February Goal Review

{ Goal One }  Walk 10,000 steps every day in February!  --  I totally failed on this one.  I did up my steps, but not enough.  I am going to carry this over to next month, but maybe make it a week and not the whole month. Eventually, move the goal up to a month.  Small steps!
{Goal Two }   Buy a New Fridge! – I haven’t done it yet.  With all the stupid weather, I haven’t been able to make it back to Home Depot to do the measurements on it to make sure it will fit.
{Goal Three }Read Three Two Books -- I finished "Educated" by Tara Westover,  "I was Amelia Earhart" by Jane Mendelsohn.  I read two, not quite my goal, but I did read.



{Goal Four }  Clean Out My Car  -- I didn’t do it.  Moving the task to next month. 


{Goal Five }  Create a Savings Plan and Implement it. -- I have set up a savings plan.  My goal is to save 10% of my net income from all sources each month.  I have it set up through my bank account for the next three months.  It is starting today since the last day of the month is my pay day.  I am saving all my change in a jar.  I am going to cash this in around November.  It's going to be my extra Christmas money stash.

 How’d you do this month with your goals?

Winter Blues

Struggles.  They are real.  I am struggling with me.  I wasn’t, but now I am.  I bought batteries for that silly little scale of mine and now I feel blah.  The seasonal depression has gotten a hold of me.  I love the snow, I love the weather, but the fact that things keep getting canceled and I’m stuck at home, it’s making me blah. 

I looked at the number on the scale and it hit me hard.  It doesn’t help with someone at work (not a coworker) constantly tells me my butt is big (I mean, I know it is, it’s an advantage with the sport I play).  It doesn’t help when the same person tells me there is a lot of snow on the mountain (yes, I know I have dry skin, the winter makes it so much worse).  It doesn’t help when the same person thinks it’s amusing to throw paper clips and my banana chips down my shirt.  (Not funny).  Maybe, I’m just over it.  It’s not how you flirt.   I’m not a complainer, but sometimes you just want UGH to people! 

I can’t online date because every single app has the stalker ex neighbor that will not get the hint.  He thinks changing his online name to his dogs name will throw me for a loop.  I know your dog’s name, we were neighbors.  Just leave me alone so I can find someone who doesn’t have weird dreams about me that they think I need to know. 

So, the weight thing, my goal is 10% of my body weight.  Small steps.  I am tracking everything that I am consuming with my FitBit app.  I’m being honest with myself.  Yesterday was the first day I was on target.  Yay!  Most days I am under.  Which is just as much a problem as being over.   My first weigh in date was on Monday, since that’s when I purchased the batteries for my scale.  We will call that weight zero.  Anything lost will be shown as a negative, any gains a positive sign.  We want to be losers.  I will start a page on the blog so I can track the things.

The online dating thing:  is there a block feature?  I can figure that out, right? 

I’m reaching my goals that I put out for February, which is helping me get out of the funk.  Once I get more sunshine in my life, it will be so much better.  Being out side and active.  I am planning and doing fun things in March.  I complete one more circle around the sun. 

How do you beat the winter blues and funk?

Another Short Week....

February is a month for holidays if you work for the state government.  I appreciate all the days off, especially when the weather wants to make you just stay in bed all day.  Monday was our last holiday for the month, President's Day.  Alli and Peyton had this day off also.  They had the Friday off because of a teacher work day.  Four day weekend for them. 

We've had so much snow this year.  I know others are complaining and hating on it, but I actually love it.  It's lovely to look at and I don't mind the cold that much.  More snow is expected this afternoon/evening.  My only issue is people driving that do not have cars suitable for the weather conditions and they get stuck. 

I mailed my package for the Book Swap.  I ended up getting In Cold Blood by Truman Capote for a book set in Kansas.  I picked up Gates BBQ sauce, Jack Stack BBQ Sauce, some Russell Stovers Chocolate, Zum products and Roasterie  Coffee.  All products manufactured in Kansas/Kansas City.  I grab a dip mix that featured the Wicked Witch, I felt if I didn't mention the Wizard of Oz somewhere, I wasn't really from Kansas. Gates BBQ is my favorite.  Their sweet & mild sauce...so yummy.  I sent the original flavor though.  I went way over on my $25 limit. Eck!  It should arrive to her on Thursday. 

 I have two friends that are competing in the Battle of the States Roller Derby Tournament in Philadelphia this week.  I got them a little gift of good luck.  Those Tiger Balm patches, seriously, the best.  I know both of them will represent Team Kansas well and I am super excited for them.

The cats are so lazy.  I picked up the red buffalo check blanket at Hy-vee this weekend.  It is super soft.  The cats agree.  They don't want to move from the couch.  I have a lot of blankets on my couch for the kids and the cats. They all enjoy them.

I received two more postcards from Postcrossing.  One of them left me their address to write back.  I probably will since we seem to have a lot in common from our profiles.  I enjoy snail mail.  I try to participate in swaps and exchanges via blogs and instagram when I can.  I sent four postcards off:  UK, Slovakia, Germany and Russia.  I send a lot of cards to Russia.

How was your long weekend?  Did you have a long weekend?  How's the snow going 'round your area?

Friday is my favorite day

Happy Snowy Friday!  In the picture below, you should be able to see two hospitals.  You can see none.  The snow is already sticking to the highway.  Who cannot wait until their drive home?!  Me!!  We are estimated to get 6 inches!  How's the snow in your area?  I much prefer snow over ice.  Plus, it's so pretty.  I just have to run to the store before I go home, then I don't intend to go anywhere else tonight.  I'm  thinking about doing a little rearranging of furniture in the front room.  What are your plans for Friday?

 I ended up in the middle of a kibben cat struggle this morning.  They play a little rough and my foot got in the way.  The cat in the picture is not the culprit.  It was actually the little tortie that got my foot and she looked remorseful once she did it.  She was probably thinking she wouldn't get any meow mix if she didn't feel bad. 

Friday Favorites!

1.   I had a three day work week! 

2.  For Valentine's Day, my daughter cleaned the kitchen!

3.  I received two postcards in the mail!

4.  I finished "Educated", have you read it?  What is your opinion?

5.  School conferences are finished and the reports were pretty swell.  Except one, but that's another story all on it's own.

Enjoy your weekend!  Keep warm!

Zombie Burger -- Des Moines, Iowa

We left around 8 am for our adventure to Milwaukee.  It was cold.  I was in the back seat.  Eck!  Our first stop was at Zombie Burger in Des Moines, Iowa.  It's a fun restaurant with a Zombie theme.  All their burgers have fun names.  Mine was Trailor Trash.  It had cheese, fried pickles and fried cheese curds on it.  It was so dangerously delcious.  They have vegan options.  My vegan friends liked the Negan.  IF you are ever in Des Moines, give it a go.  It's not terribly expensive.  It has a sit down restaurant and a quick service side. 

 The Menu

 I sent the soylent Green picture to a friend as she was going on about Soylent Greens are people last week.  She said the greens were really gross.  Meaning people are really gross to eat.  But we are at a Zombie restaurant.

 Friends!

 Trailer Trash Burger

 Our new teammate.  We were tempted to put her in the car with us.

 Dawna's new BBF!

We haven't had a full week of school all year....

We haven't had a full week of school all year long.  The snow and ice are making a lot of appearances this year.  I am okay with whatever.  My car can get me to work without a lot of problems (or any problems at all).  Slow and steady.  The other drivers weren't being a**holes, so that helps.  A lot.  The Kansas side of the city was taken care of pretty well.  Missouri was another story.  It is always like this.  My road is a private road, but someone has been salting and sanding it these past couple of weeks.  I have no idea who is doing it, but I'm extremely grateful for them.

I signed up for a Book Swap on Instagram.  The theme for this month is Local Love.  I've read a book recently that the setting was Kansas City and it's poorly written.  The grammar drove me bananas.  She had included Kansas City Roller Warriors in her book, but was totally off base with what kind of business we are.  I am going to write her and invite her to come to one of our games and see what the real deal is.  She made some horrible mistakes about Kansas City and the area.  She said you had to cross a river to get from Overland Park to Kansas City, KS.....the answer is no.  There is not a river dividing the counties.  My book swap person likes mysteries and crime books.  I am going to get her Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood"  The setting is Kansas.  We also send our swap person local things.  I have some ideas and I'm excited to go shopping.  She is from Virginia and they are currently experiencing 80 degrees right now.  I'm jealous.

poorly written Kansas City setting book

My daughter did a project on the Norse Universe.  She can't draw, so I drew her the tree with the levels of the Norse Universe.  She gave me the information to draw from.  She did all the painting and wording. 

 

 Let's do a little throwback Thursday.  This picture was taken on Sunday.  It was 60 plus degrees! 

I Broke It Before I got it Home!

We’ve made it halfway through the week!  I have a five day weekend coming up.  I took Friday off for travels to Milwaukee and I took Monday off for rest and that we have a holiday on Tuesday.  I figured just make it a mini vacation while only using two vacation days.

Work has been a little slow.  We’ve had an abundance of non-english speaking people in this week. 

I played in three derby games over the weekend.  It was a lot of fun.  I was practicing for the tournament in March. J

My insurance sent an email regarding a program called Naturally Slim, I signed up for it, as well as a few coworkers.  So far it seems a little kookie.  Maybe once I get into it a little more it will seem legit.  I did read reviews on it and most of them seemed to be positive.  Does anyone have experience with this program?  How'd you like it?  I can't complain too much since it's free.  They did send me a workbook and a tape measure.  I have yet to measure all my body parts though.

My FitBit Band broke.  I ordered a new one off of Amazon in Tiffany Blue.  I have no idea why I picked that color.  It looked pretty and not my norm.  Tiny step out of the box.

For Christmas I received an Utensil Holder.  I immediately broke it by dropping it on the floor :(  I started looking around to replace it.  Wal-Mart had them for $11, but they had been discontinued, so I look to Amazon.  Amazon is charging $35 for it.  WTH?

I do a little more shopping around find a whole set of items (including the utensil holder) for $59.  It was on Walmart.com and I can pick it up in the store.  It's a darn good deal and I don't have to buy each piece separately.  I already own the four piece measuring cup set, but it doesn't hurt to have more than one. (Or I can always give as a gift or something)  I've been super cleaning out my kitchen, getting rid of broken and non-used items.  I'm making great progress.  I have a lot of items on my wish list.  I need a nice set of knives and a new canister set (mine is 15ish years old! and I don't have the matching plates anymore)  My big thing for the kitchen is getting a new fridge.  Mine is old and it's not working as it should, meaning lots of trips to the grocery store each week.  I have an eye on one at Home Depot.  It has the French Doors and freezer at the bottom.  Delivery is free from Home Depot and they will haul my old fridge away for $20.

How is your week going?  Any exciting plans coming up?

I have scrimmage and practice tonight for our games this weekend.  Practice was canceled yesterday due to the ice.  I didn't have any ice around me, but I heard some areas of Kansas City were bad.  Better safe than sorry.

I want Pizza, not your opinion.

Honestly, I should have purchased this little sign for my desk at work.  It’s perfect for me.  I like pizza a lot. J

A game for me!  I might have to go back and get it.  I love Bingo and I love cats!  Perfect combo.  Who is up for a game of Cat Bingo with me?

My mom’s birthday turned out perfectly!  I left work around noon.   I had an AT&T repair appointment.  My lines are finally repaired and since it took them eight months to complete it, I get $20 off my bill for a year.  My cousin’s flight got in early.  She text me from the plane and let me know and I was up there by the time she got off the plane and picked up her bags from the claim area.

We arrived at my mom’s house about 20 minutes before my mom got home.  My cousin hide down the hallway, so my mom thought I had just gotten there early because I left work to get my Uverse fixed.  My cousin stepped out of the hallway and my mom was so excited!  She was smiling from ear to ear. 

We ended up going shopping for a tad bit before our reservation at Firebirds.  This steakhouse is amazing.  My ended up getting the steak.  I got a perfectly prepared burger.  Tons of sides and appetizers.  My mom and Jackie drank all their wine.  (I was the driver).  I’m glad this made my mom happy.

I filled up my mom’s wine rack.  I need to go to Trader Joe’s and pick up a few more bottles for her.

Happy Birthday to my mom, I’m glad it was a good one. 

**February Goals**

{ Goal One }

Walk 10,000 steps every day in February!

{Goal Two }

Buy a New Fridge!

{Goal Three }

Read Three Books

{Goal Four }

Clean Out My Car

{Goal Five }

Create a Savings Plan and Implement it.

What are you goals for this month?


And Happy Friday everyone!  The temps are raising just in time for the weekend!  Thank goodness!  It's my mother's birthday and I have a surprise in store for her.  I'm picking up my cousin at the airport (she's flying in from Seattle) this afternoon and we are taking my mom to dinner.  I was going to take her to dinner anyway and now we have her best friend joining us!  She is going to be so surprised.  I think the plan is steak.  We'll have to find a place.
My AT&T Service has been out for a couple of days.  It's an area outage.  They told me when it got really cold, it messed up some of the lines and they had to redo them.  I have a service appointment today with them for unrelated matter, but I'm not sure we can even do it since there is no service at this time in my area. 
I got my Kansas Tax Refund already.  I checked my bank account this morning to make sure all my things went through and that was a nice surprise.  It's not a lot.  It's the excess amount I pay into Missouri.  I work in Missouri but live  in Kansas.  I had to have my debit card replaced yesterday.  The chip was bad and it kept declining all my purchases.  I called the bank and they said they weren't even receiving the info from my card and the chip was not working.  Thank goodness the bank branches make the debit cards now.I'll be playing in three derby games this weekend.  One with the Vixens.  My loves.  And the other two with a mashup team on Sunday.  Hopefully that will be fun.
What's going on with your weekend?