1. Monthly date nights.
Bobby and I have really been in a slump lately when it comes to regularly getting out to reconnect, so I'd like to see that higher on the priority list.
Our last date...A little early morning fishing!
Here is another area I feel like I had been slacking. We have been doing a bunch now that it's summer, but I just want to focus more on it. Bobby also had been taking them once a week for daddy/daughter breakfast, I think I want to work that back in too. The girls miss it!
These were taken on separate days, but the girls request their "comfy dresses" often.
3. Find a church. Attend regularly.
This is something I've really been thinking about lately. I enjoy attending church. I was raised in the church, and I feel like the girls need to be too. They got the chance to attend my church's VBS, and they had a blast learning about Jesus.
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| Josie: Top and Right Jewels: Bottom and Left |
4. Make it to a few local festivals!
5. Try more. Get outside of my comfort zone.
The last book I read was a self help book. I found the author on Ted TV when I randomly stumbled across her talks. Anyways, I was interested in hearing more of what she had to say, so I got one of her books. Unfortunately, it was about perfectionist, something I don't consider myself. It turns out I related to a lot more of what she was saying than I realized. One of the biggest things that caught my attention was her talking about being afraid to do something or just not doing it if you weren't positive you would be great at it. Basically being afraid to put yourself out there. I'm going to do more of that, because you miss out on a lot of life being afraid of failing. This also played a role in a few of the different goals on this list.
6. Take a sushi making class.
100% of my lady dates involve eating, and I'd say 90% of them involve eating sushi. Some friends and I signed up for Sushi Neko's e-mail newsletter during a night out, so we are always getting the dates for these classes sent to us, and always talk about going. This year we will do it.
7. Read two books a month.
I love to read, but I don't purposely make much time for it. I have found though when I am reading something I find it quite easily. My July goal is to finish my current book, Stephen King's It.
8. Groundwork for eventually opening my own business.
Photography is something I've always enjoyed. When I was younger I used to sit up props and pose my sister and brother. I really wish I had some of my "work" here with me, because I think we could all get a good laugh out of viewing the creativity of my 10-15 year old self here. I think I had just started my second year at Northwestern when I started to wonder if education was really what I wanted to go into, and started thinking more about photography. Here is where not stepping outside of my comfort zone is a big concern. I am aware from where I currently stand I know very little in the scope of things, and have a lot of work to do, but this year I will focus more time and energy at practicing.
Photography is something I've always enjoyed. When I was younger I used to sit up props and pose my sister and brother. I really wish I had some of my "work" here with me, because I think we could all get a good laugh out of viewing the creativity of my 10-15 year old self here. I think I had just started my second year at Northwestern when I started to wonder if education was really what I wanted to go into, and started thinking more about photography. Here is where not stepping outside of my comfort zone is a big concern. I am aware from where I currently stand I know very little in the scope of things, and have a lot of work to do, but this year I will focus more time and energy at practicing.
My brother and (basically!) sister-in-law asked me to take their engagement pictures. I'm posting them as a record of where I am at currently. Unfortunately for them I insisted on shooting only in manual, which in hindsight probably wasn't the best idea, considering their purpose and my lack of knowledge. However they were pretty pleased with them. Two things I noticed I struggled with, once I uploaded them, were knowing how best to use the natural light and sharpness. In fact my two favorite shots were rendered completely useless. Eventually I'd like to retake some of the same poses when I have a better understanding of photography...Who knows maybe even as maternity pictures?!?
9. 30 day photo challenge(s).
I suppose this is pretty self explanatory. Practice makes perfect?!
The house my great-great grandparents built. My grandma's momma grew up here!
From the front it is two stories.
From the back it is half dug out.
I imagine it used to be a pretty neat home.
Original cabinet doors
10. Workout more consistently. Make realistic goals.
Ideally I'd like to do something 4 times a week. I loved Insanity when I was doing it, but it's hard for me to commit 6 days a week.
11. Finish all existing sewing projects.
I get on sewing tangents, but only for a day or two at a time...even worse during them I start new things to never finish. It's about time to wrap some projects up.
I get on sewing tangents, but only for a day or two at a time...even worse during them I start new things to never finish. It's about time to wrap some projects up.
12. Finish all existing furniture projects.
Repaint entry table, and type writer desks turned end tables.
13. Complete 3 sewing projects from creative journal.
Repaint entry table, and type writer desks turned end tables.
13. Complete 3 sewing projects from creative journal.
14. Complete 5 craft projects from creative journal.
15. Target practice more.
This is something we start doing more of when fall starts creeping in. It doesn't matter if we go to the range, are sighting in our bows in the backyard, or shooting clay pigeons at the farm it's great bonding time for Bobby and I. He's such an avid hunter that it is a way for me to get to experience part of his love for it with him. And he is such a patient teacher. He could readjust my bow sight ten trillion times and never stop smiling.
16. Start making more things from scratch. Start marking things off of my "Why do you still buy these foods" list.
This is something we start doing more of when fall starts creeping in. It doesn't matter if we go to the range, are sighting in our bows in the backyard, or shooting clay pigeons at the farm it's great bonding time for Bobby and I. He's such an avid hunter that it is a way for me to get to experience part of his love for it with him. And he is such a patient teacher. He could readjust my bow sight ten trillion times and never stop smiling.
16. Start making more things from scratch. Start marking things off of my "Why do you still buy these foods" list.
17. Stop buying cleaning supplies/detergents that can easily be made.
18. Make it to another Thunder game!
19. Learn from Grandparents
This year I want to learn how to make plum jam, and pickle and can from my Grandma and Grandpa. I want my grandma to show me how she used to make soap with her momma. I also want to raise some chicks to later process, which yes I am aware involves a lot of nasty stuff, so she can teach me like she taught my mom.
20. Volunteer/Give More.
21. Journal/Write More.
22. Take a cake decorating class.
Because doesn't it sound like fun?
23. Quit smoking. Forever.
24. Have a booth in a craft/trade show with a friend.
25. Run 5K.
I'm not looking to become a runner, but I'd like to participate in a 5K just to have done it. Our town hosts an annual fun run to spruce up the city park. This year I will run in it, even if it's not pretty.
26. Grow cookbook collection.
My dream kitchen would have a huge bookshelf full of cookbooks...that I read then never use. Haha. My current favorites are an Italian cookbook from the 80's, a German cooking from the 60's, and an Amish cookbook (the recipes are wrote half in a style that is so off the wall and half like a recipe is usually formatted). I have a few technical, ethnic, and vintage cookbooks I'd like to add to my shelves. And who knows maybe I'll even cook a thing or two out of them?!
27. Attend another paint party.
For Hai's bachelorette party she had a paint party. I can't help but think it would make for a fun lady date. I'd also like to take the girls to the place a town over that has canvas painting for kids.
28. Start a new family tradition.
Some of my favorite childhood memories begin " we always...".
18. Make it to another Thunder game!
19. Learn from Grandparents
This year I want to learn how to make plum jam, and pickle and can from my Grandma and Grandpa. I want my grandma to show me how she used to make soap with her momma. I also want to raise some chicks to later process, which yes I am aware involves a lot of nasty stuff, so she can teach me like she taught my mom.
20. Volunteer/Give More.
21. Journal/Write More.
22. Take a cake decorating class.
Because doesn't it sound like fun?
23. Quit smoking. Forever.
24. Have a booth in a craft/trade show with a friend.
25. Run 5K.
I'm not looking to become a runner, but I'd like to participate in a 5K just to have done it. Our town hosts an annual fun run to spruce up the city park. This year I will run in it, even if it's not pretty.
26. Grow cookbook collection.
My dream kitchen would have a huge bookshelf full of cookbooks...that I read then never use. Haha. My current favorites are an Italian cookbook from the 80's, a German cooking from the 60's, and an Amish cookbook (the recipes are wrote half in a style that is so off the wall and half like a recipe is usually formatted). I have a few technical, ethnic, and vintage cookbooks I'd like to add to my shelves. And who knows maybe I'll even cook a thing or two out of them?!
27. Attend another paint party.
For Hai's bachelorette party she had a paint party. I can't help but think it would make for a fun lady date. I'd also like to take the girls to the place a town over that has canvas painting for kids.
28. Start a new family tradition.
Some of my favorite childhood memories begin " we always...".
Four. July '90
Dressed alike, since we fought over clothes.
Top Left: July '91 Newborn and 5
Top right: Aug. '91 (first day of Kindergarten?)
Bottom left: ? But look at the rad perm!
Bottom right: 23 and 28
Eleven
So there they are....I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!
