"Unplugged"

I am without Internet at home for an unknown length of time due to Comcast's poor ethics and customer service. My only connection to the outside world on a regular basis is through Instagram.

On a positive note, I found $2 on the ground yesterday and my neighbors must be moved out in twelve days!

I hope to return soon...

A Look Back and Forward

I just wanted to share a little nerdy thing that I've recently created. I'm quite sure that most people who ever played Neopets have probably stopped, but not me! I've always wanted to make a hasee plushie, but never had the motivation to do so, until this past random contest. I got 2nd place! Hasee, yeah!

Yesterday it was -28°, felt like -46° with windchill. I really think that we should be giving this weather back to the polar bears who need it. Also, I read that somewhere on the Internet it was declared to be the most depressing day of the year based on tweets and the like. It's funny when people make declarations like that at the beginning of the year.

Everyone has been talking about New Year's resolutions lately. I'm not sure when most people give up on those, but one of my goals for this year was to put a daily focus on meditation. I totally failed the first day. That is so discouraging! Then I was good until the weekend, at which point I completely forgot about it. Yesterday I fudged it a little; I didn't feel like doing it because I felt too antsy to just sit for 12-15 minutes. Last year, I took an Isha Kriya class through the MPLS community ed. program and found it really beneficial. I was doing so well at practicing everyday until I got sick right before the fall festival and Roscoe passed. It's hard to get back into the swing of things, but I know once it becomes part of my daily routine it will be easier.

Last year, my ultimate goal was the 365 day walk challenge with Leslie Sansone. She is one of my pretend BFFs. Her walks were absolutely life changing for me because she made a focus on fitness more fun than a chore. With her help, I lost over 30 lbs in 2012! During the course of 2013, I made it a point to do at least a one mile fitness walk with her everyday in order to maintain. It also helped on days when I was feeling down because it gave me something to work towards. I'm really proud of myself for not giving up on the 365 day challenge, even through illness and loss. This year, I'd like to incorporate yoga and pilates into my routine because I've enjoyed building my core strength. It feels extremely satisfying doing a plank or some other core challenge and not failing!

Another one of my goals for this year is one that I didn't accomplish last year. I'd like to try to read a book a week. Last year I read what I had left to finish of the Sookie Stackhouse series, a few other random books, and... the Fifty Shades trilogy. I actually forgot that I had wasted my time on those books until now. Adding that to my list of things I want to Sunshine of the Spotless Mind from my brain.

Anyway, so far I'm doing well on this goal. The first book I read was Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey. I downloaded it to my Kindle from the library while randomly catching the movie on Starz or something. I like Steve Harvey, I watched his sitcom everyday during lunch when I first started college, but I'm not quite sold on this generalization of men. Also, the book seemed heavily geared toward women with kids and was a bit too religious for my liking. My current book is Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin and it is a bit of a cheater. I started this book, well, years ago. I started re-reading it from the beginning last year, but put it down in the midst of other books, crafts, etc. Regardless, it will be finished this year and that's what counts, right? So far I have a list of 26 books (including the current and last) to read this year and hope to find others along the way. I understand that my book choices may seem questionable to you right now. I can't promise it will get any better. >_<

Here are a couple of collages to recap the events and adventures of my 2013. Happy New Year!

1. Teal Cat Project treats + Cat show

2. Valentine's Random Contest entry- 3rd place

3. Valentine's Themed dinner at The Bad Waitress

4. Valentine's at MIA

5. Annabelle isn't a baby anymore!

6. Galactic Pizza

7. Growing obsession with nail art

8. Birthday CupCake

9. Birthday adventure around the city

10. Birthday dinner at Evergreen :)

11. Birthday brunch at Pizza Luce

12. Sasquatch

13. Lawn Wreath

14. Glowing Psychedelic mushroom stake

15. Mosquito stake for Miira

16. Redman concert in Mankato

17. Society6

18. Winter in May

19. Art in Bloom at MIA

20. Growing Pyrex collection

21. Squirrel on the 3rd floor!

22. The Witch's Tower

23. Johnstock

24. Upcycled shelf for my Loopsies

25. Father's Day- so glad I got this picture

26. Annabelle has an elimination problem...
27. Pride!
28. Rose garden visit... equals nasty bug bites
29. Stone Arch Bridge Festival
30. Art Car Parade
31. Aquatennial
32. Tomatoes from my garden
33. Amazing petunia that almost met the trash compactor
34. Penny's got some lawn furniture
35. Garbage bag sale!
36. Uptwon Art Fair
37. My sweet little Roscoe who I miss everyday
38. Awesome seats at a Twins game
39. Sisterly love
40. Sodhouse
41. Wanda Gag house
42. Mini golf
43. Taylor Swift Red Tour
44. First Spoonflower design
45. Made a bag to reflect my Pyrex love
46. Fall Festival
47. Halloween Party
48. Love me some occasional sales!
49. My little furry family :)
50. Amazing Christmas presents for all!