December Goals

 

Holy epic fail November! Man did I have all the best intentions, but sadly the month got away from me far too soon.  Here is my goals for November:

November Goals:
1.) Publish 2 articles (didn't write at all)
2.) Read (and finish) another book (picked up a book, once)
3.) Take more pictures with BIG camera (barley looked at my camera)
4.) Take a Bikram Yoga Class (fun but so hard)
5.) Clean out all Kitchen drawers/cabinets and organize (Nope not even close)
6.) Volunteer somewhere (wanted too!)
7.) Go on a DATE NIGHT with Michael (was supposed to happen on Saturday 11/30)
8.) Get a facial (NOPE!)
9.) Go on 2 new play dates with Vincent (we barely left the house this month)
10.) Create Vincent Photo Album (sorry buddy!)

The beginning and part of the middle of the month was taking care of Vincent and his ear infection/bug/walking pneumonia and the middle of the month was me getting an epic stomach bug.  We had a lot going on personally and the month was just blah so the fact that we made it is a reason to celebrate on it's own.

I love when a new month starts, new opportunities, fresh slate.  It's a great feeling.  This month is always hectic with the holidays but I am determined to be productive after a very unproductive month.  And really, it's not just because I didn't get much done on my November Goals, it was even just everyday stuff - like emptying the dishwasher, keeping up with laundry.  It all seemed like a chore. 

December Goals:

1.) Finish "Bittersweet" by Shauna Niequest

2.) Take more pictures with BIG camera

3.) Get office organized 

4.) Catch up with all mail and filing

5.) Watch favorite Christmas movies with family

6.) Bake Christmas Cookies

7.) Go to the Christmas Lights 

8.) Visit Santa

9.) Mail out Christmas Cards

10.) Pay it Forward

11.) Finish Christmas shopping by December 15th

12.) Pray everyday.  Make it intentional.

13.) Read more from daily devotional

14.) Do Advent Calendar with Vincent

15.) Have a Christmas morning breakfast for Mike and Vincent.

What are your goals for December?

30 Days of Gratitude: Wrapping It Up

Wrapping up 30 days of Gratitude this month and moving onto hopefully a more productive month in December.  November was exhausting.  November was full of heartache and sadness and drama and frustration and worry.  All emotions and feelings I strive to stay away from if I can, but all inevitable I suppose.  Despite all of this, I am still grateful.  I am blessed.  I am so fortunate for so many things in my life that when I think about all the crap going on I know for sure two things:

1.) Nothing lasts forever.
2.) It could be worse. 

These two things help me from not getting to wrapped up in the sadness.  I am intentionally working towards thinking positive thoughts so I don't get lost in a dark hole.  Some days are better than others.  But still I end the day with a grateful heart.  Here are some last minute things I want to throw out there that I am grateful/thankful for (some repeats) (no particular order):

1.  Good Health - we may not be great all the time but I am not bed ridden and that's a blessing.
2.  Money in our checking and savings - we may not have a lot but it's enough to live comfortably.
3.  Family - I know I can always count on my family no matter what, they are the most supportive, trusting and respectful people I know.
4. Michael - My husband, my best friend... he is my everything.
5. Vincent - His smile, his sweet disposition, he makes me laugh and I love him so much.
6. MiMi - Even tough she pooped in my kitchen this morning, she is the sweetest dog i've ever known.
7. Our Home - A roof over our head with heating/cooling/running water.  How fortunate are we?
8. My job - It's not always glamorous but it allows me to bring in a nice income to provide for my family.
9. Good books - I don't always have all the time to sit down and read but I love the stack of books I can choose from when the mood strikes (or time)
10. Technology - To keep in touch with those far away, having information at my fingertips, finding inspiration. 
11. Laughter - it truly does make things better.
12. Transportation - and reliable transportation at that to get me where I need to go and safely.
13. Sunshine - I take it for granted especially on these gray winter days.
14. Music - No matter my mood, music helps... always.
15. Freedom of Choice - I love that I live in a place where I can choose to live my life how I want.
16. Life Lessons - To show me things I may have not known unless I lived through something.
17. Miracles - No matter how small or how big.  I am thankful for them.
18. My faith - It's not always easy to understand why things happen the way they do, but my faith helps me through it.
19. Food in our home - Grateful I have food for meals and snacks to nourish my family. 
20. Paying it Forward - Nothing like brightening someone's day just because you can.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I will be returning Monday fresh faced and ready to take on December.

[*]

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 19 and Updates

The last couple days have been a blur.  All last week I had intense pain in my neck, shoulder blades, shoulder area and parts of my back - I thought it was stress and pushing myself over the last couple of days.  I felt fine otherwise.  Friday started kind of stressful, but it wasn't anything I couldnt handle, I was out the door so fast I forgot to drink or eat anything! So after checking in at work I headed out the office for a training session I had scheduled at the branches and grabbed a coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Starbucks.   I felt good after getting something in my tummy and continued throughout my day.  After the training sessions, I headed back to the office and began to feel sick.  My appetite was gone, I felt like crawling under my desk and taking a nap and just didnt feel right.  Around 300 pm I decided to call it a day.  I headed home and went to bed for a little.  I started to feel OK so I came out and played with Vincent, hunt out with Mike and had some dinner.  Mike left for the night around 7 and I stayed home and got caught up with my DVR.  When I went to bed I started to get the shivers...BAD.  I wrapped myself up in socks, a huge sweater and even a scarf.  I even felt like I was hallucinating.  Not like your normal hallucinate, but like weird thoughts, sayings, images kept popping up in my head.  I got a fever and was a terrible mess.  I texted Mike to let him know when he comes home to set up shop on the couch because I was definitely sick.  That was a long night.

Saturday wasn't any better.  I was in and out of the bathroom all day, was hot, drank a ton of Gatorade (thanks hubs) and slept. I had another long night of not sleeping and hallucinating again.  Sigh.

Sunday I was starting to feel SOME improvements - not a lot but enough to be like, OK I think I am going to make it. 

Monday was a recovery day and it was exactly what I needed.  I took it slow, took a hot shower, put a little blush and lip gloss on, caught up our overflowing laundry.  And had one of the best nights sleep in a while.  Amen. 

Today I am working from home and Vincent had his 18 month well check up even though he is almost 20 months, lol.  He is doing awesome and so happy he is feeling better too.  After his appointment we went to Hobby Lobby and picked up our new Christmas Tree and did some shopping, grabbed some lunch and now he is taking a nap. 

I am ready to get back into our routine and start feeling better, it's been one thing after another for us and am looking forward to sunnier, healthier days ahead.

Even though I missed coming on to update my 30 days of Gratitude, I am glad I took some time for myself to heal and get better.

Today I am grateful for:

1.) Our family starting to ALL feel better, AMEN!
2.) The awesome sunny day we are having after such crappy weather this weekend.
3.) A clean, disinfected home!
4.) My amazing husband who did SO much for us this weekend while I was out sick.  He truly is one of the best people I know.
5.) My Family.  They've been there so much for us this weekend. 
6.) Fun scarves
7.) Window shopping (not literally, but things I want to buy)

Have a great Tuesday!

[*]

28 Things About Moi

1.) I am a first generation Italian! 

2.) I have gotten stitches 3 separate times ranging from 2 stitches up to 16!

3.) I have four tattoos, a lotus on my right foot a Japanese symbol for Family, "Baci" on my right wrist and "I press on" on the left side of my hand.

4.) I crave solitude.

5.) I prefer odd numbers to even.  

6.) I don't trust many people other than a select few.

7.) I believe an Owl is my spirit animal

8.) My least favorite meal is dinner.  I could have a bowl of cereal every night and be content.

9.) I really want a cat.  A black cat to be exact and I would call him Binx (after Thackery Binx from Hocus Pocus)

10.) I had to have my gall bladder removed 3 months after Vincent was born.

11.) I dont paint my nails as often as I would like.

12.) I like to collect books more than read them.

13.) I will buy something soley based on it's packaging.  

14.) I'm a snacker.

15.) I hate that I love diet coke so much.

16.) I can be outwardly sometimes, but consider myself more of an introvert.

17.) I prefer a movie, pizza, wine night in than a night out on the town - any day! 

18.) I am obsessed with music, if I get hooked on an artist, song, album I will listen to it for days on end.

19.) I love photography but dont spend as much time as I would like practicing.

20.) In my humble opinion, DeLuca's in Garden City, MI has the best pizza ever.

21.) I was in labor with Vincent for over 20 hours and pushed for 3 1/2 before he came into the world.  He was worth every excruciating/amazing second.

22.) I love to collect office and craft supplies.

23.) I lose sunglasses like it's my job.

24.) I have a small obsession with Starbucks.  

25.) I have a bottomless pit for sweets.

26.) I love my family so much, they are some of the few people who really know and get me.  And for that I am grateful.

27.) FRIENDS is still my favorite TV show.  

28.) Over the last 6 mo or so I have grown a lot of my faith.

What are some things about you?

(this is an old collage that I found - adore the pictures of baby Vincent)

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 14

 

I woke up this morning ready to take on the day, I have been cooped up far too long and V hasnt had a fever in over 24 hours so it was OFF to target we go! I am planning on getting a lot done today, but V is exceptionally whinny.  I dont blame him though it's been a rough month for him.  I am planning on geting laundry caught up, dinner on the table, vacuum and dust, get some work done, all good things.

1.) Target Cartwheel App - sooo cool saved $4.00 on my trip! 

2.) Groupon for my awesome $5 for $10 worth of Starbucks! Hell yeah!

3.) Target's Dollar Spot for some awesome goodies

4.) Pirate Booty such a yummy snack

5.) Sunny days 

Hope you all have a fabulous Thursday! 

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 13

 

I came across this quote and just loved it - had to share.  Anyway, I went to work today after taking Monday off due to Vincent's sickies.  I felt OK about it because he hadnt had a fever that AM and slept through the night (can I get an AMEN!) it was nice to get back into the groove of things - our routine because not only do i think Vincent is all thrown off - but us too.  It was nice to get my hustle on.

1.) Work - the people there and what I do make me smile 

2.) Good conversation with some dear friends

3.) Ice cold water

4.) Lorde's CD "Pure Heroine" AMAZING! Played it on repeat all day

5.) A sweet hubby and boy to come home too.

Thanksgiving to right around the corner! Hard to believe this year is winding down! 

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 12

 

 Took V in for a follow up appointment and they are saying he is on the mend, even if we can't fully see all the outward signs of it.  Being patient sucks sometimes, lol.

1.) Coffee.  Amen.

2.) Normal naps during the day

3.) DVR with all my shows

4.) Pizzzza

5.) A big glass of diet coke.

What are you thankful for?