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! 

My Kitchen...

My kitchen is a hot mess right now. I decided to stop being upset and just be glad that we (hopefully) have a really good insurance company who is going to get this shit fixed quickly and (again, hopefully) cheaply for me and my boo thang.

It is gross and disgusting, but could have been worse. The dehumidifiers and fans are all out of our house (we also had them in 2 other rooms), so now we are waiting to get estimates for repairs. I am glad that the crew who did the clean up were so flexible and open to dogs. Ginger and Tigger decided they needed to make friends and supervise this entire process. The guys on the crew were all really nice and didn't get mad that Ginger tried to rape their faces with her tongue and that Tigger likes to stand and watch right next to your face.

 It took about twice as long to dry everything out as it should have because moisture kept coming UP from under the subflooring. So, they removed the subflooring and found that we have a crack in our foundation. Oh, and at one point had really sweet white and black checkered floors.

 

 

 

Life Happens

 

After my last post, I realized that while I did need my cry fest, life happens. Shit happens in real life and I don't hide it. I get happy, sad, angry and I am not going to hide it as this is all about my everyday life. And my everyday life right now is hectic, but I am choosing to see the positive in all of this big pile of doo doo. Here are some of the highlights of the past few days.

To make myself feel good, I always put on makeup and take a little time with my hair. I mean, one I meet with people all day (kids are people too) and two I like to feel good. And hearing, "Ms. Tracie your eyes are sparkly! They pretty!" does make me feel good. And when the guy at the McDonald's drive thru, whom I see once a week for my egg white d-light, tells me "you lookin good today!" it boosts my spirits. I'm pretty easy to please just feed me and tell me I'm pretty.  

 

 

My uncle scored some of the coveted chocolate ale. YUM! He also had us over for a delish dinner that he cooked and sent us home with a bottle of our own. If you have never had Boulevard Beer you NEED to try it. It is brewed here in Kansas City and is the shiz!

 

My boo thang sent me the most gorgeous flowers to work. He said he sent them to work to make all the other beavers jealous... He sure knows the way to a girls heart.

 

 

Anyone see something wrong with this picture? Just look until you figure it out, then leave a comment letting me know. Cuz this shit wasn't too funny.

 

And then Gabriel does this, while I am fixing the sink. He is such a douchnozzle sometimes. And yes, the date is correct--- It was Valentine's Day and I changed to fix the sink. The moment of glory in this moment is that I FIXED THE SINK and IT WASN'T MY HAIR CLOGGING IT! I get shit all the time about my hair being all over the bathroom and how it logs drains, but it wasn't me! In yo face!

 

 

 

I had a great hair day on Sunday and was feelin pretty fancy so I put on blinging earrings. My mom and I went and rented some vintage party decorations from a local company. This wedding shiz is coming together!

 

Monday, was a holiday so there was no work! I went to the specialist my doc referred me to and they think I have a torn meniscus, so I go for my MRI on Wed morning. Hopefully, it is a strain and nothing more severe. The positive in this was the awesome paper pants I got to wear. I mean nothing is sweeter than paper pants that give you a moose knuckle.

 

DOES ANYONE KNOW GOOD WORKOUTS THAT I CAN DO WITH THIS INJURY? That is an all important one. If you do have any knowledge of ways I can stay active without putting  pressure on my knee, I would love to know. I can't do squats, ride the elliptical, or stretch... So, what does one do?

 

We are still working on figuring out the kitchen. Currently, we are living with a black hole in our wall as they dry it out. We also have a hole in the floor as they dry it out. I will post some pictures asap :)

Just a Little of My Cray Cray

Confession time. I am a closet crier. I like to talk through problems and work them out, but every few weeks/months I need a good cry. This happened Tuesday night when I got home. Things have been a little all over the place for me--- we are 5 months away from our own wedding and finalizing things for that, I am in a May 2nd wedding and helping plan her bridal shower, my knee is busted (thanks, Tigger) and whatever can go wrong is going wrong with our house. I generally take most things in stride and keep my crazy contained, but sometimes I just need a good cry.

I have to go get an MRI on my knee, but to do that I have to go throught the process of getting a referral. Which is stupid. Even my doctor said so Tuesday, as she sent me to get x-rays that in her words won't show anything wrong. Well, why in the world am I paying a co-pay and my 20% of the x-rays if you know they aren't helpful?! Because it is the process. Fine. Just let me wear my old man knee brace and be cool for a few more days.

And our house that we just bought feels like a money pit. I understand we didn't buy a new home, but I didn't realize the heater would go out and a few weeks later the windows in THREE ROOMS would leak the first big snow. Now, we have to do some wall exploration to make sure the insulation and dry-wall isn't going to mold and rot. Do they not understand I need to buy cupcakes and booze for my wedding?! I need my money for that, not a stupid deductible!

So, when I walk in and see all the big tornado fans in the house after spending the afternoon at the doctor in a gown that doesn't tie closed and having a lot of other BS going on, I just started bawling like a baby. Gabriel handled it really well and offered me an ice pack for my gimpy knee and got out my pajamas for me to put on. Such a good guy. After, I was totally fine and went to bed. But, sometimes I just need a good cry. I admit it. I feel like I shouldn’t, but it’s the ugly truth. And I am totally an ugly crier.

I’ll keep you updated on what’s going on with the house and my knee. I gotta be able to wear some hells for my wedding! Oh, and we gotta make sure the house doesn’t fall down on us in our sleep.

 

                                                       



2013 Year In Review

2013 has been a good year for me. I think that life has it's ups and downs and the year 2013 was no different. I do believe that getting through tough times make you stronger and more determined.

• March 2013- I went to Mexico with my handsome man and his family. It was my first time going to another country for more than a day trip (I went on a cruise in 2011). We stayed at a beautiful all inclusive in Cancun.

• April 2013- My boo thang popped the question! The Mr. and I got engaged and he found the perfect ring! He actually proposed twice. The first time was on a Friday afternoon. He came home from happy hour with some of his co-workers and started the convo with, "We need to talk."  I thought my ass was about to be looking for a new place to live. The convo ended with, "I think we should get married." My oh so romantic response, "We'll talk about it in the morning." Obviously, the conversation went well :) The second time was the official proposal :) My man went above and beyond to find a ring I would love that could be sized down enough to fit (you can't tell but my ring finger is a 3-3.5). On a Tuesday afternoon, I get a text asking if I want him to bring me lunch. My response is a resounding yes! When he shows up at my office I noticed he had no food bags... So, my hangry butt is giving him the stank eye. He comes up to the front door of the building and drops to one knee! I got a legit proposal :) The joke was on us though, the ring that was special ordered in my size was still too big and slid off my hand! I wore a sizer for the first week or so until we could get to the jeweler and have it sized. 

                                

• June 2013- Relay for Life of Shawnee went down! The past two years I was the Public Relations chair for the Relay for Life of Shawnee. I whored myself out to all the media outlets to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I had a lot of fun both years! I won't be participating in 2014's Relay because I am the Maid of Honor in a May wedding and have my wedding in July, so I won't be able to give it my all. 

• July 19th 2013- we bought a house! July was filled with looking at houses, putting in a bid, and paperwork! Then, we packed up our rental house and moved it into OUR HOME! We spent July unpacking and setting up our house. We deliberately bought a house that we could make our own, so we knew our future was going to be filled with DIY projects. We painted every single room and cleaned from top to bottom. We had our yard completely cleared out, as it was totally overgrown. I have to give massive props to my friends for helping me to clean AND paint in exchange for booze. 
  
• August through October 2013- My man and Big T created the workout room. When we bought the house we knew we needed a place to put the weight benches, elliptical, kettlebells, and have space to workout. There was an unfinished room at the back of the garage, so off to work the boys went. They turned a stinky spot filled with crap into room with real walls! This is now an insulated room with electricity, laminate flooring, a window and AC unit, and ceiling fan. 

• November 2013- My grandfather passed away. It was a really rough time between work and family needs. There was a lot of phone calls and visits to his house that occurred. My Aunt took care of so much, I have to admire her strength in caring for her father during his illness and then planning his services. 
• November 2013- My clinical training plan got approved! I am so excited to learn more about my profession and to become a better social worker. I feel like the more I know, the more change that I can be a part of. I got to date my hours back to October, which was amazeballs! I started my weekly meetings with my supervisor asap! My boo thangs birthday was at the end of the month, so we had a great night out with his parents to celebrate. 
• December 2013- It's hard for me not to love December. There is so much amazing stuff that happens in December. There is my birthday, my Grandma's birthday, my Mom's birthday, Christmas, fun timewith family aaaannnddd I get an extra long holiday break, Christmas lights, and to wear scarves & boots. December is sorta the best month ever. December gives me back my energy to keep going. Oh, and the boys also updated our living room this December!

I know that 2014 is going to be a great year too :) We have our wedding planned for July and I know that even more amazing things are going to happen!

What are some of your best memories of 2013? Is there anything planned for 2014 that you can't wait for?

Friday Fuzzies

I needed something happy to talk about since this has been an up and down shit week. So, I decided to talk about the things that are making me happy lately. Life has a lot fo twists and turns and sometimes I get a little motion sick from. Life, this is why I don't ride roller coasters you crazy bitch! But on to the greatness :)

• We are working on our living room this weekend. On Thursday night, I white washed the brick around our fire place and I am going to paint the fireplace doors black this weekend. Then, the Mr. and Big T are going to put in cabinets and bookshelves. The pinsperation for this project:

 

• My clinical training plan got approved, which I am super, massively excited about. As a social worker, this is the next level of licensure that I can get. For the next few years I will learning to be a better social worker! Woot!
  
  

 

• We are celebrating my fabulous boo thangs birthday tonight with his parents. Every year we go to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and have a delicious meal. This year is no different. I am going to get off work, stop to buy his present (it was too big to hide), and go tart myself up for a fun night out!

 

Is it Costume Time?

I have a mad love for Halloween. I waited until the middle of September before decorating, which for me was a major accomplishment.  If I coulda I woulda decorated at the end of August. Here is a preview of some of the house decorations. If you didn't know, you know now--- I love glitter and sparkles. There are on my skulls, pumpkins, "dead" flowers, err where. I even put them bitches on the black roses.

If I was even craftier (i.e. totes had no life), I would make a bunch of the shizz I see on Pinterest , but I totes have a life. If you call drinking wine and watching reality tv a life. Either way, here are some of my fave ideas from good ol' Pinterest. If don't already, go follow me on Pinterest it is where you can find all of these cool pins. Oh, and I totally just buy candy to eat it myself. Screw those little kids, they'll get cavities anyways.