30 Before 30 Update

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement.
2. Recover a chair.
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor)
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch. Thanks to Husby tonight…read more below.
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay down Credit Cards. (I am sure you see what I did...changed "pay-off" to "pay down." It was a lofty goal at best, but we did put over $3000 towards Credit pay down since the list creation date...so I am marking this off. Deal with it, it's MY list! :) haha!)
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos. Forget favorite photos, I am working on a photo book of the basement progress. So it totally counts!
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups. Again, thanks to Husby…we are taking photos tomorrow. So I am going to mark this one off!!
10. Grow vegetables.
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode.
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds. *still on WW...losing slowly but surely. I highly doubt I am losing another 9 pounds before May 20th…but I am proud at many of the changes I have made and the 11 pounds lost so far!
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen. *getting ready to purchase fabric.
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography.
16. Grow out my hair.
17. Bake my own bread. Got the plan…now let’s do it already!
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun. August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March Planning April now...
19. Create our "Family Story" wall. *May make the shelves in the next couple weeks.
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet. *I really wish I had known we were going to finish our basement as fast as we did…I wouldn’t have added this to my list haha!
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog.
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days.
23. Have a successful Yard Sale.
24. Paint a picture. *Painting soon
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace.
29. Grow Peonies.
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween.

So, let me tell you about how this evening went. So Husby tells me not to plan anything this evening and then he surprises me with some of my favorite girlies and all the stuff to make homemade Sushi! WHICH is one of the items on the list above. OH YEAH!!! Here are some great pictures from the evening.

It was a blast, and I am so grateful to Husby for planning it!!! If this is the kind of 30 Before 30 fun plans that are headed my way, I am really excited for the next month!!!

Wish me luck, I have a lot to do!!

30 Before 30 Update

It's been nearly a month since I last updated...so let's see how I am doing...

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement.
2. Recover a chair. 
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor) 
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch.
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay down Credit Cards. (I am sure you see what I did...changed "pay-off" to "pay down." It was a lofty goal at best, but we did put over $3000 towards Credit pay down since the list creation date...so I am marking this off. Deal with it, it's MY list! :) haha!)
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos. *adding photos...
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups. 
10. Grow vegetables.
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode. 
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds. *still on WW...losing slowly but surely.
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen. *getting ready to purchase fabric.
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography.
16. Grow out my hair.
17. Bake my own bread.
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun. August, September, October, November, December, January, February Planning March now...
19. Create our "Family Story" wall. *Gotta make the shelves
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet.
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog.
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days.
23. Have a successful Yard Sale.
24. Paint a picture. *Painting soon
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace.
29. Grow Peonies. Planted!
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween.

16 out of 30 completed, and that leaves 14 that I still need to complete. 5 of which I am about to jump on this month. I do realize that I will not COMPLETE this list, however for the first time doing this I am pretty darn excited! And I have 77 days left...I  still may surprise myself!

I am really gonna hit the list now that March is here and the weather is on it's way to gorgeous! Come May, I think I am going to challenge the Husby and I to make monthly lists in the areas of:

Enjoy, Create, Organize, Grow, Save, Home, Cook and Health. (Idea taken from here)

I think it should be fun to challenge ourselves!!

30 before 30 Update

Ok, let's see how I'm doing...

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement.
2. Recover a chair. *heehee, need to finish painting...but it's been too cold!
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor) 
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch. *so the date came and went...trying again...ugh.
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay off Credit Cards.*about to pay one off!!!
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos. *adding photos...
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups. 
10. Grow vegetables.
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode. 
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds. *still on WW...losing slowly but surely.
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen. *getting ready to purchase fabric.
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography.
16. Grow out my hair.
17. Bake my own bread.
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun. August, September, October, November, December, January, February
19. Create our "Family Story" wall. *Gotta make the shelves
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet.
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog.
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days.
23. Have a successful Yard Sale.
24. Paint a picture. *Painting soon
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace. *Gotta buy items needed
29. Grow Peonies. *Have purchased the root/bulbs!
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween.

10 out of 30 completed, and that leaves 11 that I am working on...and that leaves 9 that I still need to complete, some of which I am already kind of preparing myself for an incomplete result.  While I realize...this is not very good for only having 93 days left...I am still very excited!

I am really gonna hit the list now that we are in the middle of February and the weather is starting to give us a few subtle hints that Spring is on it's way! So I promise to update again soon...and hoping to mark off at least 5 to 6 of this items crossed off!

30 Before 30 - Update...

According to my Timer, I have: 118 Days, 8 Hours, 53 Minutes and 15, 14, 13...seconds left to complete my 30 before 30 list.

Let's take a look at how well I am doing...

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement. *We are so close...just a small portion of the laundry room needs to be finished and all the bulkheads. But we are on a little break after Husby's injury.
2. Recover a chair. *heehee, need to finish painting...but it's been too cold!
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor) 
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch. *It's on the calendar...January 28th. If I have talked to you about coming over when I do it...save that date! :)
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay off Credit Cards. 
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos. *adding photos...
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups. 
10. Grow vegetables.
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode. 
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds. *On Weight Watchers since January 4th, 7 pounds down so far.
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen. *In design phase :)
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography.
16. Grow out my hair.
17. Bake my own bread.
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun. August, September, October, November, December I am working on January.
19. Create our "Family Story" wall. *Gotta make the shelves
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet.
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog. *Getting so close...almost at 33,657!! 1,000 more than last check in!
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days. We are on "orchid watch" It's day 14...so far, so good!
23. Have a successful Yard Sale.
24. Paint a picture. A plan is in place to work on this soon. Next month!
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace. Planning this one.
29. Grow Peonies.
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween.

So I think we are doing pretty good!! We only have 20 left and many of those are SO close to being done!! I am proud...and while we are at it...how about I check in with my 2011 Goals so far...

• Join Weight Watchers again I joined on January 4th. I have lost 7 pounds as of this morning.
  
• Start a friendly weight loss competition with some friends. I have joined two competitions. One online with Bobbi and Mike, called the HealthyTrain. One is still in the works between the Young Adult Small Group and the VERB Youth Leaders at our church.
• Exercising. I won't strike through this yet, because it has not become a habit, but I HAVE made an effort to be more active and do some workouts here and there.
• Start couponing. I will go ahead and strike this one, because I am in collect mode right now...I will start using them soon.
• Finish the decor in the Master Bedroom gosh, I am so close to striking this one, but I still need to hang some shelves and make our mirror first. By the way...I need options on shelving location...go here and let me know what you think!
• Read my B.I.B.L.E. more. We are a go on this one....but won't strike just yet.
• Read more period. Not striking, but I have three books ready to read...
• Get at least $500 into savings. Ehhh no where close.
• Go to bed earlier. I will say I have accomplished this a couple nights here and there...
• Wake up earlier. haha, I would hardly say that one or two days counts.
• Eat breakfast. I have done this everyday since the start of Weight Watchers.
• Hit my Photography business hard! Won't strike it yet, but I am hittin' it pretty hard already. Got a Grow-With-Me Package booked and my very first Wedding!
• Get knocked up. :) Working on that ;)
• Get crafty-er I am striking this one...because I have already completed about 4 projects and I have a huge list of more to come!!
• Sew more Working on it...maybe that dress finally?

Not bad!! This is all super exciting! How are you doing on your goals?!

I'm going to be cliche...

I'm makin' resolutions...

SHIZAM.

yep...a list of goals...not so much resolutions...albeit it is that time of year and the definition of resolution means:

Aformal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group.

A resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

The act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

The mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

The act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.

A solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem, controversy, etc.

So take your pick, I am doing it...and here are some of my goals:

• Join Weight Watchers again?
• Start a friendly weight loss competition with some friends...we all need to have our butts kicked right ladies?
• Exercising. blechhh.
• Start couponing, but not all super crazy-like
• Finish the decor in the Master Bedroom
• Read my B.I.B.L.E. more.
• Read more period
• Get at least $500 into savings.
• Go to bed earlier.
• Wake up earlier.
• Eat breakfast...everyday.
• Come Springtime...hit my Photography business hard!
• Get knocked up. :) 
• Get crafty-er
• Sew more 

Gosh,I have more...but I won't bore you with all the details...

...and no it has nothing to do with the fact that if I fail, no one but me will know because you didn't even know I had it as a resolution...

CHEESE. :D

So...while we are at it...let's see how I am doing on my other list...

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement. *Getting closer...ceilings are done (except for laundry room) and Craft Studio is nearly complete!!
2. Recover a chair. *heehee, need to finish painting...but it's been too cold!
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor) 
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch. *It's on the calendar...January 28th. If I have talked to you about coming over when I do it...save that date! :)
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay off Credit Cards. *Here's hoping that taxes will help in this department.
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos. *design is done, now adding photos!
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups. *riiiggghhhttt
10. Grow vegetables.
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode. 
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds. *Well, I had lost 12, then gained 5, then lost a few more...so I can't really remember where I am...but hoping to start WW again here soon!
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen. *Fabric purchased!
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography.
16. Grow out my hair.
17. Bake my own bread.
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun. August,September, October, November, December
19. Create our "Family Story" wall. *Gotta make the shelves
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet.
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog. *Getting so close...almost at 32,657!!
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days.
23. Have a successful Yard Sale.
24. Paint a picture.
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace.
29. Grow Peonies.
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween. *Well...we didn't get this one done :(

ehhhhhh that's pretty bad.

Yeah, so I am NO where near CLOSE to being done...but here's to 2011 and kicking my BUTT into gear!!

30 before 30 Update

It's about that time again...to update you on the status of my 30 Before 30 list...Here's how we're lookin'!!

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement. *Ahhh so close it hurts. Bring on the cold weather so Husby will retreat indoors and we can finish it all! Everything is completely insulated, and drywall is starting to be hung!
2. Recover a chair. *I went from a bench to a bench AND a chair...both have been painting...next coat this week (when it stops raining) then time to recover!
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor) 
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch. *Why do I keep pushing this goal? Am I secretly afraid? Oh no...that's right...I'm too stinkin' busy! :P
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay off Credit Cards.
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos. *still working on this
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups. *Christmas maybe? *sigh*
10. Grow vegetables.
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode. 
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds. *I am steady at 12 pounds lost. Need to get my butt in gear before I go into hibernation mode.
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen.
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography.
16. Grow out my hair. *I am calling this one complete...I have officially had my hair trimmed twice since I made this list, so I think I am on the road to longer hair.
17. Bake my own bread.
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun. August,September, October, November, *working on December's surprise
19. Create our "Family Story" wall. *Designing it now. Shelves are next...
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet.
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog. *Getting so close...almost at 30,800!!
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days.
23. Have a successful Yard Sale.
24. Paint a picture.
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace.
29. Grow Peonies.
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween. *Well...we didn't get this one done :(

So...not much action...but we are sputtering our way through it...

*9 down...21 to go.

30 before 30 update

So here's the progress...kinda... :P

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement. *We are getting closer, we have insulated and purchased drywall (discounted through Craigslist). We are pretty close to hanging it all!
2. Recover a chair. *I am starting with a bench...that counts right? I guess I will strike through when I actually finish...which may be this weekend!
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor) *I am marking this complete, even though I do need to hang some pictures. But the paint, new carpet and all is DONE! yeahhhh! I feel like such a grown-up!
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch. *Pushed this goal to November.
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay off Credit Cards.
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos. *still working on this
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups. *had some taken of Cory and I at our Family Shoot...planning some Fall Leaf ones later in October!
10. Grow vegetables.
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode. *Calling it complete. Not a pro, but have alot of knowledge now!
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds. *I have lost 8 12 pounds since I July 9th!
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen.
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography.
16. Grow out my hair. *Now I think I want to cut it...ahhhh?!
17. Bake my own bread.
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun. August,September, October, November,
19. Create our "Family Story" wall. *Designing it now. Shelves are next...
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet.
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog. *Getting so close...almost at 30,000!!
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days.
23. Have a successful Yard Sale.
24. Paint a picture.
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace.
29. Grow Peonies.
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween. *The idea has been planted...we shall see!

So far, so good in my opinion!!! Seven down...23 to go!!!

30 Before 30 Update

Ok...so it has officially been like 2 months since I posted my original 30 Before 30 post...

So here's the progress...kinda... :P

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement.
   
2. Recover a chair. *I have my eye on two chairs...or types of chairs I should say...may get to this soon!
   
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor) *Not complete yet, but we are getting new carpet October 9th *finally* so we will be painting before that happens.
   
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch. *Is in my goals for September!
   
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay off Credit Cards. *A work in progress.
   
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos. *In the process of putting these together!
   
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups. *I need to order my remote for the camera!
   
10. Grow vegetables. *I am not really going to call this one a success, but I am getting ready to pluck my one pepper that has grown, the other one grew and rotted before it was time to pluck...we had no luck with the squash, cucumbers OR tomatoes...grrr.
    
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode. *still growing and learning
    
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds. *I have lost 8 pounds since I July 9th!
    
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen.
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography.
    
16. Grow out my hair. *I got a trim...so hopefully that will speed up the process!
    
17. Bake my own bread.
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun.
    
19. Create our "Family Story" wall.
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet.
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog.
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days.
    
23. Have a successful Yard Sale.
    
24. Paint a picture.
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace.
29. Grow Peonies.
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween.

So far, so good in my opinion!!! Three down...27 to go!!!

30 Before 30 update

Allow me to show you the progress I am making on my 30 Before 30 list....*snicker, giggle*

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement.
   
2. Recover a chair.
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor)
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch.
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay off Credit Cards. *I did just send $600 away to a CC. YEAH!!!
   
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos.
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups.
10. Grow vegetables. *I do have one green and one red pepper growing and almost ready!!
    
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode. *getting better everyday!
    
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds.
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen.
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography. *With over 10 photo shoots either done or booked, I consider this a successful launch! DONE!
    
16. Grow out my hair. *I suppose I was a big vague about this...let's say I do have about 4-5 more inches to go though!
    
17. Bake my own bread.
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun. *Idea #1 is coming! :P
    
19. Create our "Family Story" wall.
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet.
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog.
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days. *Orchid #1...is dying. Boo.
    
23. Have a successful Yard Sale. *Planning for this Saturday...although rain is planning on attending...AGAIN.
    
24. Paint a picture.
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace.
29. Grow Peonies.
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween.

So far, so good in my opinion!!! One down...29 to go!!!

30 before 30

So, I figured I needed a good challenge...so I came up with this "30 Before 30" list.

30 things I want to do before I turn 30. Seems simple enough right...

1. Finish all drywalling in the basement.
   
2. Recover a chair.
3. Complete our Master Bedroom. (Paint, Furniture & Decor)
4. Sew a dress for myself.
5. Make Sushi from scratch.
6. Get pregnant.
7. Pay off Credit Cards.
   
8. Print out photobooks of my favorite photos.
9. Have a Family Photo taken. Husby and I...and us with the Pups.
10. Grow vegetables.
11. Learn how to use my DSLR in manual mode.
12. Start journaling.
13. Lose 20+ pounds.
14. Make new curtains for my kitchen.
15. Successfully launch my Photography business...aePhotography.
16. Grow out my hair.
17. Bake my own bread.
18. Surprise Husby at least once a month with something fun.
19. Create our "Family Story" wall.
20. Organize and add shelving to our Master Bedroom Closet.
21. Hit 35,000 visitors on our Blog.
22. Successfully keep an Orchid for more than 30 days.
23. Have a successful Yard Sale.
24. Paint a picture.
25. Slow dance with Husby.
26. Go to a show on Broadway.
27. Hold a puppy.
28. Make a necklace.
29. Grow Peonies.
30. Get Husby to dress up for Halloween.
    

So that's it.

30 things I want to do before I turn 30.

Some are silly.
Some are serious.
I just figured it would be a fun challenge...and here's how long I have to do it all...