Wednesday, December 31, 2014

New Year's Resolutions

 
 
 
How many people actually met their 2014 New Year's Resolution goals?
 
 
Ha. I probably gained more, spent more, ... !
 
 
 
 
 
Since I've started this whole blogging thing, I must admit, it helps me stay more aware of goals and little things I want to do. Here's hoping my 2015 goals will be somewhat more productive!

 
 
 
1. Lose weight
 
I know, shocker right? That's probably the first "to do" on everyone's resolution list. That never gets accomplished. The quote above says it all. If you want it, work for it.
 
 
 
2. Travel more

 
 
I am always busy with something. I don't know what I will ever do when I have kids. My own schedule is packed to the max. I do want to spend more time exploring and traveling, even if only little places around me. I went to (or through) Louisiana, Texas, Nebraska, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina last year and the only thing I have to say for myself is I went to the bathroom in all of those states. I did very little "just me" activities.
 
 
3. Listen to my favorite music more
 
 
I listen to A LOT of music. But it's not all for me. Trust me - You Tube the "Chichester Psalms" and you'll understand why that's not for me. It will scare you. I usually try to listen to recordings of all the music I will be learning and performing to get it in my ear. The "riding in my car" music usually consists of K-Love because as a marketer I'm in and out of the car all of the time, and it's just too hard to get into my music. So this resolution is simply, listen to the music YOU want to hear.
 
 
 
4. Grow my blog
I really enjoy blogging. It's my little creative outlet where I can be just me. Even if no one reads it, I write it for me and that's okay. But since there are an awesome group of you who are reading Vogue Happiness, I really want to learn how to grow my blogging skills and really get this thing up and going!
 
 
5. Donate my hair
 
 
My hair is naturally this light blonde. I've never colored it at all. Since 90+% of blondes are colored these days (whether they used to be natural or not, they have color in it now), very few hair donations for adult wigs are blonde. I have long hair now, but I need to grow it just another inch or two before I donate it.
 
 
6. Be more adventurous
 
 
I will try most things at least once. I'm not scared of heights, or jumping out of a plane, or roller coasters, etc. I like adventurous activities for the most part. Mainly because I like to be doing. (We all know JC cannot sit still in a canoe long enough to enjoy that kind of outdoor activity...). This year I plan to do at least a handful of more adventurous things.
 
 
7. Get COMPLETELY out of debt
 
 
This girl LOVES to shop, but she's no dummy. I have had little store credit cards and such through the years, but I've never let it get out of hand. So I'm not really in a great deal of debt. Plus, I just sold my house and eliminated the mortgage (which is good debt if you can afford it). But I do have a few odds and ends from hospital stays and that sort of thing. It's time for me to clean the slate once again. I have to make this a resolution every few years just in case I start slipping.
 
 
8. Be more "in the moment"

 
 
 
Believe it or not, this may be the hardest resolution for me. I'm constantly a day or two ahead of myself in my brain. I'm a planner and note maker. And life keeps passing me on by. I have a few things in mind that will help me live more in the moment that I plan to try. I'm glad I journal heavily because I don't want to let my memories pass by without notice.
 
 
9. Read more (good stuff)
 
I'm going to try this reading challenge for the year.
 
 
 
10. Be more crafty
 
 
I have so many DIY and craft projects I want to do. I'm making it a goal to actually do them!
 
 
 

11. Start grad school
 
I've been trying to go to grad school for several years now, but the timing and $$$ has never worked out. I'm planning to go for my Master's in Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and I can't wait!
 
 
12. Take one photo a day for a year

 
This is one of the ways I plan to be more in the moment. I have to find one thing a day that inspires me or a moment that I want to capture.
 
 
 
What are your resolutions for the New Year? I'd love to hear some of your ideas in the comments. Thank you for finding me and following my little blog here this year, and I hope to get to know you all better in the months ahead!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

2014 Recap

 
 
 
Well, 2014 has come and gone! I hope it was awesome for you and your families. I was going back through some photos on my phone and decided to do a 2014 recap post with the highlights from this past year. There's no flow to it, so I hope you just enjoy looking back over 2014 with me.
Tomorrow we are talking New Year's Resolutions!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The number one best thing about 2014 is this little guy! I received Peanut a little before Christmas last year, but he has made all the difference in my life in 2014. I am just so thankful to have my little buddy.
 
 
In January 2014 we had the "snowpocolypse" in South Mississippi. Roads were iced over, people lost power, planes were grounded... Anyway, I was headed over to my Dad's house because I was off work due to the weather, and I started thinking really bad thoughts about my neighbors who had let their dogs out in all that snow and freezing cold weather. Then I got to Dad's and saw the above...Chandler was out in the snow just a shiverin'. (Dad got an earful from me!)
 
 
 
 
I celebrated Mom's Valentine's Day party with her
 
 
 
Mom's brother, my Uncle Greg, brought his choir from Blue Mountain College down to sing for the residents at Lamar
 
 
 
Me and my sweet Chandler
 
 
 
Here Chandler and I are on her 14th birthday, March 1. I have had this little girl since I rescued her at 4 weeks old. I literally grew up with this puppy. She was my best friend and little sister.
(She passed away shortly after on May 1 from a ruptured spleen. My heart still breaks missing her.)
 
 
 
 
I finally got to experience "Brookstock" with my girls
 
 
 
Preaching on Alzheimer's disease as always
 
 
 
In Omaha, NE
 
 
The Senior (adult) Prom was held on Mom's birthday and the band played and sang for her
 
 
 
On our way to Lake Junaluska, NC for Music Week!
 
 
 
At Lake J
 
 
Sandy and I had the bright idea to take a Line Dancing class while at Lake J
 
 
 
Getting ready for one of our choir rehearsals
 
 
 
At the Mast General Store in NC. We loaded up on lots of candy!
 
 
 
Sandy and me before the concert
 
 
 
Our performance
 
 
 
Enjoying a canoe ride around Lake Junaluska
 
 
 
Sliding Rock in NC
 
 
 
The Tipping Point had some awesome lighting!
 
 
 
My friends Jennifer and Laura at the Walk to End Alzheimer's kickoff
 
 
 
Camp meeting month calls for old-fashioned hats!
 
 
 
My friend Darlene and I took a beach weekend
 
 
 
Teaching Peanut the moves to "Greased Lightning"!
(I got bit.)
 
 
 
Being interviewed on Alzheimer's disease in the Pine Belt area
 
 
 
Mom and I making promise garden flowers for the Alzheimer's Walk
 
 
 
 
Prince Charming wore his purple bow tie in honor of World Alzheimer's Day
 
 
 
I enjoyed a great fall Bible study "Believing God" with several ladies from my church
 
 
 
Peanut was the star of the show in his kissing booth at Trunk-or-Treat
 
 
 
"Peanut Udder" in cow costume
 
 
 
I rode a horse for the first time in 20+ years
 
 
 
I started working for this amazing ministry!
 
 
 
A group photo from my favorite speaking engagement of the year
 
 
 
I enjoyed playing piano for the Veteran's Day celebration
 
 
 
Just one of the many Alzheimer's chairperson duties
 
 
 
Hattiesburg's Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball
 
 
 
Thanksgiving lunch with Mom
 
 
 
Sibling love
 
 
 
Kathy and I representing Lamar at one of the many events this year
 
 
 
The Holiday Choral Spectacular
 
 
 
The Lighthouse's Grand Re-Opening Party
 
 
My boys and me at the church Christmas cantata
 
 
 
Purvis United Methodist Christmas cantata 
 
 
 
My main squeeze and I at the Pet Walk
 
 
 
I got to go on Rock 104's and B95's morning shows to promote the Alzheimer's Walk
 
 
 
With some Meistersingers ladies before "Bachtoberfest"
 
 
 
Chaperoning the children's choir trip to Praise in the Park
 
 
 
PUMC Ladies Night - Tacky Christmas Sweater party fun
 
 
 
Aren't we cute?
 
 
 
My full outfit
 
 
 
Peanut met Santa!
 
 
 
Mom and her "Santa Baby"
 
 
 
Mom and I before her Christmas party
 
 
 
And after the party!
 
 
 
Singing Christmas carols
 
 
 
PUMC Choir Christmas party
 
 
 
Sandy and me at the party
 
 
 
Me and P on Christmas Day
 
 
 
The Monroes, Christmas 2014
 
 
 
I hope this year was as wonderful for you as it was for me. Here's to many more!