Snowmageddon. Snowpacolypse.

2011-01-20T19:48:00.000-08:00

I am sick of snow.

We got like 9 inches of snow yesterday. We had snow on the ground already. Oh, and we're supposed to get more snow tomorrow. And on Sunday.

My boots and skinny jeans are getting a lot of work this winter. I miss my tennis shoes and Long and Lean jeans. :(

I just.. I'm ready to move to southern New Mexico.

Amanda

The worst part about Sunday?

2011-01-16T12:08:00.001-08:00

Knowing my only "job" for the day is to figure out what is for dinner all next week.

I never know what to make!

-Amanda

Snow Days.

2011-01-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

We got about 10 inches of snow between Sunday night and early Tuesday morning. Which means the city essentially shut down. I mean, don't get me wrong, we're used to winter weather (last year, we got 17 inches from Christmas eve afternoon to Christmas day evening -- our street got plowed for the first time in 4 years!), but anything like this means schools cancel everywhere, stores are out of everything and deserted if you wait too long. Combine it with the fact that the forecasted high was 17 degrees today, no one got out if they didn't have to. And, of course, I had to. Tomorrow, when the forecasted high is 16 degrees, I will not be getting out.

Something about bad weather makes me tired and I haven't done much the last few days. I did read 2 books since Saturday. My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares and House Rules by Jodi Picoult. They're both pretty good. So there's 2 more books for my 101 in 1001. Also, I am 11 days into my 365. :)

Cameron got cabin fever yesterday, after we went to Wal-Mart for groceries (a last resort, since the closest Dillons is a few miles away and Wal-Mart is right across the street -- at least it was empty!), so we played:

He was bundled up to the core! Long sleeved shirt, pants and socks, snow bib, knit hat with fleece lining, thick waterproof gloves and heavy winter jacket (which was the first time he wore it and one of the webbed pieces that holds the toggle came loose!) with his Paul Frank rain boots from Target last year. I think he looked funny. He could hardly walk!

I have 3 baskets full of just my laundry to put away (somehow, Jordan puts his away, puts away the towels, I get Cameron's put away and then run out of steam) so I should get to it.

Amanda

Sort of a New Year's Resolution

2011-01-03T11:54:00.000-08:00

I started this last year, and I'm going to finish it before the time is up.
-Amanda

The Challenge:

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:

Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

Why 1001 Days?

Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

My Start Date: February 7th, 2010

My End Date: November 4th, 2012

[last updated: January 5th, 2011]

KEY: In Progress, Completed

Personal:

1. Grow my hair out past my shoulders and get regular trims (no drastic cuts) every 6-8 weeks.

2. Get my hair to a good blonde color and leave it alone for a year. (Blonde achieved May 14 2010)

3. Get fitted for a bra that fits. Got fitted at Nordstrom and oh my gosh, SUCH a difference. Do it! It's not embarrassing (okay, a little) and it will make your clothes fit so differently!

4. Rid my house of clutter one room at a time.

5. Clear out my closet and buy things that fit my body type.

6. After clearing out my closet, find at least 4 things that my closet is lacking to be fully functional and buy them -- while not just getting them if they're on clearance.

7. Have my mom's diamond reset into a ring for me to wear. Got the ring reset after Thanksgiving. Saving up the $1,000 for the surround to go around it.

8. Read 75 books. (6/75)

9. Start a compost bin and reduce my trash output more.

10. Send a care package to someone overseas. (I altered this one, my brother is deploying again this summer so I'm going to send it to him, not to someone I don't know.)

11. Blog on my blog more.

12. Give 6 "just because" gifts to someone in my family. (2/6)

1. I bought Susan a bag of Cadbury Mini eggs. Because she loves them.
2. I bought Susan a dress when she didn't have her wallet. Mostly because I wanted it but it was not my size.

13. Convince Jordan to throw me a graduation party -- and then plan it all myself. :P (Jordan's mom took over planning and I'm okay with that! :D) Jordan's mom threw me a great party and I loved it -- even if it rained!

14. Write about the things that make me happy at least once a month.

15. Go outside of my comfort zone when it comes to dressing and buying clothes. I tried on (and bought) a dress I couldn't have seen myself buying before!

16. Take a trip to southeast Kansas and go to the flea markets to find fun knick knacks for the house.

17. Memorize the capitals of the 50 states.

For my resume:

18. Relearn how to use my camera in manual mode. easier with Kitty, she's pretty .. still!

19. Teach myself how to use Cool Edit Pro. Taught myself how to add music behind a voice track on 2/10/10. (I consider this done since I am done with my internship.)

20. Learn how to write for radio broadcast. (slowly working on this!)

21. Improve knowledge on Photoshop.

22. Improve Illustrator skills.

23. GRADUATE COLLEGE! Degree application submitted 2/10/10! I walked on May 15th!

Cameron:

24. Buy Cameron more educational toys and play with them.

25. Write a letter to Cameron about how I have enjoyed the first three years of his life so far and make it a page in his scrapbooks.

26. Take Cameron to a Royals game and have good seats.

27. Take Cameron to the Kansas City zoo at least once a summer, preferably early in the summer to avoid the heat.

28. Take Cameron to the Kansas Museum of History.

29. POTTY TRAIN CAMERON!

Organization:

30. Find a system to organize DVDs that works and stick with it. Buying new binders!

31. Get rid of all my paper scrapping supplies (there is a lot). I have gone through it, just waiting for the new owner to claim it. :) SOLD!

32. Reorganize all my photos/videos on my computer and back them up on the network attached storage. completed 2/19/10 into 2/20/10 -- couldn't sleep!

33. Back up all photos and videos onto CD every other month and put them into the fire safe.

34. Get all CDs onto iTunes and get rid of the CDs. (I would have to give them to someone and not sell them since I don't have the cases.)

Travel:

35. Go boating at least once a month over the summer. (failed -- didn't go a single time Summer 2010!)

36. Go on a "rafting" trip over the summer. (failed -- so busy and poor, we didn't go anywhere!)

37. Do tourist type things in Kansas (ie. go to the museums in KC, see Dodge City, visit the Flint Hills, etc) without being apologetic.

-Took Cameron to Crown Center to eat at Fritz's and play at Kaleidoscope on May 28th.

38. Visit my grandparents in KC at least once a month. (0/33) *Failing!

39. Take at least one week-long trip over the summer of 2010 and 2011.

40. Take one trip by myself. Short or long-distance.

41. Take a trip to the Ozarks (specifically Branson) again.

42. Update map of where I've visited and where Jordan has visited. Visit places we haven't been, either alone or together.

Financial:

43. Pay off Jordan's 401-K loan. PAID OFF! (unfortunately.. Jordan took another. :( So sad!)

44. Save money for a down payment on our next house.

45. Start researching for the purchase of our next car. I like a Nissan Murano for my next car. Jordan's still dreaming about a Mustang. :P

46. Find a job that makes me happy, utilizes my degree and pays more than minimum wage. So far, a fail, since I got cut to part time, therefore not making much money. Job hunting again.

Health:

47. Stop drinking pop with caffeine for at least a week. Try to make it a permanent habit or at least use it to help me cut back on caffeine. (7/7) Completed Feb. 15, 2010

48. Eat a healthier diet with more fruits and vegetables, less starches.

49. Get a membership to Berkshire (gym/golf courses).

50. Lose the 5 pounds I've been carrying around since having Cameron.

51. Get back into shape again by going to the gym at least 2 times a week for 3 months.

52. Make an appointment to see a chiropractor about my back problems.

53. Get my first massage (and enjoy it).

54. Make more time for myself and get a pedicure once a month. (1/33) Going to fail, since I have no money for this stuff.

55. Donate blood to the American Red Cross.

56. Get teeth whitened and keep them that way.

57. Get to a point where I can do 25 push ups. (I can do 10!)

58. Make an appointment with a dermatologist and have all my freckles and moles checked out.

59. Try a workout class I wouldn't typically try. And do it alone.

Cooking:

60. Learn how to make angel food cake from scratch.

61. Try at least ~~two new recipes a week for 2 months~~ 16 new recipes. (4/16)

Pioneer Woman's Steak Bites
Steak & Potato Skillet (I need to find the recipe online again!)
Chicken Cordon Blue
Barbeque Jack Chicken

62. Learn to make baked goods without a box mix.

63. Make 15 different things using my KitchenAid mixer. (0/15)

64. Learn to make things using my slow cooker that are edible. So far, I've successfully made pulled pork and country ribs!

65. Learn how to make sugar cookies from scratch and ice them perfectly.

66. Make treats and deliver them to the fire station down the street to show my appreciation for everything they do.

67. Try 5 new (local) restaurants. (3/5)

Flint Hills BBQ in Topeka -- not bad. Closest thing to real barbeque that Topeka has!
Fritz's in Kansas City -- decent, but nothing to crow about; it's all about the atmosphere!
Little Apple Brewery in Manhattan -- not that bad, but nothing fancy.
HuHot -- it's a chain, but it's delicious!

68. Try a new cuisine.

Crafting:

69. Teach myself how to sew a quilt.

70. Create one new garment for myself out of something I own or bought at a thrift store.

71. Create one new garment for myself using a pattern and fabric from a fabric store.

72. Complete projects in box and give away.

73. Catch up on scrap booking, moving all to digital.

74. Do Project 365 once I relearn how to use my camera. Started January 1st, 2011!

75. Make a calendar for myself.

76. Create a combined "cook book" of recipes I like with MyPublisher to have for myself and for my sisters.

77. Finish setting up Etsy shop. Still working on this!

78. Do 4 cross-stitching or embroidery projects. (0/4)

Home improvements:

79. Touch up the ceiling in all the rooms

80. Buy a new storm door for the front door, paint door in the garage and install both doors.

81. Replace back doors.

82. Repair back porch by door so the door opens and closes easily.

83. Replace the fan in the master bedroom.

84. Buy new closet doors for Jordan's closet and hang.

85. Buy curtain rods for master bedroom and hang curtains. Bought the rods!

86. Hang new light fixture in bathroom.

87. Decide on a tile backsplash for the kitchen and install with the help of Jordan's mom.

88. Touch up paint behind trash can in dining area.

89. Buy new carpet for the entire house.

90. Buy new mail box, exterior lights and house numbers.

91. Pave the driveway. (My uncle never got to it this summer. :( Maybe next summer?)

92. Buy new couch, desk/printer stand, console table and end table for living room; night stands for bedroom.

93. Replace blinds in master bedroom.

94. Hang pictures in our bedroom.

95. Power wash the house and back porch at least once a year.

96. Invest in an emergency kit.

97. Replace smoke alarms.

98. Invest in carbon monoxide detector.

99. Fix the gate to the back yard.

100. Fix the shed door.

101. Clean up landscaping in front yard and back yard.

Cameron: The 4th Year.

2011-01-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

Cameron has morphed before my eyes. I swear, just yesterday, he was a newborn:

And now, somehow, he is a sarcastically funny 4 year old:

We have had our ups (successfully potty training -- finally!) and our downs (finding out he has esotropia, where the eyes turn and he has little to no depth perception), but we have made it this far.

Every year, I say it can't get better, but I think it has every year. How can't it get better when that face runs into your room in the morning, climbs into the bed and under the covers with you and says "Mommy, it's MORNING time! Let's GET UP!"

-Amanda

Starting Over..

2011-01-02T20:19:00.001-08:00

New year.

New slate.

This time, I'm holding myself accountable. :)

Amanda

Amanda, Jordan & Cameron

Snowmageddon. Snowpacolypse.

The worst part about Sunday?

Snow Days.

Sort of a New Year's Resolution

Cameron: The 4th Year.

Starting Over..