Monthly Life Goals August 2015

Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on July's goals and my progress.

• 30 Day Challenge: Read 100 pages a day -- Success! Although 100 pages was a pretty low goal. Maybe next time I'll challenge myself to 150 pages a day.
• Stick with my capsule wardrobe with update -- Success! I'm getting sick of a few things, but overall I'm doing well with this project.
• Watch and review at least 10 TED talks -- Fail. This just slipped right past me.
• Do a winery visit -- Success! My mother and I did a whole day in Sonoma complete with winery tour and tasting.
• Get a pedicure -- Fail. Really wanted to do this for myself but it just didn't happen.
• Go on a date night with J -- Fail.

This month's goals:

• 30 Day Challenge: 30 Days of New Movies -- I haven't done one of these for awhile. Traditionally I do new movie month in September, but this year I'm feeling the need for recharging in August.
• Watch and review 10 TED Talks -- Trying this again...
• Plan and start the special surprises for the October retreat -- I love to have things done early.
• Plan activities for Arthur's birthday party -- Again, I love to have things done early.
• Finish a Soduku puzzle -- A simple goal, but I haven't engaged in a puzzle in far too long. Want to get back into occassionally doing a puzzle of some kind.
• Buy a vase and fill with fresh flowers -- I love the look of flowers on the dining room table, but I just don't do it very often.

Currently #12

Watching: J and I are finally on the last season of Newsroom. We'll probably finish it this week.

Reading: This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Not expecting it to be as amazing as The Great Gatsby but hoping it's a good read.

Listening: Brandi Carlile's newest album The Firewatcher's Daughter has been on repeat. Love her voice!

Making: I'm right in the middle of the Find Your Voice 6 week course. Along with contemplating the weekly questions, I'm completing a traditional scrapbook page with thoughts, actions, and reflections. I'll be sharing the first half of my pages this week on the craft blog.

Feeling: The twins and my mom left on Sunday. It's been very quiet in the house the past few days.

Planning: I'm trying to wrap my brain around all the big projects I want to accomplish in the second half of 2015. I'm thinking a brain dump day may be in order to get all the random thoughts and ideas down on paper.

Loving: Arthur woke up vomiting on Sunday. It was not a good day. I think he was/has a sinus infection as most of the throw up was mucus. Monday he's doing a lot better, but we're not out of the woods yet. Overall, sick toddlers are miserable. Glad he's feeling better quickly.

OLW Catch-up

Let's take a look at what I did the past few months for my OLW. This year's focus is HOME. I got a bit behind and needed to catch-up and focus again.

My monthly intentions:

1. Twins' Room (May) -- I finished putting their room together before they arrived in early June. Done!

2. Twins' Scrapbooks (May) -- I started tackling their scrapbooks in late May and completely caught them up by the end of June. Such a huge task and it's now finished!

3. Summer Bucket List (May) -- Completed and things have been checked off already.

4. Library (June) -- My goal was to update my physical library both physically and digitally. I took a bag of books to HPB and started another one. I also made a spreadsheet of all my in progress and owned series complete with notations as to which volumes I need, which ones have been read, and other info. There's not a ton of picture proof, but I finished a few tasks from my list.

5. Catch Up PL Albums (June) -- I caught up all of our albums in June, but of course now we're not all done. That's okay, I've printed my pictures for June and am planning on finishing those pages next week.

6. Revisit Craft Area (July) -- This goal is next on my list for July. I especially need to organize the kids' crafts cabinet, paper cabinet, and random office supplies cabinet.

7. Closets (July) -- I tackled the black hole of a downstairs hall closet. I guess it's the coat closet, but considering we live in California, we don't use it for that. It's become a giant catch-all place that was out of control. I pulled everything out, filled an entire trash bag for garbage and one for Goodwill, and placed the things were were keeping back. And I even found space for my large Thirty-One box that holds all my party supplies. I call that a success!

Extras:

— I fed my creative side and joined a Design Team in July. Plus, I've been challenging myself with new card techniques, layouts, color combos, and designs. I've really gotten back into my card making this season. So excited!

My OLW Pages:

May - The prompt was "I Am." I chose to explain who I am in nine cards. Pretty simple prompt, but it was still fairly difficult. For the art element, I wanted to make my cards colorful. I inked up my brayer and covered the cards in a variety of ink colors. I added some washi tape as a little embellishment. I had fun making my "I am" cards. They helped to focus me for the coming months.

June - The prompt included a variety of questions. It was sort of a check-in with my word. It took me longer to fill out than I thought it would. The questions helped me recenter my intentions for the second half of the year. I definitely have things to work on...

July - The prompt was focused on music. I adore music and always find that songs speak to me. For this month, I combed through my iTunes library (and a bit of Spotify) to pinpoint nine songs that speak to my work of "Home." I added a small tag and some washi tape to compliment the song lyrics.  This prompt was the most fun one yet. Loved it!

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• My mom is coming in 2 days! I'm so excited! Can't wait, can't wait!
• Inclusive playgrounds are amazing. Why aren't all playgrounds inclusive?
• I have a hankering for watching some crazy big epic action film...
• Cool breezy but still sunny weather is great
• On a roll with my card making. Just lined up 8 more challenges for my design team. So excited!
• Really going to miss John Stewart on The Daily Show.
• Feeling energized from my recent encounters with friends.

Currently #11

Watching: After finishing all of Farscape, J and I are back to Star Trek. Currently we've been watching Voyager. I love Captain Janeway! Reading: Highlander Unbound by Julia London. Needed a bit of fluff after the wonderful, but consuming The Night Circus.

Listening: I recently picked up a few albums I've been eyeing for awhile. Currently enjoying Brandi Carlile's The Firewatcher's Daughter.

Making: Baby cards! We have four babies arriving in the next few months. Getting a jump on the planning and making some baby cards now.

Feeling: Excited because my mom is coming in 4 days! The twins are extra excited. Can't wait to do some fun stuff with all the boys and my mom next week.

Planning: Now that the twins' summer is almost over, I'm starting to shift gears and get into the nitty-gritty planning of the October retreat. Need to book the house next week and meet with my co-planner to start on the details.

Loving: We had a lovely park playdate at the (relatively) new inclusive playground in Palo Alto. We loved that space! Great variety of structures and activities. As an added bonus, there was a jazz trio playing today for another child's birthday. We had a nice musical accompaniment to our playdate.

Monthly Life Goals July 2015

Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on June's goals and my progress.

• 30 Day Challenge: 30 Miles in 30 Days — Success! I've been trying to be more mindful of walking more and getting my steps in.
• Stick with my capsule wardrobe with update —Success! I'm doing really well. It's starting to help me define what I really want to wear on a daily basis.
• Start my Beatles song library goal — Fail. Completely forgot about this goal. Annoying...
• Visit San Francisco with all three boys — Fail. Between camp and swim class, we just didn't have many open days in June to head into the city.
• Start my TED talks goal — Fail. Never started this month.
• Institute reading hour — Success! 90% of the days we have reading hour. It works well to give me some quiet time and the twins time away from their devices.
• Do a twins and mom date — Fail. Schedules just didn't line up for this one.

This month's goals:

• 30 Day Challenge: Read 100 pages a day -- Instead of a time, I'm aiming for 100 pages from my current book a day.
• Stick with my capsule wardrobe with update -- Doing well so far, but need constant reminders to stick with it.
• Watch and review at least 10 TED talks -- Somehow I want to carve out some time to start going on this goal.
• Do a winery visit -- I'm planning on going with my mom when she's here. Excited to spend a day with my mom at some adult's only places.
• Get a pedicure -- Feeling the need for some me time this month.
• Go on a date night with J -- Going to take advantage of my mom being here for a week and spend a night out with my special one.

Currently #10

Watching: Waiting to leave for twins' swim club, currently watching Arthur play with his many trucks and cars. He loves his vehicles!

Reading: Just started Barbara Ehrenreich's Bait and Switch last night. Sort of a sequel to Nickel and Dimed.

Listening: Alex is sitting at the breakfast bar narrating the game he is playing. I don't understand a word he is saying.

Making: I just got accepted to a card design team and signed up for my July projects this week. Getting them started today. Always like to be ahead of the schedule.

Feeling: Even though I'm not, I feel like I'm behind on every project and task. Such a weird feeling.

Planning: My mom is officially coming in three weeks! As such, we've started planning our activities and excursions. So excited!

Loving: UPS is set to deliver my new Stampin' Up goodies today. Can't wait to play with them! May have to rethink a few of design team cards to include the new products...

Photo of the Week #7

All three boys sitting in the fire truck at the museum. So adorable!

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Noticed a rash on Arthur yesterday... hope it's not anything serious
• Haven't been to the pool yet this summer. Why? I have no idea, but I need to go soon!
• I am a minimalist parent. Reading the book and everything aligns for me.
• Loving changing out my Thirty-One bags for all my different activities. So many great options! Contact me for a party!
• Arthur's new obsession is closing all doors in the house. Doesn't help with air flow at all.
• Digging some new-to-me shows this week. My favorite has been Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown.
• Watching Parts Unknown made me want to find a Burmese restaurant. Never tried Burmese.
• Cannot wait until Saturday and the Thirty-One Catalog premiere! It will be my first consultant event with the company.

Currently #9

Watching: The last few episodes of Secrets and Lies. I blame my mother! She got me hooked while I was there in March. Thankfully the last few episodes are on Hulu.

Reading: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. Finally getting around to this classic. And I get to watch the movie afterward!

Listening: AltNation has been replaying the Muse concert from Webster Hall. I keep catching a few songs here and there. Sounds like it was a good show.

Making: Finishing up my new catalog swap cards for my demo group. Arthur hasn't been napping very long this week so I've worked on these in little blocks of time.

Feeling: It's been unusually hot here this week. We had to turn on our air conditioning! Playing at the park made me hot and sweaty. Thankfully the temps have gone down a bit for today and the rest of the week.

Planning: J had to move his motorcycle class from Thursday to Friday. This opens up Thursday for an out-of-the-house activity. But what?

Loving: Finishing a bag of peanut butter m&ms today. They are my favorite!

Photo of the Week #6

Loving the candid little moments between Arthur and the twins.

Monthly Life Goals June 2015

Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on May's goals and my progress.

• 30 Day Challenge: 60 minutes of reading – Success! With my focus on reading, I managed 13 books and 4383 pages this month. Great goal!
• Put up kitchen curtains – Fail. I think we are destined to not have curtains in the kitchen. The bareness doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would...
• Clean out my closet for spring – Success! I completed this one the first week of the month.
• Plan a Favorite Things party for late May/early June — Fail. Never got around to this one. Maybe for July or August.
• Stay ahead of meal planning — Success! I'm still working ahead and simplifying my process.
• Fill out our summer bucket list notebook – Success! I updated our list for lots of East Bay attractions.
• Take books to HPB and clothes to Goodwill — Fail. But I did organize the bags to go. I just need to actually go!
• Make a Lasik appointment — Fail. Never got around to it.
• Document a Day in the Life -- Fail. I have the worst time remembering to do this right in the morning...

This month's goals:

• 30 Day Challenge: 30 Miles in 30 Days -- I really need to amp up my exercise. Maybe an easily attainable but consistent goal will get me motivated.
• Stick with my capsule wardrobe with update -- I jumped into this challenge yesterday. My goal is to stick with it, but also do check-ins monthly.
• Start my Beatles song library goal -- One of my 101 in 1001 goals is to listen to every Beatles soon. I'm think of at least starting chronologically and then maybe jumping around later.
• Visit San Francisco with all three boys -- I want to make at least one SF trip a month in June and July. We will probably end up at the CA Academy of Sciences or maybe the wharf area.
• Start my TED talks goal -- Another 101 in 1001 goal. I want to watch at least 100 TED Talks, but more importantly actually do some mini reviews of them.
• Institute reading hour -- During Arthur's naps, I want to have at least one hour of quiet reading. No electronics allowed except for my iPad if I'm reading a book on it.
• Do a twins and mom date -- I want to go out and do something with the twins sans Arthur. We will see how this goes.

Currently #8

Watching: Farscape! I'm nearing the end of the series and i'm so excited.

Reading: Dead Wake by Erik Larson. It's the fascinating story of the last crossing of the Lusitania.

Listening: Octane on Sirius XM. I usually listen to Alt Nation, but a harder song has been calling to me.

Making: Attempting to make dinner, but it's not working. Instead, I think we may just go out for dinner.

Feeling: J is fixing the dishwasher, and the smell is making be queasy.

Planning: Trying to figure out what we're going to have dinner next week.

Loving: Today was lovely weather: warm, but most importantly a cool breeze.

Photo of the Week #5

Look at the joy on his face! Someone really loves the slide.

Odds and Ends

Here is my randomness for the week:

• Sleep deprivation due to toddler sleep strike is the worst!
• Loving the new Stampin' Up products. Can't wait to play with them more.
• Finally got back into Farscape. Really want to finish the series now.
• I really really need this child to nap!
• Steel cut oatmeal with dried cranberries is amazing. I need to make this more often.
• My reading has been great this month. Making it a daily goal of reading 60 minutes has really helped.
• I seriously need a few hours off from the baby. He is draining me...
• Really excited about the twins coming.

Currently #7

Watching: We have been catching up with Last Week Tonight. The latest episode was on family leave (or lack thereof...). Ugh! It always makes me a bit angry, but I do love John Oliver's style.

Reading: I finished the first volume of The Manhattan Projects last night and started reading Geek Mom. I feel like I really need to take some notes. There are such great activities packed into those pages.

Listening: Arthur has been Mr. Grumpypants this past week. So I've been listening to to a lot of toddler crying lately.

Making: I spent part of the day making dinner for a friend who just had a baby. A group of us are using Take Them a Meal to schedule out our drop-offs. Such a great idea! Instead of constantly asking the new mom what she needs, we sign up and drop off. Or you can even buy and send them a meal.

Feeling: Missing sleep this week... See the "Listening" category for reasons.

Planning: June is filling up fast with activities, classes, and kid fun. And I just agreed to help run the Thirty-One table at a Farmer's Market in Martinez a few times during the month.

Loving: Strong coffee. I bought Italian dark roast because of the "listening" category...

Monthly Life Goals May 2015

Before I get to this month’s goals, let’s check in on April's goals and my progress.

• 30 Day Challenge: Meditate Daily– Success! I only took a few minutes each day, but I did it!
• Put up the kitchen curtains – Fail. Still haven't gotten these done yet.
• Plan a Favorite Things for Kids Party for May – Fail. Completely forgot about this one.
• Clean out Arthur and my closets for spring – Fail. I finished Arthur's closet, but didn't even look at mine at all!
• Finish at least one series – Success! I finished the entirety of Y The Last Man. And I caught up on The Walking Dead, Fables, and Fairest.

This month's goals: May is going to be about catching up on some things.

• 30 Day Challenge: 60 minutes of reading -- I love to read, but sometimes it just gets put on hold while I do other things. For May, I am committing to reading my current book at least 60 minutes a day. This time does not include blog posts, articles, etc.
• Put up kitchen curtains -- Carry over from last month.
• Clean out my closet for spring -- Carry over from last month.
• Plan a Favorite Things party for late May/early June -- Still wanted to do one of these but thinking June may be a better month for it.
• Stay ahead of meal planning -- So far so good, but I need to make sure my nonperishable grocery list is up to date.
• Fill out our summer bucket list notebook -- I loved this idea from last year and we still have a ton of room in our notebook. I just need to update it with more East Bay places and activities.
• Take books to HPB and clothes to Goodwill -- I have at least one bag to take to each. Hopefully I will have at least two Goodwill bound bags by the time I go. Really need to clean out my closet!
• Make a Lasik appointment -- Really been meaning to do this for awhile. I want to get it done soon!
• Document a Day in the Life -- Trying to do this once every 3 months...

Currently #6

Watching: I Redboxed Mockingjay yesterday. Finally! I wanted to see it in theaters, but getting there is a challenge with a little one. Instead I watched it during his nap time. Very good although I would have liked to see more from Cressida and company. Maybe in the next one.

Reading: At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh. It's the third in the Huxtable Quintet. Not enjoying the characters as much as the first two, but it's holding my interest.

Listening: Red's new album Of Beauty and Rage. So glad I picked this one up on iTunes. I've loved Red since their first album. Can't wait to really learn these songs.

Making: Working on finishing my card examples for my May classes: Using Your Scraps and Fancy Folds. I have one card left for the scraps class but haven't even started the folds class. At least I know what I want to make, just need to sit down again and make them.

Feeling: Sore. I have no idea why, but my entire body is sore this week. I desperately need a massage.

Planning: We're having a cookout on Saturday, but I have no idea what we're doing for food yet. Have to get J to confirm with his coworkers about what they are bringing, etc. I don't like being without a plan.

Loving: Even with the slight disappointment of characters in my current book, I love going back to the fluffy romances when I've been reading pretty serious books. Fluffy historical romances is my comfort genre!

Odds and Ends

Here is my randomness for the week:

• Bubbles are the best thing to an 18-month-old
• Trying a new business opportunity is scary but exciting
• My reading stats are off the chart this month. No way I'm going to top this in May.
• Already excited about the October retreat
• Couldn't resist buying three new books at Barnes and Noble the other day... oh well at least it was only three
• The flowers in our neighborhood are gorgeous

Photo of the Week #5

My cute lunch date this week. And yes, that is cheese on his cheek.