Thirteen in 13: Only 8 days late.

As usual, I fully intended to be like everyone else and post this on January 1. But, same old 2012 excuses- busy, busy and busy. I'm hoping that these will help whip me into shape. Without further ado:

1. Track our entire budget- last year I started out well, but it tapered off after about three months.
2. Use at least $500 in coupons- I'm pretty sure I surpassed this last year, but part of the problem was that I stopped tracking how much I was saving. This year I want to sort of unite these first two goals for a comprehensive look at our spending.
3. Personally put away $X in savings- I want to make sure I continue to contribute to our family's savings account.
4. Give up caffeinated beverages- Make a gradual change to giving them up or replacing them with caffeine free versions.
5. Lose X pounds- and keep it off- pretty self explanatory. I feel like losing X would put me at a very healthy weight and would get me back in my skinny clothes.
6. Run a 5k- I really want to do this! I need to do this!
7. Read 26 books- I really think I can do this, especially now that I have my iPad mini and I joined a book club.
8. Complete an organization program/regime- there is a 31 days to getting organized and a 13 week one. I'm not sure what I'll do yet, but I want to work on that.
9. Stick to my professional development hours at work and earn my step increase! I'm a little over 50% complete with my hours. I have about 7 or 8 months to get it done. I think I can do it!
10. Make at least three meals a week- we've been eating out way too much. This will help us stay organized, on a budget and healthier.
11. Finish wedding scrapbook- THIS YEAR MAKES FIVE YEARS!!! I have GOT to do this.
12. Wish everyone happy birthday :)
13. Have twelve unique dates with the husband. Gotta keep it fun and interesting. I'm taking any suggestions.

There it is. Thirteen things I'm striving for in 2013. I'm already off to a good start on 1, 2, 6, 7, and 12. Hopefully the rest will follow suit. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year: Twelve Goals for 2012

Woohoo! Some of you may remember my blog posts regarding goals for the new year, or Eleven in 11. Well I'm at it again. Some are similar, some are a little more private, some are easy and some are not. We'll see how it goes!

1. Track our entire budget- Now, that sounds like I don't now, but I do, I just want to get down to the details more.
2. Use at least $500 in coupons- Pretty high goal, but not once you start using those Extra Care Bucks from CVS. We'll see how it goes. I've got a little Excel sheet and I'm excited to find out exactly how much cutting coupons saves me from just the coupons.
3. Lose X and keep it off- So last year I did well losing what I planned to lose, I just gained 10 of it back. So now I'm going to get that 10 back off and hopefully just a little bit more with it and hope that come December I haven't gained back.
4. Get a library card, use it once a month- This one is in honor of my favorite librarian couple. I want to start going to the library to get books because I want to...
5. Read 26 books- Last year I tried for 52- HA! That was one a week, but this one I might be able to pull off. One book every two weeks. I am LOVING the Hunger Games books right now.
6. Shop local once a month- Tim and I like to support small business when we can, so I thought I'd make it a goal to continue to do it at least once a month.
7. Knit a scarf- this one is easy...right? I've already got one started...I just need to finish it!
8. Consistent Gym Use- if we're going to keep it as an expense I've got to go more. I'm pledging to go at least four times a week to make it worth our while.
9. BLOG three times a week- I don't want to abandon you. I did so well at the beginning of the year, and then fell off. I want to keep it going all year long!
10. Finish our wedding scrapbook- We've been married almost 4 years, it's just time to do this already!
11. Put $X in savings- gotta build it back up since we're hoping to buy that house :)
12. Run a 5k- It's time to stop saying I'm going to do it and just do it!

So there it is. The List. What do you want to accomplish in 2012?

Restaurant Review: Old Siam

I realize that I haven't reviewed this place yet, but we did enjoy trying it out this month. We went to Old Siam before a hockey game this month. I had NEVER had Thai food before in my life. I always hear "it's spicy, really spicy" when people describe it. But, I also know it similar to Chinese food, and I like spicy Chinese food...so why not try it out?

First of all, this place has AMAZING SERVICE. Props to our young gal server who was extremely kind and accommodating. She asked if it was our first time and we said yes, and she even asked if it was our first time eating Thai and we said yes. She asked us questions about what we like and don't like and her recommendations were perfect.

Tim had the Spicy Basil Chicken and I had Red Curry Pineapple Chicken. Both were delicious, but I was more of a fan of Tim's dish.

All in all, it was a great evening. The service was good, the setting is cute, the food is great and we tried something new- and liked it!

Eleven in 11: Evaluating February

2011 is moving along pretty quickly. We're already at the end of month two. I'm keeping myself accountable on the progress of Eleven in 11.

The breakdown:
1. Volunteer opportunity- Well, I thought I had found something, but the first committee meeting was on the same night as another event I was working on. I'm going to find something here and soon!
2. The weight loss one- I've lost 9 pounds since January so I'm doing pretty well on that front. (However, Tim and I have slacked on the gym the past two weeks so we've got to get it in gear).
3. Plan and take honeymoon- We had a plan, but I'm waiting for an event at work to go down first before I make/pay for any plans. It is going to happen though :) I know it!
4. Trying four new recipes- We've done it, I just haven't posted these all in the blog. Some were kind of bleh. We made:

• Honey Mustard Baked Chicken
• Yummy Chocolate Cake
• Chili Potato Wedges
• Cheesy Potato Soup
• and I made my own version of Italian Chicken and Pasta (this was pretty good I'll have to share it)

5. Blog three times a week- Slowed down a bit in February, but we've added the new Caturday Saturday section to the blog. I find it entertains the cat lady in all of us.

6. Student loan- Check :)

7. Savings!- Check check :)

8. Read 52 books- Ugh I am struggling on this! I just cannot find the time and/or right books to settle in to. I need to crack out the Goosebumps, R.L. Stine or Sweet Valley I guess...not sure I'll be meeting this quota any time soon.

9. Facebook birthdays- I've stayed on track with this I think.

10. Visit 12 new restaurants- Actually did this one this month.

11. Etsy- Thinking about working on a piece tonight.

Once again, I think we're doing alright. 2011 has been a very kind year so far.

Eleven in 11: Evaluating January

Well, it's the end of the first month of 2011. I thought I would go back and update you all (more so make sure I'm accountable to myself) on the progress of Eleven in 11.

The breakdown:
1. Volunteer opportunity- Still working on it. Tim and I just joined an organization that should help in this area.
2. The weight loss one- I'm still rolling pretty well with this one. :)
3. Plan and take honeymoon- We've started the planning. We've got the location picked, and a date in mind. Just waiting to see if it will all fall into place.
4. Trying four new recipes- I think we surpassed this one! We've done:

• Baked Basil Fries
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Creamy Chicken  Rice Soup
• Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies (these were a fan fav!)
• SEC in the "Southwest"ern Quesadillas
• WW General Tso's Chicken
• Creamy Bowtie Pasta

5. Blog three times a week- I think we're keeping you filled in on what's up. I'm always trying to come up with new ideas to improve the blog.

6. Student loan- The dreaded student loan. Nothing to me is more gratifying than when I pay for my education. I've already set up the payments for both my loan and Tim's scary law school loan.

7. Savings!- I'm getting ready to transfer funds now.

8. Read 52 books- This one I am having trouble with. I've struggled to finish two this month. But, I think I can double up soon if I get some spare time. I need to post the book reviews.

9. Facebook birthdays- I'm doing much better than I've ever done. I think I may have missed a day or two, but not more than that.

10. Visit 12 new restaurants- I'm going to go ahead and say even though it turned out we'd been before...that we tried something 'new' at this one.

11. Etsy- I have bought a few new things to work on this. More info coming soon!

Overall, I think we're headed in a good direction. The whole purpose of this isn't to finish in one month, but to keep making progress throughout the year. I'm still looking forward to all the possibilities 2011 has offer.

Happy New Year: Eleven Goals for 2011

Ok, so technically I'm 24 hours and some change late...but I wanted to wish you all a great new year. I thought I might blog about myself some in this post. Tim is still thinking on his, but I have already decided my 11 goals for 2011. I thought I'd share most of them (some are just a little more private than others).

1. Find new volunteer opportunity- I used to do 24 and 48 hour shifts for the rape crisis hotline in Athens and I'm looking for something similar now that we have moved. 
2. Lose X pounds (X by the beginning of July)- I've already lost 17 doing WW and exercising (almost daily). I thought giving myself a deadline of July made me think about it in more realistic terms. I put the Xs to try to keep it somewhat personal :)
3. Plan and take honeymoon- Now this one does involve Tim. We're thinking about possibly going to NYC for a weekend, but we're still thinking out ideas. If you have a suggested for an extended weekend let us know!
4. Try four new recipes a month- This basically equates to one a week but gives us some flexibility too. I hope to chronicle this one on the blog so stay tuned!
5. Blog three times a week- Yes, we know we've abandoned you...but that will change! Today counts as one right? Ha, ha...
6. Pay at least $X off student loan- Again, tried to keep the finances private. It's actually quite gratifying when I make my student loan payments. I'm going in to my second full year of repayment and I love seeing that number go down. :)
7. Put $X in savings- Similar to the one above, but I have sat down and done the math and I've got a number tucked away for safe keeping. 
8. Read 52 books- another one that I hope to blog about (maybe it will help with goal #5). I think roughly one book a week is totally doable.
9. Wish each Facebook friend happy birthday- crap! Typing this I realized I missed today...well I call mulligan on that one...I'm going to start on that as soon as I finish here...yikes...(by the way this goal was inspired by Peter Shankman's seminar in Montgomery...)
10. Visit 12 new restaurants- I'm really looking forward to this one. It can also help goal #5!
11. and finally finish working on my etsy store-  I'm so excited about this one! I need to get to making some jewelry! 

And that, my friends, is the list. I had a recent discussion with someone about new year's resolutions. I don't make them. I like the ideas of small and realistic goals. I started this back in 2009. I had 9 goals for 09 and 10 in 10. Since the creation of X in 20XX, I've done much better than simply saying "I'm going to be a better person," or "I'm going to get fit." So here is wishing you the best on setting realistic goals and working to accomplish them!