One More Resolution

I need to add one more resolution to this list - Fix the labels on my blog.

When I started blogging, I didn't understand how labels worked, so I would tag a post with five or six. Now, I have this whackpile of labels, that no one would ever want to look at. I've added them to my sidebar, as a constant reminder to tidy these up. Hopefully, if I do a few every day, they'll be cleaned up in no time!

Resolutions-smesolutions

About now, I thought I'd be overloaded with 2011 New Years resolutions from the blogosphere. Funny enough, most of the bloggers I follow seem to be avoiding resolutions as devoutly as I am. I went back to last year, to find I didn't post any resolutions, but a decade in review instead. Maybe the fact I didn't make any, explains why I didn't get much done on the house.

I can't beat myself up too hard. I worked (at my paying job) too much this year. However, I did manage to put a garden in.

I redecorated my old bedroom in my parents' farmhouse.

Bought a car AND a lawn mower.

Canned for the first time - tomato sauce and (super yummy) salsa.

I thought about what I could do this year, instead of resolutions and all I could come up with was a year in review. Maybe post something of significance in every month of 2010. It should be easy. I feel 2010 was a great year. However, I don't want to bore you with minor details that have zero house relevance and may be truly, uninteresting to anyone but myself.

Instead, I'm going to post a "To-Do" list for 2011. You could call these resolutions, but no one keeps resolutions. Myself, included. I have had these things on my brain for a while, and in 2011, I want to get them done.

• Open a tax--free savings account. Close my credit union account that is inconvenient and not generating any more interest than any other account would.
• Blog more. 2-4x week, minimum.
• Start running again. 
• Finish the craft room.
• Organize all my craft stuff in the craft room.
• Tidy up the backyard garden area.
• Clean out the garage.
• Clean out/organize the basement.
• Paint the kitchen cupboards white.
• Put some wall art in my bedroom.
• Add to the living room photo gallery.

There you have it. It's not too long. There's a few "gimme's", that I can hopefully knock of fast and easy. Others will be a stretch.

Now, I'll leave you with a little sneak-peak of our New Year's Eve plans.

Happy New Year!!!

A Decade in Review

A year ago, I posted resolutions. Still undecided if I should make any for 2010  as last year's were not too successful, I am procrastinating a little and inspired by a few of my fav blogs, I wrote my own decade in review instead... 


Here are a few snapshots from my life the past ten years:

2000 - I travelled to Luxembourg for a 3-month European exchange. I saw parts of France, Germany and Switzerland, went to an all-girls school, met some wonderful people and learned a tiny bit of French. I came home several pounds heavier thanks to copius amounts of 'noodles', eclairs, and ice cream.

2001 - Co-edited our high school yearbook with a friend I'd had since kindergarten. Participated in the 2 week Oddfellows & Rebekah's "United Nations Pilgrimmage for Youth". Met more wonderful people from around Ontario, saw Gettysburg, Washington, as well as New York, where I took an incredible photo standing at the bottom of the Twin Towers, which now hangs in my living room 'gallery'.

2002 - Worked my butt off in English class for the highest mark and threw my all into my Independant Study Assignment. Looking back, it was one of my favourite assignments of all time. I converted the old girl's change room into an insane assylum. Graduated high school and finally started at the University of Guelph, after years of anticipation. I moved into a triple in Mills Hall.

2003 - I'd fully engrossed myself in all things Aggie at the U of G. I moved to Alberta for a summer job, which resulted in a lasting friendship with my then landlord & roommate. I went to the Calgary Stampede and drove a standard car for the first time. When school started, I was the Commerce rep on the ag students council, became best friends with the VP and succeeded in going out every night of the week, several weeks in a row while my GPA nosedived below 80 for the first time.

2004 - Took a road trip with a van load of Aggies to Louisiana State University (quotes from the trip were posted years ago on here) for a conference. Had my heart broken for the first time. Won a trip to judge in the 4-H competition at World Dairy Expo.

2005 - After the worst travel experience I've yet to ever have, I landed on the California Central Coast for 3 months of fun, not a lot of sun, and some schooling at Cal Poly. I made some wonderful friends and learned more about the dairy industry then I could've in years of working in it. This was evidenced when our Guelph team competed for the first time and won the Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. After putting the International Plowing Match on hold for a year, I competed in Perth County and won the Ontario Queen of the Furrow crown.

2006 - Devastated when our ag marketing team was put out in the first round of competition at the U.S. conference. Donned a peach bridesmaid dress for my friend Debora, who was one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen. Started working for John Deere. Was 'that girl in the red dress' at another friend's wedding.

2007 - Moved 3 times in 6 months, including several months living in Old Quebec City. Here, my French got much better. Questioned fate and struggled to understand life when a friend dealt with a family suicide. Visited PEI for the first time, fell in love with the landscape and the people, and moved there for a month, before being transferred back to Southern Ontario. Bought a house.

2008 - Went on a wine tour, bought a case of wine and fell in love with Niagara. Started blogging and realized I was house rich and cash poor. Realized I was exactly where I wanted to be in life, was the "John Deere girl" at the Tim Hortons Brier, yet learned some serious life lessons about the working world.

2009 - The summer of weddings. A photo I took at our farm was featured in the Semex calendar. Started selling Pampered Chef and every other week felt like Christmas as I filled my kitchen with new stuff. Really started to love cooking. Grew a garden. Got a promotion. Visited my great uncle's grave in the Rheinberg War Cemetary in Germany.

Its almost February - Resolutions Update

Okay, its not quite one month yet, but with February just around the corner, and possibly 2 of the most busiest weeks I've EVER had behind me, I feel like it is a good time for an update on my New Year's Resolutions. Kind of a status scorecard, I guess.

If you remember, I had three

1. Get in control of my finances.
   
2. Have the electrical service changed over to 100 amp (this will require saving $ and so will depend on #1).
   
3. Develop a plan for my basement.
   

So, here's where I stand.

1. Finances. I have done something. I am counting that as a small victory. I have updated my budget and spend worksheet to keep track of what I'm spending and try to cut where I am being a little too lavish. I also got the book "The Wealthy Barber" by David Chilton. We read this in university and friend suggested I re-read it, and actually try to apply what I learn. Not a bad idea. Where did I fall down on this resolution? A Nine West sale was too tempting to pass up! With new shoes on foot, now I'm set to keep the spending down and get the finances in control!


2. Electrical. Okay, really, this one is somewhat dependant on #1. I have a contractor in mind, but I've had the name for four months now and not done anything with it. In February, I will call him and get a quote. In the meantime, my savings account is reserved for this task and my recent, second income will fund this.


3. The basement. This is more longterm, but I did find this really cute design idea last fall, that I still think would work.

Happy 2009 for This Homegirl!

New Year's Eve. Another year past. A new one upon us.

With the infamous resolutions on the horizon, its inevitable that we look back on our successes and ... nonsucesses of the past year. While I officially purchased my home in 2007, it was 2008 when I feel like I moved in and really got to know my quaint, little bungalow.

Recollecting on the past year, I can't help but feel like this New Year's Eve is more of a thanksgiving. I am incredibly thankful...

To have wonderfully, amazing neighbours. Honestly, I don't know what I would've done without my neighbours. They have been such an irreplaceable source of knowledge, assistance and company.

To own a house. I don't think I need to elaborate when it comes to the economy. More importantly though, whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed with some of the challenges of being a single homeowner, I remind myself of this fact. You need to do the same - buying and owning a home is no small feat!

To have the love and support of a great family. I call my parents five times a day sometimes, just to tell them about drilling a hole in my wall. With a bad back, my brother helped me move in my washer and dryer. Actually, he did all the moving. My Grandma was on her knees helping my dad and I install lattice under my deck in the spring. I know, beyond a doubt, that I can't express enough appreciation for their support - their jobs and geographical location don't make this easy for them.

With everything I've accomplished at my home this year, I am heading into 2009 with some big resolutions (in addition to the ol' standby to lose weight).

1. Get in control of my finances.


2. Have the electrical service changed over to 100 amp (this will require saving $ and so will depend on #1).


3. Develop a plan for my basement.

I know there will be many more 'items' come up along the way, but these are the big 3 that I want to get accomplished. If I manage to get a garden put in this spring also... well that will just be peaches!

Happy New Year!!