So I'm off to a good start on my 35 Things to do in 2011! Here's a quick update:
7. Create a meal plan - at least once a week for every month - done for 2 weeks in January. Holla!
12. Bake a new cookie every month - January's cookie: Oreo Cheesecake Cookies, recipe found here. They were okay. Not as great as the name would leave you to believe.
13. Clean out extra room - Dallin's aunt and uncle stayed with us one night this month, and since they needed a place to stay, this kind of needed to be done. And guess what? Dallin did it the weekend that I was deathly ill. Because he's the bomb(dot)com. Now I just have to refashion it into the cutest little girl room for Maddy. But it can be crossed off the list because it is definitely "clean."
25. Read 30 books - Obviously, not done yet, but definitely in progress. Here's what I've read, with a sentence or two on how I felt about each one:
-And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie: Actually very enjoyable, a little creepy (not really a bad thing, in my opinion). It kept me guessing. I'm glad I finally read something by the famous Agatha. 4 stars.
-Graceling by Kristin Cashore: Kind of a teen candy read, but an awesome one. I like the characters and I think the idea of "graces" is clever. 5 stars.
-Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout: Meh. Never really got into it. Great writing though. 3 stars.
-Matched by Ally Condie: Another teen read (they're fast and fun, ok?!). Futuristic setting that shows what society might become if we let it (I love that). Poetic writing. Loved it. 5 stars.
-Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta: A little hard to get into, and somewhat confusing at times. But it is a very touching story. 3.5 stars.
***Side note: Dangit it's embarrassing to admit that I like those teen reads so much. And both the ones mentioned above are the first in their series, so I've got to keep reading them. AND there's other ones on my list. Oh well. I shall not be ashamed. More refined stuff is on my list too! Side note over.***
26. Buy skinny jeans - Yep yep. Got em, like, the first week in January, with an American Eagle gift card I got for Christmas. Have I mentioned that American Eagle jeans are just the best for me? Well, they are. And I'm actually loving the skinnies. This was a big confidence thing for me, by the way. I've always thought I couldn't pull the look off, but I'm just going for it.
35. Complete an act of service every month - I won't tell you what it was, but trust me, it was done.
So yeah, feeling pretty good about this!
Also, I've chosen February for my no soda month. I'm calling it Fizz-Free February. And it's only partly because February is the shortest month of the year. But yes, that definitely had something to do with it. Anyone want in?
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Positivity
Is everyone ready for Debbie Downer/Negative Nancy/any-other-sad-word-and-name-combo to be gone?
I totally am. I know I haven't blogged very much over the past several days, so you haven't really gotten to see grumpy/tired/generally-bummed-out Katie in all her glory. But she's been here - believe me. And now, I'm ready to get rid of her.
BECAUSE:
-Food and drink have stayed inside my body for two, almost three, days. Woot. I say again, woot.
-I just got back from a nice little trip to Sedona with Dallin. We flew up with my uncle (a pilot) and my dad, had lunch, and flew back. And even though I am not really so much a fan of small aircraft...fun!
-The Valentine's wreath I am making is turning out quite nicely, and I am proud. Also, I love Valentine's. I need to do more for it.
-Madelyn gets cuter every day. It doesn't seem possible, but it is.
-My house actually looks decent, thanks to my amazing hunk of a husband who cleaned it from top to bottom last weekend. Now I just need to keep it up. I can do that.
-Maddy is napping at Grandma's right now (Grandma watched her while we went to Sedona) which means I've got the time AND the energy (simultaneously!) to get things done.
Let's go.
I totally am. I know I haven't blogged very much over the past several days, so you haven't really gotten to see grumpy/tired/generally-bummed-out Katie in all her glory. But she's been here - believe me. And now, I'm ready to get rid of her.
BECAUSE:
-Food and drink have stayed inside my body for two, almost three, days. Woot. I say again, woot.
-I just got back from a nice little trip to Sedona with Dallin. We flew up with my uncle (a pilot) and my dad, had lunch, and flew back. And even though I am not really so much a fan of small aircraft...fun!
-The Valentine's wreath I am making is turning out quite nicely, and I am proud. Also, I love Valentine's. I need to do more for it.
-Madelyn gets cuter every day. It doesn't seem possible, but it is.
-My house actually looks decent, thanks to my amazing hunk of a husband who cleaned it from top to bottom last weekend. Now I just need to keep it up. I can do that.
-Maddy is napping at Grandma's right now (Grandma watched her while we went to Sedona) which means I've got the time AND the energy (simultaneously!) to get things done.
Let's go.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Ay yai yai
Is that really how you spell that? "Ay yai yai?" Really? That's odd.
Just thought I would let you know that I am still alive. But just barely.
The past 5ish days have been so.so.so.so. bad.
Food doesn't stay in. Weight doesn't stay on. Sleep isn't constant. Energy is nonexistent.
I'm convinced I've had some sort of other bug that is making me sick. Like, I'm not just pregnant-sick. I'm sick AND pregnant-sick. And it's bad.
It's especially bad because one of those past 5 days was Dallin's birthday. And I was simply unable to do anything to get ready for it or make it extra special. Oh, except...
Thankfully, I got this done right before the major sickness came on. Also thankfully, my mom and sisters helped me out with it. Cool, no? I'm a little proud.
I'm also still trying to make up for his birthday, which was now two days ago. We'll see what I come up with. He deserves so much.
Anyway, I'm feeling better today than I have in a while. Hopefully it keeps up, because I would really like to get back to life now.
Just thought I would let you know that I am still alive. But just barely.
The past 5ish days have been so.so.so.so. bad.
Food doesn't stay in. Weight doesn't stay on. Sleep isn't constant. Energy is nonexistent.
I'm convinced I've had some sort of other bug that is making me sick. Like, I'm not just pregnant-sick. I'm sick AND pregnant-sick. And it's bad.
It's especially bad because one of those past 5 days was Dallin's birthday. And I was simply unable to do anything to get ready for it or make it extra special. Oh, except...
Thankfully, I got this done right before the major sickness came on. Also thankfully, my mom and sisters helped me out with it. Cool, no? I'm a little proud.
I'm also still trying to make up for his birthday, which was now two days ago. We'll see what I come up with. He deserves so much.
Anyway, I'm feeling better today than I have in a while. Hopefully it keeps up, because I would really like to get back to life now.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Here we go again...
Yep, it is what you think it is.
Due August 8.
Which makes me 10 weeks along.
Which makes me 10 weeks along.
Pregnancy is coming on stronger this time, in more ways than one.
I'm sicker. I did get pretty sick with Madelyn, but I'm sicker this time.
I've already got a little pooch. No weight gain, but a little pooch.
I think I've already had more cravings this time around than I did my whole first pregnancy.
I have this nesting urge that I never really got the first time around. Plus, doesn't that usually come later?
I'm so so excited, but also freaking out about having TWO kids.
Having one is like, having a fun little friend to take with you everywhere.
Having two is like, business.
We specifically requested an ultrasound that was not planned. They squeezed us in. I wanted to see what all the gagging is for.
We saw the baby move. We heard the heartbeat.
The gagging is worth it.
I feel so blessed. Life is good.
I'm sicker. I did get pretty sick with Madelyn, but I'm sicker this time.
I've already got a little pooch. No weight gain, but a little pooch.
I think I've already had more cravings this time around than I did my whole first pregnancy.
I have this nesting urge that I never really got the first time around. Plus, doesn't that usually come later?
I'm so so excited, but also freaking out about having TWO kids.
Having one is like, having a fun little friend to take with you everywhere.
Having two is like, business.
We specifically requested an ultrasound that was not planned. They squeezed us in. I wanted to see what all the gagging is for.
We saw the baby move. We heard the heartbeat.
The gagging is worth it.
I feel so blessed. Life is good.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Death by Baby Gap
Ever since I had a little girl, Baby Gap has been trying to kill me.
The other day, I think they may have succeeded. Madelyn and I wandered the mall because Dallin was out doing missionary stuff and because that's what girls do when they have nothing else to do - they shop. Here are just a few of the things we stumbled upon.
This is just a few random things I picked from their website. It's even cuter in person. And there's so much more of it. *Sigh*
Now, just so you don't go thinking I'm a baby clothes snob, I'll have you know that I got Maddy a few shirts from Walmart the other day for $3.50 each. They were adorable too.
But to be honest, we'll probably be going back to Baby Gap before too long...
The other day, I think they may have succeeded. Madelyn and I wandered the mall because Dallin was out doing missionary stuff and because that's what girls do when they have nothing else to do - they shop. Here are just a few of the things we stumbled upon.
This is just a few random things I picked from their website. It's even cuter in person. And there's so much more of it. *Sigh*
Now, just so you don't go thinking I'm a baby clothes snob, I'll have you know that I got Maddy a few shirts from Walmart the other day for $3.50 each. They were adorable too.
But to be honest, we'll probably be going back to Baby Gap before too long...
Monday, January 3, 2011
35 Things to do in 2011
Hello, all.
So I read this very adorable blog written by this very adorable girl I knew in Junior High and High School. Her name is Emily and she just has the most cheery disposition ever. If only I could be as positive as she is...
Anyway, several months ago she and her husband created a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days.
When creating my New Year's "resolutions" this year, I decided following in their footsteps was the way to go, for a few reasons:
1) If you remember from years past, I'm not really into the traditional "resolution" stuff. I think it is setting yourself (ok, myself) up for disappointment.
2) Making a list of "things to do" keeps things specific and measurable. I've made too many "I want to be better at X" or "I'm going to do Y every day!" goals. Those end up getting me down because either I miss one day and the whole thing goes out the window, or I have a hard time defining what "better" is. Either way, it's discouraging. Hopefully, having "things to do" will keep me more on track.
I changed things up a bit, which you've probably realized if you read the title of my post. I decided to scale it down for one year instead of the 2.74 years that is 1001 days, which means I also scaled my list of things to do down by 2.74, coming out to 35 instead of 101. (Okay, so it is technically 36...but 35 is...rounder.) I think keeping it to one year somehow seems a little less overwhelming to me; plus, it will hopefully keep me from procrastinating.
Anyway, enough justification. I don't have to justificate myself to you anyway (no offense).
So here's my list, divided into categories and listed in no particular order:
So I read this very adorable blog written by this very adorable girl I knew in Junior High and High School. Her name is Emily and she just has the most cheery disposition ever. If only I could be as positive as she is...
Anyway, several months ago she and her husband created a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days.
When creating my New Year's "resolutions" this year, I decided following in their footsteps was the way to go, for a few reasons:
1) If you remember from years past, I'm not really into the traditional "resolution" stuff. I think it is setting yourself (ok, myself) up for disappointment.
2) Making a list of "things to do" keeps things specific and measurable. I've made too many "I want to be better at X" or "I'm going to do Y every day!" goals. Those end up getting me down because either I miss one day and the whole thing goes out the window, or I have a hard time defining what "better" is. Either way, it's discouraging. Hopefully, having "things to do" will keep me more on track.
I changed things up a bit, which you've probably realized if you read the title of my post. I decided to scale it down for one year instead of the 2.74 years that is 1001 days, which means I also scaled my list of things to do down by 2.74, coming out to 35 instead of 101. (Okay, so it is technically 36...but 35 is...rounder.) I think keeping it to one year somehow seems a little less overwhelming to me; plus, it will hopefully keep me from procrastinating.
Anyway, enough justification. I don't have to justificate myself to you anyway (no offense).
So here's my list, divided into categories and listed in no particular order:
35 Things to do in 2011
Spiritual
1. Read the whole Book of Mormon...twice
2. Have one month when I go to the temple weekly
3. Reread all 2011 Conference talks
4. Memorize the Family Proclamation
5. Attend a missionary discussion
Food (yep, it gets its own category)
6. Try a food I've never tried before
7. Create a meal plan - AT LEAST one week every month
8. Make hi-hat cupcakes
9. Make homemade bread
10. Build food storage (3 month supply)
11. Grow herbs
12. Bake a new cookie every month
Home
13. Clean out the extra room
14. Donate old clothes to DI
15. Finish the nursery (really finish it!)
16. Clean out and organize the pantry
17. Clean out bedside drawers
Activities
18. Go on a picnic
19. Sing in the ward choir
20. Go on a hike
21. Throw a party
Financial
22. Start a savings account for Madelyn
23. Create a grocery budget
24. Save up to buy something I want
Personal
25. Read 30 books
26. Buy skinny jeans
27. Graduate from Grad school
28. Write one blog post every day for one month
29. Do not drink soda for one month
30. Use cloth diapers exclusively for one week
31. Babysit for free
32. Watch 10 movies I've "always wanted to see"
33. Send 10 thank you cards for no real reason
34. Update my ipod
35. Complete an act of service every month
I'm working on more specific planning, like deciding which books I'm going to read and which movies I'm going to watch, or deciding which month to make my "no soda" month (EEK) or which month to write a blog post every day (lucky you). I think planning it out pretty specifically will help me stick to it even more.
For now, I'm really excited about my list. I think it is a good motivator without being overwhelming (and I get overwhelmed easily). It's amazing how quickly time passes and I think this list will help me do the things I want to do before the whole year slips away.
Happy 2011 everyone. Let's make it a good one, shall we?
1. Read the whole Book of Mormon...twice
2. Have one month when I go to the temple weekly
3. Reread all 2011 Conference talks
4. Memorize the Family Proclamation
5. Attend a missionary discussion
Food (yep, it gets its own category)
6. Try a food I've never tried before
7. Create a meal plan - AT LEAST one week every month
8. Make hi-hat cupcakes
9. Make homemade bread
10. Build food storage (3 month supply)
11. Grow herbs
12. Bake a new cookie every month
Home
13. Clean out the extra room
14. Donate old clothes to DI
15. Finish the nursery (really finish it!)
16. Clean out and organize the pantry
17. Clean out bedside drawers
Activities
18. Go on a picnic
19. Sing in the ward choir
20. Go on a hike
21. Throw a party
Financial
22. Start a savings account for Madelyn
23. Create a grocery budget
24. Save up to buy something I want
Personal
25. Read 30 books
26. Buy skinny jeans
27. Graduate from Grad school
28. Write one blog post every day for one month
29. Do not drink soda for one month
30. Use cloth diapers exclusively for one week
31. Babysit for free
32. Watch 10 movies I've "always wanted to see"
33. Send 10 thank you cards for no real reason
34. Update my ipod
35. Complete an act of service every month
I'm working on more specific planning, like deciding which books I'm going to read and which movies I'm going to watch, or deciding which month to make my "no soda" month (EEK) or which month to write a blog post every day (lucky you). I think planning it out pretty specifically will help me stick to it even more.
For now, I'm really excited about my list. I think it is a good motivator without being overwhelming (and I get overwhelmed easily). It's amazing how quickly time passes and I think this list will help me do the things I want to do before the whole year slips away.
Happy 2011 everyone. Let's make it a good one, shall we?
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