Thursday, December 31, 2009

Farmville

I am addicted to Farmville on Facebook. I can't help myself. I started playing around Halloween because my friend needed more friends on Farmville. So I thought I'd start it up and then let it go.

So not true.

Omgoodness.

Farmville is seriously the greatest game. It's pretty pathetic actually that I am dedicating an entire blog to my love of Farmville, but it's my greatest discovery of 2009. It's relaxing and addicting. PLUS at Christmas, you got all these "gifts" under your Christmas tree. It was like a little digital surprise.

Please don't think I'm nuts. Try it. You will looove it. :)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

New Year's Resolutions

Okay, I'm posting again in an effort to keep my blog current. I figure over posting is better than no posting at all! :)

I've decided that I am making a New Year's Resolution this year that I can actually keep. Last year I resolved to be a better bookkeeper and handle my funds better. I achieved this goal, I have to say. I still can do better (who can't??) but I'm giving myself a gold star for this one. I know where every CENT I spent went this year, sans the occasional cup of coffee or quick lunch out. But those were all cash and don't count. Any time I used my check book or bank card, I have a copy and a reciept. I have it all in my accordion file folder. Bank statements? Check! Deposit records? Check! Neat and tidy tuition spreadsheets? Check!! I need to spend a couple weeks organzing all the receipts and things, but I think I can get my taxes filed by the end of February this year!! Usually my goal is March 30, but this year, I'm going to be early early early. :o)

This year coming up I am resolving myself to a healthier lifestyle. I gained weight when I was pregnant. More than I needed to. Well, I need to be honest. I gained weight AFTER I was pregnant. When I was pregnant, I was sick all the time and really only gained 12 pounds the entire time. Which I lost promptly after delivery.

Then regained.

Twice over.

Ugh.

I weigh about 40 pounds more now than I did in high school. Which really, I need to cut myself a little slack here. I went to college, where most people gain weight. I got married, which makes most people gain weight. I had a baby, which makes most people gain weight. Three major things in a span of 5 years. So really, 40 pounds could be a WHOLE lot worse! I am done feeling bad about it. I am recognizing it as a problem and I'm resolving to make it better.

I am giving myself a timeline of June 5 to be done with this nonsense. That's 6 months after my birthday and also, conveniently, my dance recital. That's 6 months away, which averages out to less than 7 pounds a month. Hello! I can do THAT. I am focusing on my smaller goal of 6.5 pounds a month. That is so easily achievable and a totally healthy pace for my body type. And actually, making a few small changes and uping my exercise should be all it takes to lose at that nice pace.

I have vices, as does everyone. Let's discuss them....

1) My husband's snacks. OMG. Let me just say. I love my Dave with my whole heart but the man SNACKS. He eats sugar and junk 24-7. And he never gains an ounce. (Jealous, totally jealous!! :)) It's not his fault. It's my fault that I eat his snacks. I am resolving at this time to NOT eat the candy or chips. I haven't eaten the ice cream he always has around since before Thanksgiving. If I can do that, then I can do this! I will move the majority of them in to the back room where we keep his lunch food. (Chips, bags of cookies, etc.) This will help me so much. Out of sight, out of mind.

2) Coffee. I love my coffee. I am still going to be a coffee drinker. I am going to change my regimen though to skim milk (that's my preference anyways) and 0 calorie sweetener. This makes coffee basically harmless. The caffeine isn't the greatest, but I have to say. I need a little something to get me through my days. I work at home and take care of Rory all morning then work 3-9 each night. That, my dears, requires caffeine!

3) Not eating breakfast. Ugh. I hate breakfast foods, but I do like fruit and toast and some cereal. (Especially Special K! Delish) So there's the answer to that...eat something good.

4) Not drinking enough water. I used to be such a good water drinker, but lately I've been slacking. I recently bought myself the neatest water bottle and it's 24 oz. If I drink 3 full bottles a day, well then. There you have it.

It's frustrating and tiring, this journey. But I've always achieved my goals in the past, through hard work, prayer and committment. I AM doing this this time! And I'm going to look pretty darn cute when it's over. :)

Welcome to the world, little blog.

So. I'm going to become a blogger. I've tried a few times before to become a blogger, but I've never committed and I've always failed. But this time I am committing! I have a sweet little family of three now and I know that my extended family would like to keep updated on the going ons of our little life. (How do I know this, you ask? Well because I keep up to date with my sister in law's blog daily! She keeps me informed of the goings on in her life and the life of my too cute for words niece and nephew. Check her out here.)

So allow me to introduce myself.

I'm Kate. I'll be 25 next week. I live in a tiny town in a very cold state. I've lived here my whole life. I'm a dance teacher and love my job, but hate being my own boss. (Backwards from usual, I believe.) I eat, sleep and breathe dance. I am constantly tapping my toes and twirling around. Any piece of music is an excuse for me to make up a dance in my head. Thus, the name of this blog. The phrase I say most often in any given day is "5...6...7...8!" :) I'm a wanna be chef, avid reader, lover of knowledge and travel and a total Russia-phile. (Visited when I was 16!) I love the theatre, and for a while dabbled with the idea of becoming an actress. I grew up dreaming of being a Rockette, but I topped out at 5'5. (Google minimum height for a Rockette and understand my disappointment!)

My husband is Dave. He's almost 26. He has a degree in Turf Grass Science. He takes care of the grounds and sports fields for a local school district. Dave is a golf FREAK. Tiger Woods is a daily topic in our house, even long before the "scandal." He (and I as well) looooves the Steelers. (Nope, we don't live in Pittsburgh!) Dave likes all sports, really. He's a wonderful man.

Our little one is Rory. She's 7 months old, almost 8. She is the light in our lives. I can't even imagine life without her now that she is here. :) More on her later, I am sure.

Our life is really rather quiet. We have our circle of friends, we have our puppy (Hiya Millie!), we have each other. We work hard. We live in a small house and could easily spend all day playing silly games on the Wii and eating pizza and wings. We are a family and that's the most comfortable thing in the world.