My Year of 24.....cutting to the chase!

so other than my procrastinated Christmas letter, I haven’t updated this blog since The Great Leaf Blowing Rant of August 27^th. and I haven’t acknowledged anything about my Year of 24 since the end of July (whose post was 12 days late). but you kind readers know me……you know I get somewhat obsessed about something and it kinda takes over my life……and therefore my time!

this is not going to be one of those insanely long “let’s tell them what they’ve missed posts”………just know that it was a lot and most of it starts off with “I woke up way to early and put on my running shoes.” perhaps during the bleak days of January I can tell you about all the fun you have missed!

instead, this will be an overall Year of 24 review so we can all see where I succeeded and where I failed……cuz wasn’t that the purpose of the whole thing? and, as a reminder…….somewhere along the way I realized that some of my goals changed.

24 scrapbook layouts

when I stopped counting in July, I was at 23 layouts for the year. I know that since then I haven’t attended any crops but I do know that I have 2 layouts on my table that are just waiting for journaling. so…….pretty darn close on this one! I’m going to call it good.

scrapbook purchasing versus usage was a subset of the layout count. I wanted to focus on using what I have and not buying more stuff. thankfully as I started focusing on other interests, I was smart enough to stop buying a bunch of crafty things. I picked up a few things for the card kit swap I was in but that is about it. unfortunately, I also stopped doing a lot of crafty stuff. so I am not sure I gained anything here.

24 cards for Operation Write Home

this one was aced pretty quickly in the year. by July, I had completed 63 cards and have continued to make a minimum of 3 cards per month for them. CHECK!

24 pounds lost

how bad is it that I stopped paying attention to this sometime around September? I still watched was I was eating and made sure to exercise but it seems to be more how I feel and look now…..and how well my body can handle everything I am throwing at it.

that being said……..you think I missed this one and am justifying it?!?!? oh, no! 32 pounds lost and never to be found again my friends! I expect another 10-15 to disappear during 2014 as I work towards not being the last person to finish the triathlons I have signed myself up for. (yes.......you read that right!)

24 Dolly walks

I know I was a bad puppy parent. Dolly did not get 24 walks from me per month. I did get the boys to step up and help out more by the end of the year than at the beginning so that alleviates some of my guilt. and since the secondary purpose of this goal was to get ME out for 24 walks per month, I think we can call it good, right?!?!?  

according to Endomondo, when I wrote this around the middle of December, Dolly and I together took 247 walks/runs and went 703 miles in 2013. I never used the program unless she was with me. our average distance was about 3 miles. not shabby!

I will also tell you here……..in case you haven’t actually spoken with me in real life because I have been telling just about everyone…….Dolly completed a half marathon in August! my dog rocks! she was a little pooped that afternoon, but she was a trooper through the entire run……often telling me in her adorable way that I was going to slow and to pick up the pace! (Dolly and I had just finished a 10K......she isn't even winded!)

24 blog posts

shocking…….not including THIS post, I had 32 posts in 2013! imagine what would have happened if I had continued to post on a regular basis?!?!? (bad blogger! bad bad blogger!)

if you remember……ha!.........I didn’t put a number on the books read. in fact, I commented that perhaps I needed to lay off the books a bit to accomplish the other goals I had set for myself. but since most of my book reading takes place on the train to and from work or at lunch, it wasn’t really impacted by my slight obsession with running. therefore it should come as no surprise that I read 66 books in 2013. and dang there were some good ones!! maybe I should do a review of a few sometime during those bleak days of January?!?!?

thanks for going along for the ride (did I tell you I even did a 30 mile bike ride in 2013??? probably should talk about that too, huh??). please feel free to harass me if you don’t hear from me or my blog in a timely manner during 2014. I’ve already started color coding my calendar to keep track of things so you know it is gonna be an adventure!

Year of 24 - Month (oh geez!!!) 7

well........perhaps by the fact that this is being posted ELEVEN DAYS into the next month, you might think that life has been busy......and you would be right! oh wow the days have been long trying to get in training after work and still do all those fun family summer activities.

Scrapbook layouts: 3 (goal of 2)
thanks to a ScrapVillage virtual crop over the long holiday weekend! since then, NADA!

Operation Write Home cards: 4 (goal of 2)
I did better than my goal, but not as good as I would have liked.

Scrapbook purchasing versus usage:
I don't remember buying any scrapbooking stuff. I looked......a lot......but didn't buy anything.

Pounds lost: possibly 2 or maybe 4 (goal of 2)
okay, so not sure whether I was being lazy or focusing on other things.....but I didn't keep track. the scale has moved and the pants got too big and I had to buy new clothes. that is the point so all is good!

Dolly walks: 18 (goal of 24)
I'm going backwards here. I need to focus on that more in August.....especially since Dolly has a half marathon to do later this month! that girl needs her training runs!

Blog posts: 4 (goal of 2)
another random month. I'd really love to get some book or movie reviews in here.....maybe September??

Books: 6
well lookie at that! guess we know where all of my time has gone! sheesh!! two running books and two Jojo Moyes books in there. quite the contrast but I'd recommend all of them!

11 days into August. I know I am on track with the cards, the reading, the not shopping, and hopefully the Dolly walking! we'll see soon! have a great month!

mid-year resolutions? courtesy @themotherrunner

first.........you have 2 days to enter the GIVEAWAY.....so you might want to go do that first.

second.......if you recall I set out to make 2014 the Year of 24 (dun dun dun!). it focused on a little scrapbooking (with less purchasing), a little weight loss, and a little Dolly walking. well, halfway in to the year I am doing pretty well on all accounts. Dolly isn't quite getting the 24 walks a month from ME, but she has put some serious mileage on her paws. funny, it is the scrapbooking that I am lagging the most on. probably because the focus has shifted. but that is okay too. I am still going to track my original goals (cuz I'm no quitter man!) but would like to see about tackling a new set provided buy the fun ladies over at Another Mother Runner.....A Virtual Aid Station.

third......or 13.1 to be exact: 

1. Run naked—no GPS, no music, no watch, no agenda—regularly. Could be once a week or once a quarter: whatever feels possible for you and your level of anal retentiveness. 

(whew! I thought they meant without CLOTHES!) most of the time I am listening to music or a podcast. I am not so super worried about time but like to know my finished distance. however, I can see where this is coming from.

 

2. If you haven’t run on a trail, do so. If you have, up the ante and try a trail race. 

I haven't. isn't Cheree going to be so excited when she gets that text: find me a trail race please! 

3. Find at least one new running route from your house. 

well, really ALL running routes from my house are really NEW ones, but as I have been pretty active in looking for new ways to get the miles in, I am comfy knowing this is continually happening. 

 

4. Promise yourself that if your knee, foot, IT band or other vital body part is feeling the destructive kind of pain on a run—you’re wincing or changing your stride or gutting it out—you won’t just plow forward with your training. You’ll do your best to figure out the cause, then foam roll, strengthen your hips, or do what you need to do until you’re not wincing, changing your stride, or gutting it out. Repeat after us: No running-induced injury ever got better by more running.

I promise! I use my knee brace religiously. and in fact, I bought a foam roller last week, watched and bookmarked that very video and plan to work very hard to prevent injuries!

5. When somebody asks you if you run, simply say yes. No qualifiers. Just this: “Yes, I am a runner.”

yes mom! I am a runner! a Bad Ass Mother Runner! 

6. Volunteer at one race, minimum.

already planning on volunteering at the California International Marathon and volunteered at the Positive Energy Kids Triathlon. made me start thinking how fun a triathlon would be! and of course Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without volunteering at the Sacramento Food Bank's Run to Feed the Hungry! perhaps this year I can volunteer AND run??

7. Run a race with just one goal: To take it all in. 

I want to say that is how I treated the Bay 2 Breakers. how can you not? and seriously.....you take it ALL in whether you want to or not! but I hadn't gone there thinking I was going to do anything other than start, finish, and enjoy myself in the middle. 

8. Set a numerical goal. Make it slightly ambitious, but still doable considering your schedule and running experience: Run X times weekly or monthly; race X times in 2013; run X miles monthly or yearly. Adding those little numbers is (almost) as fulfilling as a post-run high.

right after Boston, I joined a group whose goal was to do a bunch of 26.2s whether at one time or over the course of a period of time. I gave myself a week and made it even though Dolly and I had to push it on that last night. it was a little farther than the training plan but it felt good. I think that is what they mean here and I plan to keep setting various non-race related goals for myself. keeps things fun!

9. Pick one run a week, cut it short by 15 minutes and spend those 15 minutes strength training.

I'll think about it. currently I take Mondays to do strength training. this will probably tie in nicely to the Nike SF half training program.

10. If you run a marathon, don’t run at all for at least a week post race. After a 13.1, give yourself at least two days of no pounding. And then make your runs easy-peasy, no-more-than-30-minutes for at least three outings. Your legs will thank you—and us.

well.....I was kinda forced to after the American River Parkway half when I flew off for work......except that I managed to get in to the hotel gym twice. I figured between sitting in the conference all day after the plane ride out there I would need to get the blood flowing! maybe after Running with the Bears??

11. Whether they’re on foot or bike, have your kiddos join you on a run. They set the pace and distance, of course. 

okay, this one is FUNNY!!! I realize they view "kiddos" as those cute adorable little rascals that can sit on your lap and still finger paint. both my "kiddos" are taller than me. one doesn't do ANYTHING at a pace quicker than a "too cool for school" boy and the other I have decided is going to be my biking coach for next year's triathlon. HE had to slow down for ME last week! but......he did set the distance. (however, I will state here that I am currently beating them both at the 30 Ab Challenge. gotta get SOME props!)

12. Ask a friend to run. If she’s a newbie, pace her nice and slow—a run/walk combo is a great call—and go a little longer than she thinks she can. Before you part ways, set up specifics (time, date, place) for your next run together.

yeah! totally done this! remember me convincing Lori to do the Spirit of Benny 10K? that was her first race. she was working up to a 5K at the time! she also did the Parkway Half and will be doing the Davis Moonlight Half. and poor Jenn got suckered into the Bay to Breakers and Davis Moonlight too. I am wondering when she is going to start ignoring my texts!

13. On those days when you’re hit with the there’s.just.no.way.I.have.the.energy.to.run blahs, head out for half of a mile; if you’re still not feeling it, you can turn around, and you still got in one mile.

this has already happened several times. there are days (usually every 4 weeks on the dot......) that I wanna just curl up under the quilt. THOSE are the days that this one comes in to play! and yes, a couple times I have gone out for just a mile. it's okay.

.1. Tell a friend about the another mother runner tribe. 

okay....I'm telling you! I've told a couple others already.....one isn't even a mother! lol! but who can resist a great group of supportive women?

so......not bad overall, right? probably helpful that I am new to all this. I think that trail run is going to be the most "off the beaten path" item for me. I am not a dirt girl. wonder if that Merrell Down & Dirty Mud Run Cheree made me sign up for would count as a trail run?? still shocked I signed up for that!

2. If you haven’t run on a trail, do so. If you have, up the ante and try a trail race. The vibe is so different than a road run or race, you owe it to yourself to give it a whirl.
3. Find at least one new running route from your house. (If your options are limited, at least run your regular route backwards.)
4. Promise yourself that if your knee, foot, IT band or other vital body part is feeling the destructive kind of pain on a run—you’re wincing or changing your stride or gutting it out—you won’t just plow forward with your training.You’ll do your best to figure out the cause, then foam roll, strengthen your hips, or do what you need to do until you’re not wincing, changing your stride, or gutting it out. Repeat after us: No running-induced injury ever got better by more running.
5. When somebody asks you if you run, simply say yes. No qualifiers—I’m so slow, I just started, I only do 5K’s—allowed. None. Just this: “Yes, I am a runner.”
6. Volunteer at one race, minimum.
7. Run a race with just one goal: To take it all in. Leave all thoughts of numbers behind and high-five every spectator you can; chat up your fellow runners; check out the scenery; don’t curse the lines at the Port-a-Potties; see if you can snag an excellent finish line pic. (And if that’s your usual M.O., for one race focus more on the clock and yourself: What are you capable of?)
8. Set a numerical goal. Make it slightly ambitious, but still doable considering your schedule and running experience: Run X times weekly or monthly; race X times in 2013; run X miles monthly or yearly. Adding those little numbers is (almost) as fulfilling as a post-run high.
9. Pick one run a week, cut it short by 15 minutes and spend those 15 minutes strength training: Lunge, squat, push-up, plank, crunch, triceps dip…you know the drill. Better yet: if the weather is cooperating, stop your run 5 minutes from the end, get in some strength at a park or quiet street, then finish up the run. (Promise, nobody cares if you’re lunging down the sidewalk.) If you want something more challenging, check out Sarah in Get Ripped Like a Mother.

10. If you run a marathon, don’t run at all for at least a week post race. After a 13.1, give yourself at least two days of no pounding. And then make your runs easy-peasy, no-more-than-30-minutes for at least three outings. Your legs will thank you—and us.
11. Whether they’re on foot or bike, have your kiddos join you on a run. They set the pace and distance, of course. And you make it fun: can you get to that stop sign? Can you sing and run at the same time? Can you run for 30 seconds then skip for 30 seconds? Can you beat me? (If you have to hold yourself back to let your kid win, soak it up, mother runner. Guessing it, like most beauties of childhood, doesn’t last long enough.)
12. Ask a friend to run. If she’s a newbie, pace her nice and slow—a run/walk combo is a great call—and go a little longer than she thinks she can. Before you part ways, set up specifics (time, date, place) for your next run together.
13. On those days when you’re hit with the there’s.just.no.way.I.have.the.energy.to.run blahs, head out for half of a mile; if you’re still not feeling it, you can turn around, and you still got in one mile.
.1. Tell a friend about the another mother runner tribe. 
- See more at: http://anothermotherrunner.com/2013/07/04/running-resolutions-running-goals/#sthash.Cx0IqNQK.dpuf

The Year of 24 - Month 6

zoom.....that was the sound of June swooshing by!

Scrapbook layouts: 2 (goal of 2)
did them at a friend's house. I still need to finish them up (titling and journaling) scrapbooking wasn't a high priority this month.

Operation Write Home cards: 4 (goal of 2)
also got in a birthday and anniversary card. hey, better than I did on the layouts!

Scrapbook purchasing versus usage:
18 rolls of washii tape and some doily tape.....which I am using right now on a card for a card swap! score!

Pounds lost: 4.4 (goal of 2)
I am doing more exercise but eating more. I have noticed a nightly pattern.....all willpower goes to bed at 7pm. sadly, I am still up a few more hours....nom nom nom!

Dolly walks: 20 (goal of 24)
better than May! Thursday and Friday seem to be my downfall. probably due to social obligations like baseball and exhaustion from the week......the freakin' heat hasn't been my friend either! Dolly hasn't been enjoying the hot humidity either. yesterday she lagged the entire run/walk and then came home to the air conditioning and zinged around the living room.

Blog posts: 4 (goal of 2)
not bad. not really focusing on the blog. keeping a list of ideas.....I probably should use some of them, huh?? but I WILL have a nice special blog post tomorrow!!

Books: 2
finally finished Telegraph Avenue! that book was pure torture to read and on top of it I had to wait for it 3 times from the library to finish! also Red Velvet Cupcake Murder. am reading Run Like a Mother right now. seems the more exercise I get the less reading I get done. lol!

July's struggle is probably all going to be heat related. the weather has just been icky. I do have a half marathon in 2 weeks. a NIGHT TIME half....but it starts at 6pm so right in the worst of the heat. please cross your fingers it isn't too hot!

The Year of 24 - Month 5

a day late in posting this.....or 2 days depending on when you think I was supposed to post my monthly update!  I'll assume I can use the boys' birthdays as an excuse? but I don't think that is the truth. life overall has been slammed and May was no exception to that! hey, I did my first half marathon people......and then flew out of town the next day for work.

Scrapbook layouts: 0 (goal of 2)
seriously! no time to scrap!

Operation Write Home cards: 5 (goal of 2)
but only because I am in the card kit swap. (thank you Peggy for the great kit!)

Scrapbook purchasing versus usage:
I don't recall making any purchases this past month. I haven't had TIME to shop......well for craft supplies at least!



Pounds lost: 1.6 (goal of 2)
guess this is the aftermath from being SUPER vigilant in April?!?! might also be a result of being so busy and trying to step up my workout. I think my appetite my have stepped up more than the working out has been burning off. but I am glad to see on paper that I have not been progressing. maybe it will be what I need to get on track in June?

Dolly walks: 14 (goal of 24)
well.....that is what Endomondo says. and it is probably right considering I did 2 races without Dolly (American River Parkway and Bay to Breakers - forgot to mention that, didn't I? crazy last minute....it was fun and should be its own blog post) thankfully the boys......including Jeff......have been walking her too. I am not sure how it is going to go now that summer (and the 100+ heat) is here. Dolly wasn't happy on our walk yesterday and it didn't even break 90 while we were out. but I am fine with later night walks........as long as they are before my bedtime! lol!!


Blog posts: 3 (goal of 2)
I only got 3 posts........and one was actually written in April. (please see comments about the races and working out and being busy with work.....)

Books: 3
great month for books! 3 really good books.....and a lot of magazines, to be honest! The Girls of Atomic City was a really great story (true story)......I don't know that I would have written/compiled it the way the author did, but I loved hearing about the women who worked on such a huge project without knowing what they were involved in!

June is another month.......and I am already 2 days in to it....guess I better go walk Dolly, scrapbook, make cards, read books, and find things to blog about!

The Year of 24 - Month 4

Scrapbook layouts: 2 (goal of 2)

and this is only because of the crop day the last weekend of the month. seriously! no time to scrap!

Operation Write Home cards: 2 (goal of 2)
yeah well.......I made my goal, right?

Scrapbook purchasing versus usage:
this needs to stop........but it did slow down during April. I am back to just not buying at all. no scrapbooking = no buying!
Pounds lost: 6 (goal of 2)
I did a whole lot better this month at minimizing my bad days and more walking......well only 4 more miles (which seems low since I felt like I was doing more)...... probably joining Dietbetters gave a little "umph" to my efforts!

Dolly walks: 22 (goal of 24)
missed by 2.....but Dolly didn't notice! we hit 10 miles on 2 separate occasions. now she is crazy trying to get in to the car thinking we are heading out for a trek! being down and out with a nasty cold in the middle of the month and the start of baseball season (Go River Cats!) didn't help either. I am starting to think this goal might be unrealistic but am going to keep it because getting Dolly out is important!

Blog posts: 3 (goal of 2)
recap, National Grilled Cheese Day, and a really gross recipe memory......what an odd month! I have a few blog ideas planned for the future so hopefully you will see them soon! I also did write another blog post but it was as a guest on another site. it hasn't been published yet but I will psot here once that has happened.

Books: 4
(although Goodreads only shows 3 for some reason.....)
of course Lover at Last from JR Ward was my favorite of the month. but, I really enjoyed all the books I read in April. it was a good book month! I would highly recommend The Girls From Ames. excellent book about friendships.

so looking back on April, it seemed like a pretty good month! too bad it flew by so quickly!

The Year of 24 - Month 3

Scrapbook layouts: 6 (goal of 2)

and this is only because of that crop weekend right as the month started. otherwise, nada....zipo.....ziltch!

Operation Write Home cards: 14 (goal of 2)
I really really think I made more than this. probably because I made several cards this month that were not sent to OWH.

Scrapbook purchasing versus usage:
let's not think about this right now okay........PeachyCheaps!

Pounds lost: 1 (goal of 2)
yeah, well.......I walked a whole lot more but I also had a lot more days where I was "just over" a bit on calories. funny how that works out. but I am totally upping my game for April! I joined a dieting bet. and I don't like losing bets.

Dolly walks: 23 (goal of 24)
Just shy one. not bad considering how many days I wasn't home until late or whatever. in addition to walking Dolly, I completed my first 10K and hit the treadmill two days.

Blog posts: 5 (goal of 2)
and, unlike February, I am happy with the content of my posts: zits, my 10K, people who are idiots, and a reminder about a really fun charity event! add a book and/or movie review and I would be really happy. maybe in April???

Books: 4
I am completely fine with this number. like I said, one a week is right on track for me! I finally got to finish up Charlotte au Chocolat. it was an interesting look at growing up in the food service industry. I kept forgetting that it wasn't decades ago. it always seemed like that. I got a little more reading done in Telegraph Avenue but had to return it (again). maybe I'll get it finished the next time around?

I think my favorite book for March was Tiger Lily. it was about the girl that Peter Pan loved before Wendy. I guess I am a sucker for those alternative story lines?!?

AND.......I am currently reading Lover at Last from JR Ward! I will tell you now.....it will be my favorite book of April! lol!

The Year of 24 - Month 2

Scrapbook layouts: 4 (goal of 2)
with all the challenges posted this month I thought I would have done more. however, I did spend a long weekend making cards, so that did take some of my scrapbooking time.

Operation Write Home cards: 25 (goal of 2)
thanks to the Presidents' Weekend Virtual Card Making Party, I blew this goal out of the water!

Scrapbook purchasing versus usage:
maybe this shouldn't be a goal? I am doing a lot more crafting than I was and I am using the things I am buying so what is the harm? oh, you mean running out of room in my craft room is a problem? well, okay then. but seriously, I do think I will be slowing down. I am really enjoying rediscovering the stuff I have been collecting for too long now......evident by the use of SEI and GinX last month.

Pounds lost: 3 (goal of 2)
February was rather a sketchy month for both exercise and food. there were days that I did an awesome job at both and there were days where I completely blew it. so far I think I have been lucky to see a loss. I really need to get focused on this.......and better at planning!

Dolly walks: 24 (goal of 24)
I knew February was going to be difficult. between it being a shorter month and my business trip out of town, I really did better than I expected!
March on the other hand, better be an awesome month! I have that half marathon to train for......

Blog posts: 4 (goal of 2)
while I made my goal, I am not happy with the content. sure I loved showing off some recipes that I created and sure I loved helping my friends get a great pair of glasses just by paying shipping, but where are the posts about the great books I am reading or the amazing dinner we had at Mama Kims for Valentines day or the fun I had at The Taste dinner with Chef Pechal?
I'm working on it! February was a super busy month.

Books: 4
another blaming the short month of February for not getting much accomplished. but realistically, I am happy with 4 books. that is 1 per week and about where I want to be. another problem was that I *lost* a book for a couple weeks. so while I read half of it during February, I didn't get a chance to finish it.
of the four I read, I liked The Chimney Sweeper's Boy by Barbara Vine the best. it truly was a surprising book and while you should know early on what the end is going to be, she does such a great job of laying out the storyline that you still find yourself surprised when the twists and turns are revealed!

The Year of 24 - Month 1

Scrapbook layouts: 6 (goal of 2)
kept the momentum started with my Christmas vacation going. evens topped and went back to do the journaling on layouts I had completed at crops! now I just need to find the time to put them all away in albums! lol!

Operation Write Home cards: 9 (goal of 2)
in addition, I sent off 50+ cards that I had previously made or received in swaps.
even though my goal is 2/month, I'd really like to ship off another box by the end of March. hoping for 20+ cards to include. the challenges and sketches from OWH are really motivating!

Scrapbook purchasing versus usage:
well, I didn't do so good here. guess when you actually get back into it you realize you need to restock on things......like black cardstock and envelopes.......and 8 1/2 x 11 white cardstock so you don't cut up all your 12 x 12. but I am okay with it (as long as it doesn't continue for too long) because it WAS restocking things I will use and I DID get some quality crafting done.
just to forewarn you, though, February is gonna be bad too. I found a really nice QK sale on eBay and "invested" a little over $100 in dies.

Pounds lost: 4 (goal of 2)
I lost exactly 4 pounds in January. amazing considering all the eating I did.....and missed walks (you will see below). so I lost the 2 cold pounds and the 2 I wanted to lose. this bodes well for the remainder of the year I hope!

Dolly walks: 21 (goal of 24)
I thought I had done a little better than that, but with several birthday dinners, work events, etc, sometimes getting out was a struggle.
this is going to continue to be a challenge as I started training for a half marathon (walking) and it calls for two days of rest each week. Dolly doesn't go for the whole day off thing either so I am just trying to take it easy on those days.
honestly, I don't think I will make it in February either as I will be gone for 3 days on work.....that reduces my days available to 25 right off the bat. but, I am okay with my goal. it helps keep me focused on needing to get out walking!

Blog posts: 6 (goal of 2)
I realized that I should easily meet this goal as I will already have 1 recap post each month!!

Books: 4
according to Goodreads, I read 4 books in January. what it doesn't tell you is that I started 2 others but ran out of time and had to return one and forgot to update the site when I finished another. guess it will count towards February!
I read 2 really good books in January, both more on the serious side: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling and Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante. I would recommend reading both of them!

2013 - the Year of 24!

I know........it makes no sense.....but really, coming from me does that surprise you? and I wish I could have somehow made it 42........since that is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. but alas..........I'm stuck with 24!

no resolutions this year but a few goals.......or perhaps focusing points.

24 - the number of scrapbook layouts I would like to complete in 2013. that is 2 per month. I should be able to do that in a day, right?

• I don't know how to quantify it........but I would like to buy fewer scrapbook supplies than I use. like on a 2:4 ratio?!?!? that fits with the whole "24" theme, right?!?!? I can keep track of that on my scrapbook blog. I have done something similar to that in the past and it is SUCH a wake up call to realize how much more I was buying than using!
• I will qualify this in that adhesive and albums do not count..............I need albums and the world revolves around adhesive. I would include cardstock in this list of exceptions, but seriously.......have you seen how much cardstock I have?!?!
• additionally.........as part of the "fewer scrapbook supplies" I will not be including items that are given to me. I can't help it if Arlyn finds an awesome stash of "vintage" Scenic Route and graciously bestows it upon me. who am I to decline such a glorious present?!?!? likewise, I will not count as "used" anything I find a loving home for.

24 - the number of cards I would like to make for Operation Write Home........following the guidelines. I have a few cards they aren't getting because they were the wrong size! I totally remembered the "no glitter" but failed on the size thing...... the theory (or previous plan) was that when I completed a layout I would use the scraps to create a card. doing it right then and there! that is still the idea! 

• perhaps as a subset of this, I would also like to make Truth Cards for the Brave Girl Truth Card Exchange. no number assigned as I don't know how often they will put out calls for cards. I just think this would be an awesomely positive thing to do with my time, energy, and pathetically overly large amount of supplies.

24 - the number of pounds I want to lose in 2013. honestly, as of this morning the number is 26. I'm going to blame it on that "feed a cold" I had for a week where I felt like I was starving the entire time and assume (ha!) that I can drop those 2 fairly quickly............ and this goal is a bit vague in my own mind as I will be fine if I don't lose the 24 pounds if I *look* the way I think I will look at that weight..........you know, the whole "muscle weighs more than fat" thing. I lost 1 1/2 pants sizes last year and want to do the same thing this year........THAT is the goal and I think it is about 24 pounds worth. got it?!?!?

24 - the number of walks I want to take Dolly on every month. (see how I changed from year to month there?!?!??) really the number should be how many days there are in any given month........but gotta give myself a couple days that it just doesn't happen! 

one more...........

24 - the number of BLOG POSTS I want to write in 2013!!! hey! what a concept! have a blog - POST ON IT!!!! alright.......I know, I know. but really now.....I did 32 in 2012. so I can do 24, right?

then the question of whether to add a reading point here. it would be easy to say "24 - the number of books I want to read in 2013." but seriously........I read more than 50 books at over 16,000 pages in 2012. that isn't really stretching myself now is it?!?! but perhaps it is (please excuse me while I ramble)........the time to scrapbook, card make, exercise, etc has to come from somewhere, right?!?!? perhaps it needs to come from reading? (aaack! gag! gasp! blech!) this is something to think about.......not commit to.......when I am done hyperventilating........and reading the 5 library books I currently have that are due back at various times between now and the 21st of January.

do you have any "goals", "focus points", or........."resolutions" for 2013? no matter......I wish you a happy and healthy 2013.

btw, if you want a quick way to check up on my progress, I plan to use the label "my 24" for any posts related to these goals.