I'm A Go-Getter

I've been thinking about the goals I set 52 days ago.  (26 days until Spring, 171 days until my 29th birthday (the age I've been waiting to be my whole life), 306 days until Christmas.)  It's seem like the year started a long time ago.  Winter blows.
I set the normal goals I always set for myself: workout, save money, make a schedule for the kids, fix my bed everyday.  And then as a couple weeks passed I got to thinking that I made really boring goals.  Which would follow suit for my boring life.  And sad sad woe is me.
And then, towards the end of January, I switched Goal Gears.  And I made fun ones.  Things that I really wanted to do.

A sampling, mon chere?

1.  Order something new, that I've never tried, when we go out to eat.
I love going out to dinner and I always order the same thing.  Name a restaurant and I'll tell you what I always get.  Outback?  Did someone say Outback?  House salad with Tangy Ranch 86 the maters.  Tassie Buffalo Wings with blue cheese sauce and don't forget the Blooming Onion.  Uhhhh.  Garcia's.  Tampico stuffed chicken.  Coke. With lime.  Olive Garden.  Come on.  EASY!  Soup, Salad, a Breadsticks.  Zuppa Toscana soup.  And if the menu is overwhelming I cruise for Chicken Strips (and mashed potatoes) or Country Fried Steak.  I always get the same things.  But this year?  2013?  No repeats.  All new things.  Even new restaurants.  That's mostly because I married a man who is firmly against chain restaurant dining.  Unless its breakfast on Saturday and then you'll find us at The Village Inn.  It's a fun goal.  One that's fun to keep.
2.  Take a Continuing Education class.
Not some Institute Religion Class from BYU.  I've still got a chip on my shoulder about my whole experience there.  But I wanted to do something to meet new people and enhance myself. (You didn't there WAS room to improve, did you?) So!  My 3 options are Toastmasters, Master Gardener, and Pottery.  And, I say "options"... but let's be real here... I'm doing all three.  I looked into some pottery classes and they are all full but I called and am Numero Uno on the roster for summer at the Red Kiln.  Before weeks end I'm going to get info on the other two.  Toastmasters would be great for my inability to small talk. Personal example and personal example. And Master Gardener? I mean, yes, yes, yes!  That is me!  I just need that 3 pack of floral gloves from Costco and a big garden hat.  (Hint: 171 days until my birthday....there's two perfect gifts right there.  Ken?  Are you reading this?)
3.  Talk to Strangers.
Not scary strangers... but like the check-out people at the grocery store, the local librarian, people I don't know at church.  My Mom and father in law are really good at this.  In totally different ways.  My father in law knows all the workers, by name, at his local Albertson's.  And they all know him.  And my Mom will talk to people while she's waiting in line at the bank, or store, or post office.  She's friendly without being obnoxious.  Like, she'll tell a kid with crazy hair that it looks really good and ask where he goes to get it cut.  I was in Walmart and the woman in front of me had a beautifully tied scarf.  I asked her how she tied it and she showed me!  My own personal demonstration, right at Walmart.  It takes a little bravery- but people (so far) are very accepting.  ONE TRIBE YA'LL.(clap) Oh OHH OHH (clap) Oh OHH OHH One Tribe Ya'll!
one planet, one race it's all one blood, don't care about your face the color of your eye or the tone of your skin don't care where you are, don't care where you been Wha? Wha? Wha? One Tri One tri One tribe ya'll.

 Joey loves dancing with me to that song.

4.  Look up.
I have a nice life in a nice world.  Look up and enjoy it.  Look up.  Look up at home, at the store, at the gas station, when you're taking a walk, shoveling snow, getting the mail.  Look up with your eyes, with your face with your heart.  Feel good.  Look up.

And just for some additional hoots, here's my goals from 1997.  I was 13.  I'm so glad my mom saved this stuff.

Please Notice:  I was going to run once a week but exercise daily. ??? Wert. I wish I could remember who Tiesha was.  I know one thing...She had long hair.  I like the little clock I put by my time frame for reading the Book of Mormon.  Always been uber creative.   I felt the need to have an emergency/Christmas fund when I was 13.  I guess if an emergency didn't crop up I would have Christmas money.
...and what about that very last goal.  Cross stitch.  You go super cool Patty!  Get involved!

5 Step Wonder

A couple days ago one of my neighbors called and said she had just pulled a hot loaf of bread out of the oven and wanted to bring it over.  (Ca-CHINGA!)  I obliged her.  Who am I to not let someone serve?  The call was a nice heads up and as I passed a mirror I realized the call was a necessity really.  I mean....
Patty.
Look at yourself.
For starters its 5:00 PM and you are wearing a robe.  Are you sick?  Are you drunk?  Have you totally given up?  (<--- check.) 
Under the robe was one of Ken's t-shirts that was covered in baby puke, rice cereal, applesauce, and Kole snot.  I was wearing pajama pants with holes in them, fuzzy socks that didn't match, and, you guessed it (!) no bra. 
Since Christmas I have dressed (Can I call that dressed?) this way.... oh... ?.... everyday.  And declared each day, "A Comfy Day!"  I'm the mom and can make such declarations.  But, as I saw myself in the mirror I just blushed.  I was so embarrassed.  I had let myself go.  And all this time I thought that happened sometime in my mid 30s not late 20s.  All I was missing was the bad haircut.
I instigated a new 5 Minute 5 Step Emergency Preparedness System.
I've used it multiple times since in order to get ready in less than 5 minutes.

Step 1.  Apply bra.
Step 2.  Brush teeth.
Step 3.  Get dressed.  (Nothing fancy.  But jeans and a shirt.  That's yours.  That fits.)
Step 4.  Bronzer, mascara, lip gloss or chap stick.
Step 5.  Sock bun.

If you really wanna knock 'em dead put in a pair of earrings.  Studs probably.
What I love about this:
I instantly look presentable but not overly presentable.  I don't want to look like I am going out or like I got dressed up for someone.  Even though I did.  I want to look like a mom.  Just a mom that has it put together.  The bra really does wonders.  And sometimes, when I am brushing my teeth at night before bed I have been asking myself... Is this my first time doing this today?  Usually... yes.  Gross.  Sad.  Despicable.  Putting on jeans is a big deal.  I've been saying I'm not going anywhere why get dressed?  Um.  Because you're human?  To set an example for your kids?  To feel a part of the day?  To not go overboard? Going overboard.  Meaning... when you wear sweats all day everyday... it's hard to gauge when you've had enough to eat.  Have I made myself clear on where I am there?  The bronzer, mascara, and lip gloss make me look alive and bright without looking like I tried too hard.  And the sock bun.  My new obsession.  I feel like a ballerina every time I do one.  It's elegant but it can also be saying, "I've got a lot to do today.  I can't be bothered with my hair."  Which is the message I feel I have been expressing with such hairstyle.
So.  Voila.  5 minutes.  5 steps.  And you look ready.  For unexpected visitors.  Or warm bread.

I'm in heaven.
Oh.
AND!
This reality check gave me another... and after tipping the scale at One.  Seven.  Zero.
I went to the gym for the first time since September.  I did 3.5 relatively quick miles on the elliptical and felt basically bed stricken.  I couldn't move.  I couldn't bend.  It hurt so bad.  Ken says that's good.  I'm thinking I might need another 4 month break.