-16 goals for 2016-

Making Goals sounds so much more do able than Making a New Years Resolution. I'm all about having goals, writing them down and having a visual to help keep myself accountable. So here in no particular order at all are my 16 goals for 2016. I'm hoping that by setting realistic goals for myself I will be able to maintain them and keep up with what I have set out for myself in the new year. So here's to 2016 and everything it has ahead to offer.

1) Be more mindful / careful about spending money. Ask yourself do you really need this, must you have to have it.

2) No eating out during the work week. Which includes stopping for a drink or snack. Sticking to my planned packed lunches. (I'm pretty good at this already, but I do allow myself a treat here and there)

3) Putting $50.00 - $100.00 from my weekly check into savings on top of what we already put in there. Sticking to our savings plan.

4) Work out at least 5 days a week. One day being a weekend day, and never miss a Monday. On top of my normal routine, Run at least twice a week and bike at least once a week.

5) Make a point to walk the dogs every day, unless its raining.

6) No eating out during the month or January unless it's a special occasion.

7) No eating out for dinner during the work week, unless its a special occasion. Making sure I have something planned and prepped for dinner every night.

8) No sweets during January. (Continue on month by month)

9) Getting off my phone and computer more and being a more present Wife / Spouse.

10) Being better about sending cards for birthday, anniversary and just because to family and friends.

11) Take the test I need to take in order to finish school and continue on.

12) Pay off our USAA card, again.

13) Get to my goal weight by my birthday in April and continue to maintain it going forward.

14) Make time for us, make time for date day's / night's. Doing something new; in or out of the house.

15) Finally get our Holiday Card / Letter book put together and Finish framing and hanging the pictures and prints I have printed that are simply sitting around still.

16) Staying on top of the house, keeping it picked up and clean and put together. I'm a super OCD, Crazy Neat Nut when it comes to our house already but sometimes the upper level can get a little neglected. 

Just a little bit of This and That

Everyone loves a random bullet point, catch up post right. I mean why not throw it all together and call it a day, so here you go. A little of what's been happening, which frankly isn't to much. 

I saw these beautiful Scrap Maps on Instagram a few months back and just new I had to have one. Your able to completely customize it to you color likings and have a heart placed on each city and state were you've lived. I went with a fun color pallet and added hearts on AZ & TX were the hubbs and I are both from. Then on HI, SC and TN where we've lived together!! I can't wait to fill our map with hearts across the US of A. 

 Every morning before work I walk the pups around the neighborhood. I feel so bad that they are home all day while I'm gone its the least I can do. Even when it is freezing cold. I think we've missed collectively only 2 or 3 days walking since the hubbs has been done. That's pretty impressive if you ask me. This particular morning I decided to weight in. I normally only weight in on the first of each month but for some reason I decided to that morning. I was down another 1.2 pounds. Doesn't sound like much to some people but for me, slow and steady progress it what I'm going for!!! It definitely gave me that extra boost and reminder that what I'm doing is working. 

 It was a chilly snowing morning in TN and I had a photo shoot with a sweet friend and my director from work. The morning started off with me slipping and fall on my butt walking out my front door. Classic I know. I've never had much confidence in myself but after that day I felt like I can conquer anything that is put in front of me. All's it takes is a little time, energy and effort. Our move to TN has opened so many doors for me, more than I could have imagined and I'm forever grateful!!! 

 No where near the half way point but we are making progress on this deployment. Some day's it seems like time is quickly passing by and then other day's I'm in such a rut that I feel like we just started this. We've accomplished a good bit as a couple just over the last 3 months. Both physically, financially and with in our relationship. The 'ol sayings so true time and distance makes the heart grow fonder. I miss my husband each and every day more and more and I can't wait till he is home. 

 A week or so back a fellow local instagramer posted this beautiful rocking chair up for sale. There was something about it that caught my eye. It's simply beautiful and I knew I wanted it. I debated and slept on it for a night or two and then finally bit the bullet. And I'm so happy I did. My next dilemma was finding the perfect pillow to go with it. My Sweet friend R (who we were stationed with in HI) got my this prudy Hawaii Postcard pillow from a local store Miss. Lucille's. It's just prefect and my newest favorite spot to sit and read and watch out the back windows. I'm currently working on a afghan to go over the back and can't wait till its done. 

 My sweet blogger - turned real life friend Sarah and I went to a Pinterest craft night at church last weekend. It was so fun, I seriously had the best time. Chatting with some of the other ladies, listening to their stories and getting to know Sarah more was just a little bit of our night. Not to mention the yummy food the ladies brought. We got started on our frame and I'm pretty sure Sarah and myself both sat there for a good 10 minutes placing branches on our frame, taking them off, putting them back on, taking them off. This went on for a while before we realized we weren't making any progress and we'd better just bite the bullet and start gluing them on. And so we did. The Moss placement was a completely different story. How much, were do I put it, how does this look, how many eggs should I use, what color blue or white. You would have though it was rocket science but I think that made it half the fun. I can't wait to have another girls night out with this lovely lady!!! 

 I've heard of Advocare and sampled a few of their products back when we lived in the South but if I'm being honest I did don't remember how if affected me. A parent who's child attends my school sells it and asked if some of us would be willy to sample the products. Sure what the heck why not, who turns down free stuff. The only flavor of spark she left was Fruit Punch, I hate hate anything fruit punch. Wednesday morning I added my Spark into my 32oz water bottle before heading to work and by 10:30 that morning all 32oz's was gone. I typically try and drink two of my 32oz bottles a day. However I don't have to refill till lunch time. Not this day, I apparently chugged this stuff down. And I was on a roll, it really boosted my energy level and I felt so good through out the day. The fruit punch flavor wasn't to bad at all. It was rather tasty!!! That evening she did a Mixer Dimistratione at work on the products and gave us a little more of a insight on how it works and how it can help and benefit your body. So a couple of us girls at work are going to do the Advocare 24 day challenge in March. I'm really looking forward to it and seeing how it will help with my current weight-loss / bettering myself journey I'm working on. I'm not really one to try new things or weight loss programs so I'm doing this strictly for the energy level and to help clear out all the icky crap out of my body. 

In the mean time I did order some Spark from my friend R who sells it and decided to try the Pink Lemonade flavor. I haven't tried it yet but I love pink lemonade so I'm hoping it's good. 

January Review Week-2

I totally failed this week on the no spend January Month. In my defense all purchase were for a good cause or good reason. I'm working on a little something for the hubbs and well I can't say what it is on here but lets just say he's gonna LOOOOOVVVVVE it. So with that being said my target trip was much needed for this little project, plus I needed dog food. I did make a few other random small purchases over the weekend for a few things I'm working on at home and some needed items. I had a gift card for the majority of it so it wasn't to bad. It was such a beautiful weekend I seriously wanted to spend the whole time outside and while I spend a good amount outside, washing my car by hand was not on the to do list. But it needed washing something bad, so I splurged and drove it through one of those fancy car washes. In all honesty I've given it my best effort but life happens and gets in the way sometimes. This little project I'm working on wasn't planned going into January so it has kinda put a damper on things. But its gonna be worth it. 

As far as the 21 day no junk food challenge I did pretty darn fabulous good, I only caved twice. Once at work on Wednesday when our sweet cook made Pizza Rolls for lunch. OMG her pizza rolls are so so yummy. There on a croissant roll and seriously are the simplest most unhealthiest thing ever to make but so tasty. I just couldn't pass them up, she only makes them for lunch like once a month. The other time I caved was this morning when I made banana nut muffins for breakfast. I was desperate and going to be home all morning with plans to clean the whole house and needed something to kick start my morning. They were quick and easy from a package but mighty tasty. 

Still going strong on my other New Years Goals and quite happy with that. I'm determined to make this a great year. So with that said I'm going to start putting some of those DIY Pinterest home project's together. I mean why else do I pin them right, not for them to just sit on my board and look pretty. 

January Review Week-1

Well let's just say I gave it my best effort and I did pretty good (kinda) for the first week of the month. I've been pretty good with the no junk food 21 day challenge. Ugh, till it came to this weekend. Not gonna lie its been pretty hard some days but all it took was alittle will power and I pushed through but fell off the wagon over the weekend just a smig. This past week I had two mini bags of pretzels (which were gluten & fat free) from the vending machine at work. (on separate day's of course) I asked around at work and more people then not considered them not to be chips. I was desperate, hungry and had a dollar bill on me which never happens because I do not carry cash. I didn't consider it breaking the "No Spend January". For NSP I opted not to use my debit card. However let me clarify, I do not / did not have cash pulled out or set aside to use during the month. I just happen to have it tucked away in my wallet. 

So moving on, I never had to go on post unless I'm going shopping at the commissary which is about once a month. I did have to go this past week to pick up a refill at the pharmacy though. Which just happens to be located a few doors down from a Smoothie King, my weakness and the only one in town. I'm a huge fan I went back and forth all morning before going weather I was going to get one. I mean there's not another SK in the city and who knew when I'd be back on post again. So I caved and splurged spending a whopping $6.89 on a (healthy mind you) lunch. Friday morning one of our parents brought in Donuts for us, it was Friday PEOPLE!!!! I caved and indulged on a donut or two ok ok 3 but that's it and seriously I never eat donuts so it was a treat. A treat I should have done with out but I didn't. I had a sleepover with my Sweet Little Friend Savvy this weekend and had to stop and get something to finish dinner with and a small baby shower gift. Which are ok purchases on the "NSJ". However this afternoon when I was taking Savvy home she wanted cupcakes so we stopped. Who's the best Auntie!!!! Oh Yea Right here!!!! $16.50 on cupcakes all for her and the little dude. I did get one for myself because well, why the heck not. I only ate half of it which means I only half failed. Besides 3 small house hold bills that had to be paid and a late Christmas gift to myself. It was already budgeted for, I already had the money set aside for it (from my NeNe), I was just waiting for the item to come back in stock. 

I finished off the week with a Friend from work at a baby shower for one of our Co-Workers. Were I had two chicken salad sandwiches on croissant rolls. They were fabulous and after I left I felt so awful for eating them. blah. I refused to walk by the dessert table not to be tempted and I held my head high and did great. 

1 week down 3 more to go. Here's for a even better week 2. How are you doing on your New Years Goal's / Resolution's? 

Aside from this little January Challenge I've been doing really well on my New Year's Goals. Of course its only 10 days in but I'm quite proud of myself.

Baby Shower Shenanigan and my new Wifey sweater from my Spouse (Love it and You Girl, thanks a million) Paired with my Tiffany & Co. Crystal Tear Drop my husband bought me for our 3 yr Wedding Anniversary. 

January

Pretty self explanatory I'm jumping on and taking on this 21 day challenge. 

Since I do not drink Soda I'm giving up my Sweet Tea. The struggle will be real. 

I've already given up candy and fast food. 

I'm not much for chips (unless there's salsa or queso involved) or ice cream. 

Biscuits, Bread, Muffins, Cookies.... now that will be a struggle. But its only 21 days. I can do anything for 21 days right. The depressing part about the whole deal is I have a jar of really good queso in my frig right now. Oh the struggle. 

But I have a goal and I want to meet it. Sooner rather than later!!! 

NO SPEND JANUARY!!!! 

Basically there's no access spending during the month of January. One of my parents from Cola. does it every January. And she encouraged myself along with several others to jump on board and not do any access spending during the first month of the year. Of course you still have to pay your bills, buy grocery's and gas but other than that nothing else. Her family of 6 doesn't eat out, not even a coffee run, no trips to Target or the local Frozen Yogurt hut, not even a alcohol run during the month of Jan. Just the basic necessities. Her theory behind NO SPEND JANUARY is that you've gone out and spent a ton of money during the months of November and December in preparation for Christmas that this allows you to step back and relax on the stress of wants and needs from the store or random spending. I'm giving it a shot, can't be to hard right. Eeks, I suppose we will see. I have to say it will be much easier with it just being me at home, I'm a sucker and give in to the hubbs so much. I have a strong will power when I set out for something. 

I'll update ya at the end of the month to let you know how it went. 

Here's to the next month of no junk food what so ever and no spending. YIKES. Please pray for me. 

2015 Goals

It's a New Year which means its the First Blank page of a 365 Page Book. So I'm planning on writing a good one.

I like to set Goals for the New Year (for both myself & us as a couple) over resolutions. Sure it's kinda the same thing, but a goal is something you can work towards and a resolution is something you completely change.

           *Goal- the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desire results
           *Resolution- a firm decision to do or not to do something

So my Goal's for the New Year 2015 are......(in no particular order)

*Get Outside More: walking the pups, going to the greenway, running, simply getting out of the house, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful sunshine.

*Dressing Up More: it's so easy to just put on a t-shirt and jeans and call it a day, i'm going to work on vamping up my wardrobe and dressing up more. i wear scrubs to work so dressing up when i do is fun, i just need to do it more.

*Saving- we have done really well with saving over the last couple years and have made a point not to touch or take from our savings account. we plan to continue to do so and add to it in the coming months / year.

*Getting Fit- not simply just working out, but a combination of things, eating healthier, losing a few pounds, working out, and continuing with my running. one of my 30 b4 30 things is to get in the best shape in my life. i need to continue cracking down on this one.
             :At the beginning of this deployment (#3 here, blah) I decided I was going to to completely give up Fast Food and Candy while the hubbs was away. Not that I ate much of it to begin with but I defiantly did. My only exception to this is I am allowing Jimmy Johns sandwiches. They are so fresh and yummy and not totally bad for you so I have allowed to treat myself to one every once in a blue moon. Other than that NO FF. I gave up soda completely 4 years ago today an I haven't had a sip since and it's such a wonderful feeling being able to say I don't drink it and haven't in 4 years.

*Wife / Spouse- my husband is the most important person in my life, (as to many / most people their spouse is their everything.) no different for me, i'd be lost with out that man and i want to give him the moon. he simply does anything and everything for me but we'll save all that for another post. we'll be spending a good majority of this year apart, but that doesn't make me any less of his wife. my goal is to become a even better wife, love and care for him like never before. i want us to date more, talk more, do more. the days that pass we'll never get back so i plan to take advantage of each one even more from here on out. he gives me 100% and i want to make sure i do everything in my power to give that back.

*Church- i've recently started going back to church and it's been great. apart of me hates that its taken so long, but better late than never right. its come with what i hope to be a great lasting friendship out of it. i want to truly focus on my faith and relationship with God and give me all in everything i do for him. its been missing in my life and it feels great to have that part of me back.

*Snail Mail- since being a milispouse and moving around every few years we have friends all over the states and even over seas. i plan to make it more of a habit to keep in better contact with the friendship i've built over the years. something about a letter or card coming through the mail is a bit more personal then a email or fb message.

2013 GOALS!!!!

In 2013 my Goals / Resolutions are simple and to the point!!!! Of Course I have smaller every day life changing plans to implement into my life but I thought I'd share these with you. 

Over the next 365 days......In the year of 2013 I plan to...........

Continue to build my marriage, improve it and fall more in love with my Husband. Try not to take life so seriously and really embrace and enjoy the moment that we have together. He's my everything and I want nothing more than to live a wonderful, fabulous, blissful life together. My dream / goal for 2013 is to continue to love my husband unconditionally. 

 In 2013 I / We plan to continue to save and prepare for our future and whatever it may bring. Our Goal is to do better with our finances and were we spend. Enjoy life and splurge here and there and not feel guilty about it. Pay off were we owe and continue to improve our budgeting. Enjoy life, after all that's what we are busting our butts working for right. 

 My goal for 2013 is to also improve my body physically. Build my running by both time and distance and continue with it as I have been and even more. Live a better healthier life both on the inside and outside. Continue to get in the best shape of my life, there's no time like the present. There's no turning back. After all a Healthy Body is a Happy Body. 

Do you make Resolutions or Goals for the New Year??? 

If so what are they???

NYE 2013 & 2012 in Review!!!!

The hubbs and I rang in the New Year together in the comfort of our little casa!! Just how we like it!! Back up a few Hours, we went over to a friends house were a couple of us from the unit gathered for some yummy food and good company. We all hung out and chatted a bit and then we all departed and went our own way around 10pm. We were the only ones out of the other 3 couples that didn't have kiddos to get to bed. We came home slipped into some comfy clothes and watched a little TV and of course my favorite part about NYE, watching the ball drop in Time Square. My most favorite place in the world. It was a simply / mellow evening but just perfect for us. Nothing to big and fancy, we were able to go to bed when we wanted and didn't have to worry about driving home or fighting the crowds. I got a fabulous Happy New Years call from my Spouse which I kindly returned the call at 5am my time, midnight her time. She rang in the New Year with us and so of course I had to do the same with her.
2012 was a wonderful year filled with many journey's and experiences that I'll never forget. I can't wait to see what is in store for us in 2013. We'd better make the most of it here in the South because it's our last full year here. It's so crazy to think that this was our last time celebrating NYE in our home here in the South.

Cheer's to a wonderful NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!! 

Here's a few of my favorite moments from 2012, I / we had so many great times during the year that its hard to pick just a few. But I think I managed!!!  Hope you enjoy looking back in time because I sure did.

First Kiss of 2012.

 Puppies Turned 3 Years Old. 

Hubbs Graduated Drill SGT School.

Celebrating My 26th & Hubbs 29th Birthday 

Birthday festivities!!!!

First Family Camping Trip.

We attended our 1st Army Marriage Retreat. 

 Hawaii Reunion with the Brooks Fam. 

Took our first cooking class together.

Went to our first drive in movie together. 

I was able to visit DC with the Spouse

Exploring West Virginia with the Spouse. 

Hubbs made Drill SGT of the Cycle his first Cycle.

Hubbs competed in his first Glock Shoot Competition .

Ran in my first mud run, in Texas. 

Fall Fun and Family in Texas. 

Blake Shelton Cruise with the Spouse & Mistress!!!

Took a Hot Air Balloon ride for our 5 Year Wedding Anniversary. 

Celebrated 5 Wonderful Blissful Years of Marriage. 

Watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade LIVE in NYC w/ My Mom. 

Kissed Mickey Mouse in Time Square. 

Celebrated Christmas together with the In-Loves in the South. 

It was a wonderful year, as I was looking back through pictures and posts from 2012 it's funny how after 5 years of being married we are still experiencing "1st" I LOVE IT!!!! 

Hot Air Balloon Festival

One of the things on my "30 b4 30" list was to ride in a hot air balloon. So when I heard about the Balloons over Anderson Festival coming to town I new it was the perfect opportunity. And what better way than to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary that was coming up the following weekend. Thankfully the hubbs managed to get out of working the Jane Wayne day our battalion was putting on so we could go together. We made the drive to Anderson which is about 2 hours away from Columbia just in time to check out the festival before our check in time. The festival its self was pretty small didn't have a whole lot to offer. It didn't really bother me though, we were there to see the balloons.
We checked in and met our pilot, his name was Kenny and seemed really nice. He informed us that we would be riding with the Mayor of Anderson. Thank Goodness we weren't from there or living there, I didn't have to worry about the hubbs saying anything crazy, lord knows he would lol.

Finally just after 4pm all of the pilots and their crew split off and started setting up there balloons. It was really neat to see all of the different designs and colors.  

This is our balloon going up! The inside had a smiley face at the top. 

Here we are up in the air, absolutely loving it!!!! 

Happy 5 Year Anniversary Baby!!!!!

The Clemson Balloon went up next to us, had to take some pictures and share the love for all my Gamecock fans. 

Just a few of the 20 balloons that set off with ours. This was the smallest flight for the festival from what we were told. Apparently another city put a lower bid on the festival a few years back so its been moved to another city but Anderson still puts on a small festival every year. 

 Seriously this was the best day ever, we had so much fun. I couldn't stop smiling and the best part was that the hubbs enjoyed it just as much. I love being able to do things like this with him. I can't even begin to think of what we are going to do next year for our anniversary to top this one.

These are just some more balloons from the flight. Along with the reflection of our balloon when we were up in the air. The sky was filled with tons of color, there were cars stopped along the highway watching the balloons pass over and people standing in their drive way wavy at us. It was so cool. I was like a kid in a candy store :).

We had a slight scare, (well I did) before we landed. The pilot was communicating back and forth with the pick up crew on were we were going to land. In the process a tree popped out of no were and we had no choice but to take it out. To say I was a little nervous would be a understatement. Pilot Kenny didn't seem to concerned though, and thankfully if didn't hit the balloon only the basket but it didn't do any damage. Finally after a wonderful ride over a beautiful city we were back on the ground. The landing was a bit hard but I guess that's normal. We finished off with a little champagne toast and a story on the history of the hot air balloon. It was the best way to finish out our first five years of marriage, reaching new highest and moving up in the world. I seriously love this man so much!!!! 

HAPPY 5 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY BABY!!!! I LOVE YOU ALWAYS & FOREVER & THENSOME!!!!