Hi Y’all!!
And a very sweet Happy Valentines Day to you!
Since we have not posted in like 1 million years, and since I know we have a new reader (Hi Cara!), I thought it was time to get back in the “in front of the computer saddle” and update all 5 of our wonderful readers on our lives! :)
It is also a great time to write since I RESOLVED this year to blog 52 times. My hopes are that posting my resolutions will cause me to be more accountable to myself and maybe I can accomplish some personal growth this year.
A note on resolving. If you are reading this as a close friend or family member of mine then you know that I am not known for my stick-with-it-ness. I was working in a Pharmacy in Durango, CO while in college and my boss Susan was fantastic! I really loved her. So one day when she was listening to my story of being late (or whatever) she somehow called me flaky. I don’t remember the exact wording, but I remember being crushed. I was hurt for a couple reasons. 1. was that I really respected this woman and I didn’t want her to feel that way about me. Though she had said it more of a term of endearment than an insult. But most importantly was that I didn’t think it was obvious that I was flighty and less of a planner. I wanted the world to see the fake “Always Put Together” me. When Susan made that comment I realized that she saw the real me, and so must everyone else. Blarg!
Now, here’s where the 2 paths emerge. I could have at that time looked at this character trait that I thought of as a flaw and changed then. Resolved to be a person who STICKS TO THEIR WORD!. Or, I could (as I did) take a long look at myself and decide to embrace this flaw as another facet of my personality.
It wasn’t until I met Matt that I really saw how respectful it is to be a person of your word. When Matt says he’s going to do something, by gosh it is done! Written in stone. I love that about him. And I want that in me. So, I this year I resolve to find that lost path from early 2000’s and take a walk down it, allowing it to alter my being.
Since I don’t usually stick to things, I am not one that makes resolutions every year (bonus: nothing to break!). But, I took the time this year to really look at my life and my priorities and create a resolution that would better each of those areas. Here’s what I came up with…
First the areas of my life. These are in no particular order. Also, these are not exactly my lists. I Googled, borrowed, and pieced together to come up with my priorities in life. Again, in no particular order.
2013 AREAS FOR RESOLUTIONS/GOALS
*Career/Business – What do I want to achieve? How can I start a business, or help a friend in business? What will I try to accomplish this year? Create goals for making the most of my work, for myself and for those around me.
*Financial – Saving. Debt relief. Spending. How much do I want to earn this year? How much do I want to spend? Evaluate our finances. Set a budget. Was our budget for 2012 consistent with our needs for 2013?
*Education – Is there any knowledge I want to acquire in particular? What information and skills will I need to have in order to achieve other goals?
*Love – What can I do to maintain closeness with Matt. How can I support him? When can we be alone?
*Family – How am I going to be a good Mommy to Siena? How do I want to be seen by Matt and by members of our extended family? Set a course. Are we communicating, spending quality time together, and working as a team?
*Friendship – How can I foster and maintain my friendships? How to stay connected? What is the best way to stay a part of my communities?
*Artistic – Do I want to achieve any artistic goals?
*Attitude – Is any part of my mindset holding me back? Is there any part of the way that I behave that upsets me? How can I remain joyful and positive and without fear.
*Physical/Health – What athletic goals do I want to achieve to ensure good health deep into old age? What steps am I going to take to be kind to my body?
*Personal Pleasure – How do I want to ensure that my life is full of joy?
*Public Service – How can I make the world a better place?
*Home – Looking around, what things that I might be able to update/fix/re-do in Dolly. How do I want others to see Dolly? How do I want to feel about my home?
*Projects – A project is a hobby activity that has a beginning AND AN END! What projects would I like to start, but lack the initiative to take the first step? What projects have I already started, but haven’t completed?
*Recreation – A new activity, hobby or a new experience. Don’t just dream it, do it!
*Spirituality – How can I discover and enhance my spiritual life this year?
And my 2013 New Years Resolutions:
*Brush twice or thrice & floss daily. This should not be that hard!
*Take vitamins and drink my water everyday.
*Take a 30 min walk weekly –even if it’s just walking around the mall. ;)
*Learn Baby Sign Language with the Monkey.
*Limit sugar–A LOT. (Yes, this is vague. I need to make it more concrete, I know.)
*Set a budget to keep for a few months. Take my average spending per month, cut it down and then for 3 months stick to it!
*Keep a clean living space that is company ready ALWAYS! Treat my home like I do when I’m visiting family and friends.
*Remove any mold smells and concerns from RV!
*Reupholster Siena’s seat. Just learn how to do it, and sew it.
*Know Matt’s food orders.
*Support Matt everyday in every (possible) way, every day.
*Learn to play at least one song on guitar (It’s a Big World Baby by Renee and Jeremy).
*Find out how people fall in love. Dating/love e-book?
*Kathyscollege.com? -build website, use social media “You, or someone you know, may be able and willing…” Find out an average cost of tuition for both girls, 4 years, in and out of state. Find out about the acct to hold $. Laws and taxes on donations. Get Non-Profit info.
*Blog 52 times, yep!
*Wedding album & Siena’s baby books done.
*Virtual Christian study or similar. A Course in Miracles.
*Clear ALL my to-do lists. Do everything!
* Build and start one website.
What do you think? Too much? Here’s the thing (What’s the thing Bree?), the thing is that I have all year to do make these happen. And now that you know what I’m going to accomplish this year, feel free to keep me on track if you have nothing better to do than to check in and keep me in check! ;)
This is Numero UNO of 52 blog posts. I’m on a roll! I may have to rapid-fire some posts at different times this year to catch up. This week you can expect a couple or maybe even a few.
Alright, Happy Valentines Day!
Bree Out!
Did you have a baby?
No.
Bree, what an ambitious year you have set for yourself. I hope you don’t get discouraged if you can’t do all of the above all of the time. You are human and it is great that you set goals, even though all are not reachable easily.
Being a good wife and mother are paramount but so is taking care of yourself. I didn’t see reading on your list of things to accomplish but reading takes you out of yourself and teaches you things and gives you new perspective with which to see life.
Good luck on all of your intentions. I hope and pray this is a great accomplishing (new word?) year for you. Stay happy. k
Hello Katherine!!
Thanks for the tip on adding reading. I love to lose myself in a good book.
I feel like this is an acceptable list because I have 11 months to make it all come to fruition. :) Time will tell though, if I bit off more than I can chew.
Hugs to you.
XO
Hi Bree, I’m Sharon and I couldn’t miss this chance to tell you that you have at least SIX regular readers. I have no idea how I first found your blog, but have read from the very beginning. I get each post via my reader feed and was so happy to see something from you pop up just now. Not being an RVer, I’ ve pretty much “lurked,” but have always enjoyed reading and was sad that you had decided to stop. Sienna is a doll and I hope you will post more about her. Your resolutions are terrific. My favorite is the one that promises to post 52 blogs!!!
Hi Sharon!
You made my day!! I am DELIGHTED to ‘meet’ you and thank you for reading and following along as our 6th reader. ;)
I am sorry we kept you waiting for a post for so long. It won’t happen again this year.
See you in the blogosphere. :)
XO
Glad you’re back! We were wondering how things were going. Siena is beautiful! Good luck with the resolutions. Looks like you are going to be makin’ it happen this year.
Jandrea ;-)
JANDREA!! Oh, it’s been way way way too long!! Any chance you 2 will be in Austin next month visiting family? We will be!! That would be a great reunion. :) Just sayin’!
XO
Wish we were that would totally rock! Especially in Beef country. I (Jon) could use a good BBQ! Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear in the immediate plans right now. We’re definitely hoping that we can get out west in the “relatively” near future, but we haven’t been able to set down any concrete plans just yet. On the flip side of that coin, when can we expect y’all to hit the east coast?
Jandrea
Oh for mental sanity sakes, just be Bree! You are awesome as us.you just had a precious monkey. Enjoy her, don’t get caught up w all the supposed to’s. We r all just trying to become YOU! free spirit live in the moment you!! Oxox
Awww, thank you Beth! That is very sweet. <3
I'm loving every second with my little Monkey (who I am doing sign language with! Though she won't sign back for a couple more months).
X's and O's to you and H! <3
I’ve never thought of you as not sticking with things and since you love my son and my granddaughter so very much and so very well, in my books that makes you pretty near perfect!!! Still, I do admire your ability to challenge yourself to grow and to set goals. And remember, not all goals have to be accomplished within a year’s framework – as long as you’re making progress, then you are making progress!! I’m sure you’re do well!! Hugs from Mama D.
Hi Bree, I am Amy and much like Sharon I couldn’t miss the oppurtunity to tell you that you have a seventh regular reader. My husband and I have a fifth wheel and I stumbled across your blog when I was looking for other young couples who love RVing as much as we do. We are not full timers but we try and do as much traveling in the New England area as possible. Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! I have a daughter, Brianna, who is 21 months. Would love to hear what you have done inside your camper for your new addition.
~Amy
Hi Amy!!
Thank you for reading!! It’s very cool to realize that strangers are joining us on this journey through our blog! :)
Congrats to on your little Bree (do you call her Bree or Breezy). I can hardly imagine what almost 2 looks like!! :)
It’s funny you should ask about baby modifications because I’ve started a post on that and should have it up in the next…I don’t know…year? Just kidding, but as you know, everything goes so much slower with a kiddo.
I’ll include pics too for you. :)
We plan to be in New England this year. Maybe we could meet up? Then you’d no longer be a “stranger reading along”.
XO
B.