New Obsession.

So I have this new obsession: Organizing & Planning EVERYTHING!!

My husband & I recently both committed to being a lot healthier with what we eat. So, to be sure we didn't stray from our new "life change" we decided to develop a meal plan. I looked in one of my favorite books "101 Body-Sculpting Workouts & Nutrition Plans for Women" its written by the same people who do "Hers Magazine" which is a fitness magazine that I'm in love with. They have in the book a 2 week sample meal plan. So I took this idea, and other ideas from websites, other books and magazines, and ran with it. Now with this new "meal plan" idea came a new "grocery list" idea. I used this last time I went grocery shopping I had in hand (1) my meal plan (2) grocery list (3) coupons (4) store circular & (5) a budget. I managed to leave the store getting everything on my list (& nothing more!!!), use most of my coupons & discounts through the store circular, and stay within budget. :) I felt amazing! Nope, the fat-kid in me didn't come out on this grocery shopping trip. No cookies, cake mixes, cookie dough, ice cream, twinkies, nothing! Just healthy, colorful, flavorful food. :)

So my other new obsession: organizing. My husband says "You always get these ideas, but never finish them." Well sweet husband of mine, now it will get finished. Like I've said before, I have no school this summer & I only work part time. So I have alllllll the time this summer to get some organization projects done. First on my list: a "command center." Now Laura, at "I'm an Organization Junkie" gave me the idea. Her blog: http://orgjunkie.com/ is amazing. She has a million, gazillion ideas for organizing & planning EVERYTHING! I want to be just like her when I grow up. Her also offers printable menu plans, camping trips, grocery list,  "52 weeks of organizing", and even responsibility charts. In all, she's amazing.

So my first attempt of organizing is going towards my office & the closet in it. I have tons of stuff to organize: school stuff from my freshman year of high school to this last semester of college, craft stuff I use with the twins I babysit, our family meal plans, our monthly budget, my endless collections of fitness magazines & books. other random books I've acquired over the years, and all of my husband's JUNK! Next on my list will be the kitchen, then our closet & bedroom, then our lives in general.

I'm going to take Laura's idea of the "52 weeks of organizing" & put it to the test. I may not do the whole 52 weeks, just maybe 13 weeks. That will get me through the summer before school starts again.

So along with keeping on track with my half marathon training, I hope to stay on track with organizing. :)

Organization Junkie, here I come.

Time to sit back & relax :)

SCHOOOOOOLSSS OUT FOR SUUUMMER!!

Sorry, had to channel my inner Alice Cooper. As of 1 week ago, I am done with school until August. It feels amazing to not have to rush home to do homework, to not have to spend hours staring at my notes trying to make sense of scribbles and doodles, last minute cramming for a test or quiz, and not getting annoyed with every little thing. I finished with a 3.5 GPA, not what I was wanting, but I'll take it.  Shane & I are going to be able to spend so much more time together, I will be able to get some things done around the house: like the many DYI projects I have brewing in my head, yard projects, organization projects, & starting my half-marathon training.

Yup, that's right I finally have the guts to run a half marathon.....I think. My friend Joanna just ran her first half & it's really inspired me to actually do it. I've researched a couple of running plans and read a couple magazines and books for some tips. I just need to actually finish what I start.

With the new inspiration to run a half marathon comes a new "life-style change" in the food Shane & I eat. I refuse to call this a "diet" because diets fail and come & go. This new change is here to stay. We want to be able to say to our kids: "Mommy & daddy ate their veggies, now you can too."

 My birthday was last month & it was awesome. The girls I work with made sure it was a good one. They got me a $50 Victoria's Secret gift card & goodies from Bath & Body Works. We also went out to eat at a local Mexican place, then hit a local whole-in-the-wall bar. It was a blast. So much fun to go out with the girls :))

My presents :)

 

 

Out With My Girls :)

Today is dubbed "De-Clutter" day. I'm going to clean out the guest rooms closets (which are now housing random boxes of crap), see what I can donate or salvage, then load up Shane's truck and head to goodwill.

Then, I'll take Hank for a run, come back and organize some more, and then just hang out with the husband. :)