I'm ashamed to say I failed horribly at my March goal: take a picture a day. I can't say if this is because I was lazy, uninspired, or forgetful. Likely it's a combination of all three. In any case, my attempt to spark some hidden creativity by taking pictures of specified things each day did not work. Apparently to find my creativity, I'd have to dig deeper than six-year-olds trying to dig to China do.
Some of my goals for later in the year focus on fostering my imagination, but I clearly do much better at sticking to more concrete, tangible goals. That's why I have high hopes for April's goal: no eating out on weekdays and weeknights. My menu for the month is set and will give me leftovers for lunches, so I know I can do it. Also, this ridiculous heat we've already been experiencing lessens my appetite, so that should help.
In addition, I found out today that my mortgage is going up an ungodly amount to cover my escrow shortage, so I'll likely be too broke even for McDonald's for the next year.
I may lose that stubborn ten pounds yet...
I didn't do so hot with my reading goal either---due in part to my vacation to Houston and my mom coming to visit me---but because of my fast and furious January/February reading, I'm still nine books ahead of schedule. Holla!
The only books I finished in March were:
1. Lincoln on Leadership - This is a great nonfiction read about the principles of modern leadership that Abraham Lincoln utilized in his day.
2. The Great Divorce - I read this for book club at work and wouldn't read it again. I've discovered that I'm not much of a C.S. Lewis fan, no matter how much I endeavored to be. Luckily this book was a quick read, but I didn't particularly enjoy the story of a man who gets to tour heaven and finds that most people don't actually want to stay there. I just can't wrap my brain around it.
3. The Future of Us - I thought this book was going to be great. I loved Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, but this book of Asher's and Carolyn Mackler's fell flat. The premise is that of a teenage boy and girl in 1996 who discover their Facebook profiles fifteen years in the future. They tried to change their futures in small ways, but they didn't try to do or change anything of substance. The female protagonist was disturbingly shallow and self-centered, leading me to wonder why the male lead was at all interested in her. I gave the book three stars because it was a fairly entertaining, quick read, but I was disappointed in the ending and found the characters' relationship confusing and a bit unrealistic.
Here's hoping my April books will be more remarkable.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Just Call Me the Energizer Bunny
Haven't been able to get ahold of me lately? (Don't worry; it's not just you.) Been missing me like crazy? (I don't blame you.) Wondering just how I handle my hectic schedule? (Me too.)
Here's what last week looked like for me:
Sunday: Randel and I went to a birthday dinner at our friend Lacey's parents' house and got to hang out with her and her husband, our other friends Joey and Ashley, and their adorable kids. We ate, laughed, and played Spoons. I hadn't played that game since my Upward Bound days in high school. I had forgotten how much fun it was.
Monday: work and then booty-shakin' fun at my 5:45 Zumba class.
Tuesday: mine and Randel's weeknight date night. It was my turn to go to him, and we had Swadley's for dinner and just watched TV.
Wednesday: I had a much-needed girly date with my bestie, Jennifer. I went to her house to spend a little time with her and little man (Reed) before we left for our date. When I pulled up, Reed was pointing at my car and grinning the most adorable grin, apparently saying, "Ashy!" according to Jennifer. He showed me his new tricks: flipping and dancing to the Target commercial with the song "Alouette." Afterward, Jennifer and I headed to dinner at Chili's and then on to the movies to see The Hunger Games. There are always many laughs when we get together. We had a fabulous time and planned our next girly date for next month: homemade egg rolls and Breaking Dawn Part 1. It's okay to be jealous.
Thursday: My friends Laura and Reese and I hung out and watched a couple episodes of "Downton Abbey," an excellent British drama about the Crawley family of Downton Abbey and their servants. Once you get used to their accents and how fast they talk (and learn all their names), you're hooked.
Friday: I went with some coworkers to watch The Hunger Games (and enjoyed it just as much the second time). That evening, Laura and I had dinner with our friend Briana, who moved to Tahlequah last year. We ate at Zio's, chatted at Starbucks for a while, and ended the evening at Briana's hotel lobby, catching up on life.
Saturday: I taught my 10:30 Zumba class, came home and showered, made a quick trip to Best Buy with Laura, went to a hypnotist show, then came home and got to read for pleasure.
Sunday: Today is mine and Randel's 18-month anniversary. We weren't actually planning on celebrating, but when we realized that the Thunder game Randel bought tickets to marked a year and a half for us, we figured it couldn't hurt to live it up. We got to Chesapeake Energy Arena about 10:45 for the Thunder/Bulls game. We walked around for a while then found our seats and spent about ten minutes trying to take a decent picture of ourselves. After the game (Thunder won!), we had a delicious late lunch/early dinner at Chelino's then booked it to Harkins for the 3:40 showing of none other than The Hunger Games. If you're not keeping track, this was my third time to see it, in nearly as many days. Randel gave me the choice to see something different, but because he's such a great guy and spoils me rotten (or maybe because I'm such a caring girlfriend), I agreed to see the movie again since he really wanted to see it. We have spent an amazing year and a half together, and I look forward to many more.
Whew...quite a week, huh? This week promises to be just as busy---lots of gym time, a Redhawks baseball game, and going to Tipton for Easter weekend.
I can't complain about my busy lifestyle, though. It just means I have friends and have fun. Added bonus: it gives me material to blog about.
Here's what last week looked like for me:
Sunday: Randel and I went to a birthday dinner at our friend Lacey's parents' house and got to hang out with her and her husband, our other friends Joey and Ashley, and their adorable kids. We ate, laughed, and played Spoons. I hadn't played that game since my Upward Bound days in high school. I had forgotten how much fun it was.
Monday: work and then booty-shakin' fun at my 5:45 Zumba class.
Tuesday: mine and Randel's weeknight date night. It was my turn to go to him, and we had Swadley's for dinner and just watched TV.
Wednesday: I had a much-needed girly date with my bestie, Jennifer. I went to her house to spend a little time with her and little man (Reed) before we left for our date. When I pulled up, Reed was pointing at my car and grinning the most adorable grin, apparently saying, "Ashy!" according to Jennifer. He showed me his new tricks: flipping and dancing to the Target commercial with the song "Alouette." Afterward, Jennifer and I headed to dinner at Chili's and then on to the movies to see The Hunger Games. There are always many laughs when we get together. We had a fabulous time and planned our next girly date for next month: homemade egg rolls and Breaking Dawn Part 1. It's okay to be jealous.
Thursday: My friends Laura and Reese and I hung out and watched a couple episodes of "Downton Abbey," an excellent British drama about the Crawley family of Downton Abbey and their servants. Once you get used to their accents and how fast they talk (and learn all their names), you're hooked.
Friday: I went with some coworkers to watch The Hunger Games (and enjoyed it just as much the second time). That evening, Laura and I had dinner with our friend Briana, who moved to Tahlequah last year. We ate at Zio's, chatted at Starbucks for a while, and ended the evening at Briana's hotel lobby, catching up on life.
Saturday: I taught my 10:30 Zumba class, came home and showered, made a quick trip to Best Buy with Laura, went to a hypnotist show, then came home and got to read for pleasure.
Sunday: Today is mine and Randel's 18-month anniversary. We weren't actually planning on celebrating, but when we realized that the Thunder game Randel bought tickets to marked a year and a half for us, we figured it couldn't hurt to live it up. We got to Chesapeake Energy Arena about 10:45 for the Thunder/Bulls game. We walked around for a while then found our seats and spent about ten minutes trying to take a decent picture of ourselves. After the game (Thunder won!), we had a delicious late lunch/early dinner at Chelino's then booked it to Harkins for the 3:40 showing of none other than The Hunger Games. If you're not keeping track, this was my third time to see it, in nearly as many days. Randel gave me the choice to see something different, but because he's such a great guy and spoils me rotten (or maybe because I'm such a caring girlfriend), I agreed to see the movie again since he really wanted to see it. We have spent an amazing year and a half together, and I look forward to many more.
Whew...quite a week, huh? This week promises to be just as busy---lots of gym time, a Redhawks baseball game, and going to Tipton for Easter weekend.
I can't complain about my busy lifestyle, though. It just means I have friends and have fun. Added bonus: it gives me material to blog about.
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