My 2010 goals

I'm so excited to share my 2010 goals with you.  I just finished the mini album last night (well, except for some journaling, but I'm not sharing that anyway.)

Give up soda:  This is one that I set out to do very often -- I think at least three times last year -- and I only last a few weeks at best.  This year I really want to focus on giving this up.  Like I said a few posts ago, I know it isn't heatlhy.  And wouldn't you know it, almost as soon as I put this goal on paper, tempation rears its ugly head in the form of Heritage Dr. Pepper (basically Dr. Pepper with sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup.  But, these goals weren't meant to be achieved in a day.  I just have to keep reminding myself of this one, especially on very stressful days when I really want soda.

Here's another one I talked about a few posts back.  I am very fortunate to have formed many wonderful friendships.  However, I'm human, and I have this tendency to focus on why other people don't seem to want to be my friend.  Silly, huh?  So this year, I want to focus on existing friendships, and work on making them even more wonderful than they already are.

And of course, you knew I couldn't keep this goal off my list.  :)

I decided that I will train for and run a 10k this year. 

This goal was on last year's list, but I wasn't really satisfied with my progress.  So it makes a return. 

I have a lot of great friends that live in places I've never been.  I want to visit at least one of these place in 2010.  Or just go somewhere new. 

I've been really good about this one lately.  However, my vacation has officially ended, and I am back at work.  This means regular blogging won't be as easy, so I'll have to work harder to achieve this goal.   Does anyone else worry that they'll run out of things to talk about.  I know I shouldn't (I had a similar concern when I started dating Mike...we haven't run out of topics yet).  :)

While we're on the topic of my husband, I want to do more little things for him.  Little things mean a lot to me, and I never want him to feel taken for granted. 

Oh yeah, this is the year I turn 30.  I don't dread this at all.  In fact, I'm looking forward to June when I get to celebrate!  So I'm going to make sure to do something fun this June in honor of 30 years of life!

Here's another goal I've gotten better at while on vacaiton.  I am really bad about not cleaning up little messes...leaving dishes for the next day, not cleaning up my scrap space, not putting away laundry after I've folded it...  Again, easy enough when I'm not tired from a day of work.  Another goal I have to be very conscious of.

This one is a little misleading.  I don't necessarily watch a lot of TV, but I have a very bad habit of keeping the TV on for background noise.  This year, I want to get rid of all the clutter in my head that only makes me unfocused.  This seems to be a good start.  Plus, I had so much fun making this old-school TV.  :)

I should mention that these goals are not in any particular order.   Because this one does not deserve to be placed so low on my list.  This is a goal I want to always strive to work harder at.  Because I know I don't make enough time for God.  I need to get in the habit of praying and reading my Bible more.  Sunday mornings are not enough.

And, even if I don't meet any of this year's goals, I at least need to keep this in mind: 

Added bonus?  My mini stands up on its own!!! 

And I forgot to mention the best part -- each page is an envelope that I can store hidden journaling in.

I really like the hidden journaling part of this.  I still need to finish this part, but what I have done so far has been kind of theraputic and has helped me to focus on why I want to do these things.  I'm definitely going to make this part of my future goal minis.  So if anyone sees any cute envelopes out there in internetland, link me up, because I'd love to start thinking about next year's design.

Thanks so much for bearing with me through a super-long post!  You're super for reading this far!  :) 

Adventures in Christmas -- Happy Birthday Dad!

Every year, we stay at my parents' house until December 28.  This is my Dad's birthday.  He had to work that day, so we decided to pick up some food from Dairy Queen and celebrate with him on his lunch brek. 

(Yes, Julie, that's my "little" brother in the blue shirt.)  :)

I think my parents are pretty cute. :)

I should also mention that this was Mike's first time at our Dairy Queen.  I say "our" Dairy Queen because it has a reputation for having the best hot dogs.  Seriously, it has its own Facebook fan page.  I wouldn't know...I'm not a fan of hot dogs, but everyone seems to like them. 

Adventures in Christmas -- Dinner with the Bess Cousins

Mike, his brother Matt, and his cousins JC and Joanna grew up together -- they're very close in age, and occasionally refer to themselves as "the fab four". Since JC lives out of state, they make a point to get together for dinner every year around this time while he's in town. Every year we choose Applebee's, mainly because one of the uncles gives all of us gift cards to Applebee's. I feel honored to be included in the fab four (along with Joanna's boyfriend, Matt).



Mike, Matt (Mike's brother), and JC



Ya'll know us! :)



Joanna and Matt (her boyfriend)

A look back on 2009

I hear many people (particulary on the news) saying that 2009 is a year we all would like to forget.  I disagree. For me, it was a pretty cool year!  Here are the happening in no particular order (well, they started in a particular order, but the photo arrangment got all wonky). 

Mike started his grad school classes.

Lola continued her reign of awesomeness.

I ran my first (and second) 5k race.

Oh, and Mike threw inhibition to the wind and dressed up like Raggedy Andy for the Raggedy Ann 5k.

I went to my first horse race (really, how long have I lived in Kentucky?!)  :)

We bought a house. 

Mike built a firepit and it was awesome.

I found out our house came with four hydrangea bushes, which made me a very happy girl!

I got to hang out with some fabulous ladies at SISiversary. 

(photo from stacy sample)

(photo from becca sutton)

Cynthiana held its first Art Walk.

I wore a dress made of post-it notes.

I began my 7th year of teaching, Mike began his 8th.

I went to a grown-up tea party and wore a fun hat.

Mike put a bike trail in the backyard.

We became regular coffee drinkers.

Mike turned 30.

Mike and I became iPhone people.

Mike participated in the Bourbon Chase, a 200-mile relay.  I, meanwhile, bonded with some fabulously-super ladies while following the team.

My picture was published in a magazine not once, but twice (the first was an issue of the Berea Alumnus, the second was BGE's Kentucky Living). 

I got to meet up with some wonderful friends who moved away.

Two words: Robo Pumpkin.  Okay, maybe one word if you hyphenate. 

I was asked to be part of a most amazing scrapbook challenge design team!  I so love these ladies! 

I became rather decent at crochet, if I do say so myself.

I can't wait to see what 2010 brings!  Have a safe and happy New Year everyone!