Leap!

February is almost over and I have yet to update you all with my resolutions! I've been super busy this month with the new job, but I've squeezed in a few minutes here and there to make progress with February's goals!!

Use freezer food at least twice a month

We had some friends over for dinner last week and I used some of our frozen peaches from our tree for a peach pie! I've also focused on using meat from the freezer before buying fresh from the store. I used up some frozen chicken, frozen pork chops, and frozen lobster. I also thawed out some delicious bread that my Grandpa brought us for Thanksgiving. It's a rye bread that his friend made and boy o boy it was delicious!! 

Make lunch 4x per week

I've been trying to get more creative with my lunches instead of having turkey sandwiches every day. (Pinterest is a good place for lunch inspiration). A couple of times this month I switched up the normal lunch completely and did a day of snacks. I threw in tons of stuff like almonds, cheese and crackers, cuties, apples, bananas, granola bars, and more. Personally, I like this kind of "lunch" because I can snack on healthy things all day instead of filling up on a big meal. I have also tried to use leftovers for lunch...steak sandwiches, salads, oatmeal for Steve, etc. 

Streamline Bank Accounts

Steve and I have several different bank accounts - some joint, some single, and we thought it might be wise to consolidate a bit and get the most out of the savings account with the highest interest rate. I think one of the most important things about saving money is to make sure a) you're making as much money in interest as you can and b) your account is secure. There are a lot of identity theft issues, scanners, and credit card fraud these days. Regular monitoring, checking online accounts, and checking your credit report a few times a year is a good idea (once a year is FREE at www.freecreditreport.com...use it!)

Check in on 401k

On the list.

Indulge in a modest splurge

We are finally getting a new couch!! A comfy, cozy, big couch for pure relaxation and enjoyment!!! I'll post pictures when we get it. 

Buy needful things

See above + I bought a few organizational supplies for the office and bathroom (like baskets and trays). 

Give something up

I think the only thing I gave up this month was blogging!! ONLY because of my lack of time! Seriously, every moment has been filled with work, talking about work, thinking about work, working out, working at home doing chores, working at being horizontal on the couch, or workin' it! Ideally, I would like to give up an unhealthy habit like The Bachelor, but that ain't gonna happen!

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March is coming at me like a freight train and I am crossing my fingers that I get a lot of my work life in order and manageable so that I can lighten up in April!!

A few good things before I go:

• Just went to my best-friend-since-the-third-grade's baby shower on Sunday and pretty much fell in love with pregnant bellies and all things girly. 
• We're celebrating my grandpa's 80th birthday in May in Lake Havasu along with my cousin's high school graduation which is going to be FILLED with relaxation and laughter and probably lots of good food!
• We will be traveling to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in June for my Rogers family reunion! Looking forward to seeing all of the cousins and new babies and lounging on the beach with my nose in a good book.
• I booked my flight to NYC for my pre-30th birthday bash in October and I cannot be more thrilled about a vacation! It's not even spring yet and I can already smell the crisp fall air of Central Park! 
• I am back to brunette!!

A Sewing Notion

It took me three tries to make a functional lens cap holder. The pattern was pretty basic for a beginner and I am getting better, but I have a heck of a time with curves and cutting fabric. Sewing is a mind fuck because you sew all of these individual pieces and then you have to sew them together inside out and then 'turn it out' and you're supposed to get the final product. Well, I tried to outsmart this system and tried a few short cuts that led me to sewing my pouch shut! Oops, guess I better follow directions even if it doesn't always seem like it's making sense at the time!

Next project, re-usable sandwich wrap!

Trial One - Not quite!

Trial Two - Better, but janky and I accidentally sewed the pouch shut. Oopsy!

Trial Three - Success! Functional and pretty!

Cut Bare

Just updating everyone on the bathroom remodel. Phase one is done and the shower is just bare bones. Next step is a new window which Steve just ordered. Then comes water proofing, tile prep, and tiling! And then we'll put in a new floor, the vanity will get replaced, a fan will get installed, we'll paint, install new fixtures and new mirror, and THEN we'll be done! So, maybe in a few months?? ;) 

I am feeling very much alive!

I attribute my success with the Month of Vitality to three things:

• Pretty charts
• My 13 personal commandments
• Talking about this project with friends

42goals.com is awesome and really helped me to focus on the task at hand! I am a visual person and logging my data every morning and seeing the results was thrilling! As you can see, I made my flossing goal one week out of the month, but gave it a valiant effort. And just because it's February doesn't mean I am going to stop. As for the gym...booya! (Weird scale on that graph, dontchathink?) Speaking of the gym and my last post about going to Pop Physique with Helya (a type of Barre  fitness class), well I saw on Facebook TODAY that my new Leadership SLO (yes, that's another story) friend went to a BarreFit class in SLO. Well, I had no idea that even existed here! So she gave me the scoop and I am going with her on Monday after work to try it out! Whoo!!

I tried really hard to consciously think about my 13 Personal Commandments over the course of the month. I often found myself literally pausing over decisions, thoughts, or conversations about who I really am, what I stand for, and what is important to me. During the past month, I concentrated on 'Do it NOW', 'Be Patient', and 'Be Bold'. And guess what? I did all of those things! 

The 1-minute rule is officially in full effect in the Dwight Household. We are constantly tidying things up and putting things where they belong. It seems obvious, but just the conscious thought of, "oh it takes 30 seconds, just do it" is a huge motivator!  

I have surprised myself this month with the amount of patience I've shown over our bathroom remodel. Steve has knocked out ALL of the tiles, taken out the old drywall, and now there are just lonely 2 x 4's. I can see the progress and I can tell Steve is thoughtfully planning out the next step, so I am patient. I AM PATIENT! Plus, I tackled a nagging task and cleaned out the master shower and wow it's heaven in there!!! 

My boldness surfaced a few times this month too. Again, to my surprise and satisfaction! I went on a three day retreat to Wonder Valley (east of Fresno) with a group of 40 strangers for a program I was accepted into called Leadership SLO. The retreat was just the orientation to the program which lasts most of 2012. None of us knew each other and we were thrown into this "summer camp" sort of situation where I had roomies, played name games, experienced my first trust fall, and managed to get across the hot lava! The whole experience was scary, intimidating, refreshing, and exciting. I met amazing new people who I can already call friends and I can tell that this year is going to open my eyes to the nooks and crannies (and people!) that I didn't know existed in SLO County. 

Now, if you look ahead a bit to my March goals, you will notice that the focus is on work.  Well, either I am psychic or just really want to be the Valedictorian of Happiness Projects, but that little 'Aim Higher' bullet has already come to fruition.  While I was busy being bold and being Jaime, I was called into my boss's office and was invited to step in as the new Human Resources Manager at work!  I happily accepted and starting March 1, I will be taking on HR duties in addition to my current EH&S work. I am over-the-moon, honored and flattered that they think I am a good fit for this position. It actually made me stop for a moment and realize that maybe, just maybe, people don't see me as a small wimp, as a pushover, as a nervous nancy. Maybe I am none of those things afterall! Maybe I am great!

Anyway, I am having a ton of fun with this little project and sharing my progress and I LOVE hearing from you! Heather, thank you for the comment on my Happiness Page and I love your own Secrets of Adulthood :) And, Maren, thank you for taking interest! Really, I was sort of caught off guard when you mentioned my project at the bonfire because really I don't know who all reads this stuff, so thank you thank you thank you for asking me about it and letting me tell you. :) Means a lot!

Cheers to February, the month of Luuurve...oh and tax prep! 

February - Money

• Use freezer food at least twice a month
• Make lunch 4x per week
• Streamline bank accounts 
• Check-in on 401k
• Indulge in a modest splurge (I see a new couch in my future!)
• Buy needful things
• Give something up