25 January 2012

Get the clutter out!!!

I told you my list of goals for 2012, but I have some other things that are not really goals, just good things to do.  One of those things involves all those bottle of lotion, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. that have just a little bit left in the bottle.  Usually this happens for me because I really like the item, but it is no longer available.  I don't want to use the last little bit because then I will never have it again.  Or maybe I got a new bottle of something and had to try it immediately, leaving behind a little bit of the old product.  But all of these bottles just pile up and then when I try to find something, I end up with a mess on the floor because I had to drag out a piece of bottle of this and smidgen of a bottle of that just to get to what I wanted.  No fun!!  Clean cabinets and drawers are so much nicer!

There, of course, were other items like hair products that I tried that did not work for my hair type.  All of those I donated to my hairdresser who sees all different kinds of hair and can use those products.  Sometimes I get a lotion that I don't really like the smell or texture or something about it.  For those items, I ask family and friends if they like it---if so, they can have it.  And what about the samples that you receive in the mail from time to time.  Use them!  Or give them to a homeless shelter or a similar organization.  They appreciate and use anything that they get.

Hopefully, I have given you some new ideas!!  If you have other good ideas to share, please feel free to comment.  I would love to have even more ways to get clutter out of my house!

Have a blessed day!!!

~Amy

10 January 2012

Check out all of my pages

For anyone out there who might occasionally stop by and think that I never update my blog, please check the different pages.  I am trying to add recipes as I try them, so that page gets updated.  I also added a craft project that I made recently.  But I have to post those directly to those pages at this point.  I am learning about static versus dynamic pages and have not quite figured out if there is a way to make my static pages (all except front page) into dynamic pages.  I would like to be able to post directly on the front page and then tag the post so later it could be found on the appropriate page...  So many new things for this tech challenged gal to learn...  And so little time!!!

Have a great day!!

~Amy

02 January 2012

Happy New Year!

I hope that your year New Year has started off well.  Mine has.  I decided this year to NOT make resolutions.  Instead, I have made a list of goals for the New Year.  Here is what I see as the difference:

First, resolutions to me seem aimless...for example, a resolution might be "to lose weight".  But I am left wondering, "How will that be accomplished?"

Second, goals are exact...for example, I am planning to run (jog or walk) 365 miles this year.  I have chosen this as a goal because I just started running (intervals of jogging and walking really) this fall.  I trained with a group and we used a basic pattern of 2 miles 2 days a week and 3 miles one day a week.  That adds up to 7 miles a week (average of 1 mile a day).  I have struggled without the group to keep up with that pattern, so I thought that I needed to put it out there as a goal to achieve.  I will know if and when I have accomplished it.  It is definite.  I may find that keeping to that pattern helps me to get into better shape and I may even end up running more this year.  However, if I get to 365 miles, I have achieved my goal, and I have an idea of what I might make as my goal for the following year.  If I end up losing some needed weight in the process, then that is a bonus!  I will feel better just by having run either way.

So I'm posting my list below.  Enjoy!!  I'm off to start the New Year with a new me!

~Amy

Here is my 2012 List of Goals:

 1) Run (jog/walk) at least 365 miles this year
2) Start biking
3) Do a zip line
4) Learn to flat water kayak
5) Play USTA tournament tennis (doubles and singles)
6) Read through the entire Bible
7) Try 52 new recipes
8) See 12 movies in the theater
9) Read 12 books
10) Blog at least once a week