the bedroom. I have little odds and ends to do a small gallery wall, but haven't taken the time to put it together. 
• Replace pictures in window and get window hung (hubs has to to do this part). We saved the window from our wedding that had childhood pictures in it. I want to replace the pictures with wedding photos and hang it in our breezeway, which so far has no decor. 
• Clean out guest room closet. I need to sort and organize my craft supplies, so that I can bring some to work and move what I keep into cute baskets in our breezeway, where there is a ton of shelving/storage with nothing in it. 
• Attend Tuesday night yoga class with work friend. Trying to be healthy and make friends, what more can I say?

What are some of your goals?

Fall Goals Recap

bahaha so I was late to getting my Fall goals together and then I decided that I would go until the Winter Solstice so that I could give this my best effort. In case you weren't aware, the Winter Solstice was December 21st. Suck on that, it gave me an extra few weeks to meet my Fall goals! I also have to say thank you to Kathy, formerly of Vodka and Soda, for giving me some REALLY great organization advice! Thanks, boo! 

• Get Organized and Down Size: I have a lot of stuff. I like to keep things forever and I know that I don't need to. I put these two things together, because I feel like they go hand in hand. 
• Clean out Closets--- keep things I ACTUALLY wear and that fit. 
• Hall (winter boots and scarves) Got rid of a pair of boots and 6 scarves. 
• Guest Room (craft supplies, coats, and STUFF) Haven't even touched this closet besides coats/jackets, so I have plans to get it down over Christmas Break. The craft supplies are going to work with me. 
• Bedroom (clothes and shoes, including under bed storage containers) I filled the guest room bed with clothes to donate and decided to try and re-sell a few nicer pieces. 
• Clean Desk 
• Start filing system (we have all our paperwork shoved into a drawer) Half Way started- got the filing system put together and started moving things over 
• Clean Out Kitchen Cabinets

Overall Get Organized and Down Size Grade: B+ I got rid of a ton of stuff and am still in the process of finishing this goal, but it will be done by Jan 1. Also related, we cleaned out the garage and got rid of a TON of stuff there too AND I organized my office at work, getting rid of stuff to make room for my craft/art items to be moved there-- so I factored those into my grade as extra credit. 

• Sell Said Stuff (or donate): Not only do I need to decide to get rid of stuff, I need to actually do it. Why do I need to keep the shirt someone gave me for Christmas 2 years ago that I've never worn?  

Overall Sell Said Stuff (or donate) Grade: B+ In the middle of doing this. It will be done by December 31st for tax purposes :) 

• Stick to My Routine and WRITE It Down: I am thinking of starting a calendar in the kitchen that is there for both of us to see. Gabriel doesn't like surprises and I try to do a weekly run-down, but we both have a lot going on and can forget. We tried sharing iPhone calendars--- worst idea ever!  Didn't start a shared calendar-- am looking for a cute one on clearance now. 
• Workout- I love to walk when it is this time of the year, but I need to do more than that. Didn't really do much with this goal truthfully. I stuck to what I usually do, which is inconsistent. 
• Cleaning (including the dreaded laundry) because the house gets NASTY during the wet months with the dogs. We did a big deep clean, I have been keeping up with the laundry weekly, am doing kitchen clean up 3x/week. 
• Cooking- I would like to eat out one less meal. We have been eating out 1 weeknight, Friday night, Saturday morning and night. I meal plan, so that keeps us within a set budget and gives us a weekly menu. We started eating in on Sundays nights and weekend one breakfast about a year ago, so this has been a slow work in progress. This has been better. It wasn't perfect, but definitely better. The extra meal in per week fluctuated between being a Friday night or weeknight depending.  If a weeknight, it was usually a frozen pizza. But, that frozen pizza was planned and on the meal prep menu, which now hangs on the side of the fridge. 

Overall Stick to My Routine and WRITE It Down Grade: C- I didn't do so hot with changing my workout routine, didn't start a mutual calendar, but did do really well with keeping the house clean during this nasty weather and with meal prep. I have a goal of finding a cute chalkboard or something like that to use as a weekly calendar for us and have talked to G about putting it by the garage door where he can see it as he enters/leaves. This wouldn't be such a big thing, but I teach night classes throughout the semester, take classes sporadically, have parent/teacher nights intermittently at my schools, etc. and he frequently forgets when I verbally tell him on Sundays.... So a communication board is a must! 

I loved hearing how you all organized your life, so if you have any more tips SHARE! 

Fall Goals--- Any Advice?

I know what you are all thinking, girl Fall has been here and it's almost Winter and you're just now putting together goals?! Yep, I am just now getting my shit together to put my goals down on paper. I want to put them out there in the world to hold myself accountable. So, for me Fall started Nov 1 and will go until December 1. 

• Get Organized and Down Size: I have a lot of stuff. I like to keep things forever and I know that I don't need to. I put these two things together, because I feel like they go hand in hand. 
• Clean out Closets--- keep things I ACTUALLY wear and that fit. 
• Hall (winter boots and scarves)
• Guest Room (craft supplies, coats, and STUFF) 
• Bedroom (clothes and shoes, including under bed storage containers)
• Clean Desk 
• Start filing system (we have all our paperwork shoved into a drawer)
• Clean Out Kitchen Cabinets
• Sell Said Stuff (or donate): Not only do I need to decide to get rid of stuff, I need to actually do it. Why do I need to keep the shirt someone gave me for Christmas 2 years ago that I've never worn? 
• Stick to My Routine and WRITE It Down: I am thinking of starting a calendar in the kitchen that is there for both of us to see. Gabriel doesn't like surprises and I try to do a weekly run-down, but we both have a lot going on and can forget. We tried sharing iPhone calendars--- worst idea ever!  
• Workout- I love to walk when it is this time of the year, but I need to do more than that.
• Cleaning (including the dreaded laundry) because the house gets NASTY during the wet months with the dogs. 
• Cooking- I would like to eat out one less meal. We have been eating out 1 weeknight, Friday night, Saturday morning and night. I meal plan, so that keeps us within a set budget and gives us a weekly menu. We started eating in on Sundays nights and weekend one breakfast about a year ago, so this has been a slow work in progress. 

Does anyone have any tips? I am trying to de-stress and de-clutter my life so that I can focus more on being the best me all the time. I would love to hear how you've organized your life! 

Fleurty and Fit End of Summer Challenge

So, in an effort to give myself a swift kick in the ass, when Jasmine  said that she was going to be hosting an end of summer challenge, I thought to myself why not? Well, why not indeed. We each needed to set 5 goals for ourself and try to do our best. Did I do the best? Nope, but I am ok with that and I'll share why below. 

Goals:

-Drink only 1 weekend night (I love my glass of wine with dinner): I did well with this, but was not 100%. Instead of saying no at events like tailgating, weddings, bachelorette parties, etc. I just tried to be more conscious and aware of the liquid calories I was consuming.

-Eat breakfast everyday: 100% done. This was a struggle for me, but not a huge one. Breakfast is usually the first thing to get cut from my morning to do list when I am running late. Then I am hangry at 10am. So, I stocked up on meal bars, yogurts, and pre-cut  apple slices so that I could throw them into my purse and run out the door. I also had no shame in eating at "unofficial" meetings.

-Run 3 days/week, workout 5 total:  I averaged 2 workouts per week, which for me is womp, womp since I knew this was my biggest struggle. I taught a night class for 4/5 weeks, which I didn't plan around and I should have and was sick for a week with a nasty sinus/chest congestion. The part I am most excited about is that I signed up for a 5k with 2 of my best work friends and this year I am going to run it with them, versus last year when I walked. I also am running with one of them 1/week, which is a big one for me, since she runs ALL THE TIME and the thought was intimidating.

-Bring lunch to work everyday: Done. Did it. Big struggle. I hate eating left overs, thing from boxes and icky tupper ware... I did this 100% and hated every. single. second.

-Incorporate new veggies into my diet/meals Incorporate new food/recipes into my meals:  I had to re-work this goal, as I didn't take into account my food allergies. I am allergic to a shit ton of things in life, food items being A LOT of them.  I made my own spice rubs, tried BONE IN chicken (!!), roasted said bone in chicken in the crock pot, tried an over night fresh peach crockpot cobbler (skinnified), made my own marinade, cooked pork chops for the first time... the list is endless! This was my favorite goal, honestly.

I have to admit, for me the this challenge was really hard. I didn't realize how much of a "loner" I am when it comes to my fitness/food. Which is so weird, because I blog and am super social in real life. It was a struggle for me to answer emails and texts, not because I am not interested, because I am, but just because. I can't even say why, truthfully. It was just harder than I thought it would be to share my struggles with others and ask for things in return. It was also more comfortable for me to email/text people individually rather than a mass text. It helped me to start a really stressful school year feeling like I have control and making me more aware of what my daily habits are.

What were your end of summer goals? Did you meet them?