40 Things For The Year I'm 40.

I promised to post this on my birthday, so here it is. I will print this and hang it where I can be reminded of it daily. As I accomplish the items, I will check them off and let you know I've done it...hooray! I don't think it really matters how old you are, sometimes just getting things down on paper is really helpful.
These are not in any sort of order, just written in the order I thought of them.
I'm excited, I think I'm going to like 40.

1. Lose 40 pounds, (of course, I had to put that in there)
2. Develop a better Attitude of Gratitude (this needs work)
3. Find and try at least one new healthy meal for each week (picky proof)
4. Become more organized, less cluttered..simplify.(this seems to be a lifelong goal)
5. Finish my U.F.O's, they're taking over.
6. Publish or sell some of my artwork. (I'm a chicken in this area)
7. Do some form of exercise everyday, on purpose.(couch to kitchen, doesn't count)
8. Take an unexpected fun trip.
9. Karaoke, without caring what anyone thinks. (Be brave, little Piglet)
10. Plant a successful Pumpkin Patch
11. Wear more skirts, fun, flowy, summery skirts.
12. Give people your full attention when they're talking to you.
13. Be more gracious towards others.
14. Love unconditionally.
15. Get to a point of walking 3 miles a day.
16. Read 10 really great books.
17. Knit a fun, cotton summer top.
18. Call, write or visit family and friends more often.
19. Be more spontaneous, you don't have to plan everything out on paper.
20. Put up goat fences and finally get goats and chickens.
21. Grow sunflowers.
22. Fly a kite.
23. Laugh a lot.
24. Get a massage.
25. Learn to belly dance.
26. Go for bike rides with your family.
27. Inspire others.
28. Add some low-lights to your hair, just for fun.
29. Stop procrastinating, just do it.
30. Go on more field trips.
31. Paint a large picture for sitting room. (stop making excuses):P
32. Plan and take a trip with hubby to Ireland. (you only live once)
33. Wear Levi 501 button up jeans again, I love those jeans.
34. Skip (this will be better when there's less of you to bounce)
35. Play jump rope (see 34)
36. Paint your fingernails more often.
37. Help plan and prepare for your daughter's wedding, it's going to be amazing.
38. Think less, Do more.
39. Create a bunny haven for Twidget and Toodles, complete with flower maze.
40. Enjoy every day, every moment, stop thinking about what's next and focus on what's now!

End of the Week, How am I doing?

Wow, this week has blown by. I will give you a quick update on how I'm doing on the goals I set.


Drink more water: I've done fairly well in this area, although I'm not sure I ever achieved the 4 tall glasses. I should probably drink less coffee, I've tried to keep it to one cup per day, but it's good stuff. I'll work harder on that.

Exercise/Walk everyday: I have actually done this. Hooray!!! I would like to get more of a variety of work outs to do, too. I saw an ad for the Hip Hop Abs, I'm thinking it looks like fun, I might give that one a shot. I'll check at the library first, maybe they'll have a copy I can borrow. I've found that the library or Netflix is a good source for trying out new workout videos, then if you're in love, you can take the plunge and buy it.

Add Fruits and Veggies: Hmmm...I don't think I've eaten one piece of fruit, I claimed I would make a smoothie and didn't, I have had some veggies though. Green beans last night and .......um, did I mention green beans last night? :D Okay, so this is obviously an area that needs greater work. I will strive to eat more fruits and veggies, this is a journey not a destination. One step at a time.

Be Patient: So far so good, of course it's only been a week. I have fallen off the wagon and gotten a little chocolate on me, oops! But, you'll be happy to hear, I've been chocolate free for 24 hours and I intend to stay that way for an unspecified amount of time. Really! Weigh In is on Monday, so I've got to be good, gaining would be far too humiliating.

Tights in Public: Oh yea, just a fantasy.

So, there you have it, my week in a nutshell.



Have a smashing weekend,

Toodles, Fairwell and all that goodbye stuff.

Til Monday,



Carrots <<<3~

Instant Gratification

I think it's very important to set short term goals, as well as long term goals. If you're anything like me, you probably need to see some sort of light at the end of the tunnel, to get you through the day. I find that it's much easier to be excited about my journey, if there are going to be nuggets of goodness throughout. I failed to mention yesterday, my overall weight goal. I hope to be at 120 lbs., although less than that would suit me just fine. And I am truly hoping that once I get to that point, a few more pounds won't seem so overwhelming and daunting. I have decided to break up this journey into 5 pound chunks. For every 5 pounds I drop I would like to reward

myself. I am really in need of a good pair of walking shoes. I will take a picture today of the ones I have and you'll see what I mean. They're not fit for public display. I only wear them on the back roads of my life.

Today is a beautiful day, the rain has paused for the moment and it's a bit foggy/misty out. I love it! My goal is to put on my cruddy shoes and walk at least a mile, although I may bust out and walk two....pennance for all the chocolate I ate yesterday! Back on track, my first 5 pound goal, is a new pair of walking shoes. Something to look forward to and hopefully fairly soon!

I did manage to drink more water yesterday, and I did a 10 minute workout and even got off the couch to snag my own chocolate. Aren't you proud? :)

It's a new day, a beautiful day and I know it's going to be a better day!

I hope it will be fantastic for you, too.

p.s.

I will try to remember to add some fruit to my day...I think I may have some frozen fruits and bananas that I can pop in the blender for an, after my long walk, smoothie. So many new, good habits to remember. :D

If You Continue To Do What You've Always Done

This saying, "If you continue to do what you've always done, you'll continue to get what you've always got", is my new motto for this journey. Makes sense doesn't it? So, I guess this means I am not going on a diet, they never work for me anyway, instead I'm going to change the things that I've been doing continuously for the past, well... a lot of years. I spent time this weekend really thinking about my eating/exercise habits and let's just say, it's no wonder I am at this point. I'd love to blame it all on the Easter Bunny, but let's be honest, it's not like he shoved the chocolate in my mouth, that was me. With that in mind, I am going to make a short list (I don't want to overwhelm myself) and I will simply add to this list as I go.

Goals/New Habits:

1. Drink more water (I'll start with at least 4 tall glasses per day, I don't want to slosh when I walk)

2. Exercise Daily (I hope to walk every day, although weather is unpredictable, so I need alternatives, like getting off the couch and getting that brownie myself, instead of asking my kids to get it for me)

3. Add fruits and veggies to my day (I know I should be doing this already, but did I mention I am extremely picky...if it's not fattening, I don't like it)

4. Be Patient (I tend to give up quickly when I don't see immediate results, it took me years to get this way, I won't change overnight...darn!)

5. Look good in tights (when I put on my superhero costume, I don't want to frighten anyone...oh wait, that's a fantasy, not a goal)

Okay, I think this should be a good start. I will add to my list as I go, and I will let you know when these habits have taken. I do plan to work on these every day. Go me!!! I need to learn a better cheer.

Time to put on my walking shoes, I've got a long road ahead of me. :)