Evaluating the 101 list...

Just as the first two weeks of the new year come to a close, I wanted to reevaluate my 101 list a bit.

I love having little things to work towards for self-improvement as well as general categories I should focus a bit more on so the concept of 101 is good for me. Yet, BIG things have changed in our lives in the last year so some of the goals just are not going to happen. Here are a few tweaks to my list.

3.Buy a pair of Tory Burch boots--We are now using the Dave Ramsey system of a budget and envelope system for cash, therefore, any extra purchases are a no-no. Oh, a girl can dream though!
10. Buy a sewing machine and use it six times (0/6)--Again a repeat of #3. 

11. Become a Team Leader in Mary Kay--Still getting there. Lots of activity happening this month so not only will I hit this but Future Director by the end of the MK year. It. Is. Done.

12. Have my hair done by Deidra--She is now my future sister-in-law so I think this qualifies as not cheating on your hair dresser, right? 

13. Get a pedicure for every two races completed in 2012--I am HORRIBLE about pampering my feet. I just don't see the sense in it but I will get one after the marathon, when I finish the training!

18. Interact with 10 students in Missouri about K-State College of Ag--The K-State College of Ag sadly did away with the AgBackers group I was a part of so I'll have to figure out another way of talking about K-State and ag at another time. 

19. Take a cooking class--repeat of #3

35. Take an extended weekend getaway with Todd for our first anniversary--This didn't happen, and obviously won't, but we had an amazing first year with a great trip together to Florida twice!

63. Learn donor database system at work--All of these things below are now not something I do in my new job. So with the new list in May I'll create some new work goals. 

64.Begin CFRE certification

65. Meet with my mentor twice in 2012 (one of two)

67. Finish online Photoshop course

69. Meet the annual campaign goal

74. Host a workshop on message training for staff

75. Successfully complete/have funded 10 grants

66. Complete 90 faces in first 100 days of 2012--Didn't happen BUT I am setting it as a goal for completing by May 1, 2013. 

89.Plant an indoor herb garden--Let's be honest. I have attempted this twice now and cannot get the darn thing to grow. Grrr.

95. Paint/Recover Filing Cabinet in Office--DECLUTTER. We got rid of that sucker. 

So some updates, but still working on the others.

*~*Do any of you make "bucket" lists? What are some of your goals?*~*

Bring it On, 2013...

With a day into the new year, it goes without saying many of us have resolved to do better, spend less, weigh less, give more, etc., in the new year. All of those things are good intentions. I have learned through others and my own way of doing things, that you must put a plan to your goals. "A goal without planning is just a wish," said Antoine de Saint-Exupery. So many of my 2013 goals have been thoughtfully planned over the last month. I also know that I need to "focus" and have a bad tendency to over commit and not do my best in all that I do. It was said by Mary Kay Ash, that "if the things you are doing do not bring you closer to God, your family, or your business, then you need to refocus your priorities," and I plan to focus on those time-suckers in my life.

With that said, this is my year. 2013 is my year to be a life-giver, an influencer, and a blessing in people's lives. Whether that's through more meaningful relationships with actual time spent working on them, an example for others to follow because I "walk the walk and talk the talk", or by encouraging others to follow their God-given potential in fitness and with their family-life balance.

Here are my goals for this year:

1. Finish the Queen's Court of Sales in Mary Kay ($36,000 retail in sales for the year, and YES I need your support and help to do this!!) to provide many financial opportunities to my family.
2. Actively seek 10 women who need more, want more, aspire to be more to their families and friends this year. There is NO doubt in my mind that the Mary Kay business is the answer to many of the headaches and heartaches my friends and customers face. I would not be able to do what I do nor provide what I can for my family if it were not from the personal growth, friendships, self-confidence, dreams, and money from my Mary Kay business. Be on the lookout for more of that this year.
3. Train and complete a full marathon. I thought graduate school was the ultimate mental test, yet it wasn't. I thought a half marathon was a HUGE mental obstacle to work through, it was challenging, but I did it. So moving forward, I think the full marathon will be a big test, and I'm sure it will be for that point in time. BUT, what I learned through all of these challenges is that my body and mind can do SO much more than I am willing to think it can.
4. Begin or end each day with spending time in the Word. There is so much I am thankful for, but I feel I have not yet realized the full power of the Lord in my life, and I need that.
5. Write a to-do list each day. Yes, that seems so trivial and small, but I know "focus" will help me realize what I am doing and spending my time on.
6. Start a family...there, I said it. This has been a hard one for me. I will spend more time on this emotional (for me) topic in coming posts, but I feel completely open to having a baby now, God willing.

With each of these goals, I have plans and systems in place on how to achieve them. Stay tuned for updates!

*~*What are some of your goals for 2013? Any areas you plan to focus on or tips on how to achieve the goals? *~*

A New Year...

It is already a great start to the new year with my updates since we were able to go to Mass on a Sunday, and it happened to be January 1st too, the Solemnity of Mary, which is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church. You may ask what is the Solemnity of Mary? It is a day we celebrate Mary, the Mother of God, and her will to bring Christ into this world to save us. It is through her willingness that we have salvation. I won't get into it too much, but that is the essence of celebrating her on this day.

I've struggled a bit to get Todd to go to church, and I kind of do not blame him as it is not something he grew up doing, but he made a promise/vow to attend church when he became Catholic, and it is so important to me to start our marriage on the same page and grow together in Christ. To get a little sappy, I feel it is my second chance to make things right with God with our marriage. I did a lot of things I regret over the last seven years, and am thankful for His mercies to forgive and make everything feel like it will be okay as long as we try and are faithful.

And with the new year, we also wanted to check out the new church in Smithville, Mo. I have to say it was one of the most awe-inspiring days I've been in church. It was still decorated for Christmas, which I love, and it is beyond beautiful with all the natural light that is let in because of the huge windows. I love churches that have lots of light. Especially on this past Sunday, I felt like I could feel God's love pouring down on us through the beautiful sunshine. Even Todd said he felt refreshed after we walked out of church. Everyone seemed to be friendly too. There was a good mix of older couples along young ones with small babies. I don't know about most of you, but it has been hard to find a church home for me even though I've lived in the area for four years. Not that any of them have done anything wrong; it just hasn't been the most welcoming or friendly experience coupled with no avenues for Todd and I to grow together through activities for young couples. I hope this one works out. Here are a few pictures of the church and the one below is of the crucifix above the altar:

Photo courtesy of: Good Shepherd Catholic Church

I'll give it a try...

As you may notice a new background and banner on my blog, I also have a new listing on the left hand side. Taking some inspiration from friends who completed the 101 in 1001 or the 3 in 30 challenges, I thought I'd create a 101 in 505 challenge for myself. You may have heard of the Day Zero project. It is actually a pretty cool concept with so many other people doing it. You can get lots of ideas here.

The 101 in 505 challenge for me are goals, trips, things I want to try to do in the next 505 days starting on January 1, 2012. Why 505 days you ask? It is a little over a year and three months, and I guess I would like to accomplish a few things before another life changing event happens for us. I gave myself a little cushion with three extra months, but I'd really like to accomplish most of these in a year. They are not far-fetched goals like traveling to Europe (which would be nice again!) but things I have to stretch a little bit for but are doable. Many of them are tied to doing something with or for friends I do not see or talk to often, so that is another bit of inspiration to accomplish them. I hope you'll keep me accountable by reading my blog (top thing to do on the list!) or ask me how it is going.

Cheers to a fabulous New Year for you all!

New Year, New Do

I have the most fabulous hair stylist in the world (wouldn't it be great if she could be my stylist like a celeb has every day!) She's such a down-to-earth, Christian gal and really knows what's up with products and styles.

I went in for ritual color and cut (every two months to the date to be exact) last night. We talked wedding styles, new style for now, color for wedding, etc. I really, really, REALLY want to get back to my short hair because my hair is by far the worst looking when it's long, no layers and uncolored. I feel I can do nothing with and give up after spending 30 minutes just blow drying it.

So we opted for a piecy, layered look with lots of blonde. I'm still trying to decide if I have a mullet sometimes, but then I think she would never do that to me! Hee hee, either way I feel like a new gal and have a pretty slammin' new do for 2011!

Oh, we did have a great New Year's Eve party at our house with close friends. Didn't do anything too exciting. Maybe someday we'll do something really fun! However, 2011 is going to be another great year...if anything, I'm getting MARRIED this year! That's huge!

Cheers to a new year!

New Do with Bangs!