Please support me in my quest to become a more well-rounded person with a fulfilling and enriched way of living. This years 2010 resolution is designed to pursue just that cause. Many New Years resolutions die out as soon as the christmas tree gets tossed into the trash heap. This year, I propose to take on a series of 12 30 day challenges, all with the intention of creating a richer, healthier existence for myself. While some goals seem less ambitious than others, these are the pursuits I am interested in completing within this coming year. The ultimate goal being that I carry these challenges into my everyday life throughout 2010 and beyond. Follow along as I blog about my quest. Lets see how far I make it!!!

Proposed Challenges:

JANUARY: Dedicate self to finding full time work (portfolio work and networking)
FEBRUARY: No Soda
MARCH: Exercise
APRIL: Start a new blog I've been thinking about thanks to Peter Ross
MAY: Floss
JUNE: Love Life
JULY: No TV
AUGUST: Meditate
SEPTEMBER: Eat within 100 Miles
OCTOBER: Money Management/debt repayment/savings
NOVEMBER: Read
DECEMBER: Sing


10.02.2010

October!

This month is dealing with my finances!  I am so excited!  I have been working on this throughout the year and now that Carl and I are married we have to really combine and organize!
We start tomorrow!

Food, glorious food!


This was all the food I bought last week at the farmers market!  It has all been delicious.  While I didn't make one entire meal that was 100% local we have had several meals that include local food.  And it is delicious!  I will have to try harder in 2011!

9.03.2010

And we're back!

Hello again!  Did you miss me dear reader?
Great!
first we update:  last month, without even meaning to, I fulfilled my monthly resolution.  I was doing everything I could to relax about our wedding, including daily meditation!  I think it really helped!  I just was unable to also blog about it, since that would have been an added "obligation" that I would not be able to complete!  But I did it for most of the month, especially around the wedding days!

So--onto this month, eating within 100 miles.  Luckily for me, we have a farmers market within walking distance of our home, so that helps with my carbon footprint.  I am going to prepare one meal a week with as many local ingredients as possible.  So I start with this weekend--by drinking local at the brewfest at Mt. Snow VT!

For more info on eating within 100 miles go here:  http://100milediet.org/

7.28.2010

no T.V. is virtually impossible!!!!

Especially since at the end of my days lately--I need something that requires no thinking.  That means no reading.  Even magazines are beyond me.
So my wedding is in 12 days and I am very stressed out.  I have been practicing yoga for the past few days and trying to be above it all--but as we get closer I am starting to lose it.
At any rate--I will not be posting from now until after the honeymoon.  And I will make another attempt on the no T.V.  front.
Wish me luck with the wedding and I will back on track next month!!!

7.06.2010

I have cheated every night this month.

Although I am watching less TV--I'm spending way more time on the internet.  I started reading one of the books I bought and it is GREAT!  I stayed up way too late reading last night.  And I am spending the rest of my free time worrying and fretting about my upcoming wedding plans.
SO, should I keep trying not to watch TV--or move around the month plans again and try next month???
I'll think about it a little more, while I finish watching this show.....

7.04.2010

no tv month sucks....

thats all I have to say.

Well, no it isn't .  I went to Borders today and bought two books and a magazine.  Lets see how far that gets me....and this weekend is difficult because Carl isn't here to distract me with his cute little eyeballs....what else do I stare into aside from a 43" television!!???

7.03.2010

woops!

This month has already started!  I can't believe this summer is already going so fast! So, Love month was full of love--but the exercises proved to be very difficult.  We are still working our way through them, and still very much in love while doing so!
July is supposed to be no TV month!  Yikes, I forgot and have already watched 2 days of television!!!
Okay--so here are the rules:
I am not allowed to sit down and watch TV.
However, the television is in our common area in our home, and as you all may or may not know, I live with 3 other people!  So avoiding TV is going to be difficult and possibly lonely!  So while I will not willingly sit down and watch television, I will have to be able to be in the same room with a working television throughout the month.
SOOOOO, wish me luck!!!!

6.07.2010

Love, Love, Love


This is Love month!
Carl and I are taking the month of June to prepare for our marital bliss!
Out of respect for Carl's privacy I won't be blogging many details, but I will tell you, kind reader, about our plans.
I researched different "pre-marital" exercises and information on line, checked out some podcasts on itunes, and finally decided to go with my original idea:
Several years ago-while in the midst of previous relationship, I bought a book I heard about from Oprah (my bff) Called "Getting the Love you Want" by Dr. Harville Hendrix
This book was to fix said relationship....It was not a miracle worker...
I did find it, however, to be a very interesting and enlightening book that I have kept all of these years.  And while I feel Carl and I have a very secure and loving relationship, I think the exercises detailed in the book could help us understand and respect each other more, and help to build an even more loving and supportive partnership.
That being said, I did not think Carl would even be interested in doing this, or letting me blog about it, but he proved me wrong by being entirely open.  I am one lucky woman.  
So, Saturday we started with the first of 10 exercises, and it was actually fun!  I look forward to our next "session."  We have decided to do them at our leisure so we may not finish all of the exercises before the end of this month but definitely before our wedding.  I will be giving you updates on how we are doing.

(April update:  Carl and I have taken up tennis once or twice a week and I have been lifting weights a couple days a week too!)

(May update:  I just finished my first container of floss!)

5.31.2010

and the results are in.....

Flossing is cool!
.
Today was the last mandatory day of flossing, from now on, its optional.  But I like it and am gonna keep on flossing.  

In terms of my June challenge, Carl and I are developing what we are going to be working on over the next month, and how I will be blogging about it.  Basically our feelings are we have spent several months planning the wedding of our dreams, and should probably devote some of that time to preparing for our marriage. 
So thats it. 
see you tomorrow.  



5.20.2010

Healthy Gums, scary neck

Still going strong with flossing!  There is less blood (yuck) which I assume is good.  My gums must be getting healthier!  Please avoid looking at my neck in these pictures.  It is scary.

5.10.2010

flossy Milliken

We are almost half-way through the month and I have been flossing every night.  How do my teeth look?   I still hate taking the time to floss...but am always pleased with myself when I finish...just like exercising.  Hmmmmm. if only exercising took one minute a day.

5.02.2010

Hey! Its May!

Weee!  An exciting month of flossing!  Watch out world!  Here is a view of my chompers.