a new year

and some new goals and things to go with it.

My word for this year is relax.  I thought about going with calm the f*ck down but decided one word would be better than a phrase. It’ll also look better on our wall since I plan to hang it up as a reminder.

I worry about everything.  There are nights when I can’t fall asleep or stay asleep because I’m worrying about stupid things.  There are times when I’ll be sitting around thinking and realize that I've given myself a stomach ache because I’m worrying about the what-ifs.  So yeah, relax is a good word for this year.

I’d like to learn how to sew this year.  I don’t really have the patience for all the measuring and pinning but I’m going to try.

I’d also like to learn how to coupon effectively.  I've tried this before but have never followed through with it.  I actually gave it a try this summer and it was a pretty awesome feeling the few times I saved big chunks of money.  I just need to put some effort into it.

I’m planning to read The Story.  It is the Bible written as a story.  My mom gave it to me a few months ago but I have yet to start it. I will have it read by the end of this year.

• take more pictures
• read more books
• get (and keep) closets organized
• climb the Campanile at SDSU

To get started on the taking more pictures goal, Dave and I went out to McCrory to take a few pictures this morning. We didn't stay out long though since the windchill was -20.

lately...

Well I haven't been very good about updating around here {no surprise there} so I'm just going to lump everything into one post.

A couple weeks ago, my mom, aunt, cousin, and I went on a girl's weekend.  We spent two nights at a casino resort and did a little gambling while we were there. I've never really been a gambler, and have actually only played on the machines twice before this trip.  I've never thought it was very fun to sit at a machine and watch your money disappear, but it was pretty fun when I won this at a penny machine.

Last weekend Dave and I went to Palisades State Park to look at the fall colors.  While there wasn't a very strong fall showing, the scenery was still pretty.

I went to my mom's this past weekend.  We worked on a couple projects and did a little shopping while I was home.  We went to a store that is a little piece of Christmas heaven.  The lady who owns it sets up over 50 trees in the store. Love!

Being in there gave me the Christmas itch even more! Only one more month 'til the Christmas decorations come out!

weekend recap

I looked out the window shortly after I woke up Saturday morning and saw everything was covered with a thick layer of frost so I went out to take some pictures. 

I stopped to visit some horses while I was out.  Last winter I tried to get some pictures of these horses but they were not interested in me at all and ran to the other side of the pasture.  They were much friendlier this year and stopped eating to come see what I was doing.

I wish this one was a little clearer but I like it anyway.

Dave and I went to Sioux Falls later that morning to do my six month ring cleaning.  We stopped to get gas and drinks before leaving town.  I grabbed these chips to try.

Ew. I ate one chip and that was enough.

We did a little shopping while in town but didn't buy much.  We went to visit my grandma (the one who turned 100 a couple months ago).  She had a mini-stroke Friday night/Saturday morning.  We didn't stay very long because we could tell that she was exhausted but was trying to be a good hostess and stay awake while she had company.

We went to my BIL's house Sunday to help celebrate our niece and nephew's birthdays. 

We spent a few hours there.  Sarah and I went out to take a few pictures but it was windy and chilly so we didn't stay out long.

Have a great week!

january goal and today

Since it's the the last day of January I thought I would tell you if I accomplished the goal set for this month.

I'll call this one half accomplished.  I got the biggest job of organizing the office done. The two closets that I wanted to get cleaned out are still a mess.

We had the day off from school today because of dangerous windchills.

-11 is sorta do-able but -38 windchill is *a little* chilly!!

It's always nice to have an unexpected day off. And yes, I realize I could have cleaned out the closets today and completed my goal.  I just wasn't in the organizing mood though.  I did get the laundry done though so at least I accomplished something.

I went to the grocery store this morning and on my way out I noticed a huge sun dog in the sky. I grabbed my camera when I got home and went outside to take a couple pics. I didn't stay out there too long though since it was freaking cold.

Stay warm!

weekend recap

It was almost three weeks ago when I wrote that I planned to post more often. I haven't written a post since then. Oops.

We went to Sioux Falls on Saturday for a few events.  We went to David's cousin's diaper keg that afternoon.  It was the first one I've ever been to (or even heard of) but it seems like a good idea if you have a lot of drinking friends. Sort of a guy's baby shower I suppose.

Dave and his cousin, Chauncey

All the diapers they received (totally stole this from Chauncey's FB)

We had supper that evening with Tony, Jackie, Sarah, Conor, Annie, and Brian at a restaurant called Acoustic.  After supper, we went to a concert at the Orpheum.  We saw the Hadden Sayers Band.  Not something I'd normally think I'd enjoy but it was fun. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the 50 year old Snooki and her boyfriend in front of us.  Seriously, you'd think by the time you're that age you could handle yourself in public a little better.

We spent most of Sunday just hanging out around home.  I made these scones for breakfast...

I bought them at World Market in the fall and just got around to making them.  I threw some raisins in too... yum!  They were really good.

We did some grocery shopping in the morning but that was our only outing.  This was pretty much my view for the rest of the day...

I did get off my butt for awhile to make some minestrone soup for lunches this week.  I made it last week too and it is so good!  This is the recipe I used.

Dave went outside in the late afternoon and spotted some sundogs so I went out too and tried to get a picture of them. One is on the right side and the other is one the left side just above the tree.

Hope everyone has a great week!

weekend recap

The weekend started early for me.  I woke up at 5:11 AM and couldn't go back to sleep, even though I tried for a good half hour before I gave up and just finally crawled out of bed.  Dave was already up so we decided to go out to take some pictures of the sunrise around 7. Nothing turned out very well but here's a few anyway..

country road...

interrupting breakfast...

We went to Taco John's for lunch then decided to go out for a drive in the country.  We went over into Minnesota and stopped at Lake Benton for a bit.

Sunday we hung out and watched the Vikings game. I took the fall decorations down and put out some Halloween decor while Dave visited his brother for a bit.  That was pretty much all the excitement around here on Sunday. :o)

weekend recap

We made it out to the pumpkin field Saturday morning.

As always, Dave picked one of the biggest pumpkins in the field.

The weather was awesome and I was having fun taking a few pictures until I spotted a badger hole.  Yeahhh... I pretty much just picked out my pumpkins as fast as I could and then got the heck out of there.

I was going to take some picture of the pumpkins on our deck, but my mums are dying quickly so not sure if I'll get to that or not.

We went to the Special Olympics softball tournament that afternoon to watch a two of my current and two of my former students play.

We had planned to go to a movie that night but we decided to go out for supper and then hang out at home.

Sunday was just a laid back day of football watching and hanging out around home.

Hope you're all have a great week.  Two more days til the weekend! I can't wait...I'm wiped out this week.

five for friday

1. It's Friday. Finally. Man it felt like a long week. Now that it's Friday night, it seems like it went so fast though.

2. We have no plans for the weekend. Nothing.

3. I stumbled upon a Christmas tumblr a little while ago. I'm sitting here listening to Christmas music right now. :o) Did you know it's only 100 days til Christmas?

4. I noticed earlier this week that the mums that I planted a couple weeks ago are changing colors.  My whites are turning purple and my maroons are turning yellow.  I've never had that happen before.

5. I'm about to watch this movie. Hopefully it doesn't suck. I wanted to get The Lucky One but it was out at the Redbox.  I figured it's a good night for girly movies since Dave is working.

Happy weekend! Hope you have a good one! :o)