Let's review...

My goals for 2013...oh dear...

Text from my Goals page: My Goals for 2013 are few, and simple, and hopefully within my reach! I liked the concept of four large, long-term, "no pressure" goals that I achieved last year, so I thought why mess with something that works! Check back here for my progress, as I use the blog as a tool for keeping myself accountable, and to keep a record of how I am doing!

1. Read 52 Books. Year-end update: This one is a no-brainer. I read 54 books last year, and I am going strong into 2014!

2. Take a class. January update: I took a class! Year end update: Can you hear the crickets.....?

3. Clean out my studio. Year-end update: I tried to change things up, and it sucked the life out of me! I have discovered that this is a big mental block for me, and that I will continue to work at it and work through it as I go through life. One of my goals was to make a space for Dude in my space, and I think I did! I inadvertently cleared a space to a desk that had some clear space on it (miracle!) and he wandered in and set up some Lego and played while I scrapbooked. And it was divine! My room is still a mess, but it's getting better.

4. Do something that I am proud of, and that I am passionate about. February update: I listened to the voice in my head & my heart and I quit my job at Treasured Memories. It was one of the hardest things I've done in a very long time...and I'm very PROUD of myself for following through, and sticking to my guns! April update: I discovered that donating blood is another passion of mine. My goal for the year is to donate as often as possible! (Every 56 days...)

Year-end update: This is another "life goal" for me. Discovering my passions and pursuing them. It will be a difficult road, but well worth it.

Some final thoughts going into 2014...
You may be thinking that I might be a little less enthusiastic to create a whole new set of goals for 2014, considering the abject failure of my 2013 list. You might be surprised to hear that I don't consider this exercise to be a failure. I set goals to learn and grow as a person. I set them for guidance and for ideas, not as a "Must Do List". I set them because they make me feel good, and they make me feel productive and excited.

I have changed the way I want to set goals in 2014, and I am moving forward on that front quite confidently. I am a recent convert to setting goals, and I am happy with the progress I have made so far. This is continuing to be a learning experience for me, but one that I know will be with me always and only serve to enrich and enhance my experiences and my life.

later loves

October is for...

1. Do more crafty things. I put some paint on pinecones the other day, and it was messy and terrible and helluva lot of fun. 2. Re-arrange my living room. Because I need to do this. 3. Build a coffee table. I've got the design and the supplies, and a friend with the tools and the know-how. So...yeah...seems like a no-brainer, right? 4. Create a space for Dude. I was Googling Lego storage solutions the other night before bed, and I had a flash of inspiration. I started setting up a desk space for him in my studio so he can draw or do homework with me while I scrapbook. But now I think it will be an art/Lego/homework combination station. I have a lot of my crap to get out of there still, but I think this is the inspiration I need to really pare down my stash to make space for his! On a related note, I thought I had a lot of Lego, but I was living in a crazy dream world. Google "Lego storage solutions" one day for fun, and you will understand. Or you won't, but either way it's amusing!

hello good looking!

I want to enjoy the sun in the mornings and the frost on the grass.

I want to keep working on my Summer Manifesto

I want to read so many books!

I will be grateful and express my gratitude.

I will enjoy every moment for what it is and not worry about what it isn't.

What does October look like in your life?
later loves

Saving

I am actually very good at saving money. Well, better than some. Heck, according to my financial planner, better than most! But there is always room for improvement in this and any area.

And so I am looking to improve.

And while "scouring" the Internet for money-saving tips and advice I found some gems and some real doozies!

52 Weeks Savings Challenge
100 Tips (some of these are ridiculous....be warned)
Martha's List of 50 includes storing your wine in a cool room instead of a pricey wine fridge. Yep. Solutions for the masses!
Five Tips, but one of them is Skip Starbucks?!
114 Tips from Bacon & Eggs

It was nice reading through this lists and checking off all the things I already do! Shop with a list, programmable thermostat, buy used, use vinegar for cleaning, repair clothes instead of replacing them, etc.

But remember what I said about there being room for improvement?

Here are my takeaways, things I want to try myself:
- Buy bulk...with a friend
- Stop buying paper towels and kleenex and replace with cloth towels and hankies (hankies!)
- Buy more frozen veggies
- Keep track of how much things normally cost, and stock up when they're on sale
- Make the most of 10% Tuesday shopping trips!
- Switch bank accounts to one with no fees
- Eat less meat and use my crock pot more
- More entertaining at home
- Look at getting rid of our land line

It was unfortunate that when googling "money saving tips" there weren't more tips on accumulating your savings and watching your pinched pennies become something more! Here is a tip of my own that I would like to pass along to you. Create an automatic transfer from your daily bank account to a savings one, and set it to happen the day you get paid! I like the idea of moving that money right away, so it's like you never had it! And you can't just spend it, and then make excuses as to why you haven't saved anything that month. Set an amount that you are comfortable on a monthly basis. It can be as small as you want, but try and make it as big as you can. And increase it after you get a raise, or pay off a loan or other debt. Pay yourself first...so say Suze Orman. And then for funsies, look at that bank balance only once per year. You'll be amazed at how much you've saved without even realizing it! And plan wisely how you are going to spend that money...

Do any of you have any fun savings tips?

Do any of you keep money hidden in a mattress?

If yes, what's your address again...?

later loves

The Year So Far

I thought I would write up a little "retrospective" on my goals and my accomplishments so far. See how far I have come, and where I still want to go.

I made FOUR BIG GOALS at the beginning of the year. I am trying to use them to guide my goal-setting each month, and as a "big picture" for what I want my year to look like. Learning new things, finding my passion, being more comfortable in my home & in my creative space, these are the things I really wanted to focus on.

And while I only took one class right at the beginning of the year, and didn't get much out of it, I have tried to learn new things on my own time. In April I pushed myself creatively with some homemade birthday presents, I started doodling in my journal and posting my creations to Instagram, I am taking part in The August Break and I signed up for 30 Days of Lists for September. I learned that an online, self-paced course isn't really my thing. I would like to sign up for a course or class in the fall, where the teaching is "in person." We'll see how that goes!

I also started making some "mini goals" for myself every month. These were more like to-do lists, filled with fun, interesting, and special items I wanted to tackle each month.

February: clothes & renos             March                 April                    May

June                   July                 August

Some months (May...for example) were definitely more successful than others! But I'm not too worried about all of that. I enjoy making these lists for myself, and seeing where my month takes me. Even if it is in a totally different direction from where I thought it would!

My Summer Manifesto is something I have been working towards these past couple of months, and will see it into September. This is a big long list of fun summer activities I want to try this year! I will update how I did on September 30th.

My word of the year is BRAVE. It took a lot of bravery to even say it out loud, and put it on the blog. But I got it out there, and boy howdy was this ever the right word for me!

One of my biggest BRAVE things to-date was leaving my job downtown for something completely different. It was a huge step for me, but one that I don't think was risky. I wanted a change and a challenge. There is always an element of the unknown when you leave the security and familiarity of a job - even one you hate - for something in which you have no experience. But everyday I recognize that it was the right choice!

My other big brave item is ongoing and completely personal. I have not wanted to share it openly on the blog because I'm still working through things, and it will take a long time before I am comfortable putting it out there in the world. But everyday I am thinking brave thoughts...I have never believed in a word so much as I have this past month.

And that is that! What an amazing year it has been so far! September is my favourite month, and I am hoping we get a beautiful Indian Summer before the leaves start to change and Autumn blows in. And then I can enjoy all the activities that come with fall! Raking, jumping in leaves, pulling out my sweaters and tights....but I'm getting ahead of myself.

I think an important aspect of setting goals is looking back at your achievements. Don't focus on what went wrong, or what didn't get accomplished or what you missed out on. Instead, look at all the amazing times and adventures and learning opportunities you took advantage of and how setting simple goals and putting them out there in the world made your life a little bit rosier!

Geeze man. Mushy much...

I hope everyone had a great holiday Monday, and that not too many tears were shed today on the first day back to school!

Did you set any goals at the start of the year? And how has that been going for you...?!

later loves

My Favourite Month

1. Birthday Celebrations! My birthday weekend last year was beyond amazing! See here, here and here if you've forgotten! And this year I want to make magical memories again. So many things in my life lately have felt so bittersweet. I want to banish the blues and make my birthday all about connections and having fun with the people I love. No demands. No worries for what will come tomorrow. No pressure. 2. 30 Days of Lists Be the best damn Lister I can be! Good intentions, check. Lists prepped and ready to go, check. Pressure OFF, check! 3. Buy white paint and paint everything. Not that I am sick of my creamy yellow walls, but I am kind of sick of my creamy yellow walls. I need a change! A refreshing change. Who can recommend for me the "perfect" white. I might also tackle my kitchen cabinets while I'm at it! Wish me luck! 4. Make a plan and say goodbye. This is my "Be Brave" goal of the month. Even typing this I am getting nervous and I'm worried that I can't do it! Deep breaths Lisa, deep breaths.

September is my favourite month because it's my birthday month! I am not asking for much this year, except a little peace of mind.

I am going to a movie this afternoon at the Garneau theatre. I love a good western, and I am super excited to see a young Clint Eastwood on the big screen. Other than that, I want to breathe out the stress, and breath in peace and calm. And bravery...this month is all about the bravery. I really need to stop putting things off and procrastinating out of fear. I am a big girl. I can do this.

Ack! Too many deep thoughts for this Happy Holiday Monday!

later loves

Let's Pretend

Humour me or a moment here, if you will. And pretend that I am moving. Because I think that is the way to get my butt moving in this studio clean up dealio. You know when you are planning a move you have to pack things up and away and you inevitably end up evaluating everything before you put it in a box. Because packing is a pain in the butt, but unpacking is even more painful! So any item that you can eliminate and spare yourself a little grief in the end is worth it.

In other words, I have been going about it the wrong way! And yes, this new way might will totally involve more work for me. And more studio down time. But I think in the long run it is the best for me.

Hard! Oh man! This is going to be so hard!

I bought these four green bins months ago at the new Target, thinking I could fill them with all the shit in my studio that I don't want to keep and then decide what to do with it. Well, I filled them alright, but I still have shit I don't want and don't need cluttering up my shelves. And now I have these four full green bins cluttering up my floor as well.

So in the spirit of "let's pretend I'm moving" and "I want less shit in my life" I am going to fill these bins with the things I WANT to keep. And when they are full, I am done.

Everything else goes away. Far far away.

Everything in those bins goes back on a shelf or in a drawer.

Perhaps they will even get labelled and nicely organized as well. HA! Who am I kidding?! The only way that will happen is if the Organizing Fairy comes over to help.

And I don't think she's available this weekend...

Do you have any big projects that you just can't bring yourself to tackle?

Do you know any organizing fairies?

later loves

August Goals

I say this every month, but I can't believe it's August already!

I've only got two goals this month. I want to focus on my Summer Manifesto, but these ones are easy!

1. Plan a spectacular birthday party for Dude. He is just like me, and pretty low-key in his birthday desires. So I want to create a party for him that is just his style. Last year we went camping at a lake, and had some family join us for cake and fun. We really enjoyed that, so I think something along those lines might be the way to go again. He doesn't really have "friends"... 2. Go to the Heritage Festival AND WATCH SOME SHOWS! We go to Heritage Days every year. We eat some food, I feel like crap, I feel rushed, it's busy, it's hot out, we go home. This year I would like to sit and enjoy some of the entertainment. And relax and enjoy the park. And not make it so much about the food, because that seems more and more silly every year.

Oh, and more nights like this. Yes please.

later loves

Summer Manifesto

Let's see how this goes...

go to the mountains

complete a large painting

make a summer mini album

take Jacob out for an Auntie-Nephew date

finish bathroom renovation

have a sleepover/make a blanket fort in the living room and sleep in it

go camping

Farmer's Market, lots and lots

eat deep fried pickles on a patio

have friends over for BBQ and games

wienie roast in a city park

go for walks in some of our old Orienteering stomping grounds

studio clean up! for reals!!

ride the High Level Streetcar...again

go to the Garneau/Metro for movie night

take the training wheels off Dude's bike

visit as many city festivals as possible!

Taste of Edmonton
Street Performers

Heritage Days

The Fringe

Folk Fest

Shakespeare in the Park

K-Days

etc.

waterslides!

swim in a lake

one new beer "cocktail" recipe (beergaritas are already in full rotation!)

run a 5k

girls night out!

take a Friday off and go to an outdoor pool with Dude

or take Candace up on her Summerside Beach offer!

watch for shooting stars & the Northern Lights

drink beer on a deck, listen to the birds, watch the sunset.....

etc.

later loves

(as inspired by Nadine...)

July (Get Outta Here!) Goals

Yes people. There are more. There are lists and lists and lists of more goals to get done this year! And I'm getting this one out late late late...eek! So late in fact, that I already had the chance to complete at least one of the items on my list! HA!

Nadine did up a "Summer Manifesto", which I absolutely adore and think I might try to replicate in some way as well. But for the sake of continuity, let's focus on my four goals tradition at least for today,

1. Go on a mini road trip. I realize that we already have plans to head to Whitefish, Montana for a destination wedding this month week, tomorrow WE JUST GOT BACK! But I want to go somewhere a little closer to home. Maybe stay the night. Maybe just make it a day trip. Take a lunch, put on some good tunes, and just drive. 2. Be a tourist in my own town! Some fricken amazing, awesome, lovely and gorgeous relatives from Texas are coming up at the end of the month, and my 80-year-old Grandma has kindly drawn up a list of some things she wants to do to "keep them entertained" while they're here. And some of them are teenagers. Oh dear. Wink! 3. Swim in a lake. This might go hand in hand with Goal #1 and/or the destination wedding we're attending! (It didn't...I did stick my feet in a couple of lakes, but that's about it...more on that to come!) Most Alberta lakes are notoriously terrible. But I bet I can find one that doesn't feel too skeevy or full of goose poop! 4. Be Brave....... I had something else for #4, but I felt that I needed to take it out and replace it with something more appropriate, but then I couldn't think of anything. I am having a tough month so far, but "survive July" seems like a cop out. As Jill says "every little ting gonna be a'right". Well, Jill & Bob Marley.

later loves

p.s.  I ended June with the biggest bang of my life! Then topped it all off with an amazing July 1st long weekend. I donated blood, fainted, had some handsome officers and lovely First Aid ladies come to my rescue, made an inappropriate joke about a frozen banana on a stick, had a much-needed chat with my mother, ate dinner outside, and went to bed early. A long weekend friends...I think I made the most of it!

June is a good month!

I like June. Russel's birthday and Father's Day. Dude is done school. The weather is beautiful, the days are longer. There is a giant full moon on the schedule. June is a good month. And in addition to the fact that we ARE IN MEXICO THIS WEEK there are some little things I would like to get done this month.

1. Go camping in the mountains. It has been years and years since we camped in the mountains. Pre-Lucas I think, actually! And I used to go all the time, so it is definitely something that I miss. Really, just "go to the mountains" is on the list. 2. Start an Summer Journal. I made an Instagram Blurb book of my entire (more-or-less) summer last year (that I still have to journal in....oops!) and it is an amazing book! I want to do something similar this year to celebrate my summer moments, both large and small.  3. Celebrate Russel's birthday in style. I feel kind of bad that I have loads of plans for the weekend after Russel's birthday (final symphony of the season, TEDx, Ben Sures concert), so I need to make it up to him. I don't think "but I took you to Mexico for my brother's wedding" is a good compromise! 4. Take off the training wheels! This is more of a goal for Dude, but it is important to me too. I know that I need to be more present and more focused on helping him grow and learn and stuff. The "being a Mom" stuff that I am hit or miss on. Training wheels and learning to ride his bike is important, so I have to step it up and make time for him! He is so close! And I am so excited for him...

I also want to register for my 5k, consider the possibility of running a 10k in the fall (?!), go to the park as much as humanly possible, eat dinner in the backyard, plant some things and keep them alive, go to the Farmer's Market, and keep doing brave things.

June, be prepared to have your butt kicked with awesomeness.

later loves

May Goals DONE! Well...almost...

It looks like I just needed a break from the blog to get things done. Yay me.

Clean Up Yard > I still need to move some pots to the front and get some new plants in there, but we are getting a new fence this year so I don't know if I want to risk having a bunch of handymen trampling on them. Poot.

Make a Mini Album > It's coming along nicely. Messy, artsy, just the way I like it.

New Clothes Shopping > Target Grand Opening...a couple days later. Note to Self: The boys think "give me one hour" means "give me 32 minutes then start texting me to see if I'm done yet". So next time, no boys tagging along.

Be Brave > I'm working on it. Truthfully, it feels more "completely idiotic" than brave...but....

What's special-lovely-wonderful in your life lately? Do share!

later loves

MAY I have your attention please...he he he....

So let's start the post off with a little truth-telling. I can't even remember my April goals...oops.

And now that I have taken the time to look back at them, I didn't fare so well. Double oops!

But, that's okay. They were still good intentions, and they helped set the tone for April. And at this point in my life, that's all I'm looking for from my "Simple Goals of the Month." No pressure. And it's not like I didn't have an amazing April, and do absolutely nothing. So there.

This all means that I am still going to make a list for May, and we'll see what happens!

1. Clean up my yard. It is so gross right now. Snow mould, and dead leaves, and garbage that I didn't get a chance to take care of before the snow came. Yep. I can't really plant anything until June - frost issues, I'm not even kidding - but at least I can make it look somewhat "respectable" (read: not white trash) 2. Complete one mini album. I feel like I have a bunch started (hiding somewhere) that I haven't finished. I lost interest in them, or got too busy or something got in the way - as per usual. I used to love building mini books out of whatever materials I could find. I would like to get back in to this. 3. Go clothes shopping! I have been putting off buying some new clothes for awhile now because I am having a little fight with my current wardrobe. I didn't want to run out and buy a bunch of stuff that would suffer the same fate. So I am taking my time, and am going to be very selective and judicious. They need to be new-job friendly, but also work into spring and summer. At the same time, I don't want to spend too much $$ in case I lose a bunch more weight and nothing fits me in a couple of months. Cause it's not like that hasn't been happening for the past year or so. Damnit. This actually feels less like a "goal" and more just like something I would have done anyway! 4. Do one brave thing. Just one. This feels like the month for bravery...

I did go jump in some puddles, and celebrate BFF's birthday in standard Lisa-style (it means I threw up). So April wasn't a complete bust...ha!

later loves

Is is April already?

Where the fuck did March go people? I mean, really! One moment I was making my March goals, and reveling in the SNOW & COLD that is March in Edmonton. And now the snow is melting, and there are bags of Mini Eggs for sale everywhere, and we're blowing bubbles and playing with sidewalk chalk, and it's fricken' April! ACK!

So I guess I need to make some more goals yo...some April Goals (that's so my search widget will pick up this post!) I will admit to many setbacks that prevented 75% of my March goals from being completed (Dining room table clean! Check!) but as per usual, I have high hopes for the new month. And there is no way I will ever beat myself up for not completing these fun goals of mine. They are for fun and are guidelines only. I mean really...I'm not re-inventing the wheel here.

1. Have a girls' night out. As much as I enjoy my weekly coffee dates with BFF (like, a lot, I enjoy them a lot) there is something to be said for a night out with my girls. Maybe a bottle (or two) of wine. Giggles. Talk of boys & hairdos (or whatever passes for girl talk nowadays, I'm really out of the loop). Etc. So I guess I should figure out who "my girls" are first. Any volunteers? 2. Go jump in some puddles. Why yes Nicole, I am totally jealous of your escapades in the puddles of Jasper last month. Totally. 3. More DIYs. I really enjoyed completing all those random, spur-of-the-moment DIYs last month. I want to add some more fashion ones in to the mix, and see where that takes me. Also, I ordered some hair pin legs online for a coffee table I am hoping to build! Eek! 4. Thirty Days of Lists. Yes, I realize that 30 Days of Lists is over - officially - and I have missed the boat to participate in the community and whatnot. But I rarely participate in the group work of online classes/seminars/sessions anyway, and that's okay. And Moorea Seal has her 52 Lists going on as well, so I have some ideas to choose from. And if we're being completely realistic here, one list per day is way too big of a commitment for me! HA! I have been writing, journaling & drawing in my moleskine more than ever, and I find myself very grounded and contented afterwards. These won't be fancy lists, but they will exist to inspire and to help me practice putting my thoughts on paper.

Of course "finish my damn bathroom renovations" is on the damn list. Damnit. And as soon as they are done, I'm going to put some other crazy reno plan on the list and see how many months we can drag that one out. Geeze louise!

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot...BFF turns 30 at the end of the month! Wheee! Some sort of crazed debauchery is in order I'm sure. Oh, who am I kidding. We'll probably just drink martinis, listen to records and watch the stars. Sounds amazing...

Hello April! I'm ready for you!

later loves

Just Say It!

source

(goddammit....)

This is a hard post for me to write, but please don't ask me why. I put myself "out there" a lot on this blog, but this post (and confession?) leaves me feeling a little vulnerable...but also really STRONG...hmmm....

It's about my Word. The word I have chosen to guide my 2013. My goals, my intentions, my day-to-day. It has been sneaking up in my conversations, and emails, sometimes without me even noticing it.

That means it is the right word.

But that doesn't mean it's not still hard for me to say it.

In fact, when I told lady at work, she asked me straight out what I had to be brave about.

There I've said it. That wasn't so hard. I guess.

BE BRAVE.

I guess that's two words. Or an action. Or whatever.

Just reading those words, and thinking about them makes me feel a glow and a warmth in my heart. Last year I took a lot of baby steps towards becoming more brave, and taking control of my actions and decisions, and it all felt so awesome and amazing and empowering.

I know that I AM brave. Now, I just need to BE brave.

And all those brave baby steps paid off last week. I listened to my heart, and I did something that was SO FRICKEN TOUGH for me to do. But it felt right, and it felt so good afterwards.

And I am SO PROUD OF MYSELF!

I feel like I'M ON FIRE! I feel like I can do anything. I feel like this is just the beginning...

This "being brave" thing is invigorating, and inspiring, and impossible not to love.

That's probably good for now. I just wanted to share. I will have more on "being brave" later.

It's a BIG DEAL people! And I am excited to share, and excited to maybe inspire some of you to BE BRAVE in your life as well...

later loves

It's that time of month again....March Goals!

1. Finish the bathroom reno. We got waylaid last month because our tile took way longer to get here than anticipated. I really want to finish this soon and move on to other projects. 2. Catch up on Project Life. I am so way behind on this! I started the year off strong, and then February hit and I hit a wall (apparently). My Project Life has taken on a Life of its own, and I need to really sit down, catch up, and re-evaluate. I love it, but I also hate it. 3. Keep my dining room table clear. I have a habit of dumping stuff here when it comes in to the house. And more often than not, it never finds its way to a real forever home! But we cleaned it off this week for Russel's meeting, and it FELT REALLY GOOD. I want to try and maintain that feeling for as much of the month as I can, hopefully turning it in to a good habit and keeping it up forever more!  4. Go to the Farmer's Market. I love going to the Strathcona Farmer's Market in the winter (all year long, actually), but I can't even remember the last time we went! That's a shame. It's a good way for the three of us to get out of the house and get moving on an otherwise lazy Saturday morning, and spend some time together as well.

I also want to Post my WORD for 2013. This shouldn't be a big deal to anyone but me, but it is a big deal for me. It feels private, but it also feels like I might need some support and some words of encouragement along the way. And what better way to find those, than by proclaiming it on the blog for all the world all 10 people who read my blog to see! And since I have already made progress on it, I want to share that as well.

January // February Goals Update-O-Rama

1. Go sledding. CHECK. And we've gone a bunch more times since then too! Russel even joined us on Family Day.

2. Make a snowman. Well, I was a day late on this one, but I did it! And her head promptly fell off that evening. Oh well. Guess who wouldn't join me...

3. I never did finish-finish my December Daily, but it is damn close....hmmm. I did a bunch more pages, and added some journaling, but it's not quite done. Maybe I'll get back into it once I've got a handle on "Project Life Documented" this month!

4.  Never rented any cross-country skis. Oops! But it was a noble goal, one that I will put back on the list especially now that I know the City runs ski workshops!

5. February was all about BATHROOM RENOVATIONS! We got a really good start on all of it, and made it to Tile World the first weekend to pick out and purchase/order our tile! And it still. Hasn't. Arrived. Boo-urns! So everything else is pretty much on hold until we know it's in town. I don't want to lose a bathroom for a whole month for no reason but to wait.

6. Our Bathroom Reno Timeline is beautiful. Russel put that one together. I am SO GLAD he is on board with this project! It's way more fun to do as a team.

7. That "white thing" is still in my house. Does anyone out there need a behind-the-toilet cupboard? I'm thinking at this point it's just going to make its sweet little way to the dumpster!

8. And I never had people over for dinner. That was kind of dependent on finishing the bathroom reno, so it will stay on the list and as soon as we're all done in that regard, the invitations are going out! I'm excited! Especially if I've stuck to my guns and kept the dining room table cleared....there will be less work for me day-of! Wheee!!

On Achieving Goals...you have to make them public, and make yourself accountable. Telling people about your goals, writing them done, and keeping them visible to you (and fresh in your mind) helps you accomplish them and follow through. I may not complete all of my goals completely, but I make a good effort on all of them and I am getting so much better than I was even last year! I used to HATE making goals, because I didn't know how, and I didn't know what I needed to do to make them a reality. But now that I do, and now that I make goals without undue pressure on myself, I am much more confident about making more.

I believe in taking a million baby steps until you can take the big ones. And I took a BIG GIANT HUGE STEP this week and I have never been more proud of myself! And more confident in my abilities and my decisions and my power and control over my own life. Maybe I'll share it with you soon!

And that is all for today people. I was going to post a video, but I still have to make said-video (harumph), so it will have to wait until Monday. Ooh, bet you're just dying from suspense now, eh?! HA!

later loves

Save me from myself!

Hello my name is Lisa, & I have a problem....with clothes.

But it's a good problem, I promise! Sort of...

You see, ever since I have become such a skinny hottie (HA!) I've had to completely update my wardrobe. And I am continually culling items from my closet that don't fit me anymore, or just aren't really my style and don't work with other pieces I have.

And that first big cull resulted in a pretty sad & empty closet. So I had to fill it up. And it took awhile, but fill it up I did! And now it is very full, but I keep on buying stuff...

All of a sudden clothes fit me, and fit me well, and I look good in them...and I feel good in them. So I want to buy pretty much whatever I can get my hands on. Yep...there's the problem. And it doesn't seem to matter that my closet is now full, and I like everything in there, and I've got a grand selection of things.

So I am putting myself on a clothes-shopping ban! But it's going to be tough, so I've got steps and an action plan, and reminders to help myself stick to it!

#1. Remove Temptation // Unsubscribe from those email updates! Ruche, Modcloth, Anthropologie. Even Bon Look & Coastal & Firmoo have got to go, because I treat eyeglasses like fashion! It is way too easy to buy stuff online nowadays, so I do it far more often that I should. I'm hoping that if I stop getting emails sent directly to me, showing me the latest, greatest, cutest and ON SALE items, I will be less inclined to click "Buy Now"

#2. Fun Savings Plan // Every time I feel the need to buy something, put that money into a jar instead with a big fancy reward attached to it. Like a new watch, or a trip out west. This will be difficult, especially because most of my clothes purchasing happens online, where actual paper money does not transfers hands. But I think it's worth a try, and a reward to look forward to at the end of my self-imposed ban is pretty sweet!

#3. Wardrobe Remixes! // I actually have a very full and complete closet, which has never before been the case in my whole fricken life! And I am getting really good at choosing individual pieces that still go with what I have at home. And I work on putting together my outfits for the whole week on Sunday night, so I have time to try new combinations, and make sure every piece gets worn. And this helps keep me from getting bored with everything that's in there.

Goal: Set!
Action Plan: Put in to action!

I think I'm good to go....wish me luck!

later loves

Panic Panic Panic in the Studio

One of my loftier goals this year is to clean out my studio. This is the big one, a doozy for sure. You see, my studio is my dumping ground. If we are having guests over, and there is a pile of stuff on the dining room table that is waiting to find a more permanent home, it inevitably ends up in the "purgatory" that is my studio. There are half-finished projects everywhere, and when I most recently re-arranged all the furniture in there things that needed to find homes (or needed to be junked) just moved in to the centre of the room and have been hanging out there ever since. I want to say it's been like this for a year or so (yikes!!), but it feels like an eternity.

I cannot stand it anymore. I really can't. I hate even looking in the door (which I can open and close now - miracle!) and I never want to actually work in there. It sucks my creative juices right out, and makes me feel guilty for playing when I really need to be cleaning....and purging.

But this is a daunting task, people. I am not by any stretch of anyone's imagination an "organized" person, and I can't bear to throw (most) things away. Especially something that I have made, or at least started to make.

I have given myself some guidelines on this.
#1. I CAN make this project last all year, taking it a bit at a time, just so it doesn't completely overwhelm me.
#2. But I MUST work on it a little every week/month.
#3. I WILL be ruthless when deciding what to keep.

I have no idea as to what I want the room to look like, but I really really want to be able to see the floor! Ha! But seriously, I think I will try and make-do with the furniture & shelves that are already in there, and save my money for the big bathroom renovation that I have been promising myself for years. That's got to happen this year month, come hell or high water!

Do you have any "organization" goals for the new year?

Any tips for the "my life is a mess" kind of person?!

(because I sure could use some!)

This is one of my BIG Goals for 2013! To see the rest, and to follow along with my progress check out this page!

later loves

UPDATED! February (Bathroom Reno) Goals

I want to spend the next month focusing on my bathroom renovations that have totally stalled right out! It I make my goals specific enough, I think I can "git er done".

#1. Go to Tile World and pick out the tile for the floor, and then buy it!

#2. Write up a "timeline" of the order in which things need to happen, and a list of purchases to make (sink, cabinet, plumbing stuff, etc.).

#3. Put the white shelving unit on Kijiji and get it out of my house!

And since I always make FOUR goals for myself every month...
#4. Umm....do it?! No wait. HAVE PEOPLE OVER FOR DINNER! Yes. That one is more fun, aka better. And that will give me even more incentive to get the task done...if there is a guarantee that the general public will see if before the month is out!

These are all good starter steps for me, to get me moving forward. They are small tasks, and totally working with the "do-able" theme, yet important enough that if they don't happen, the reno won't happen either!

If you are like me when it comes to setting goals that seem to lofty and too "large", and therefore never ever get done, start small, and start do-able. Break apart the final outcome in many small achievable steps and set yourself deadlines for each step. Every check on your list means you're closer to your goal, but not overwhelmed by the enormity of the goal itself!

UPDATED: And since I just love Nicole (and was planning on doing this anyway) I thought I would share a before picture of the offending bathroom...

Obviously I need to do some cleaning first....that target doesn't belong there...wink! But the Scientific American is there to stay!

later loves

"Take A Class" - the vaguest goal ever set!

So, this has been on my mind a lot lately. "Taking a class" that is. So much so, that it made it on the Grand Goal List for 2013! I absolutely loved learning about new things in school, and sometimes still wish I had the gumption (& money...& time) to go back full-time. But for now, a simple online class will have to do.

I jumped right in to this goal, both feet first, and signed up for Aby Garvey's Simplify 101 "Quick & Simple Clutter Control" the first week of January. I figure "quick" is handy, because even though I have been backing off on some responsibilities, I feel I have less and less time to get things done. And "simple" fit right into all of my other goals (and thoughts, and aspirations) for the year. And clutter....well, I've got loads of that! I'm drowning in that!

The online workshop started (officially) on January 3rd, and while I am actually kind of completely an idiot when if comes to figuring out online classes set up like this - steep learning curve - I actually posted something in the forum (gasp!) and followed the first couple of prompts (egad!).

The class is done now, and as per usual, I faded out after week one. Ha! But I actually got a lot from the class, took some steps to keep the clutter at bay, and did some cleaning! Say what?!

This first step towards expanding my horizons was a positive one! And it was a good first step toward taking more classes, and maybe even - gasp - something live and in person! Tee hee! It's also a great tie-in to my "one little word" that is going to shape my year....that I am still not ready to share. Which actually, is a problem that my OLW should address...hmmm. Progress, people. Growing & progress & becoming a better person, & blah blah blah.

later loves

Look! An InfoGraphic!

And a useful one at that! Just in case this is your first stop by my blog this year (what is wrong with you?!), I will pre-empt this post with a little disclaimer: I LOVE MAKING RESOLUTIONS! And I have made a whole whack-load already this year. I consider this blog to be a great tool in keeping myself accountable (to myself...) when it comes to realizing my goals, and following through. I hope you get something out of some of my ramblings. And if not, here is a well-designed (by someone else) graphic that might help you even more!

Thanks to OnlineEducation.net for this cool graphic!!