2014 | Onward into the New Year!

The year of “WANTS!”

I have written, reworked, rewritten and turned these words upside down and back around again but here they are. They are written in my quest to be a better Abby. I don't know how many I'll accomplish, and I'm admitting that I'm dreaming a little BIG this year, but after my conquer of 2013 I feel inspired.

1 | I want to tone/tighten and lose a little more weight – I can hear you groaning from here, yes, in theory I have lost enough weight for now, and I am thrilled to be down 65 pounds. However end of August beginning of September was the prime of my weight loss, I was at 198 which is less than I had been in YEARS. I want to get back there; I’m running around 208 right now, (10 pound gain! Blech) because I haven’t really been paying attention and find myself eating “just one” piece of candy here and there – which in all reality is “Two or three”.  Also, the tummy isn’t going to tuck itself, so I think some sit-ups are in store for 2014. MyFitnessPal + Runtastic = My new Bff’s. Plus, I have a bridesmaid dress to fit into!

2 | I want to complete a 5K without dying – Okay, I know I wouldn’t really die if I ran 5K, but it’s not as smooth as I’d like it to be. I can run about 1.5 miles before I feel gross, and sometimes I can even push through to 2 miles, which is about 3 miles more than I could run prior to last year (and yes, I know the math is that bad on that one). My “Ultimate” goal if I had to have one would be to run the “Free to breathe 5K” over the Tacoma Narrows bridge in September in honor of my Mom – this organization is directed toward health and fitness to make happy lungs, and raise Lung Cancer awareness.

3 | I want to PASS my Series 7 and Series 66 and if there’s still time Series 24 – Yes, this one is back … but I have a vengeance! My boss has been on my case (in a nice way) about it since the last time I failed. She gave me reprieve, but now HER boss (the President of the firm) is on her about it, so that means I need to be on it! I can only hope that this means there are good things to come once this is complete, but mostly, I want the monkey off my back. It’s constantly lingering in my mind. I have adopted a new mantra which is “She believed she could, so she did.” I will repeat and repeat until I pass. So, for those of you looking to make social plans with me for 2014 - let’s schedule for October if all goes well.

4 | I want to move into our house – but mostly, I want to make it feel like OUR HOME. This sounds funny, but after living in 1312 with Tim & Katherine, this place feels like home, but I want to make it feel like our home. Don’t get me wrong, I love living here with Tim & Kat, but I am also very excited to have a home of our own, more space and lots of good memories to be made!

5 | I want to have a better attitude about everyday life things that I cannot change – I want a renewed energy for the mundane… laundry, lawn mowing, wood chopping / hauling,  sweeping, work, commuting … the list could go on! I really need to find a happy place with doing things to keep our home moving and thriving.

6 | I want to build my faith again – God and I have been on an understanding sabbatical. I think he understands, but I also think he is sick of needing to understand. I’m totally speaking for him which is probably not good, but I think it’s time for me to start giving a little. I don’t think Eric and I will re-join, or join a congregation or a church nearby, we still have quite a bad taste in our mouth from the last church we were part of, but I want to try to incorporate more prayer and meditation in my day.

7 | I want to find my craft – and maybe start to sell a few things. I can’t tell you how many things I buy from Etsy or on my Instagram feed that I can totally make. Most of my hold up has always been space. It takes a lot of space to sew, to not have to set up and tear down is HUGE to a crafter. I will have a little space of my own to not have to do the set up/tear down and so I’m going to try and do some crafts (after the test thing, of course) if not for profit, for gifts and for my own home.

8 | I want to give up Facebook for good - This may be harder than I think and this is probably going to have to happen in stages  or really back off a little on it – I mean, who goes cold turkey on something like this? Now, my reasoning here may sound a bit dramatic to some of you.  Facebook is a good thing, a marvel, actually. I can make a list of the things I love about it, but it’s been so insidious to my life. For every good thing I can do on Facebook, I can think of something better that I’m not yet doing that I could do with that time instead. It really is that simple. Facebook in moderation is a great idea – though I’ve never been great at moderation. I just kind of feel like it’s time to go, like a break up; “it’s not you, Facebook; it’s me!” But, don’t sweat, if you’d like to stay in touch, I intend on keeping this Blog going – and I do have an e-mail address and, *gasp a Home address you could send mail to, or a phone you could text. There are very few times I’ve logged off of Facebook thinking “wow, that was a really great use of my time!” therefore, it must go (or I need to at least take more time off).

9 | I want to spend less and enjoy more - Thrifting and not overspending on NON Essentials has GOT to stop. I LOVE TO THRIFT! It’s a new discovery this year that has been really cathartic for me, I can go to Good will, spend an hour and walk out with $35 worth of clothes, and “other” I love it. However, thrift stores are ONLY thrifty if you’re not spending $35 a week per store (hitting a couple stores in a weekend). *Ahem… That being said, I’ve completely replaced my wardrobe from a size 18-20 to a size 14-12 and I don’t own hardly anything that I haven’t gotten at Goodwill or Value Village.

10 | I want to cut back on my Swearing – Hello Sailor Abby Reporting here… and let’s round this year’s resolutions with one Mom would be proud of! I have always had quite the mouth on me, but this year has been a little … colorful.  My biggest accomplishment will be to stop using the word F*%# as an expression, comma or punctuation. See? Total Sailor!

Wish me luck, and tune in for an update when Megan will remind me of my goals!