Resolutions
January 2nd, 2009. Published under General. No Comments.
Why I didn’t fall asleep last night until nearly 1am, it’s beyond me. Regardless, my best friend today is coffee.
Thank you coffee!
I meant to do my list of things I want to do in 2009 yesterday, but I was so tired from NYE, all I did was sit on the couch and veg out to home improvement shows. As a result, I started measuring out my kitchen and playing around with the kitchen builder tool from Ikea to get a rough layout/approximate cost for redoing the kitchen. I think we’ll be able to do new cabinets, counters, sink, etc. in the kitchen (I’d keep my existing appliances) in addition to putting in hardwood floors on the first floor and upgrading the doors/trim on the first floor for under $6k. Not too shabby. All labor to be done by me and my family - but that’s what’s awesome about doing projects like these. Once we do it, I’m going to take 1 or 2 weeks off work to devote to the project. Might not be until next year, but I like to plan ahead. Far ahead.
On the more immediate home improvements, on my list of things to do this year is to maximize the storage and layout of the garage. We want to pick up a small chest freezer to supplement our space in the fridge’s freezer and I want to design some drop-down ceiling shelving to put little used items on, thus freeing up space on the existing shelving for more items that are currently on the floor. I’m looking forward to this particular project.
The next item on my list is the perennial “run a 10k” item. Body injuries notwithstanding, I plan on doing this one. Hopefully my body will cooperate.
Also, I want to take a real vacation with Tim this year. We’re looking into going to San Francisco in May or when Tim’s done with school, depending on the timing. I love visiting his family, but there’s a time when I want to go somewhere new and just spend time together. If it’s just a trip to the North Shore instead of the SF jaunt, that would be fine too. I just want to go somewhere new and have a real vacation for a change. Which would be good, considering I just saw my PTO time for this year: nearly 6 weeks! Wow. I know I have time!
Finally, I want to learn something new this year. I don’t know what it could be or what I even want to try - but I’m going to do something new this year.
As always, there’s the annual “get healthy” and “pay off debt” goals - which will be an ongoing process. All in all, a pretty good outlook for 2009!
Hope you all had a great New Year’s and here’s to a fantastic 2009!
Happy New Year’s Eve!
December 31st, 2008. Published under General. 2 Comments.
So, today’s the last day of 2008. Looking back at my New Year’s resolutions for 2008, I didn’t do so well in achieving those goals. I’m most bummed about the 10k thing. My hip still has issues when I try to push myself to longer distances, so I started focusing on strength training and flexibility training (doing Cardio Pilates) instead. Hopefully that’ll strengthen the muscles/tendons/etc. around the joint so I can attempt the running again. I’m going to shoot to do the “Road to 10k” podcast (I’ve had downloaded for a while now) starting in January.
One goal that I did do that wasn’t on my list was the 2-day bike ride to benefit Open Arms MN. I biked for over 100 miles over two days, I camped out and slept in a tent and I had a lot of fun. I hope to do it again next year.
The other thing I wish I could’ve nailed this year was the financial thing. But, with Tim going to school, that goal is going to be on the back burner for a while. But don’t get me wrong, it’s the best thing for our future, so I’m more than happy to make the sacrifices now to make our future a bit more bright. However, the accompanying stress with Tim’s return to school didn’t make things go so well with the weight loss. In fact, I ended up gaining a bit this past year. All I can do is strive to make better choices in the future.
I’ve been watching this show from the UK called “How To Look Good Naked” - there’s a US version that Carson Kressley (of Queer Eye fame) hosts on a cable channel that I don’t get. Anyway, the premise of this show is to help women who don’t have the bodies that the mainstream media and advertising and fashion shows feel we *should* have and helps them love the skin they’re in. They also promote working with what you have and shun any type of plastic surgery. The transformations are amazing. On top of that, I’ve been noticing a difference in how I view my own body. Also, the host (Gok) is a scream.
Anyway, back to New Year’s Eve. Tonight we’re going to have a blast at our friend’s party, I’m going to make a double batch of my famous artichoke dip, drink fancy cocktails and not have to drive home (because Heather and Adam are awesome and are letting us crash at their house!) and ring in the new year with Tim by my side.
When it all comes down to it, despite the fact that I didn’t achieve a single goal I set out to do this past year - I achieved so much more that I ever could’ve anticipated. The bike ride, making some awesome new friends, good times with equally awesome “old” friends, learning to accept things that I cannot change and helping someone achieve their own dreams - how can that not be considered a successful year?
Exactly.
I’ll do my annual “resolutions” list tomorrow. Hangovers help with resolutions, right? :)
I’m going to die now
December 30th, 2008. Published under General. 1 Comment.
This is the cutest kitten picture I’ve seen in a LONG time.
*dies*
Just Great!
December 30th, 2008. Published under General. 2 Comments.
Our accounting department changed their year-end entry deadline from January 5th to January 2nd.
I was going to take the 2nd off, but now it’s looking like I’ll be at work! Booo.
Thus begins the Month From Hell™ at work.
Oh well, I suppose it’s better than not having work to do, especially in this economy!
The Holiday Limbo
December 29th, 2008. Published under General. 2 Comments.
That week between Christmas and New Years is always a strange one. There’s that urgency at work for the year-end preparation (and the heinous amount of work that comes after that) to be completed - thus making things hectic around here. However, there are a lot of people that are out of the office this week, so it’s strangely quiet.
A paradox to be sure. It’s hard to have that sense of urgency when it comes to workflow when it’s so damn quiet around here.
This year, after a long hiatus, we actually have plans for New Year’s Eve! Our good friends Adam and Heather are having a shindig at their lovely home. I don’t know if there’s a theme for this party, but I do plan on dressing up a bit. Hell, I may even wear makeup! *gasp*
I don’t think I’ve been to a NYE celebration for nearly 10 years now. Why did I stop? Well, I think I outgrew the “kegger” NYE parties that were the staple in my early 20’s, then my practical side of “don’t drink and drive” and “there will be a lot of people drunk off their ass driving around tonight” took over and I’ve spent many a quiet NYE at home trying to stay awake for the new year to actually arrive.
So it’ll be nice to do something “grown up” for a change, and it’ll give me a great excuse to make my famous artichoke dip. So good.
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Also, a Happy Belated Birthday to my sister Laura! Love you, you old lady! :)
Merry Christmas!
December 25th, 2008. Published under General. 3 Comments.
From our family to yours…Merry Christmas!
Tim and I wish you to get everything you want for Christmas.
Pixel wishes for lots of belly scritchins.
Roxy wishes you would all just do her bidding and shut up about it.
Chester just wants to sleep on his mom and be fed.
Merry Christmas!
Proof I’m Insane
December 22nd, 2008. Published under General. 1 Comment.
I just volunteered to work from noon to 3pm at my part time job on Christmas Eve.
Yeah, I’m insane.
Christmas Spirit?
December 22nd, 2008. Published under General. 4 Comments.
I’m still fighting this eye infection and it’s making work a bitch. A little backstory on this…
About 12 years ago, back when I wore contact lenses all the time, I suddenly had problems with my vision, namely, I had double and blurred vision. My sister-in-law at the time had been diagnosed not 6 months prior with a brain tumor and her only symptom was blurred vision. So naturally, the doctor (it was a small town) sent me in for a CAT scan to rule that out, among a number of other tests.
After all that, I was sent to the optometrist where he found out that my cornea was too dry and as a result, it was bumpy (like dry skin would be). This is what caused my blurred vision. So after that, I couldn’t wear contacts other than for sports and was relegated to wearing glasses.
Fast forward to 3 weeks ago and I was out of my allergy medicine for 6 days and the sub-zero cold snap hit the area which had the furnace running a lot more and drying out the air more (even my humidifier had a hard time keeping up!). That perfect storm caused my eyes to dry out and develop an infection much like a sinus infection, but in my eyes. I’ve been on ocular steroids and antibiotics for a week and a half now, and it’s slowly getting better. Not 100% yet, but I can see the progress. Drives me crazy, though. I have a new video game that’s an early “Christmas present” from Tim (The Last Remnant) that I can’t play because the menu system is so tiny, I can’t read it. I’ll be damned if I sit close to the TV squinting to read the battle menus - I’ll just have to wait.
The other thing that sucks is that on top of having to put artificial tears in my eyes every hour or so, my optometrist recommended that I start taking flaxseed oil and/or fish oil capsules. I found at Trader Joe’s (right around the corner from my optometrist’s office) a “total EPA” which had both flaxseed oil and fish oil and one other thing that I can’t think of. The only bad part about these is that for a couple of hours after I take it, I have this gross, fishy-tainted belching thing happening. GROSS. Maybe I’ll stick to the plain flaxseed oil after these are done. In the meantime, I’m drinking a lot of mint tea to combat the gross.
On the Christmas front, we weren’t going to exchange gifts this year. My family hasn’t exchanged gifts for years and with Tim’s family, they paid for our trip to NY in September for his brother’s wedding and we specifically told them that that would be our Christmas gift too. Finally, since Tim’s in college and times are lean, we felt it was best to just skip the gifts this year. For those of you who know me well, I don’t really like getting a lot of gifts. I would rather get a hand-knitted scarf than an iPod or have someone make a nice meal for me than give me the latest gadget*.
But, on Black Friday, Tim scored the aforementioned video game for a steal and gave it to me as soon as he got in in the mail because it wasn’t a Christmas gift. The cheapskate in me was pleased with the 50% off purchase price - but, this made my guilt complex rise up as I now had to reciprocate the gift.
Tim’s wanted, no, needed a GPS for a long time. He has the navigational skills of a day-old donut** and having to drive all the way to Eden Prairie for classes next semester, I’ve been on the lookout for a GPS for him.
Luckily, at my part time job, they sell GPS’s and I’ve been keeping my eye on the sales. Finally they had the TomTom ONE 130-S on sale with a $50 instant rebate and then I got my employee discount on top of it. Sure, it was more than the video game, but I see it as an investment because then I won’t have to field panicked phone calls*** from Tim telling me he’s lost and he doesn’t know where he is. A win-win, if you ask me.
For Christmas day, since my family isn’t getting together for Christmas until January 4th (preempted due to the blizzard over this last weekend) - Tim and I are going to hang around the house, I’m going to cook and perhaps our friend J may come over too, since she’ll be in town this Christmas. We’re debating on watching either 1) Star Wars Original Trilogy, 2) Lord of the Rings Trilogy, or 3) Firefly series/Serenity Movie (and all the extras). Should be fun!
Have a happy holidays, everyone!
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Addendum: This photo pool on Flickr is awesome. Live action recreations of Far Side cartoons. I was happy to see my favorite cartoon recreated:
Awesome.
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* - Except for THIS kitchen gadget…OMG WANT! Watch the TV commercial for it when it comes on - it’s AMAZING.
** - Meaning: none.
*** - True story: he called me from *somewhere* in Eagan and I had to figure out where he was by asking him what was around him, which was a hotel and a gas station. Trips to each business’s websites allowed me to figure out by address where he was, then I could Google map to get him where he needed to be. I’m good.
I’m Tired!
December 9th, 2008. Published under General. 2 Comments.
For those of you not in the know, I’ve had a very busy couple of weeks preparing for two huge events at work: a small event where I’m the lead coordinator, and a huge event where I’m co-coordinator and in charge of the arrangements and organization. In other words, lots of overtime last week and I’m already well into double digits of time worked this week, and I’ve only been at the office today for 2 hours.
So, I think Lilly Von Schtupp says it best as to how I’m feeling today…
“Goddammit, I’m tired!”
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Since Pownce is shutting down on the 15th, I’ve been trying to figure out where to go now that my favorite social network is going the way of the Dodo. I tried Vox, and it’s a less-useful version of LiveJournal. Twitter doesn’t interest me and sites like FriendFeed and other sites of that type aren’t what I’m looking for. Plurk is OK…but it’s not Pownce. There’s a site Topixz.com that’s currently in a flurry of development to recreate the Pownce experience, but I’m not sure when that will be up and running - definitely not by the time Pownce shuts down.
So, once they get the export functionality up and running, I’ll download my file in various formats and wait for my landing strip to materialize.
In the meantime, stuff for all the Pownce days and my QOTD will be here on blogkitten.com until I figure out where to go.
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