A List #1

10 Things I would do if I were to take a week long staycation

• Sleep all day 

Basically sleep as long as could in the mornings, wake up take care of the dog, go back to bed for a morning nap, wake up again to take care of the dogs, take an mid afternoon/early evening nap, wake up again and stay up until the next day. 

• Deep Clean my house 

Time to tackle all those little things you just "let go" during normal cleaning, like windows, and cabinets, shampooing carpets. *sigh* The sad thing is I'll be doing this next week in between working 40+ hours. I AM GOING TO BE EXHAUSTED GUYS! 

• Go out for breakfast to Panera 

I have a serious love affair with this place. For those of you who aren't lucky enough to have one of these places, its basically a sandwich shop, with a relaxing atmosphere (except when a tour bus of kids descends on the place, or a family with rowdy children) where you can read, eat and use free wifi. It just feels like an awesome place to start out the day. 

• Nap 

What can I say. I love my sleep. ... (Honest Note: More so the junk food I eat creates a lethargy in me which makes me sleepy.) 

• Paint a room in my house

Have you seen my house? It needs a pick me up. Bad. 

• Work on a DIY project 

I started on one here recently ... its almost done :) 

• Get wifi installed

Pretty self explanatory 

• Wash my hair

• Read 
• Go on a hike 

What would you do? 

Top 12 Moments of 2012

While I could find MUCH to complain about it 2012, there is still Oh, so, much to look back and smile on.
Top 12 Moments in 2012: 

Narrowly Missing a Tornado while traveling to Ohio 

Whitewater Rafting with friends from North Carolina & Alabama 

Riding a roller-coaster for the first time EVER (Ironically it was the Batman ride. Make sense) 

Watching not One, Two, Three but FOUR of my friends marry their best friends.
Also being a Bridesmaid (for the first time) in one of the above weddings
Saying good-bye to a woman who was as close as a grandmother
Running not ONE, but TWO 5Ks 

Participating in VEDA 

Getting my Kindle Fire + MacBook Pro + iPhone 4S (Not in debt for ANY of those! Woot!)
Seeing my second Guide Dog pup and her Handler
Raising my seventh, and challenging guide dog pup, David 

Getting to see friends out of town friends almost every month this year, forging new relationships and maintaining old. :)

How was your year? 

Top 10 Songs for 2012

You know that moment.
The moment when you've listen to a song so many times you're utterly sick of it. You skip it when it comes on the radio, you make playlists that specifically exclude it; so you don't have to go through the trouble of skipping it?
That moment.

We did a lot of running last year. Running requires music. (or a book on tape if you are me, though its much harder to tune out) The following would be the top 10 songs we listened to on re-pea-pea-pea-pea-peat.

1. Stronger - Kelly Clarkson (Listen to it so much in fact I skip it now) 
2. Mr. Know It All - Kelly Clarkson 
3. Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepson ( I know, I know) 
4. Bohemian Rhapsody - Glee Cast  (Inspired by this guy. It was stuck in my head, so I had to download it. You know the drill) 
5. Rolling in the Deep - Adele 
6. Keep Your Head Up - Andy Grammer
7. Start Something - Tobymac 
8. Me Without You - Tobymac 
9. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift 
10. I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift 

February Focus

I had this big long depressing post written up about how long and horrid this week has been, but I only managed to depress myself further, so I scrapped that and decided to make some goals for myself this month.. 

1. Survive Photojournalism Class. Ok.To say this class makes me nervous is a HUGE understatement...mainly because we have to work, hard, and fast. One week turn around on most assignments and on top of that a Photo Story/Essay that's due in six weeks. Only school can make a week the shortest amount of time ever. 
2. Continue shooting daily - I did miss one day this week, because well my motivation took a vacation. But I'm pleased that I've kept it up this long.
3. Purchase a car!!!!!! - as I alluded to in previous post, I am in need of a car. Like...NOW. Like as in I don't have a car to drive anymore...and let me tell you this. When I grow up, and get married I WILL NOT (please God?) have more than 4 kids. Driving a 15-Passenger van  (especially at 21) is NOT cool...but what's sad, is that is the ride is so.much.smoother than my dad's car. (sorry dad) So I'm scraping together every little bit of money I can so I can purchase a vehicle. Right now I'm looking at the 2000-2002 Acura TL or the 2003-2005 Mazda6.  I'm going to have to finance this car, so I have to get something I can afford on my meager salary. PRAY!! 
4. Start raising my fifth guide dog puppy - 3 weeks 4 days.....
5. Drink more water, watch calorie intake: Completely failed on that last month, what can I say. Stress. This month will get back on the band wagon, logging what I eat, so I can start moving towards something a little healthier. 
6. Redo Hair. So in case you were wondering...that is all my real hair, and it takes about 3 hours to get flatten into shape. I normally will do it this way in the winter, due to less heat which equals less sweating, which means my hair stays flatter longer. get it? But its starting to fuzzzzzz so I need to make some time pre-puppy to get that taken care of. :-/ 

Other smaller goals include: Being on time for things, being prepared ahead of time, trying to get my homework done before the last minute, continuing to not procrastinate about things that scare me...... #gulps. 

Not a long list but challenging enough I supposed.
How about you? What are some of your goals for this month?

Oh Where oh where has my motivation gone....

IF anyone sees my motivation please, send him back too me. He got off of his leash and is running around here somewhere.

Fact about Erin - I like to plan, I do like to doing things impromptu...but its hard, even if I really didn't have anything else planned. Every weekend, I spend at least an hour writing my to-do list for the week, making sure I know what bills I'll need to pay that week, going through my kitchen and making my grocery list..

I like to know what I need to do each day, so that it has more of a chance to get done, I set goals for myself for the week that I want to strive for. My calender is color coded, my cell phone has a task list to remind me of things I need to do...my closet was arranged in such a way, that I could get up and were the "next thing in line" according to type... I have to know what I need to do next or nothing will get done. I DO.NOT. Like doing something that was not scheduled. You wanna hang out? Let me know two days before. You need me too do something let me know at least 24 hours before hand. I will say I have gotten much better about this but it would take me some serious prayer so that I could do the task thrown at me, with a good attitude.



Writing this down...that feels a little crazy even too me.

I'm blaming the weather..but for the last couple of weeks, my motivation to plan has flown the coop, and is probably sunning its self on a beach somewhere. My desire to do homework, clean my house, get up, read, write, blog, plan...has diminished.
Its actually been kind of freeing not too have too abide by a list...

......but I also have gotten absolutely nothing done...and am paying for that.

So yeah if you see the ol' Mojo please send him back too me.

Thankkkssss

Erin Leigh ~

Mondays

Snow = No School = No Problem! Unfortunately we got such a little amount of snow fall on our side of town, that there wouldn't be any problem getting me to work. Oh well I need the money. But i was able to get my "To-Do" list chopped down a little...?

101 in 1001 (2010)

101 in 1001

Start Date: December 21, 2009

Completion Date: September 17, 2012

Bold = In Progress

Strikethrough = Completed

(30/101)

Health and Wellness Goals
1. Drink Water every day for a week (1/8 days) Started: 09/29/2010
2. After That Drink Water every day for a month (0/30 days)
3. Eat Breakfast once a week for a month (4/4wks)
4. Go to bed at 10:30PM for a week (0/8 days)
5. Make Fruit Smoothie Once a week (4/6wks)
6. Eat Salad once a week (0/4 wks)
7. Straighten Hair Once Monthly in Fall/Winter (0/5 months)
8. Learn more about taking care of the mop onto of my head
9. Try a new recipe once a month (3/12) Steak Bites 5* - Stove Top Macaroni & Cheese 5* -
10. Try something different at a restaurant twice (1/2) First time at Outback and I decide to try their “Bloomin Onion Burger!” I was scared, but it turned out to be pretty good.
11. Drink Coffee
12. Drink Hot Chocolate
13. Give Up Soda for a week (7/7 days)
14. Try cooking a Steak


Spiritual Goals
15. Memorize 5 Bible Verses (0/5) (1 Peter 2:10,
16. Fast every 2 weeks for the year (0/52 weeks)


Dog Training/Wellness Goals
17. Bath Dogs Once a Month (9/12 months)
18. Vaccinate Dogs for 2010
19. Get Dogs in for a complete health check up
20. Groom Dogs Once a week (10/17 wks)
21. Train Pet Dogs twice a week (0/17 wks)
22. Take Texas to obedience/classes for reactive dogs
23. Purchase and Read “When Pigs Fly” or “Control Unleashed”
24. Raise Another Service Dog/Guide Dog Puppy January 5, 2010 Pompei Arrived
25. Set strict schedule for new puppy
26. Socialize “Service Dog Pup” 3 times a week (45/52 wks)
27. Replace Wet Noz Dog Bowls Purchased several smaller ceramic bowls for dachshunds.
28. Board dogs during Knoxville Camp Meeting 2010 - #fail


Financial Goals
29. Set Strict Budget
30. Save $10 a month (4/12 months)
31. Use Debit Card for Gas/Online Purchases Only
32. 
33. Get Pre-Approved for Auto Loan
34. Purchase newer bigger vehicle


Educational Goals
35. Start School – Spring 2010
36. A-B for All Classes taken Spring 2010
37. DO NOT SKIP CLASS FOR NON SICK/EMERGENCY REASONS
38. Dedicate 1-2 hours daily for classes
39. Register for Summer or/and Fall 2010 classes EARLY 


Personal Goals
40. Limit Home Computer Time to 3-4 Hours for 1 week (0/8days)
41. Get up an hour early for 1 week 8AM (0/8 days)
42. Respond to Emails Promptly
43. Create Small scrapbook for Midnight
44. Keep Dad’s car neat and Cleaned
45. Wash and Detail once a month for as long as I drive it
46. Find air freshener that doesn’t give me a headache
47. Use Camera Daily for a month and Blog (0/31 days)
48. Start/finish a small crochet project
49. Print Scrapbook Pages
50. Start and Complete Jigsaw Puzzle
51. Mount and Frame Jigsaw Puzzle
52. Practice Piano Weekly (1/26 weeks)
53. Blog Once a week (26/26 weeks)
54. Subscribe to a Magazine
55. Join PaperBackSwap
56. Visit either Florida or Arkansas
57. Go to Dollywood
58. Print out and check off This List
59. Do not redo this list
60. Start another 101 List
61. Buy a Plant and keep it alive for at LEAST a month - Bought on 12/22 - 1/22
62. Visit Asheville every 1-2 months
63. Volunteer to do something Non-Dog Related


Wish List Purchases
64. Purchase 1 Leather collar from Wish List
65. Purchase a Playstation 2 & Sly Cooper series
66. Buy second memory card for Camera
67. Purchase Porch Décor: Table/Chairs, plants etc..
68. Purchase Curtains for Living Room
69. Purchase Furminator
70. Purchase wire crate Cover
71. Purchase one more Molly Mutt Dog bed Duvet
72. Purchase new laptop
73. Buy something from Etsy
74. New Camera Lens (50mm 2.8)
75. Purchase either Light Umbrellas or Flash
76. Go Shopping in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge
77. Complete Christmas Shopping Early


Family and Friends
78. Email/Contact Grandparents once a month (2/12 months)
79. Make some memories with Family
80. Take more photos of family
81. Compliment my siblings at least once a week (1/17wks)
82. Hang out with friends once a week for 6 months (24/26 weeks)
83. Email/Text/IM/call with out of town friends once a week (4/26 weeks)
84. 
85. Ride with Family without complaint
86. Pay for Non-Family member to participate in something
87. Do something parent asks without complaint
88. Pre-Purchase Birthday Presents for Family/Friends (4/10)


Home Décor Goals
89. Move out of current place
90. Remove Ugly Green Couch or leave it when I move
91. Paint Kitchen or Decorate to match
92. Setup Garbage Pickup
93. Recycle More
94. Purchase Runner or Door Mats
95. Print Photos and Display in House
96. Replace Bed Ensemble
97. Purchase Light for Closet (12-24-09)
98. Print Large Photograph and Display 
99. Purchase Storage Ottoman from Target


Habits
100. Be 10 minutes early to work for a month (0/12 days)
101. Don’t be afraid to say “No I can’t do....”

Goals for This Week

Gee where to start........ 

Since my schedule has been hacked, chopped up, and glued back together. I have to make doubly sure I'm up on time and prepared this week.

I was really proud of myself getting up at ...get this...7:30AM not only that, but I was able to walk the dogs BEFORE i left for work. Now if only I could have a repeat performance tomorrow...only this time at 6:30AM.....

Anyways This Week I need to: 

• Go to bed early - Every night (heehee)
• Get up early (HAHAHAHAHA)
• Walk dogs before work 
• Make Grocery list for Month
• Call potential Foster family 
• Keep up my daily photos 
• Laundry
• Drink Water ...daily 

And that's at the very least....

6 Unimportant Things that make me Happy

Saw this on another blog, and decided to give it ago myself:

1. Ice Cream
   
2. Digital Scrapbooking
   
3. Watching my dogs have fun
   
4. A Good book
   
5. Puppies
   
6. Comments on my blog :D