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Posts Tagged ‘goals’

18 for 2018: A Happiness Project

Posted in Happiness Project 2018, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , on January 3, 2018| Leave a Comment »

My happiness project this year is to simply complete 18 objectives throughout 2018. I’ll keep you posted as I cross them off my list. Here is my 18 for 2018 list:

  1. Order two birth certificates for myself (contact vital records in California).
  2. Figure out Instagram.
  3. Create a Google Photo account.
  4. Lose 18 pounds.
  5. Blog at least once per month (of course, more would be better).
  6. Plan a trip to New York City with Andrew for 2019.
  7. Interact with a sloth.
  8. Buy Andrew a reasonably priced and reliable used car.
  9. Visit a museum.
  10. Try a voice (singing) lesson.
  11. Update my LinkedIn account.
  12. Organize my master bedroom closet.
  13. Make an appointment with my eye doctor.
  14. Watch Stranger Things.
  15. Complete a 5K.
  16. Read Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days by Chris Guillebeau.
  17. Keep track of my time.
  18. Plan my 50th birthday celebration.

Other Plans for 2018:

  1. On Goodreads I joined the Reading Challenge, and my goal is to read 50 books. I surpassed my goal of 50 books in 2017 by reading 55 books.
  2. Andrew and I will be attending Comic Con in New Orleans this weekend, so he can meet Stan Lee.
  3. I will be attending my annual scrapbooking convention with my gal pals May 31st-June 3rd.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Fleetwood Mac will come to New Orleans this year for their farewell tour. Seeing them perform again would be awesome and a giant boost to my happiness. So, dear reader…how about you? Have you made resolutions or have goals you would like to complete in 2018? If so, please share. Happiness!

“Clear visions and positive goals, leads to positive actions and purposeful life.”     ~ Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind

 

 

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Productive Procrastination

Posted in Inspiration, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2016| Leave a Comment »

I woke up this morning feeling grumpy. The grumpiness was clearly in response to the disappointment I was feeling with myself. I feel stalled in Mission Innovation. Instead of grading an assignment for school, I decided to procrastinate. I worked a good bit on school stuff yesterday and resented the fact that I would have to do it again today. With a cup of coffee in hand, my I-Pad, and a notebook, I took to the front porch to listen to the second session of Danielle LaPorte’s Fire Starter Sessions audio course that I signed up for last month. Tomorrow is the last day of the course, and out of sixteen sessions, I was just listening to the second one. Ironically, in this session, LaPorte talked about embracing easy (quality easy) and addressed procrastination as being easy and that it can be divine. Alleluia! My mood brightened somewhat.

After the session, I went inside to have breakfast and read a reflection a coworker sent out this morning. It began, “TRUST AND THANKFULNESS WILL get you safely through this day. Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing. Thankfulness keeps you from criticizing and complaining” (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling). Wow! I decided that instead of starting any school work, I would look at the emails I received all week pertaining to the two Blogging University courses I signed up for last month and have NOT had the time to really participate in. I have been storing the information with the hope that I will be able to do more with them in the next few months. I started reconstructing the ABOUT area of my blog which was one of the topics this week. Then, well, yeah…I did not start working on school stuff. I surfed the web, played some games, and procrastinated some more. I chose “inner rhythms over external pressures” (Danielle LaPorte). Magazine StashI finally dusted in my bedroom, cleaned off surfaces, threw away Andrew’s binder that had been residing under my nightstand for the last two years, and made a plan to sort through the scrapbooking magazines my BFF gave me years ago. I felt like I was on an archaeological dig to find my bedroom. And, I had fun and my grumpiness faded completely away.

Despite the fact that I do not feel that I am making much progress with my audio course or my blogging courses, I am still getting something out of both opportunities. My disappointment comes from having expectations. I need to trust and be thankful. On the other hand, my procrastination paid off today. I have two new goals to complete in the next few weeks: update the ABOUT section of my blog and go through the scrapbooking magazines (59 total). While I did not do any school work, I did make my to-do list for the week.

The weekend is over, dear readers. May you all have a fantastic week. Happiness!

“Make stuff that feels good to make-your way.” ~ Danielle LaPorte

 

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Acceptance! Thanks, Alexander Graham Bell.

Posted in Health and Fitness, Motivation, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , , , on April 1, 2013| Leave a Comment »

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”             ~ Alexander Graham Bell

I discovered the above quote this morning, and it spoke to me loudly and clearly. For the last few months since I started my new job, I’ve been looking back longingly upon the closed door. On the surface, I’m grateful to have a job; however, when I delve deeper, I must admit I have not fully accepted some of the changes the job has made in my life. I miss my flexibility. And, by focusing on what I’ve lost by taking this job instead of what I’ve gained has put me in an underlying funk. Sure, it has presented some challenges, but it also has provided some opportunities. So starting today, my goal is to at least “accept” where I’m at on my life journey right NOW, in the present. Not where I was a few months ago or where I think I’ll be in a few months down the road. According to Eckhart Tolle, “Acceptance means: For now, this is what this situation, this moment, requires me to do, and so I do it MH900441932willingly….Performing an action in the state of acceptance means you are at peace while you do it.”  I have to adjust my attitude. Tolle says, “The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.” Whew! I’m happy I spotted the open door before it was too late.

I’m off work today, and that’s no April Fool’s joke.  My little guy and I are going to the movies this afternoon to see The Croods. Afterwards, we plan to work out at the gym. He’ll go to the Fit Kids class and I’ll run/walk. Yep, after two weeks of doing absolutely nothing but exercising my jaw, I’m getting back on the program. This morning I pulled out the scale, my food journal & training log, the club’s exercise schedule, as well as my health & fitness goals. The bad news: I weighed in this morning at 138.5 pounds (gained back 12.5 pounds since December). The good news: I’m getting back on track TODAY.

Two interesting blog posts pertaining to health & fitness: Fool Proof Diet Reboot by Yvette Quantz of Food Therapy and The 38 Best Methods of Successful Exercisers by Leo Babauta of zenhabits.

Whatever the day brings, approach it with the right attitude. In my opinion, this is easier said than done. Remember, I just discovered the open door today. However, strive for acceptance of the situation and don’t let your thoughts about the situation dictate how you will feel. Happiness!

“Breaking old habits and forming new ones always takes time, but it is worth it in the end.” ~ Joyce Meyer 

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Home Sweet Home: Goals for My Home

Posted in Home, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , on March 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »

MC900389392When setting goals for this year, I listed a few for my home. After work, I spend the majority of my time at home. The goals for my home deal with simplicity and preparation for a home makeover. I would like for my family and I to develop a way of living which embraces minimalism. My list of goals includes:

  • Minimize stuff: I want to spend the next nine months going through my house, room by room, purging STUFF. The goal is to donate, trash, use, or organize the stuff. Then minimize what is brought in the house from that point.
  • Make Repairs/Finish Unfinished Projects: My hubby loves projects, especially when it involves building something. And, he is awesome at planning the projects and starting them; however, he is NOT so awesome at completing them. 
  • Learn to Paint like a PRO: I have always wanted to learn how to paint properly. I would like to take a class at Lowe’s or Home Depot and learn how to paint the rooms in my house like a professional. Sometimes, just painting a room is all that is needed to spruce it up.
  • Bookcases: This year I plan to hire my Daddy to build my bookcases. As most of my friends know, I’m a bookaholic. I love books and plan to purge my collection; however, I will still have oodles of books that need to be placed on shelves instead of piles.  I’m hoping this project can be started over the summer after Barry finishes building his deck.
  • Redecorate Plan: If the first four goals get accomplished, I want to create a redecorating plan for 2014. It will not be anything elaborate because the main goal is simplicity. It will concentrate on the inside of the house.
  • Purchases: My hubby and I need a new bed with a headboard. We also need curtains in our bedroom to block out the light caused by a neighbor living behind us. The light he installed in his backyard is so bright it illuminates our entire bedroom, and I can’t sleep. We now have sheets tacked over our blinds. They are not the most attractive window treatments.

Since I have a couple of days off from work, I will start in my bedroom and work my way to my master bathroom and closet. Barry will be working on his deck; however, if it rains, I will suggest he start working on his closet, as well. The main hurdle for me will be eliminating the attachment I have to some of this stuff. This will be a wonderful opportunity to practice the power of NOW. Happiness!

“Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” ~ William Morris

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376

Posted in Books/Reading, Health and Fitness, Motivation, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2013| 3 Comments »

I have good news and bad news. IMG_3340The GOOD NEWS: I reached one of my Health & Fitness resolutions which was to run a 5K. On Saturday, 16 March, I ran the Hammond Rotary Shamrock Run. The start and finish were on SLU’s campus. Despite the temps being in the forties, it was a gorgeous sunshiny “perfect for a run” day. I had set three goals for myself: finish the race, run the entire way, and complete in 30 minutes. I accomplished ALL three goals. Actually, I surpassed one goal by finishing the race in 28:55. I’m SUPER proud of myself. My hubby and Comet tagged along to cheer me on throughout the race course.

The BAD NEWS: I have NOT exercised since the race. I could give you my list of excuses, but I won’t. Frankly, I wanted to take a break.  I’ll be back on track Monday, 1 April.

There are three upcoming races I plan to run:

  • Holy Ghost Parish Spirit Run (20 April)
  • Mi5Ke Run (11 May)
  • Zombie Run (23 June)

My hubby and I are already registered for the Zombie Run.

I started reading Jackie Warner’s current fitness book called 10 Pounds in 10 Days. I don’t believe I will lose ten pounds in ten days; however, I do believe it will motivate me to finally drop the holiday weight.

Getting back on track can be tough, especially if you are not living in the NOW. I wish I could master living in the NOW. It seems like such a simple concept; however, it’s a very difficult thing to do. I may have to consider rereading A New Earth or The Power of Now again. In the meantime, I’ll have to do my best. Happiness!

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

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Spring Forward!

Posted in Health and Fitness, Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge, Motivation, tagged , , , , , on March 9, 2013| Leave a Comment »

MC900432635[1]Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed tonight. Daylight Saving Time is FINALLY here (rock music plays with confetti spewing everywhere)! I’m just a little excited thinking about everything I plan to accomplish in the upcoming months.

For the past ten days, I have been setting my clock 5 minutes earlier each day so I can get up earlier in the mornings (even weekends). Today, I woke up at 4:30AM. Hopefully, by Saturday (16 March), I’ll be up at 4:00AM. Before it got cold, I was getting up at 4:00AM. This allowed me the time to run/workout before my day got started.  I didn’t have to worry about unexpected stuff happening in the afternoons, getting out of work late, or shutting down because it got dark early interfering with me exercising. Also, the weather is warming up which means I’m able to run outside more often. Soon, I’ll be enjoying my early morning runs again. I can’t wait! I’m already energized just thinking about it.

Mon frere, Moonius Maximus and I completed the Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge. My week #8 total was 156 points. I earned 156 points for making healthy choices and 0 points for weight loss. Our points for exercise were doubled this week. My final weigh-in was 134 pounds. Moonius Maximus earned 92 points. He earned 92 for making healthy choices and 5 points for maintaining his weight loss. His final weigh-in was 184 pounds. Despite the fact that neither one of us reached our initial weight loss goals (Kat: 125 pounds/Moonius: 175), we are not treating ourselves as failures. Moonius won the challenge of losing the most weight. I won the challenge of earning the most points for healthy choices. Both of us have developed better habits because of the challenge and will continue striving for a healthier lifestyle.

Now, it is time for me to lace up my running shoes and head over to the gym for my run on the treadmill. I have plenty to do today, and I want to start my day off on the right foot, so to speak. Wishing my readers a SUPER weekend. Happiness!

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Health & Fitness Goals 2013

Posted in Health and Fitness, Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge, Motivation, tagged , , , , , , on February 26, 2013| Leave a Comment »

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to think about different areas of my life (health & fitness, home, acting, family, finances) and wrote down a few goals I’d like to work on in each of these areas this year and beyond. One would think after losing weight, exercising on a regular basis, and eating clean 90% of the time there wouldn’t be a need for more health and fitness goals. This couldn’t be further from the truth for me. While I like routine, I also like variety.  And, I like challenges. My challenge has been to drop the 7 pounds I gained from the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, I haven’t been too successful. Not sure exactly why. However, I have my suspicions it has something to do with the weather and getting dark early. Daylight savings time is just around the corner (10 March), and spring isn’t far behind. I’m hoping the combination of warmer weather and longer daylight hours is the answer to shedding these unwanted pounds.

This is my list of Health & Fitness resolutions:

  • Continue to exercise on a regular basis (shoot for 5 days a week).
  • Try new classes/exercises to challenge muscles and keep it fresh.
  • Run a 5K.
  • Run a 5K with zombies in it. (June 2013)
  • Continue to eat clean, and shoot for 95% of the time. More veggies and 8 glasses a water each day.
  • Try new recipes even though cooking is not my favorite thing (shoot for 3 new recipes a month).
  • Make the time to prep food/plan meals ahead of time (shoot for 3 days a week).
  • When the weather gets nicer, walk my dog (Comet aka Tooty) on a more regular basis (shoot for 4 times a week).

On Saturday, I registered for the Hammond Rotary 5K Shamrock Run being held on the SLU Campus on Saturday, 16 March. Of course, my main goal is to finish; however, I want to run the entire race in 30 minutes. Pray for good weather.

Here is an interesting blog post from Leo Babauta of zenhabits about health & fitness: Create the Habits of Being Lean, in 7 Years

Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge Update

My week #7 total was 169 points. I earned 169 points for making healthy choices and 0 points for weight loss. Our points for not eating after 9PM was doubled this week. According to my scale Monday, I gained 3.5 pounds (REALLY!) which makes my weight 135.5 pounds. I weighed myself again this morning with 133 pounds. Still a pound gain! I want to kick that scale to the curb. Moonius Maximus earned 105 points. He earned 100 for making healthy choices and 5 points for maintaining his weight loss. His weight is still 184 pounds. We have one more week to complete this challenge. Moonius and I will NOT give up. We are determined to finish this challenge with a positive attitude. Happiness!

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” ~ Andy Warhol

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Trying Something New

Posted in Health and Fitness, Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge, Motivation, tagged , , , , , , , on February 21, 2013| Leave a Comment »

I’m on Day 9 of the North Cypress 14-Day Challenge, and I’m actually having a terrific time. This challenge, like the T-Shirt Challenge, has given me the opportunity to try new classes. On the first day of the challenge, I let Shelly talk me into taking a P.U.R.E. class. Intense! The class reminds me of the Insanity DVD program/Jackie Warner’s Power Circuits. You go through a series of stations led by personal trainers. Each station has a different exercise that is performed for about a minute or two depending on the exercise. I left the class thinking “I’ll never take that class again.” WRONG! I took it again  Monday night, as well as last night. On Friday evening I had my training session with a personal trainer. One trainer session is included in the challenge. My trainer worked me hard. My body felt it the next day. After my run on Saturday morning, I took a Barre class with Shelly who had just finished a spin class. The Barre class is a combination of principles of ballet, Pilates, and yoga. It targets the core, hips, thighs, buttocks, and arms. Out of all of the classes I have tried since joining North Cypress, this is my least favorite. In all fairness, I plan on taking the class again; however, it will be on a day or night separate from any other activity and not after a trainer session. Shelly and I both went into that class sore AND after just working out for 45 minutes. Also, Shelly had her trainer session on Friday morning. We’re NUTS! I was stiff, sore, and uncomfortable. It even hurt to sit. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to walk Sunday morning. I did take Sunday as a rest day. Alas, Shelly and I prevailed, and we are both back at it for another week  of the challenge.

In addition to new classes, I’m trying new foods. I’ve added raw spinach to my salads. I’ve incorporated balsamic vinegar into a few of my meals (salads/pasta). The eating plan calls for Caramel Corn Rice Cakes by Quaker Oats. One rice cake is 0 fat grams; 50 calories, 3g of sugar, and 1g of protein. They are pretty good. The plan calls for spreading some Almond Butter on it; however, I’ve been eating them plain or with peanut butter. I haven’t tried Almond butter, yet. It is something I plan to try very soon.

For anyone interested in the Meal Plan for the 14-Day Challenge:  Meal Plan   (This is 1,550 calories per day.)

For anyone interested in the Workout Plan for the 14-Day Challenge: Workout Plan

Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge Update

My week #6 total was 156 points. I earned 181 points for making healthy choices and 0 points for weight loss. Our points for no sweets or sugary treats were doubled this week. I lost 2.5 pounds (YAY!) which makes my weight 132 pounds; however, I earned 0 points for weight loss because my lowest weight was 131.5 pounds.  Moonius Maximus earned 112 points. He earned 107 for making healthy choices and 5 points for maintaining his weight loss. His weight is still 184 pounds. We have two more weeks to complete this challenge.

Recently, I had the opportunity to write down some goals for different areas of my life. I’m hoping to write a post or two about them soon. Some of the goals are for 2013 while others are something I would like to accomplish in the future. Every day brings opportunity. Sometimes, the opportunities enrich the journey you’re presently on. Sometimes, the opportunities open new doors and lead you in another direction…a direction that may bring you more fulfillment, define your purpose, or  just make your life flow smoothly. Whatever the day brings, be PRESENT so you don’t miss the opportunities.  Happiness!

“You know. Life’s short. If you don’t try new things, you’ll never know what you’re best at. And you can only make time for new things by quitting the things you know don’t work for you.” ~Meg Cabot, Teen Idol

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Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge: Week #4

Posted in Health and Fitness, Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge, Motivation, tagged , , , , , on February 6, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Happy Hump Day! It’s Wednesday, and we are all inching our way closer to the weekend. I’m especially looking forward to this weekend. Why? No special plans; however, it has holidays attached to it. Yes, it’s Mardi Gras time! I get two days off of work next week, and Andrew gets the whole week off. My goal for this weekend….set some resolutions for the remainder of this year. I need a makeover in quite a few areas of my life, so I’m thinking the theme will have something to do with CHANGE.

Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge Update

My week #4 total was 126 points. I earned 126 points for making healthy choices and 0 points for weight loss. Our points to stop eating before 9pm were doubled this week. I lost 0 pounds and gained 0 pounds which makes my weight still 133 pounds. This is a result of being female. HA! Moonius Maximus earned 98 points. He earned 73 for making healthy choices and 25 points for weight loss. Yes, you read that right. He lost 2 pounds which makes his weight 184 pounds. Despite mon frere’s challenge with exercising, he had a loss this week because of eating better. I’m joining another challenge (14-Day Challenge) at my health club with my BFF since the third grade, Shelly. She talked me into it. It begins on Wednesday, 13 February. What a wonderful way to begin Lent!  My informational meeting is tonight. Of course everything I learn, I will share with YOU, my awesome readers. Happiness!

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” ~ Louisa May Alcott

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Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge: Week #3

Posted in Health and Fitness, Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge, Motivation, tagged , , , , , on February 1, 2013| Leave a Comment »

I’m overwhelmed. When I’m overwhelmed, I cannot focus very well. My life feels chaotic and out of sorts. I’m trying to do too much. And, I have NO routine, NO plan, NO balance. I’m definitely living in the moment, but flying from the seat of my pants. Needless to say, it is Friday night and I’m just posting week #3 of my healthier lifestyle challenge (should have posted Monday). It is 1 February and I have NO resolutions for this year. I would say I need more time; however, it’s not more time that I need, but better use of my time. This weekend, I plan to exercise Saturday/Sunday mornings and attend Mass on Saturday afternoon.  The rest of the weekend, I must use my time to get organized, get focused, get back on track.

Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge Update

My week #3 total was 147 points. I earned 147 points for making healthy choices and 0 points for weight loss. Our points for drinking 64 ounces of water were doubled this week. I lost 0 pounds and gained 0 pounds which makes my weight still 133 pounds. This is a result of eating too much sugar and having a fast food weekend. Moonius Maximus earned 116 points. He earned 116 for making healthy choices and 0 points for weight loss. He gained 1 pound which makes his weight 186 pounds. Mon frere’s challenge continues to be exercise. My challenge continues to be not eating enough veggies, poor planning, and not resisting the sugary treats left in our kitchen at work. Hopefully, week #4 totals will be better. Moonius believes the challenge is helping him. Despite the fact neither one of us is losing any weight, we are both determined to see this challenge through to the end. We just have to push ourselves a little harder. Happiness!

“If you try anything, if you try to lose weight, or to improve yourself, or to love, or to make the world a better place, you have already achieved something wonderful, before you even begin. Forget failure. If things don’t work out the way you want, hold your head up high and be proud. And try again. And again. And again!”             ~ Sarah Dessen, Keeping the Moon

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