June Goals: Recap

I can't believe how far into June we are already!! Yikes!! One more week of teaching and I'm off for the summer. One little snag is that I'm working on my Master's Degree for most of July in a town 3 hour away, so I have to leave my pups behind with the parentals. *sigh* You win some, and you lose some lol.

Here's a little recap of my June Goals so far:


1. Exercise 3 times per week: Success-- the weather was very nasty at first but then it changed for the better. I've been walking pups at least three times per week. No jogging though. I'm hoping the jogging will pick up once teaching is over and I get some free time. Only downfall with this hot weather is that I have to wait until it's nearly dark and finally cool enough to take the babies.

 2. Try one new recipe per week: Success-- I tried my own guacamole other night. Just an avocado, some plain yogurt and Epicure guacamole mix. It was delishhhh!! Not sure what I'll try out this week.

 3. Get to bed by 10:30 p.m. on work nights: Half success/half fail: I've been getting to bed by 10:30 but certainly not getting to sleep by 10:30. I spend a hour (at least) on my iPhone playing Words with Friends or using Pinterest. Tut tut tut

 4. Tackle at least 5 boxes of packing per week (since school is over I'll be moving to my hometown for the summer): Fail! I haven't even started yet. Next week. Between report cards and finishing my first master's course it has been crazy around here! Not to mention the new puppers I have!

 5. Create three cards per week: Success-- see cards above! Yay-- these are to build up my stash. This is a printable I seen on Pinterest! I wanna make a bunch more with these when I can. I already used one of these for my neighbour's birthday.

 6. TRY to post at least twice a week: Fail!


Overall I've been doing well. This is a crazy month. However, I've accepted a new position for this upcoming year. A permanent kindergarten position--eek. Quite nervous and excited and all emotions! Hope things are well on your end :)

June Goals

Well it seems like FOREVER ago since I last posted (yes, ok, it kinda has been forever ago). I've been so swamped with teaching and then coming home each evening and studying for hours. I'm still trying to get a handle of things. I figured I would create a little list of goals for June to try to keep myself motivated and in the game.

So here goes:

 1. Exercise 3 times per week (aim to have ONE of these as a jog)- chances are the exercise will be in the form of walking my pups (I adopted a 6 month old-- that's for another post).

 2. Try one new recipe per week

 3. Get to bed by 10:30 p.m. on work nights

 4. Tackle at least 5 boxes of packing per week (since school is over I'll be moving to my hometown for the summer)

 5. Create three cards per week to put at the local store in my hometown to sell for this summer

 6. TRY to post at least twice a week

 Now, how's that for some goals? I hope you're having an enjoyable Sunday :)

This is my "little" cousin and my baby Seven at Seven's first birthday (which I still haven't posted about-- oy!)

Book Review: The Fiddler

Here is a brief excerpt: "A wrong turn in a rainstorm leads Englisher Amelia Devries to Michael Hostetler--and the young Amishman's charming Old Order community of Hickory Hollow. Despite their very different backgrounds, Amelia and Michael both feel hemmed in by the expectations of others and struggle with how to find room for their own hopes. And what first seems to be a chance encounter might just change their lives forever." This novel was a very easy read. It was of a very simple Amish life and some struggles that the main characters had to face. I liked that there were a couple underlying "conflicts" in there between Amelia and her musical career, Michael and his family life and then between Amelia and Michael themselves. This novel isn't full of thrills or "oh my goodness I can't put this down" moments but if you are looking for something to read without having to think very much this is for you. It was a lovely book to sit back and relax with and to just enjoy being wrapped up in the lives of Amelia and Michael. "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Book Review: Prize of my Heart-- Lisa Norato

Here is my second, and last, book review of the month. This review is for the book titled Prize of my Heart by Lisa Norato.

Here is a brief description:

An unsolved mystery separates ex-privateersman Captain Brogan Talvis from his lost son--his only living relation, his only family. Shortly before her tragic demise, his wife abandoned their infant to strangers, refusing to reveal the child's whereabouts. Now, three years later, Brogan has discovered the boy at the home of a shipbuilder's daughter, Lorena Huntley.

Lorena guards a dark secret about her young charge. She finds herself falling for the heroic captain who has come to claim his newly built ship, unaware his motive for wooing her is to befriend the boy he plans on reclaiming as his own--until the day anothers evil deceit leaves her helplessly shipbound, heading toward England.

As the perfect opportunity to reclaim his son unfolds, Brogan is haunted by thoughts of Lorena in her dire circumstance, and he is forced to make a heartrending choice between his child and the woman who has begun to capture his heart. But only his unselfish sacrifice can win him the greatest prize of all--love.

-----------------------------
This is another historical fiction book and I do believe you will truly enjoy reading it. The book is based back in 1815 and it reflects the language and dialogue of this time period. This book offers a little for everyone; a little mystery, a little romance, some family issues, and so forth. It is a book that many people would enjoy for different reasons. I really shouldn't spare any more details than are mentioned above in the description, but I truly think that you will enjoy this novel as I did.

I recommend reading Prize of my Heart by Lisa Norato to anyone who desires a little mystery or romance.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Blog Candy

Carla over at My 1/2 Dozen Daily is giving away this gorgeous handmade pouch. All you have to do is stop by and look at the three chances you have to win. I would love to get my hands on this. I think it would be a perfect purse bag to keep those things in that needs to be moved from purse to purse (I'm a purse-a-holic!). So head on over and check things out!!

Book Review: Chasing the Sun-- Tracie Peterson

Here is my very first book review. It is for the Historical Fiction Novel Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson. This is the first in a series of books entitled Land of the Lone Star.

Here is an excerpt:
When her father disappears in war-torn Mississippi, Hannah Dandridge finds herself responsible not only for her younger siblings but for the ranch her father recently acquired on the Texas plains. Though a marriage of convenience could ease her predicament, she determines to trust God for direction.
Wounded soldier William Barnett returns to his home only to discover that his family's ranch has been seized. Though angry and bitter at this turn of events, he's surprised to discover that it is a beautiful young woman with amazing fortitude who is struggling to keep the place running.
Hannah, desperate for help, and William, desperate to regain his family's land, form an uneasy truce. But nearby Comanche tribes, the arrival of Confederate soldiers, and a persistent suitor all threaten the growing attraction that builds between them. Will they be able to set aside their own dreams and embrace the promise of a future together?

-----------------------------------

This is the first historical book (fiction or nonfiction) that I have read in quite some time. I was pleasantly surprised at how interested I was when I read the first few chapters. I often found myself deeply entrenched in the life of Hannah; her trials and tribulations somewhat reminded me of my own life but in a more modern version. I felt for the girl and truly admired her bravery. There was something about her determination that I felt drawn to. Of course there was also the underlying love story to keep your attention focused. I love a little bit of love; there's something about wondering how things will turn out in the end that kept me going page after page. I didn't find this book to be action packed or heartracing, which one wouldn't expect from this genre or after reading the excerpt. However, with it's easy reading, unique characters and the reminder of how basic life once was it will surely be a pleaser in the end.

If you enjoy a little romance and a glimpse of the past, then Chasing the Sun is a good book for you!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Pup Birthday Invites Complete!

Finally! They're done. They're nothing fancy but I love them.

I've been reading like crazy this weekend. I'm mentally drained, can't believe I signed myself up for 2 years of craziness that is the Master's Program. Also got my first bill-- $3250 by mid July. I almost fainted. Seriously. I lost my breath and everything!

Anyways, Seven's birthday is 2 weeks away, invites are done, in the envelope, dress is on its way and shopping this upcoming weekend to get other supplies.

Hope you're all doing well out there-- calling for major snow storm tomorrow night here yikes!

Locks of Love Donation

I cut off 10.5 inches of hair today for my Locks of Love donation. Yikes. I seriously get a fright every time I pass the mirror :p

Easter Card

My first (and probably ONLY) card for this Easter. My mom called a couple nights ago and wanted a card for her nephew for Easter. I've been super busy doing report cards but I managed to whip this one up for her. She loved it, so that's the main thing.

Report cards are done. *does happy dance*

I've been accepted into the Master's of Literacy Education Program that I applied for a while back. I start on Saturday. I'm nervous, and oddly enough I'm most nervous about being the youngest person there. I know not many 25 year olds start their masters.

My to-do list is working wonderfully! I'm really loving being able to physically cross things off rather than getting on here to do it! I love adding two or three (sometimes four!) things per night to accomplish the next day.

Seven's birthday planning is still going strong. I have her invites nearly done, just need to do a few butterflies with the Cricut for it. I ordered her dress last night (and spent a freaking $32 on it! A DRESS FOR A DOG! I'm nutssss...). My mom thought I was silly planning a party, but then she thought it was cute and said for me to get my invites out soon lol.

Anyways, off to bed. Hoping to get some reading in as I have two books to review this month and haven't had a chance to finish either due to report cards.

Nighty night!

Revised to-do...

So my to-do list was too overwhelming. I felt like a failure. Here's my new system. A lovely "to do" sheet printed from Anything but Perfect. If you haven't been over there before, I suggest popping by. The CUTEST printables ever!

My new goals are to add around three "to do's" each night; one cleaning, one personal (or fun!) and one professional. Last night I added four just because I had them in my head. I've accomplished three of them and I feel great and I'm going to add three more for tomorrow.

I didn't continue with my February goals; after the second week I felt like I failed and I got really overwhelmed and just gave up. I'm such a dork lol. Apparently I don't take failure easy.

Anyways, lovin' this new idea. I'll let you know if it works for me. How do you keep your life organized?

Seven's 1st Birthday {Planning}

So this is little Miss Seven and myself today during our snow day (which means NO work day!) Yay! We've been pretty relaxed all day.

...until...it hit me. Seven will be turning the big number ONE of April 9th and this Momma must get her party planned.

I'm thinking I'll do a butterfly and bugs theme-- a little girlie, a little springish and a little kiddish (she is only one afterall).

So here's my list of "to-do" to get ready for the party:
1. Make invitations
2. Send out invitations
3. Make/purchase decorations
4. Make homemade dog treats
5. Make her a dog birthday cake
6. Purchase a nice birthday dress
7. Decide on snacks for the human guests
8. Get some dollarstore toys for the pooch guests to play with
9. Buy her a gift of course
10. Take her to the groomers before Easter Break

Am I crazy!? Maybe it's time to have children lol.

Weekly "to-do" List

My awesome boyfriend is gone away to work for 20 days so that leaves me with all the household chores! *sigh* I think sometimes I take all the things he does for me, for granted. Anyhow, this is just to keep me a little more organized for the week!

Monday
Do laundry (Done!)
Vacuum

Tuesday
Clean master bathroom
Dust living room
Dust bedroom
Fix the vacuum so I can cross it off my list for Monday!

Wednesday
Sweep & scrub floors
Dust kitchen
Clean counters and top of fridge
Vacuum

Thursday
Leaving at 3:30 p.m. (directly after work) to go to my hometown for the weekend.

Friday
Away for the weekend :)

Saturday
Away for the weekend :)

Sunday
Lesson Plan for the week

Hi ho Hi ho It's off to work I go!

So no more sitting on my butt and relaxing like that gorgeous pup up there. I'm going to bed now and it's off to work in the morning. Chicken pox are gone (few lingering, but they're healed in regards of being contagious!) and I'm a happy girl. Going to be a short week, just tomorrow, but at least I get to see my students. Who would think that I would miss 16 screaming 10 year olds!? But I certainly do :)

Week Two Challenge Results!

Ok, so since I accidently did this week's organization challenge I had to do week's for this week! This week my goal was to organize my clothes and find some to donate. Well, I certainly accomplished that. I filled a HUGE garbage bag full of clothes. I used the theory "If it hasn't been worn since September, I don't love it anymore", therefore my mom will be getting a huge bag of clothes when I go to visit next. Whatever she doesn't want will be donated to the Salvation Army Thrift Store. I even found a little pile that was no good for anything so I cut them up for some cleaning scraps. There's even a picture of my closet; this is ALL work clothes, my comfy weekend clothes are in my dresser. Although there's not much left in there now! I'm excited. I even found several pairs of old flannel pj's (ok, so I admit I still wear them sometimes!!) that I haven't been able to get rid of that I'm going to use to make a scrap quilt. It won't be fancy, it will simply be for warmth and will be put under the comforter of my bed at my dads. I've been hanging on to the flannel pj's because one pair my grandfather gave me before he passed away, another pair my friend game me in HIGH SCHOOL because I loved frogs and the others are just a couple pairs of pants I found.

So this challenge: PASS!!!
**ETA: I went through all those purses and found the money above for my sealed pot challenge. Yay! I also now have a small pile of things I'm going to list on Kijiji**

Unto the money challenge. I'm QUITE proud of myself. After my trip home a couple of weekends ago I didn't think I would survive on very little money for a whole week. But I did it. And I didn't use my debit card or credit card once!!! I still have $33 left and that'll be used towards this week money. Exciteddddd!! Thanks to Carla for keeping me on track these pass two weeks lol.

This upcoming week(s) may not be so promising. Two of my very close friends have birthdays at the end of the month. I know I'm getting one of them a scarf (~$25) and the other a GC to Reitmans (~20) and I have a notepad to go with it too. It was also my godson's birthday last week and I completely forgot. So I'm going to pop him a $20 cheque and let his mom get him something. I also need to make a donation to RNCA, I sponsored them $20 this summer apparently and forgot about it. I had a letter come last time I was at my dads house. Oops! So not sure how the finances are going to be these next two weeks. But I'll be by later tonight or tomorrow with my goals for week three.

Low Spend Challenge: PASS!!!
**ETA: I will use $25 of the $33 to put towards my $500 Christmas Challenge!!**

Sunday Night Chit Chat!

Following along with Carla and her Sunday night Chit Chat! This is a picture of my mini sewing machine that I've finally figured out how to use. I've been sewing like a crazy person on my cards. My mom told me I could get her old(ish) sewing machine if I learned how to use this one lol.


Reading?
I'm about half way through Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult. LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

Watching?
The Grammy's. Not my usual thing to watch, but eh, may as well!

Listening to?
Adele, love her!

Cooking/Baking?
I had some mackerel for supper and carrots. I'm surviving my 17 day diet. I have a few pounds gone, so I'm happy.

Happy you accomplished this week?
Oh my. Ummmm...oh, yeah, learning how to use my sewing machine. I get frustrated easily and I've put off learning to use it for over 3 years now.

Looking forward to next week?
My chicken pox being gone. I miss going to the store, to work and I miss my boyfriend. *sigh*

Thankful for today?
That it's just the chicken pox that I have and nothing more serious. Oh, and calamine lotion heehee!!

Nighty night all! I'll post my cards tomorrow!

Keeping myself occupied

Well, since the doc ordered 7 days off work, I'm stuck inside...blah blah blah. I'm not sure how to juggle my time when I'm not working. I just sleep and be lazy-- seriously! So I need to somehow keep myself sane. I'm here alone because my boyfriend has never had the chicken pox before, so he's at his parents house. I cannot go to my hometown because neither my mom OR dad has had them before either. *sigh* So it's just myself and Little Miss Seven.

Here's my list of goals for the next few days. Mostly to keep myself organized motivated.
Saturday
-- one load of laundry
-- vacuum
-- clean garbage can and fridge
-- go shovel snow for at least 30 mins.
-- create two cards

Sunday
-- go through clothes for week 2 challenge
-- lesson plan
-- do one load of laundry
-- get out for a short walk with pup--- no luck, it was pouring rain!
-- create two cards


Monday
-- do one load of laundry
-- Clean master bathroom
-- go outside-- didn't happen. It was -21 with the windchill *sign*
-- lesson plan
-- create two cards

Tuesday
-- Dust living room
-- Dust bedroom
-- clean guest bathroom
-- lesson plan
-- go outside
-- create two cards

Wednesday

-- tidy kitchen
-- organize work stuff
-- lesson plan
-- go outside
-- create two cards

Thursday

-- laundry
-- whatever else needs to be done lol
-- lesson plan
-- go outside

Friday

GO BACK TO WORK. Dearest Chicken Pox, please be gone!!!!!!!!!

Week Two Decluttering & Low (no) Spend Challenge

Well, I'm a little delayed in writing this, but better late then never (that's my motto for life *sigh* This is my second week following along with Carla and her February double challenge month!

Decluttering Challenge
Apparently I mixed up my decluttering challenge from last week lol. It was suppose to be to organize my clothes and this week was to clean off the dog kennel. Wellll...I sorta done the dog kennel last week, oops, my bad. So I guess it's clothes this week.

I'm going through my closet and taking anything out that I haven't worn since September. Then I'm going through ALL of my drawers and cleaning them out. Anything that I don't want/don't fit is going to go to my mom for her to pick through before I take them to the Thrift Store.

Low (no) Spending Challenge
Well, as mentioned last week, I had $52 to spend until this upcoming Thursday. My goal is to only spend this amount and to NOT use my CC or DB.

Since I have a lovely case of Chicken Pox, my neighbour done my shopping for me today. She spent a little over $19 for a few groceries, dog food and some lotion.
So that leaves me with $33. I think I can do this!!!!

The only downfall is that I won't be able to save the $25 I wanted to save for the $500 Christmas Saving Challenge. *sigh*

Hope you're all doing well out there in Blogland :)

This is me today...

I'm covered in chicken pox :(

Week One Decluttering & Low(no) Spend Challenge

**I can't get my pics to send from my iphone...will update pics later tonight!!

Okay, so let's start with the positive aspects of this weekly challenge lol!! I did success in my Decluttering Challenge! Yay me! My goal was to organize everything that was sitting on top of the dog's kennel (which I've been using as a "side desk" for junk and work stuff) that the dog doesn't even use anymore. I'm thinking now that I may actually sell the kennel because it's of no use to us. Her pet carrier is also a wee bit too small, so maybe I'll sell both of it together and buy her a new larger size carrier. My dad tells me every time I goes home that it's too small for her. Maybe I'll finally take his advice.

Week One Decluttering Challenge: PASS!!

Now on to the not so good news heehee. I took out $140 at the beginning of the week and that would give me $10 per day for the next two weeks. Well...myself and the boyfriend decided we would go to our hometown for the weekend which DRAINED my money lol. We went in two separate cars as he stayed out there to help his dad with getting their winter wood in.

So here's the breakdown of my spending:
START: $140
SPEND: $5.54 (Irving for bottled vitamin water and a scratch ticket)
SPEND: $69.69 (Gas, restaurant, alcohol)
SPEND: $2 (Raffle tickets from a teacher at school on a V-Day basket for her daughter's figure skating)
SPEND: $10 (Towards my groceries for the next two weeks- I set out an extra $100 for this because I started a new diet this week eeekk and went over by $10)
SEALED POT: $0.77 went into my sealed put

LEFT: $52.00 until next Thursday, Feb. 16th.

I actually think I can survive on this $52.00 because I have NO plans on going anywhere until Feb. 24th when I go home again. It's going to be stormy this weekend and my diet won't allow me to drink or eat out for the next 17 days lol.

POSITIVE NEWS: I haven't used my debit card or credit card AT ALL! That's huge for me!

WEEK ONE LOW(no) SPEND CHALLENGE: Fail! :(

$500 Holiday Challenge

Well, I've signed myself up to another challenge. This one is over at Cents to Save. I feel motivated this year--and January is already over and I'm still motivated. Both on the exercise and my finances. Yay me!

So I've decided to start saving $500 towards my Christmas gifts I need for this upcoming Christmas. Can never start too early can we? I've decided to put away $25 every two weeks to get this covered. And I will--some way, some how! The $50 has to come out of my low-spend budget for February too. Yikes!

Wish me luck :)