So, appears I'm right on time with my list of goals...just about a month late. Story of my life. Am I right or am I right?
Looking back on the past year and how much ambition I have now (which is not much), I've developed a reasonable list of goals for 2013.
1). Read 50 books.
2). Complete the Insanity program.
3). Run 12 races this year, including a half marathon (again!). First race is in a little over a week!
4). Volunteer for Junior Achievement.
5). Finish 2 classes for AINS (Associate in Insurance).
6). Put $100+ in savings each month.
7). Take Quinn to the zoo.
8). Plan a family weekend (preferrably at a waterpark).
9). Complete a yarn wreath and ornament wreath.
10). Try a new recipe once a month.
See, easy and a bunch are already underway or are soon to start. Fail proof planning and being realistic are going to make me succeed this year. I'm not failing this time!
Book Club: What I've Been Reading Lately
I challenged myself to read 50 book this year. Last year I read 45 so I don't think it will be that big of a stretch to get 50 under my belt (I'm already on number 4!).
I recently purchased a Kindle and let me just say that it was the best decision I've made in awhile. I take that baby everywhere. Quinn and I used it at her doctor's appointment a couple weeks ago to watch Thomas the Tank Engine on Netflix and read a Minnie Mouse book (we had a couple of waits for the doctor and a flu test - don't worry, nugget only had a virus and was gone within a couple days).
I found a really great series called Heller (with a suggestion from my sister-in-law) and the first book is a free download and the rest of the books in the series are only $2.99.
Heller
Twenty-five year old Tilly Chalmers can't believe her luck when she lands a dream job at Heller's Security & Surveillance, despite a disastrous interview and no real experience or skills. An unsuccessful actor and almost down to her last dollar, Tilly hasn't accomplished much in life and is desperate to succeed in her new job. She finds herself attached to its many benefits, not the least of which is her dangerously attractive new boss, Heller. She soon discovers though that he is a man with secrets, leaving her with many unanswered questions. Why won't he tell her anything about himself and why is he using a false name? Does his brutal streak prove that he is a cold-blooded killer, as thought by some people?
Moving into his combined office/residence, Tilly joins the strange group of people living there that Heller seems to have collected on his way: teen aged Goth, Niq; sensitive, scarred Daniel; colossal twins, Sid and Clive; and the shadowy Victor, who is never seen. Dwelling in close proximity to them all strengthens her growing bonds with Daniel and Niq, neither of who have ever had a positive female role model in their lives. It also tests her will power with Heller, particularly as he doesn't hide his growing personal interest in her. While she's mightily tempted, Tilly can't overlook his promiscuity or his increasingly possessive attitude.
Not sure what to think when she realises that she's the only female in a business that employs a lot of terrifyingly large and loyal men, Tilly struggles to be accepted as a Heller's team member. Her first assignment, acting as companion to the bored young wife of a visiting rich businessman, doesn't go to plan and Tilly receives a violent introduction to the rougher side of security work. Her second assignment with a polygamous family pushes her professionalism and self-preservation skills to the limit.
When her agent makes her an offer she shouldn't refuse, Tilly has to decide between her new life with Heller and his 'family' and something she thought she'd always wanted.
Twenty-five year old Tilly Chalmers can't believe her luck when she lands a dream job at Heller's Security & Surveillance, despite a disastrous interview and no real experience or skills. An unsuccessful actor and almost down to her last dollar, Tilly hasn't accomplished much in life and is desperate to succeed in her new job. She finds herself attached to its many benefits, not the least of which is her dangerously attractive new boss, Heller. She soon discovers though that he is a man with secrets, leaving her with many unanswered questions. Why won't he tell her anything about himself and why is he using a false name? Does his brutal streak prove that he is a cold-blooded killer, as thought by some people?
Moving into his combined office/residence, Tilly joins the strange group of people living there that Heller seems to have collected on his way: teen aged Goth, Niq; sensitive, scarred Daniel; colossal twins, Sid and Clive; and the shadowy Victor, who is never seen. Dwelling in close proximity to them all strengthens her growing bonds with Daniel and Niq, neither of who have ever had a positive female role model in their lives. It also tests her will power with Heller, particularly as he doesn't hide his growing personal interest in her. While she's mightily tempted, Tilly can't overlook his promiscuity or his increasingly possessive attitude.
Not sure what to think when she realises that she's the only female in a business that employs a lot of terrifyingly large and loyal men, Tilly struggles to be accepted as a Heller's team member. Her first assignment, acting as companion to the bored young wife of a visiting rich businessman, doesn't go to plan and Tilly receives a violent introduction to the rougher side of security work. Her second assignment with a polygamous family pushes her professionalism and self-preservation skills to the limit.
When her agent makes her an offer she shouldn't refuse, Tilly has to decide between her new life with Heller and his 'family' and something she thought she'd always wanted.
via Goodreads
My rating: 5 STARS
******
My rating: 5 STARS
******
Heller's Revenge
Tilly Chalmers’ sexy boss, Heller, has a talent for making enemies. Not a forgive-and-forget kind of man, he has a few scores to settle - including one with Tilly’s brother. Tilly is kept busy juggling that constant worry with managing three new assignments as a rookie security officer - crowd control at a lingerie parade, babysitting an immature, sex-starved IT billionaire, and an unusual and emotional job with a famous environmental activist. But as usual, Tilly’s assignments don’t go quite to plan. All this, as well as trying to keep her vow not to sleep with her beautiful and enigmatic boss, no matter how much of a temptation he proves
via Goodreads
My rating: 4 STARS
*****
Tilly is a hot mess and her boss is even hotter. The situations she gets into are almost unbelievable. I love her spunky personality. The thing that keeps me going back for more is Tilly and Heller's relationship. It's simple and yet complicated at the same time. The second book is a little cheesier that the first but still a good read. The author is from Australia and I could definitely tell that throughout both books but not enough to discourage me from finishing and wanting to read the entire rest of the series.
If you want something easy that will keep you turning pages, this is it!
P.S. Follow me on Goodreads here.
Current Read: Heller's Girlfriend
*****
Tilly is a hot mess and her boss is even hotter. The situations she gets into are almost unbelievable. I love her spunky personality. The thing that keeps me going back for more is Tilly and Heller's relationship. It's simple and yet complicated at the same time. The second book is a little cheesier that the first but still a good read. The author is from Australia and I could definitely tell that throughout both books but not enough to discourage me from finishing and wanting to read the entire rest of the series.
If you want something easy that will keep you turning pages, this is it!
P.S. Follow me on Goodreads here.
Current Read: Heller's Girlfriend
Christmas Part Dos
We spent the Sunday before Christmas at my husband's parents with his aunts and uncle. Quinn was very spoiled receiving a bunch of Minnie Mouse (obsession is in full force) and a sled.
Christmas Eve was spent the usual way. We attended 4 pm church service and then went back to my parents for the rest of the evening for a little Mexican food fiesta and opening gifts. Quinn got a tricycle from her godfather, my brother Tim (the same tricycle she through a huge, huge fit over in the middle of the store the weekend prior..threw her body down and everything), a baseball glove and ball, dry erase board with markers and crayons (homemade by my brother I might add - it's huge and has yet to find a permanent place in our house), a table and chair set (which seems to fall off of almost daily) and a bunch of other awesome gifts.
Christmas morning Quinn woke up to a red Radio Flyer wagon under the tree courtesy of Santa. She was a pretty good girl last year so it was deserved. This year is only just beginning but let's just say that if Quinn keeps up this attitude, there won't be anything but a dog turd under the tree for her on Christmas.
Analyzing 2012
I was talking to a group of girlfriends a few days ago and the topic of goals for the New Year came up and it got me thinking, what am I really set on doing this year? I mean what must I do this year that is so profound and different from the previous years? Nothing, nothing really came to mind.
My failings of yesteryear were so enormous, that I didn't want to make a big list of resolutions or goals because clearly, in my case, that is just setting myself for a big old epic failure.
Here were my goals from last year...let's just put it out there and see just how bad I did...mmmkay?
1. Read 20 books. Doubled it, read 45. Okay, okay so not everything was a failure.
2. Drink less pop or quit all together. Riiigghhht...I'm just going to face it, this will never happen.
3. Tweet and update Facebook more often. I sort of vetoed this one, I do want a sense of privacy. But I did instagram the shit out of shit.
4. Order wedding photos by end of January (yep, got married in 2009). See #17. This still hasn't happened (hangs head in shame).
5. Give Quinn a fantastic first birthday. Done and done...pink and orange theme.
6. Save up and buy a DSLR. Got a DSLR for Mother's Day and my birthday and Christmas (and then throw a couple other holidays in there too).
7. Complete a DIY project each month. I pin and pin but I
8. Eat more salad. If you've seen me lately, you would know I haven't been eating my salad.
9. Run more. I'd say this was pretty successful.
10. Get out of the habit of hitting snooze. HA, HA, HA!
11. Start a collection jar for every time I work out. One time = $1. I started this one and had a pretty good jar going but I think we cashed it all in with all our change.
12. Workout 4x a week. Some weeks were good, other weeks were bad.
13. Go to church at least 2x a month. I went to church on Christmas Eve this year...I'm going to hell.
14. Take more outfit pictures. I am not a fashion blogger...sometimes I think it's a good idea though.
15. Take more pictures in general. (#6 will help with this!). Let's just say I took a few pictures this year.
16. Clean more often. Ha...this is a every day struggle. Cleaning is just not in my bones.
17. Stop being a procrastinator. I was born a procrastinator and I will die one.
18. Take Quinn to the zoo. She did go to the zoo but I wasn't the one to take her there.
19. Learn something new. I'm sure there was something noteworthy in there...I learned a new job?
20. Try at least 2 dishes that are outside my comfort zone (now would be a good time to tell you all that we have 2 rabbits in our freezer…I’m calling them Fluffy & Twinkles. I’m really disturbed by it). Rabbits are still dead in the freezer.
21. Do the Advocare Herbal Cleanse. Did the 24 Day Challenge in June.
22. Be nicer to the hubs and appreciate him more. Oh, god.
23. Watch more movies. I maybe averaged a movie a month.
24. Keep current with the DVR. Right, I'm obsessed with too many shows.
25. Bake more. Quinn and I made a bunch of goodies around the holidays this year.
26. Take a vacation. Friends vacation.
27. Go swimming more often. It happened a couple of times, probably not as many as there should have been.
28. Speaking of, be bikini ready by June. Is anyone ever ready?
29. Send more cards (anniversaries, birthdays, etc.). I did good for a few months and then just sucked it up.
30. Play more croquet. Didn't play once.
31. Grow out my hair. HA!
32. Stop leaving dishes in the sink. I try this for about a week and then say fuck it and leave them for the hubs to take a turn.
33. Get together with friends more often (this has majorly slacked since having baby…weird how that happens). Still slacking. Had a fun New Years though.
34. See two movies in the theater. I saw zero.
35. Setup Quinn’s college fund. I have the paper work, I just need to sit down and do it. Whoops!
36. Decorate more for the holidays. Christmas certainly threw up all over my house this year.
37. Run a half marathon. Done...best accomplishment this year. I want to say it again because it just feels oh so good...I did it in 1:54! BAM!
38. Run five competitive races. St. Patty's, Moonlight Chase, Bix 7, Run for Red, Turkey Trott and Half-Marathon.
See? Big fail of epic proportions. So what are my goals for this year? Stay tuned...
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