Do you all like to make New Year's Resolutions? I do. There's nothing I like more than writing out a list of goals.
How do you all feel about keeping them? Um, yeah. I'm not so good either.
I came into 2011 gung ho with my new resolution. Blog more, write more, clean more, and then relax more. Oh, and there's all those resolutions for my full-time job, too.
With one+ week down, I'm not doing so well. Oh yeah, and the gaining weight thing. Not so much.
What I'm trying to learn is that you can start or restart resolutions any time of the year - and that just because they haven't worked in the past doesn't mean they won't take this time.
So I'm going to try to restart today. Won't you join me on this journey?
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Sharpening My Saw
in:
Freelancing
,
Goals
,
Time to Write
,
Work
The family and I just returned yesterday from a week-long trip to Arizona. My in-laws live in the desert about 100 miles outside of Phoenix (but because of geographic peculiarities, still in Maricopa County) and we were delighted to be able to visit them for Easter.
Guess what the most exciting part of our visit was, to me?
No, it wasn’t the caravan of private planes that we were a part of one morning to go to breakfast.
No, it wasn’t the tons of card games we played over the course of a week.
No, it wasn’t the bizarre Kirk Cameron movie wewere subjected to watched one night.
No, it wasn’t getting to pet donkeys in Oatman. Although, that was definitely the most bizarre part of the trip!
No, it wasn’t getting to sleep in (ha! Cate has us up every morning by 6:30, thank you time zone change) or getting to bed early (double ha! bedtime followed cards, and cards lasted until late most nights).
No, it wasn’t even necessarily the downtime where I got to sit and do absolutely nothing every once in awhile.
So what was it?
It was finally taking/making the time to read several books on writing that I purchased a longlonglong time ago and never got around to cracking open. YAY! I sharpened my saw and learned a LOT more about expanding my freelancing opportunities as well as better structuring myself to fit in more writing as a whole.
Three books in the course of a week really isn’t that much, considering how much I read normally, but fit in around all of our vacation and family activities, it makes me feel quite accomplished!
Now, the challenge is to apply what I’ve learned! Wish me luck!
Guess what the most exciting part of our visit was, to me?
No, it wasn’t the caravan of private planes that we were a part of one morning to go to breakfast.
No, it wasn’t the tons of card games we played over the course of a week.
No, it wasn’t the bizarre Kirk Cameron movie we
No, it wasn’t getting to pet donkeys in Oatman. Although, that was definitely the most bizarre part of the trip!
No, it wasn’t getting to sleep in (ha! Cate has us up every morning by 6:30, thank you time zone change) or getting to bed early (double ha! bedtime followed cards, and cards lasted until late most nights).
No, it wasn’t even necessarily the downtime where I got to sit and do absolutely nothing every once in awhile.
So what was it?
It was finally taking/making the time to read several books on writing that I purchased a longlonglong time ago and never got around to cracking open. YAY! I sharpened my saw and learned a LOT more about expanding my freelancing opportunities as well as better structuring myself to fit in more writing as a whole.
Three books in the course of a week really isn’t that much, considering how much I read normally, but fit in around all of our vacation and family activities, it makes me feel quite accomplished!
Now, the challenge is to apply what I’ve learned! Wish me luck!
Weekend Plans/Goals
in:
Goals
Just so you don't think I'm too big of a slouch for being behind in posting, here's a look at my weekend plans/goals:
Friday, early AM: Article writing time for a client
Friday, later AM & early PM: work (at office) including meetings
Friday, later PM: Debate tournament, rounds 1 & 2, Plano Senior High School
Friday, even later PM: catch up on Dem Convention posts + writing arts. for a client
Saturday, early AM: Article writing time for a client (do we see a pattern? Early AMs are my new writing time.)
Saturday, later AM & most of PM: Debate tournament, Plano Senior High School
Saturday, even later PM: book blog posts + writing arts. for a client
Sunday, early AM: Article writing time for a client
Sunday, early PM: Call planned for another project
Sunday, later PM: Girls Night - friends coming over for pizza + movies
Monday, early AM: Article writing time for a client
Monday, later AM: Hang out time with husband - yay!
Monday, PM: Dinner with Patti, helping her son/his GF move
Tuesday: Back to work/writing/etc. Fun times!
I have a debate tournament next weekend as well - Grapevine. The following weekend, I'll be competing in the Toastmaster's District Humorous Speech Contest, having won at my club level. And after that...we have childbirth classes each of the remaining weekends of September. Yahoo! Is it October yet?
Have a great Friday, ya'll!
Friday, early AM: Article writing time for a client
Friday, later AM & early PM: work (at office) including meetings
Friday, later PM: Debate tournament, rounds 1 & 2, Plano Senior High School
Friday, even later PM: catch up on Dem Convention posts + writing arts. for a client
Saturday, early AM: Article writing time for a client (do we see a pattern? Early AMs are my new writing time.)
Saturday, later AM & most of PM: Debate tournament, Plano Senior High School
Saturday, even later PM: book blog posts + writing arts. for a client
Sunday, early AM: Article writing time for a client
Sunday, early PM: Call planned for another project
Sunday, later PM: Girls Night - friends coming over for pizza + movies
Monday, early AM: Article writing time for a client
Monday, later AM: Hang out time with husband - yay!
Monday, PM: Dinner with Patti, helping her son/his GF move
Tuesday: Back to work/writing/etc. Fun times!
I have a debate tournament next weekend as well - Grapevine. The following weekend, I'll be competing in the Toastmaster's District Humorous Speech Contest, having won at my club level. And after that...we have childbirth classes each of the remaining weekends of September. Yahoo! Is it October yet?
Have a great Friday, ya'll!
Weekend Recap and Goals 06/16
in:
Goals
,
Weekend Wrap-Up
Oy! I grandly overestimated what actual "free" time I'd have this past week and so goals? HA!
Let's see...my weekend, first.
It started a bit early, on Friday. I'd had a very busy work week (see below) and so my boss suggested I work from home on Friday. That gave me the ability to "sleep in" for an extra HOUR (that would normally be spent getting ready for work and commuting) and then I simply worked my email and organized some project files until midafternoon. Yahoo for working from the couch!
On Saturday, we had a lazy sort of day, rising late and heading to the Waffle House for nourishment before heading home for an agonizing afternoon of...relaxing. I've already shared with you my fun times spent with Glenn Miller on Saturday night, and after that, I spent time strategizing a few writing and other work plans before heading to bed fairly late.
On Sunday, I got an awesome present: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the NASCAR race in Michigan. This was his FIRST WIN since May 6, 2006 - which was, incidentally, the day I got married! Since I had a silly reception (ha!) to attend that evening, I missed seeing that win - and so even though this week's win was due to a wreck during a green/white finish, I'm enjoying the heck out of it! We also got a lot of work done around the house on Sunday - finished tearing apart the last upstairs bedroom in order to lay hardwood. We have a deadline: our niece arrives July 1st for her month-long summer stay, and currently, none of the three upstairs bedrooms is able to accomodate a guest. Time to get crackin'!
As for the rest of last week, let's see: I spent Monday in project mode, getting ready for the rest of the week and not leaving my office until 8 PM; I spent Tuesday in San Jose and had the awesome privilege of flying home in First Class!; I spent Wednesday and Thursday delivering all-day training to new internal consultants, not arriving home each night until fairly late; and that brings us back to Friday.
So yeah...whew! Fast week! This week will go by quickly, as well...I'm in the office today, tomorrow and Wednesday and then leave to go back to San Jose just after lunch on Thursday, returning home Friday evening. Then, on Saturday, we fly out to spend a few days in PA and won't be home until next Wednesday morning. Ye Gods, where is June going? Just four days after that, Chris leaves to fly to Calgary to pick up our niece and fly her back two days later. OH MY GOD. I need an extra week to be inserted into this month!
Goals for this week:
Let's see...my weekend, first.
It started a bit early, on Friday. I'd had a very busy work week (see below) and so my boss suggested I work from home on Friday. That gave me the ability to "sleep in" for an extra HOUR (that would normally be spent getting ready for work and commuting) and then I simply worked my email and organized some project files until midafternoon. Yahoo for working from the couch!
On Saturday, we had a lazy sort of day, rising late and heading to the Waffle House for nourishment before heading home for an agonizing afternoon of...relaxing. I've already shared with you my fun times spent with Glenn Miller on Saturday night, and after that, I spent time strategizing a few writing and other work plans before heading to bed fairly late.
On Sunday, I got an awesome present: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the NASCAR race in Michigan. This was his FIRST WIN since May 6, 2006 - which was, incidentally, the day I got married! Since I had a silly reception (ha!) to attend that evening, I missed seeing that win - and so even though this week's win was due to a wreck during a green/white finish, I'm enjoying the heck out of it! We also got a lot of work done around the house on Sunday - finished tearing apart the last upstairs bedroom in order to lay hardwood. We have a deadline: our niece arrives July 1st for her month-long summer stay, and currently, none of the three upstairs bedrooms is able to accomodate a guest. Time to get crackin'!
As for the rest of last week, let's see: I spent Monday in project mode, getting ready for the rest of the week and not leaving my office until 8 PM; I spent Tuesday in San Jose and had the awesome privilege of flying home in First Class!; I spent Wednesday and Thursday delivering all-day training to new internal consultants, not arriving home each night until fairly late; and that brings us back to Friday.
So yeah...whew! Fast week! This week will go by quickly, as well...I'm in the office today, tomorrow and Wednesday and then leave to go back to San Jose just after lunch on Thursday, returning home Friday evening. Then, on Saturday, we fly out to spend a few days in PA and won't be home until next Wednesday morning. Ye Gods, where is June going? Just four days after that, Chris leaves to fly to Calgary to pick up our niece and fly her back two days later. OH MY GOD. I need an extra week to be inserted into this month!
Goals for this week:
- Maintain sanity.
- Give feedback for the latest draft of a work in my critique group - yeah, I'm way behind on this. I'm going to aim to do this from the hotel Thursday night, if I can't get to it beforehand.
- Finish short story - didn't happen last week. Used plane time as sleep time. But I have ELEVEN hours of plane time coming up later this week, so between that and train time for work, it ought to get done, and leave me with the last week of the month to revise, edit, and enter my contest.
I think that's all I can conceivably manage for this week - what's everyone else up to?
Weekend Recap and Goals 06/09
in:
Goals
,
Weekend Wrap-Up
Not much to recap, quite honestly. I started getting sick the middle of last week, and despite my best efforts at rest and the medication I'm allowed to take, it's still getting progressively worse. Unfortunately, I have a trip to CA that I can't put off on my calendar tomorrow, but I'm afraid that the last place I belong is on a plane. Hopefully, I can just sleep...
What I accomplished last week:
What I accomplished last week:
- I got 21 of my backlogged books reviewed over at Read and Release - I'm only behind by 10, now, 4 of which I actually finished last week. Feel like I have a load off just to have accomplished that much! Nice to see that my new posts have brought in new readers, as well! Love it!
- Added about 3000 words to the short story I'm working on for a contest. Not as much as I wanted, but good progress and I still have some time.
- Implemented new design to 2 of my blogs - yay!
- Still have those 10 books to review...and I'm busily in the midst of a new one, Yeager, right now. I love Chuck Yeager! Have I mentioned that?
- Critiques would be nice to do...still have a few chapters I need to get through. Can't critique well when I can't see straight, so hopefully this sickness goes away so I can be productive!
- Finish short story - a couple hours on the plane tomorrow ought to get me within striking distance of the end.
- Get well!
- That whole big announcement thing...coming! Promise!
Weekend Recap and Goals 06/02
in:
Goals
,
Weekend Wrap-Up
It has been a long time since I've posted a weekend recap blog, also outlining my goals for the coming week. Too long!
So...restarting a great habit in a new month, let's get started with this week's weekend recap and a list of what I want to accomplish before next Sunday rolls around!
First, my weekend recap. You've already seen my teaser posting on our mini-vacation from Saturday...and a much longer photojournal posting is coming this evening. Beyond that, we spent Sunday getting things done around the house. After a nice hour-long phone chat with our niece and nephew, we headed out to the garden to pull weeks for a few hours.
With frequent breaks to account for the heat and our desire to see what was happening with the NASCAR race, we ended up spending about three hours on our knees. The result? Almost the entire lawn-clippings cart full of pulled weeds, and a much nicer looking garden. We concentrated on the back left corner, which is the biggest portion of the English garden, as well as the plotted garden around one of the pecan trees. The bulbs that we planted back in March in the back left corner of the English garden are coming up (pun intended) with mixed results. Some have flourished nicely; others don't seem to have done a thing. The result is quite a bit of empty space in the middle of the largest bed, which measures around 6 ft deep by 12 ft long. We'll be looking for other plants to settle there for this summer and beyond.
We completely cleared the bed around one of the pecan trees, and we'll plant fillers there - just for some color. It was the site of last summer's strawberry garden...which was a collosal flop. I think it'll look much prettier with pansies planted.
The filler plants we have in the ground surrounding one of the other pecan trees are doing well, thank God, considering we planted like six dozen little plants. The weeds are fairly well under control there, too, so that's encouraging.
In our veggie garden, the onions are flourishing, and three nice-sized tomatoes are busily growing. We've already picked and used the first crop of jalapenos - tasty! It seems that the asparagus and cucumbers aren't doign anything - we'll call those a loss. Strawberries aren't coming up either. Another loss. We're batting .500 here. I don't think we'll reattempt strawberries or asparagus, but we'll plant some replacement cucumbers most likely.
The rose garden is doing very well - lots of colorful blooms! The weeds continue to be a huge hassle there, however. We're basically pouring nuclear-winter-strength stuff into the ground and they still keep coming back. ARGH!
Out in the front yard, things are nicely groomed these days and well under control - some weeds need to be picked from the tall decorative grass, but for now, they're blending in nicely.
All-in-all, we're having a much more successful growth summer this year than last - yahoo! I'll post pictures of our pretty yard later! It sure is a lot of work keeping up with a property that measures almost 3/4 of an acre, but the end result is awesome!
We topped off last evening by spluring on pizza (my whim) and watching a few shows that our DVR had recorded. Nice evening, all around! I even got some crocheting done and added on about three inches to one of the blankets I'm making. PLUS, I organized all of the books that I've read but haven't yet reviewed for my book blog - more on that in my goals!
Now, on to the fun stuff: THIS WEEK'S GOALS!
I have a lot of ambition for this week, but am trying to temper that versus the reality of the time I have available. So here we go:
So...restarting a great habit in a new month, let's get started with this week's weekend recap and a list of what I want to accomplish before next Sunday rolls around!
First, my weekend recap. You've already seen my teaser posting on our mini-vacation from Saturday...and a much longer photojournal posting is coming this evening. Beyond that, we spent Sunday getting things done around the house. After a nice hour-long phone chat with our niece and nephew, we headed out to the garden to pull weeks for a few hours.
With frequent breaks to account for the heat and our desire to see what was happening with the NASCAR race, we ended up spending about three hours on our knees. The result? Almost the entire lawn-clippings cart full of pulled weeds, and a much nicer looking garden. We concentrated on the back left corner, which is the biggest portion of the English garden, as well as the plotted garden around one of the pecan trees. The bulbs that we planted back in March in the back left corner of the English garden are coming up (pun intended) with mixed results. Some have flourished nicely; others don't seem to have done a thing. The result is quite a bit of empty space in the middle of the largest bed, which measures around 6 ft deep by 12 ft long. We'll be looking for other plants to settle there for this summer and beyond.
We completely cleared the bed around one of the pecan trees, and we'll plant fillers there - just for some color. It was the site of last summer's strawberry garden...which was a collosal flop. I think it'll look much prettier with pansies planted.
The filler plants we have in the ground surrounding one of the other pecan trees are doing well, thank God, considering we planted like six dozen little plants. The weeds are fairly well under control there, too, so that's encouraging.
In our veggie garden, the onions are flourishing, and three nice-sized tomatoes are busily growing. We've already picked and used the first crop of jalapenos - tasty! It seems that the asparagus and cucumbers aren't doign anything - we'll call those a loss. Strawberries aren't coming up either. Another loss. We're batting .500 here. I don't think we'll reattempt strawberries or asparagus, but we'll plant some replacement cucumbers most likely.
The rose garden is doing very well - lots of colorful blooms! The weeds continue to be a huge hassle there, however. We're basically pouring nuclear-winter-strength stuff into the ground and they still keep coming back. ARGH!
Out in the front yard, things are nicely groomed these days and well under control - some weeds need to be picked from the tall decorative grass, but for now, they're blending in nicely.
All-in-all, we're having a much more successful growth summer this year than last - yahoo! I'll post pictures of our pretty yard later! It sure is a lot of work keeping up with a property that measures almost 3/4 of an acre, but the end result is awesome!
We topped off last evening by spluring on pizza (my whim) and watching a few shows that our DVR had recorded. Nice evening, all around! I even got some crocheting done and added on about three inches to one of the blankets I'm making. PLUS, I organized all of the books that I've read but haven't yet reviewed for my book blog - more on that in my goals!
Now, on to the fun stuff: THIS WEEK'S GOALS!
I have a lot of ambition for this week, but am trying to temper that versus the reality of the time I have available. So here we go:
- Add six books per day, Monday-Friday, to my book blog: Read and Review: Tiffany's Tomes.
At that rate, I'll catch up with the TWENTY-SEVEN books that I'm currently behind by, as well as the one I'm nearly finished and the next that I should finish by week's end. Yahoo! - Add 1000 words per day, Mon/Wed/Thur to a short story I'm composing for a contest. Add 2500 words on Tues/Fri.
At that rate, I'll complete the story by week's end, since my target is around 7500 words. That'll leave me several weeks to edit, revise, and submit to my critique group, ahead of the July 1st contest entry deadline. More words expected for Tuesday, because I'll have four+ dedicated hours on the plane flying to MSP and back. More for Friday since it's week's end and Chris'll be at work that night. - Complete critique of remaining chapters for a critique partner's work in progress - 1-to-2 chapters per night, Monday-Friday.
I have, I believe, 6 or 7 chapters remaining. - Blog here at Breakfast at Tiffany's seven more times before week's end.
- Apply for Guide job at About.com that is totally and completely up my alley.
- Finish implementing design change to Breakfast at Tiffany's.
- Announce BIG NEWS and reveal THE HIDDEN BLOG.
- Sleep. Yeah, I need to do that, too!
Those are my goals for the week - what are yours?
101 in 1001: Goals
Michael Green of DayZero is the host to an innovative and challenging MeMe: 101 in 1001.
This MeMe challenges the participant to write a list of 101 goals that are "either measurable or clearly defined" as well as "realistic and stretching." After that - it's up to the participant to work like crazy to accomplish their goals.
The goals don't have to be broad or "impossible" in nature - they can be as simple as visiting a particular place or reading a certain book. But they do have to be something where a clear end point can be achieved and thus the goal checked off the master list.
Since I've been working through Margie Lawson's Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors materials and finding my way to a place where I set more achievable and believable goals, I believe that this MeMe is the perfect long-term goal-setting undertaking! With the end of the year just days away, let's call this my New Year's Resolutions (On Steroids).
I encourage all of my readers to participate in this MeMe as well, and have added a Linky to the bottom to you can let me know that you'll be toiling alongside of me through the next 2.75 years. Let's go, folks...we all have things to accomplish, both major and minor, and this can be our first step towards success!
Tiffany's 101 Goals in 1001 Days
Starting Date: January 1, 2008
Ending Date: September 28, 2010
Just in time for my 30th birthday!
Travel
It is my goal to visit all 50 United States by the age of 30 - and my 30th birthday is October 8, 2010, just 12 days after the end of my 1001 day challenge - how perfect! There's a few other places/adventures I want to go on besides, so find them here!
001. Visit Alaska
002. Visit Hawaii
003. Visit Oregon
004.Visit Montana July 2009
005. Visit Wyoming
006. Visit North Dakota
007. Visit South Dakota
008. Visit Wisconsin
009. Visit Michigan
010. Go on a Cruise
011. Go (back) to Europe
012. Go (back) to Ocean City, New Jersey
013. Go (back) to Daytona Beach, Florida
014. Go (back) to LA.
015. Go (back) to New England to scope areas to use in The Mommy Letters.
Fictional Writing
I'm so good at starting...and not so good at finishing. Well, dang it, that's gotta change. Here are some goals for the next 1001 days in the realm of writing.
016. Finish Summer Break, a novella-length manuscript
017. Seek e-publication for Summer Break
018. Finish Going Home, a short novel-length manuscript
019. Seek critiques and feedback for Going Home in order to polish
020. Seek agent representation for Going Home
021. Seek print publication for Going Home
022. Finish one of other three novel-length manuscripts (TBD which one)
023. Continue to write and submit short stories to contests
024. Provide critiques for MS through the ORWC as often as possible In Progress
Freelance Writing
It's treated me well so far...here are my goals going forward!
025.Establish regular client list to provide regular workload 2008-2011 and Beyond
026.Attain an average (3+ consecutive months) writing salary of $2500 per month 2008
027. Seek print (mag) publication for an in-depth article on Grave's Disease
028. Seek print (mag) publication with queries at least once every six month period
029. Maintain regular participation in blogs as well as paid blogging opportunities
030. Grow AC readership through social networking to a level 10
Professional
This is not to say that my fictional and freelance writing is not professional. This category simply pertains to my full-time career in Human Resources at American Airlines.
031.Attain PHR certification Passed 1/20/2008
032.Attain PMP certification Passed October 2009
033.Attain LSGB certification Project Stage Completion March 2010
034. Attend CARE team training
035.Attend JBEC/JCT training Attended 2/26-27/2008
036. Seek field work opportunities
037.Revamp Internal Consultant program Project Stage Completion March 2010
038. Apply to MSHRM program
039. Begin MSHRM program
040.Promote to a Level 3 March 2010
041. Promote to a Level 4
Music
Music has always been an instrumental part of my life - I'm sure you'll allow me the pun.
042. Finish writing lyrics to hymn
043. Finish writing music to hymn
044. Submit hymn for performance consideration by WCUMC
045. Re-join WCUMC Choir
046. Re-join WCUMC Orchestra
047. Find at least one opportunity to "play for pay" on violin
048. Find at least one opportunity to "play for pay" on piano
049. Move great-grandmother's player piano to Texas
050. Restore great-grandfather-in-law's violin (or was it GGMIL?)
Research
I love nothing more than to research just about anything - but I do have a few goals foremost on my mind.
051.Add Gary's Fredericksen family tree information to my master family tree Added Feb. 2008
052. Gather/document sources for Carpenter family tree to allow myself and my mother to join the DAR (I know we qualify - I just haven't finished doc'ing yet)
053. Research paternal grandparents' immigration to America
054. Research names of paternal great-grandparents (how sad that I have no idea of their names - at all!)
Household
Oh boy...as new homeowners (as of 4/07) we still have lots to do!
055.Tile front entryway May 2010
056. Replace spigot in master bathtub (the swan is creepy...and dangerous!)
057. Plaster stairwell walls
058.Tile upstairs bathroomsFinished late July 2008
059.Lay hardwood in lighthouse bedroomFinished July 12, 2008
060.Lay hardwood in officeFinished June, 2008...and it's a nursery now!
061.Lay hardwood in back bedroomFinished June 2008
062.Buy/install double oven to replace current oven/microwave built-inInstalled November 2008
063.Replace trash compactor June 2010
064.Replace dishwasherInstalled November 2008
065.Replace all linoleum with C-tile June 2010
066. Add new breaker box to prevent future blowouts
067. Replace all windows In Progress
068.Eradicate all weeds in English GardenFinished 3/13/2008
069. Replant English Garden to contain year-round blooms
070. Have plans drawn for 2nd-floor gameroom/office combination
071. Have plans drawn for over-garage apartment
072. Install permanent front-lawn lighting
073.Move nursery furniture and other items from PA to TXArrived late June, 2008...see details here
074. Fill lower side yard to level with driveway
075. Expand driveway onto portion of the reclaimed side yard to equal a space twice as wide
076. Plant border hedges on remaining portion of side yard
Financial
My goodness...some of these goals cost major bank. How will we pay for it all? These goals only pertain to my input to the household salary...but do know that I support my hubby fully in his own future employment/financial/off-duty work and goals. He rocks!
077. Attain full-time salary equivalent to pre-AA pay (see #40)
078. Attain freelancing salary equivalent to full-time entry-level job pay (see #26)
079. Attain 15k lifetime sales with Pampered Chef
080. Pay off all medical debt
081. Pay off all credit card debt
082. Pay off all school loans
083. Build savings account with the equivalent of one year's full-time salary (as in both of us contribute but the savings level only has to equal one of our salaries, not both)
084.Pay for all home improvements out of pocket instead of on credit Ongoing!
085. Pay for post-grad education out of pocket instead of with student loans
Marriage and Family
Hum the theme song to Married With Children as you read this section!
086.Celebrate 2nd anniversary (May 6, 2008)Celebrated 5/6/2008
087.Celebrate 3rd anniversary (May 6, 2009) Celebrated 5/6/2009
088.Celebrate 4th anniversary (May 6, 2010) Celebrated 5/6/2010
089. Accompany hubby to spring break ('08, '09, or '10)
090. Take ACTUAL family vacation, instead of vacation to see family
091. Help Mom sell house and move to more affordable quarters (this is like 1,000,000 goals in one, really...you can't imagine the undertaking this will be)
092. Visit Florida relatives
093.Visit California relatives Does seeing them in TX or ID count?
094.Visit Washington/Idaho relatives Multiple Times
095.Visit Pennsylvania relatives Multiple Times
096.Bring niece and nephew to Texas for the summer ('08, '09 and/or '10)Our niece spent the month of July with us in 2008 - and worked her butt off helping get things done pre-baby. Love you, Julia!
097.Start a family! Born October 9, 2008!
098.Grow the started family! (2 kids by 30 has always been my desire/goal...and so the crunch is on!) Born July 19, 2010 - 2.5 months before my 30th birthday!
Health and Well-Being
Last, but most certainly not least...
099.Seek long-term treatment for joint pain Ongoing
100.Maintain control over thyroid/BP through medication and monitoring Ongoing
101.Live...Laugh...Love...and HAVE FUN! Ongoing! And Always!
Ok...now it's your turn!
This MeMe challenges the participant to write a list of 101 goals that are "either measurable or clearly defined" as well as "realistic and stretching." After that - it's up to the participant to work like crazy to accomplish their goals.
The goals don't have to be broad or "impossible" in nature - they can be as simple as visiting a particular place or reading a certain book. But they do have to be something where a clear end point can be achieved and thus the goal checked off the master list.
Since I've been working through Margie Lawson's Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors materials and finding my way to a place where I set more achievable and believable goals, I believe that this MeMe is the perfect long-term goal-setting undertaking! With the end of the year just days away, let's call this my New Year's Resolutions (On Steroids).
I encourage all of my readers to participate in this MeMe as well, and have added a Linky to the bottom to you can let me know that you'll be toiling alongside of me through the next 2.75 years. Let's go, folks...we all have things to accomplish, both major and minor, and this can be our first step towards success!
Tiffany's 101 Goals in 1001 Days
Starting Date: January 1, 2008
Ending Date: September 28, 2010
Just in time for my 30th birthday!
Travel
It is my goal to visit all 50 United States by the age of 30 - and my 30th birthday is October 8, 2010, just 12 days after the end of my 1001 day challenge - how perfect! There's a few other places/adventures I want to go on besides, so find them here!
001. Visit Alaska
002. Visit Hawaii
003. Visit Oregon
004.
005. Visit Wyoming
006. Visit North Dakota
007. Visit South Dakota
008. Visit Wisconsin
009. Visit Michigan
010. Go on a Cruise
011. Go (back) to Europe
012. Go (back) to Ocean City, New Jersey
013. Go (back) to Daytona Beach, Florida
014. Go (back) to LA.
015. Go (back) to New England to scope areas to use in The Mommy Letters.
Fictional Writing
I'm so good at starting...and not so good at finishing. Well, dang it, that's gotta change. Here are some goals for the next 1001 days in the realm of writing.
016. Finish Summer Break, a novella-length manuscript
017. Seek e-publication for Summer Break
018. Finish Going Home, a short novel-length manuscript
019. Seek critiques and feedback for Going Home in order to polish
020. Seek agent representation for Going Home
021. Seek print publication for Going Home
022. Finish one of other three novel-length manuscripts (TBD which one)
023. Continue to write and submit short stories to contests
024. Provide critiques for MS through the ORWC as often as possible In Progress
Freelance Writing
It's treated me well so far...here are my goals going forward!
025.
026.
027. Seek print (mag) publication for an in-depth article on Grave's Disease
028. Seek print (mag) publication with queries at least once every six month period
029. Maintain regular participation in blogs as well as paid blogging opportunities
030. Grow AC readership through social networking to a level 10
Professional
This is not to say that my fictional and freelance writing is not professional. This category simply pertains to my full-time career in Human Resources at American Airlines.
031.
032.
033.
034. Attend CARE team training
035.
036. Seek field work opportunities
037.
038. Apply to MSHRM program
039. Begin MSHRM program
040.
041. Promote to a Level 4
Music
Music has always been an instrumental part of my life - I'm sure you'll allow me the pun.
042. Finish writing lyrics to hymn
043. Finish writing music to hymn
044. Submit hymn for performance consideration by WCUMC
045. Re-join WCUMC Choir
046. Re-join WCUMC Orchestra
047. Find at least one opportunity to "play for pay" on violin
048. Find at least one opportunity to "play for pay" on piano
049. Move great-grandmother's player piano to Texas
050. Restore great-grandfather-in-law's violin (or was it GGMIL?)
Research
I love nothing more than to research just about anything - but I do have a few goals foremost on my mind.
051.
052. Gather/document sources for Carpenter family tree to allow myself and my mother to join the DAR (I know we qualify - I just haven't finished doc'ing yet)
053. Research paternal grandparents' immigration to America
054. Research names of paternal great-grandparents (how sad that I have no idea of their names - at all!)
Household
Oh boy...as new homeowners (as of 4/07) we still have lots to do!
055.
056. Replace spigot in master bathtub (the swan is creepy...and dangerous!)
057. Plaster stairwell walls
058.
059.
060.
061.
062.
063.
064.
065.
066. Add new breaker box to prevent future blowouts
067. Replace all windows In Progress
068.
069. Replant English Garden to contain year-round blooms
070. Have plans drawn for 2nd-floor gameroom/office combination
071. Have plans drawn for over-garage apartment
072. Install permanent front-lawn lighting
073.
074. Fill lower side yard to level with driveway
075. Expand driveway onto portion of the reclaimed side yard to equal a space twice as wide
076. Plant border hedges on remaining portion of side yard
Financial
My goodness...some of these goals cost major bank. How will we pay for it all? These goals only pertain to my input to the household salary...but do know that I support my hubby fully in his own future employment/financial/off-duty work and goals. He rocks!
077. Attain full-time salary equivalent to pre-AA pay (see #40)
078. Attain freelancing salary equivalent to full-time entry-level job pay (see #26)
079. Attain 15k lifetime sales with Pampered Chef
080. Pay off all medical debt
081. Pay off all credit card debt
082. Pay off all school loans
083. Build savings account with the equivalent of one year's full-time salary (as in both of us contribute but the savings level only has to equal one of our salaries, not both)
084.
085. Pay for post-grad education out of pocket instead of with student loans
Marriage and Family
Hum the theme song to Married With Children as you read this section!
086.
087.
088.
089. Accompany hubby to spring break ('08, '09, or '10)
090. Take ACTUAL family vacation, instead of vacation to see family
091. Help Mom sell house and move to more affordable quarters (this is like 1,000,000 goals in one, really...you can't imagine the undertaking this will be)
092. Visit Florida relatives
093.
094.
095.
096.
097.
098.
Health and Well-Being
Last, but most certainly not least...
099.
100.
101.
Ok...now it's your turn!
Upcoming: REALLY LONG MEME
in:
Faith
,
Goals
,
Life
,
Time to Write
I should be writing tonight: I have major work to do on a freelancing project, and I really would like to make progress on one of my WIPs. But after more than three hours on the phone with my mother during various times today, my brain is shot. Just shot. I sometimes fail to understand how we are related. And I always fail to understand how she can be so nice to me in one breath and so viciously mean and self-serving in the next.
So...in order to distract myself and still feel like I'm doing something meaningful, I am going to participate in the 101 in 1001 MeMe: it's a list of 101 things to accomplish in 1001 days. Talk about...ambitious!
Milestone for today: my mother heard me utter the F-word for the first time ever today - I'm 27 years old and I would never have dreamed to say such a thing in front of her before, but her pity party was just simply too much to bear and I had to strike back and remind her that the rest of us have problems too. Sometimes big ones. Sometimes heartbreaking ones. Sometimes ones that challenge our souls. And yet the rest of us still go on with life. I think she was shocked. She certainly changed the subject and ended the phone call quickly afterwards. Of course...she then called back...twice. Three hours, people. OMG.
Happy moment for today: celebrating Kristen's graduation from law school at our house this afternoon. Ya, Kris! You rock, girl! (Now, since probate is your "thing"...after you pass the bar, wanna write our wills/trusts/medical directives? Can I even afford you?!)
Sad moment for today: physically, the rehab surgeon is under the impression that my dad will be well enough to end treatment for his broken hip and subsequent surgery on December 21st. That should be a happy thought. It isn't. Mentally, the social worker who has been consulting on this case (my mom was being investigated after Dad was brought home by the police a total of six times after he'd wandered away in a daze...a few times when she didn't even know he was gone) is recommending that he stay in the nursing home indefinitely due to his mental state with the Alzheimer's. UCK. UCK. BIGGER UCK. The better news side is that Medicare/Medicaid should continue to cover 100% for the forseeable future. However, I do not want my father in a nursing home any longer than necessary. Period. So I think I'm going to continue to let this play out for another couple months and then put my foot down. I agree that staying a bit longer is probably for the best...but for the long term? No. Hell no.
So...on to my MeMe! Please continue to keep my Dad in your prayers.
Tiffany
So...in order to distract myself and still feel like I'm doing something meaningful, I am going to participate in the 101 in 1001 MeMe: it's a list of 101 things to accomplish in 1001 days. Talk about...ambitious!
Milestone for today: my mother heard me utter the F-word for the first time ever today - I'm 27 years old and I would never have dreamed to say such a thing in front of her before, but her pity party was just simply too much to bear and I had to strike back and remind her that the rest of us have problems too. Sometimes big ones. Sometimes heartbreaking ones. Sometimes ones that challenge our souls. And yet the rest of us still go on with life. I think she was shocked. She certainly changed the subject and ended the phone call quickly afterwards. Of course...she then called back...twice. Three hours, people. OMG.
Happy moment for today: celebrating Kristen's graduation from law school at our house this afternoon. Ya, Kris! You rock, girl! (Now, since probate is your "thing"...after you pass the bar, wanna write our wills/trusts/medical directives? Can I even afford you?!)
Sad moment for today: physically, the rehab surgeon is under the impression that my dad will be well enough to end treatment for his broken hip and subsequent surgery on December 21st. That should be a happy thought. It isn't. Mentally, the social worker who has been consulting on this case (my mom was being investigated after Dad was brought home by the police a total of six times after he'd wandered away in a daze...a few times when she didn't even know he was gone) is recommending that he stay in the nursing home indefinitely due to his mental state with the Alzheimer's. UCK. UCK. BIGGER UCK. The better news side is that Medicare/Medicaid should continue to cover 100% for the forseeable future. However, I do not want my father in a nursing home any longer than necessary. Period. So I think I'm going to continue to let this play out for another couple months and then put my foot down. I agree that staying a bit longer is probably for the best...but for the long term? No. Hell no.
So...on to my MeMe! Please continue to keep my Dad in your prayers.
Tiffany
Weekend Recap and Goals 11/19
in:
Goals
,
Weekend Wrap-Up
Hi, everyone!
In a nod to the holiday week, I'm going to go low-key on my wrap-up and goals this time around. For last week, here's my recap:
Got Patti's interview and new PR done; still working on Isabel's.
Worked through exercises for parts 1 and 2 of DSDB, chatted with Patti re: results last night for like 30 minutes.
Nothing for NaNo - well, ok, a few words, but it's just not been a priority.
Got more writing apps out AND landed a new gig - I will now be blogging for The Pitstop Report on 451Press. I start later this week.
Web site ain't up - I'm going to take Patti's advice and stop fiddling with it and just post it. I can continue revisions once it's up.
Got a few FL articles done, but not 10. Again, I'm not pressuring myself...last week had enough stress as it was.
Blogging - nailed it. Had my 10 posts well ahead of time.
Dad's not here - ya'll know the story of that already. Talked to Mom this AM and they rejected him from both the in-hospital rehab program AND the rehab center program due to his mental state because of the Alzheimer's. Sometime tomorrow they'll be transferring him to a full-scale nursing home, instead. That just breaks my damn heart...I hate to think of my Dad stuck in a "home". I can say, at least, that Mom picked a good one - of all the ones I worked with when I was working at the Hospice in high school, the one she chose was nicest. With Medicare and his BC/BS supplemental, they'll cover a total of 100 days. God willing he only needs 40 or so and can then come to my home down here.
I had an ok week - not a great week, but I survived it, so it qualifies as ok. Hopefully this week will be better - really looking forward to Thanksgiving and hosting everyone. Looks like we'll have 12...that's a good number for me!
I discussed this week's goals with Patti last night, but I'm not going to list them all out here this week, as it's my first week really following the suggestions of DSDB, so after this week is up, and I've assessed how I did, I'll go back to posting here.
Have a great week, everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!
Tiffany
In a nod to the holiday week, I'm going to go low-key on my wrap-up and goals this time around. For last week, here's my recap:
Got Patti's interview and new PR done; still working on Isabel's.
Worked through exercises for parts 1 and 2 of DSDB, chatted with Patti re: results last night for like 30 minutes.
Nothing for NaNo - well, ok, a few words, but it's just not been a priority.
Got more writing apps out AND landed a new gig - I will now be blogging for The Pitstop Report on 451Press. I start later this week.
Web site ain't up - I'm going to take Patti's advice and stop fiddling with it and just post it. I can continue revisions once it's up.
Got a few FL articles done, but not 10. Again, I'm not pressuring myself...last week had enough stress as it was.
Blogging - nailed it. Had my 10 posts well ahead of time.
Dad's not here - ya'll know the story of that already. Talked to Mom this AM and they rejected him from both the in-hospital rehab program AND the rehab center program due to his mental state because of the Alzheimer's. Sometime tomorrow they'll be transferring him to a full-scale nursing home, instead. That just breaks my damn heart...I hate to think of my Dad stuck in a "home". I can say, at least, that Mom picked a good one - of all the ones I worked with when I was working at the Hospice in high school, the one she chose was nicest. With Medicare and his BC/BS supplemental, they'll cover a total of 100 days. God willing he only needs 40 or so and can then come to my home down here.
I had an ok week - not a great week, but I survived it, so it qualifies as ok. Hopefully this week will be better - really looking forward to Thanksgiving and hosting everyone. Looks like we'll have 12...that's a good number for me!
I discussed this week's goals with Patti last night, but I'm not going to list them all out here this week, as it's my first week really following the suggestions of DSDB, so after this week is up, and I've assessed how I did, I'll go back to posting here.
Have a great week, everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!
Tiffany
Weekend Recap and Goals 11/12
in:
Goals
,
Weekend Wrap-Up
Good afternoon, everyone!
I'm a little late this Monday in getting my stuff posted - my apologies! Today at AA is nothing but meetings, meetings, meetings. Added to my overall physical soreness after 4 hours of cleaning/hauling wood/weeding from yesterday, and it's just been a doozy of a morning.
Something not on last week's checklist that I accomplished is reading the lecture notes to Margie Lawson's Defeating Self-Defeating Behavior class, cover to cover. I've identified Patti as my Change Coach (and she's agreed to the role!) and so you'll find steps towards beginning the journey outlined in Margie's work in this week's goals.
Here's a recap of my goals from last week, and the results. Patti was prophetic when she wished me success in achieving 50% - I hit about 70% - which, although not ideal, is better than nothing!
1. Swap out furniture/decorations, pick up new furniture - check!
2. NaNoWriMo - Heck, no! I'm even further behind now! ARGH! I've written an EVEN MORE agressive catch up plan, however, and by God, if it kills me, this WIP is going to get finished.
3. Patti's interview/review - Yeah, didn't hit this either. Dang it. It MUST get done between today and tomorrow, since her book now releases on WEDNESDAY!
4. Blogging - Check! I posted a bunch here, once on my other blog, and created a new editorial blog for myself to boot. Yahoo!
5. Press release, Isabel - Check! We spoke by phone on Thursday - it will be finished this week!
6. Applications - other writing jobs - Semi-Check - still a few to go.
7. Writing - 10 freelance articles - Semi-Check. Got a few, not all.
8. Welcome my mother-in-law to my house! - Check! She's settling in well.
9. Work out final details for dad traveling down next week. - Check! If my mother changes anything at this point, I'll be fit to be tied.
10. Have a great week! - Check!
Now for this week:
1. Part 1: Write updated press release for Patti's novel, The Daddy Spell, to be released by The Wild Rose Press on 11/14/07. MUST BE DONE MONDAY NIGHT. Part 2: Finish writing Patti's author interview and book review. MUST BE DONE BY TUESDAY NIGHT.
2. Part 1: Finish writing Isabel's press release for her novel, Johanna, to be released by Awe-Struck on 11/22/07. MUST BE DONE BY TUESDAY NIGHT. Part 2: Finish writing Isabel's author interview. MUST BE DONE BY WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
3. Begin working through exercises from DSDB. Set first review session with Patti.
4. NaNo - I need to be at 15k words by 11:59 PM on November 15th, so 2500 words per day between now and then. ACK!
5. Writing apps - still a few in progress. Must close out.
6. Web site - I've fiddled with the damn thing so much that I'm starting to hate it and it isn't even posted yet. Must get it up. Like now.
7. Freelance - 10 articles.
8. Blogging - total of 10 posts between my three blogs (not including Fredericksen blog, but I'll try to get something up over there as well).
9. Pick up dad/uneventful trip home from PA to establish him in my household.
10. Have a great week!
And I hope you do the same!
Tiffany
I'm a little late this Monday in getting my stuff posted - my apologies! Today at AA is nothing but meetings, meetings, meetings. Added to my overall physical soreness after 4 hours of cleaning/hauling wood/weeding from yesterday, and it's just been a doozy of a morning.
Something not on last week's checklist that I accomplished is reading the lecture notes to Margie Lawson's Defeating Self-Defeating Behavior class, cover to cover. I've identified Patti as my Change Coach (and she's agreed to the role!) and so you'll find steps towards beginning the journey outlined in Margie's work in this week's goals.
Here's a recap of my goals from last week, and the results. Patti was prophetic when she wished me success in achieving 50% - I hit about 70% - which, although not ideal, is better than nothing!
1. Swap out furniture/decorations, pick up new furniture - check!
2. NaNoWriMo - Heck, no! I'm even further behind now! ARGH! I've written an EVEN MORE agressive catch up plan, however, and by God, if it kills me, this WIP is going to get finished.
3. Patti's interview/review - Yeah, didn't hit this either. Dang it. It MUST get done between today and tomorrow, since her book now releases on WEDNESDAY!
4. Blogging - Check! I posted a bunch here, once on my other blog, and created a new editorial blog for myself to boot. Yahoo!
5. Press release, Isabel - Check! We spoke by phone on Thursday - it will be finished this week!
6. Applications - other writing jobs - Semi-Check - still a few to go.
7. Writing - 10 freelance articles - Semi-Check. Got a few, not all.
8. Welcome my mother-in-law to my house! - Check! She's settling in well.
9. Work out final details for dad traveling down next week. - Check! If my mother changes anything at this point, I'll be fit to be tied.
10. Have a great week! - Check!
Now for this week:
1. Part 1: Write updated press release for Patti's novel, The Daddy Spell, to be released by The Wild Rose Press on 11/14/07. MUST BE DONE MONDAY NIGHT. Part 2: Finish writing Patti's author interview and book review. MUST BE DONE BY TUESDAY NIGHT.
2. Part 1: Finish writing Isabel's press release for her novel, Johanna, to be released by Awe-Struck on 11/22/07. MUST BE DONE BY TUESDAY NIGHT. Part 2: Finish writing Isabel's author interview. MUST BE DONE BY WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
3. Begin working through exercises from DSDB. Set first review session with Patti.
4. NaNo - I need to be at 15k words by 11:59 PM on November 15th, so 2500 words per day between now and then. ACK!
5. Writing apps - still a few in progress. Must close out.
6. Web site - I've fiddled with the damn thing so much that I'm starting to hate it and it isn't even posted yet. Must get it up. Like now.
7. Freelance - 10 articles.
8. Blogging - total of 10 posts between my three blogs (not including Fredericksen blog, but I'll try to get something up over there as well).
9. Pick up dad/uneventful trip home from PA to establish him in my household.
10. Have a great week!
And I hope you do the same!
Tiffany
Weekend Recap and Goals 11/05
in:
Goals
,
Weekend Wrap-Up
Hi, everyone!
Hope ya'll had a great weekend and are enjoying a good start to your new week! Halfway through my Monday, I thought I'd share my recap of the weekend and last week, and my goals for this week!
First, let me just say that NASCAR weekend was just awesome. Perfect weather, good friends to share the races with, awesome neighbors in the campground - just goodness all the way around. Ended up having a little disagreement with the hubby (long story, but I was pretty ticked) but I think we've resolved it and are moving on. Still had a good weekend at TMS and can't wait until the next!
Now, a recap on last week's goals:
1. Attend Fall Leaders Conference - check!
2. NASCAR races - check!
3. NaNo starts on Thursday - I wrote on Thursday and just a teeny bit on Friday. Didn't so much work out to write at the track while camping for NASCAR - too much else going on. Check out my goals below for my catch-up plan.
4. Patti's press release - Got it posted to several sites, and she's experienced a 300% increase of hits to her web site - awesomeness. The timeline for releasing her author interview is below in my goals.
5. Blog 5x for writing blog, 2-3x for non-writing blog - check and check!
6. Finish reading The Daddy Spell galleys for Patti and write/post book review - Still reading - will complete soon! Added to this week's goals!
7. 10 freelance articles - Not quite...just simply ran out of time. Dang it.
8. Apply for a few identified ongoing freelance opportunties - I didn't get to the application phase on these, but have gathered all of the information and done all of the pre-work necessary to move forward. Added to this week's goals.
9. Plastering on staircase; more organizing upstairs; finish rebuilding desktop. No, partial, partial. Getting there, getting there! Finding out that a second parent would be joining us for the winter definitely changed what had to be done in my house last week.
10. Have a great week! CHECK!
So, I was partially successful - can't win 'em all, but I'm happy with what I did get done. On to this week's goals:
1. Swap out some furniture/decorations in upstairs bedrooms; pick up bed and glider purchased from craigslist; pick up television purchased from eBay; pick up mirror frame with new mirror glass installed - Monday evening. (This will finalize our preparations to get ready for Karen and Dad. Total spent on furniture and mirror replacement: $145. Not bad. I love craigslist/eBay!)
2. NaNoWriMo - catch up time, already! This week: the goal is 2000 words per day on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, plus 2500 on Saturday and Sunday...and for Tuesday, it's catch-up time - 5 hours on a plane to MSP and back for a 2-hour meeting (the logistics of my travel amaze me) equals 3000 words, I hope! :-)
3. Part 1: Author interview - Patti - post final version to AC after getting Patti's approval - Thursday. Part 2: Book review - Patti - post final version to ArsC - Friday.
4. Blogging - 5 posts here, 2 posts on other blog.
5. Press release/marketing - Isabel - phone conversation pending her schedule.
6. Applications - other writing jobs. MUST get done this week. We'll say Thursday night.
7. Writing - 10 freelance articles. Saturday/Sunday mornings.
8. Welcome my mother-in-law to my house! She arrives late Wednesday evening.
9. Work out final details for dad traveling down next week.
10. Have a great week!
And I hope you all have a great week as well! :-)
Tiffany
Hope ya'll had a great weekend and are enjoying a good start to your new week! Halfway through my Monday, I thought I'd share my recap of the weekend and last week, and my goals for this week!
First, let me just say that NASCAR weekend was just awesome. Perfect weather, good friends to share the races with, awesome neighbors in the campground - just goodness all the way around. Ended up having a little disagreement with the hubby (long story, but I was pretty ticked) but I think we've resolved it and are moving on. Still had a good weekend at TMS and can't wait until the next!
Now, a recap on last week's goals:
1. Attend Fall Leaders Conference - check!
2. NASCAR races - check!
3. NaNo starts on Thursday - I wrote on Thursday and just a teeny bit on Friday. Didn't so much work out to write at the track while camping for NASCAR - too much else going on. Check out my goals below for my catch-up plan.
4. Patti's press release - Got it posted to several sites, and she's experienced a 300% increase of hits to her web site - awesomeness. The timeline for releasing her author interview is below in my goals.
5. Blog 5x for writing blog, 2-3x for non-writing blog - check and check!
6. Finish reading The Daddy Spell galleys for Patti and write/post book review - Still reading - will complete soon! Added to this week's goals!
7. 10 freelance articles - Not quite...just simply ran out of time. Dang it.
8. Apply for a few identified ongoing freelance opportunties - I didn't get to the application phase on these, but have gathered all of the information and done all of the pre-work necessary to move forward. Added to this week's goals.
9. Plastering on staircase; more organizing upstairs; finish rebuilding desktop. No, partial, partial. Getting there, getting there! Finding out that a second parent would be joining us for the winter definitely changed what had to be done in my house last week.
10. Have a great week! CHECK!
So, I was partially successful - can't win 'em all, but I'm happy with what I did get done. On to this week's goals:
1. Swap out some furniture/decorations in upstairs bedrooms; pick up bed and glider purchased from craigslist; pick up television purchased from eBay; pick up mirror frame with new mirror glass installed - Monday evening. (This will finalize our preparations to get ready for Karen and Dad. Total spent on furniture and mirror replacement: $145. Not bad. I love craigslist/eBay!)
2. NaNoWriMo - catch up time, already! This week: the goal is 2000 words per day on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, plus 2500 on Saturday and Sunday...and for Tuesday, it's catch-up time - 5 hours on a plane to MSP and back for a 2-hour meeting (the logistics of my travel amaze me) equals 3000 words, I hope! :-)
3. Part 1: Author interview - Patti - post final version to AC after getting Patti's approval - Thursday. Part 2: Book review - Patti - post final version to ArsC - Friday.
4. Blogging - 5 posts here, 2 posts on other blog.
5. Press release/marketing - Isabel - phone conversation pending her schedule.
6. Applications - other writing jobs. MUST get done this week. We'll say Thursday night.
7. Writing - 10 freelance articles. Saturday/Sunday mornings.
8. Welcome my mother-in-law to my house! She arrives late Wednesday evening.
9. Work out final details for dad traveling down next week.
10. Have a great week!
And I hope you all have a great week as well! :-)
Tiffany
Weekend Recap and Goals 10/29
in:
Goals
,
Weekend Wrap-Up
Hey, ya'll!
It's only technically Monday at this point - middle of the night Monday - but I'm trying to get a head start before heading to bed on recapping last week and getting ready for this week. So here it is...
Last week's goals:
1. Give the ol' Web site one last lookie-loo and post the sucker. I know that I'll revise as time goes by, but after so long, I'll just be happy to have the dang thing posted! (Monday)
Like I just told Patti today, it's completed...I was waiting on a friend of mine to give me a link to her site and she hemmed and hawed and finally said she'd prefer not, so now I just have to post what I've got. Not sure why I haven't yet...it's not hard. Just haven't. Will work on this coming week. (Not adding to goals list, just will get the dang thing done!)
2. 10 freelance articles (Ongoing)
Got it.
3. Outline for DNA - I keep putting this off, and that's just not good, since NaNoWriMo is only 10 days away! (Wednesday)
Got it, to the extreme! Chris and I worked our butts off on this - 2 hours on Saturday, 90 minutes on Sunday. Not only do we have a FABULOUS outline, we also have character development and plotted out plot points. It rocks. Chris is awesome. I can't wait to start!
4. Continue sorting through attic storage boxes and finish setting office back up. (Tuesday and Thursday)
In progress. We're down several boxes and have thrown a lot away. I'm thinking one more good night's work will finish us off. For the office, I still have to rebuild a desktop but everything else is coming back into place well.
5. 1000 words each for The Mommy Letters and Going Home. (Whenever!)
Kinda...I did a bit of writing for each, but not quite a thousand words. I did, however, re-read all writing on both and make a whole bunch of edits.
6. Finish critting Palindrome for Lindsey. (Monday)
Didn't quite hit on Monday, but just posted today! Yay, Lindsey! Fun story!
7. Finish trim on bottom stairs. (Monday) (What can I say - I'm feeling ambitious today!)
Again, didn't happen on Monday, but got done on Saturday. All that remains for the stairs is plastering over the boo-boos that the carpeting hid.
8. Secure campground for NASCAR weekend.
Yeppers. No line, either. Primo spot. Near potties, but not toooo near.
9. Sell final NASCAR ticket - 1 is sold, 1 still hangs in the balance! :-)
Yeppers. Sold to Chris' new rookie partner. Glad it'll be someone we know.
10. Have a good week!!
Sure did. I had an excellent week.
What else I accomplished: press release for Patti and marketing plan leading up to her book release. Author interview with Patti, to be posted later this week to Associated Content. Started reading galleys for The Daddy Spell to post a review to ArsCompendium as well as possibly Associated Content. Girls night went well. Paid for and received Margie Lawson's Defeating Self-Defeating Behavior Lesson packet...looking forward to beginning to work through. Identified a few long-term freelancing opportunities to pursue. Like I said...it was a good week. Blogged 6 times in 5 days to my writing blog; 3 times in 5 days to my non-writing blog. Re-read two great books. Prepped for a very busy upcoming week at work.
Speaking of...this weeks goals:
1. Attend Fall Leaders Conference - every fall, American Airlines has a week of conferences for managers of a certain level and up. I'm one level too low on the totem pole and have no direct subordinates, so I ordinarily would not be able to attend, but because of my department and my boss, I'm not only going for one session, but all three! Setup Monday, prep Tuesday morning, first session kick-off Tuesday PM, last session wrap-up Friday AM. Then it's NASCAR time, baby!
2. NASCAR races - two times of year I live for. We're camping only Friday and Saturday nights this race...I have to be at work on Friday during the day, so we'll just head out Thursday night to stay a bit for quals and then head back out to set up our campground and get into the mania of it all Friday after lunch.
3. NaNo starts on Thursday - have I mentioned I'm excited? For this week, the goal is to write on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with Sunday off for NASCAR. (I'm already prepped...have 3 spare batteries full charged so I can be up and running...probably won't find internet out there, but I'll be able to write!)
4. Post Patti's press release to a variety of free press release sites; publish Patti's author interview after rewriting from somewhat disorganized notes. (Oh, I'll admit I was just typing everything I heard so it's a mess right now and needs to become WAY more cohesive...my fault, not Patti's...I wasn't pre-prepped with questions, so the disorganization is on my end.)
5. Blog 5x for writing blog, 2-3x for non-writing blog. No weekends unless the spirit moves me.
6. Finish reading The Daddy Spell galleys for Patti and write/post book review.
7. 10 freelance articles.
8. Apply for a few identified ongoing freelance opportunties, including (fingers crossed!) About.com. (Excellent pay, mucho credibility)
9. Plastering on staircase; more organizing upstairs; finish rebuilding desktop.
10. Have a great week!
And I hope you'll all have excellent weeks as well!
Tiffany
It's only technically Monday at this point - middle of the night Monday - but I'm trying to get a head start before heading to bed on recapping last week and getting ready for this week. So here it is...
Last week's goals:
1. Give the ol' Web site one last lookie-loo and post the sucker. I know that I'll revise as time goes by, but after so long, I'll just be happy to have the dang thing posted! (Monday)
Like I just told Patti today, it's completed...I was waiting on a friend of mine to give me a link to her site and she hemmed and hawed and finally said she'd prefer not, so now I just have to post what I've got. Not sure why I haven't yet...it's not hard. Just haven't. Will work on this coming week. (Not adding to goals list, just will get the dang thing done!)
2. 10 freelance articles (Ongoing)
Got it.
3. Outline for DNA - I keep putting this off, and that's just not good, since NaNoWriMo is only 10 days away! (Wednesday)
Got it, to the extreme! Chris and I worked our butts off on this - 2 hours on Saturday, 90 minutes on Sunday. Not only do we have a FABULOUS outline, we also have character development and plotted out plot points. It rocks. Chris is awesome. I can't wait to start!
4. Continue sorting through attic storage boxes and finish setting office back up. (Tuesday and Thursday)
In progress. We're down several boxes and have thrown a lot away. I'm thinking one more good night's work will finish us off. For the office, I still have to rebuild a desktop but everything else is coming back into place well.
5. 1000 words each for The Mommy Letters and Going Home. (Whenever!)
Kinda...I did a bit of writing for each, but not quite a thousand words. I did, however, re-read all writing on both and make a whole bunch of edits.
6. Finish critting Palindrome for Lindsey. (Monday)
Didn't quite hit on Monday, but just posted today! Yay, Lindsey! Fun story!
7. Finish trim on bottom stairs. (Monday) (What can I say - I'm feeling ambitious today!)
Again, didn't happen on Monday, but got done on Saturday. All that remains for the stairs is plastering over the boo-boos that the carpeting hid.
8. Secure campground for NASCAR weekend.
Yeppers. No line, either. Primo spot. Near potties, but not toooo near.
9. Sell final NASCAR ticket - 1 is sold, 1 still hangs in the balance! :-)
Yeppers. Sold to Chris' new rookie partner. Glad it'll be someone we know.
10. Have a good week!!
Sure did. I had an excellent week.
What else I accomplished: press release for Patti and marketing plan leading up to her book release. Author interview with Patti, to be posted later this week to Associated Content. Started reading galleys for The Daddy Spell to post a review to ArsCompendium as well as possibly Associated Content. Girls night went well. Paid for and received Margie Lawson's Defeating Self-Defeating Behavior Lesson packet...looking forward to beginning to work through. Identified a few long-term freelancing opportunities to pursue. Like I said...it was a good week. Blogged 6 times in 5 days to my writing blog; 3 times in 5 days to my non-writing blog. Re-read two great books. Prepped for a very busy upcoming week at work.
Speaking of...this weeks goals:
1. Attend Fall Leaders Conference - every fall, American Airlines has a week of conferences for managers of a certain level and up. I'm one level too low on the totem pole and have no direct subordinates, so I ordinarily would not be able to attend, but because of my department and my boss, I'm not only going for one session, but all three! Setup Monday, prep Tuesday morning, first session kick-off Tuesday PM, last session wrap-up Friday AM. Then it's NASCAR time, baby!
2. NASCAR races - two times of year I live for. We're camping only Friday and Saturday nights this race...I have to be at work on Friday during the day, so we'll just head out Thursday night to stay a bit for quals and then head back out to set up our campground and get into the mania of it all Friday after lunch.
3. NaNo starts on Thursday - have I mentioned I'm excited? For this week, the goal is to write on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with Sunday off for NASCAR. (I'm already prepped...have 3 spare batteries full charged so I can be up and running...probably won't find internet out there, but I'll be able to write!)
4. Post Patti's press release to a variety of free press release sites; publish Patti's author interview after rewriting from somewhat disorganized notes. (Oh, I'll admit I was just typing everything I heard so it's a mess right now and needs to become WAY more cohesive...my fault, not Patti's...I wasn't pre-prepped with questions, so the disorganization is on my end.)
5. Blog 5x for writing blog, 2-3x for non-writing blog. No weekends unless the spirit moves me.
6. Finish reading The Daddy Spell galleys for Patti and write/post book review.
7. 10 freelance articles.
8. Apply for a few identified ongoing freelance opportunties, including (fingers crossed!) About.com. (Excellent pay, mucho credibility)
9. Plastering on staircase; more organizing upstairs; finish rebuilding desktop.
10. Have a great week!
And I hope you'll all have excellent weeks as well!
Tiffany
Weekend Recap and Goals 10/22
in:
Goals
,
Weekend Wrap-Up
Good morning, y'all! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. We were busy - we spent some time on Saturday working in the house and running errands, I demonstrated at a Pampered Chef party Saturday night while Chris was at work, we visited with my Pampered Chef director for a couple hours on Sunday afternoon, and then got to the Fort Worth Air Show *just* in time to see the Blue Angels! That, in itself, made my weekend complete - boy do I love to see them fly! Came home, grocery shopped, cooked dinner together, hung out and then Chris headed to his off-duty job while I worked to - *gasp* finish my Web page!
Yes, that's right, the dang thing is done. Finished. Finito. Unfortunately, it got done at about 3:23 AM, and my alarm was set for 7 AM this morning, so it's done but not posted. Tonight, tonight! YAHOO!
That's the perfect lead-in to this week's goals - writing and otherwise.
1. Give the ol' Web site one last lookie-loo and post the sucker. I know that I'll revise as time goes by, but after so long, I'll just be happy to have the dang thing posted! (Monday)
2. 10 freelance articles (Ongoing)
3. Outline for DNA - I keep putting this off, and that's just not good, since NaNoWriMo is only 10 days away! (Wednesday)
4. Continue sorting through attic storage boxes and finish setting office back up. (Tuesday and Thursday)
5. 1000 words each for The Mommy Letters and Going Home. (Whenever!)
6. Finish critting Palindrome for Lindsey. (Monday)
7. Finish trim on bottom stairs. (Monday) (What can I say - I'm feeling ambitious today!)
8. Secure campground for NASCAR weekend.
9. Sell final NASCAR ticket - 1 is sold, 1 still hangs in the balance! :-)
10. Have a good week!!
And I hope you'll all have good weeks as well.
Smiles,
Tiffany
Yes, that's right, the dang thing is done. Finished. Finito. Unfortunately, it got done at about 3:23 AM, and my alarm was set for 7 AM this morning, so it's done but not posted. Tonight, tonight! YAHOO!
That's the perfect lead-in to this week's goals - writing and otherwise.
1. Give the ol' Web site one last lookie-loo and post the sucker. I know that I'll revise as time goes by, but after so long, I'll just be happy to have the dang thing posted! (Monday)
2. 10 freelance articles (Ongoing)
3. Outline for DNA - I keep putting this off, and that's just not good, since NaNoWriMo is only 10 days away! (Wednesday)
4. Continue sorting through attic storage boxes and finish setting office back up. (Tuesday and Thursday)
5. 1000 words each for The Mommy Letters and Going Home. (Whenever!)
6. Finish critting Palindrome for Lindsey. (Monday)
7. Finish trim on bottom stairs. (Monday) (What can I say - I'm feeling ambitious today!)
8. Secure campground for NASCAR weekend.
9. Sell final NASCAR ticket - 1 is sold, 1 still hangs in the balance! :-)
10. Have a good week!!
And I hope you'll all have good weeks as well.
Smiles,
Tiffany
