Summer Fun - Goals / Challenges

On the last day of May I am thinking ahead to the next few months. 

Today I am going to join Weight Watchers to help me get balance back in my eating habits.  Hopefully feeling better and more energy will also come too.  The plan I am joining goes until September 1st so that will cover my whole summer which will be good.  I should have some great habits started before winter creeps in which will help me keep this as a lifestyle change.  Loosing weight isn't my main focus (just a bonus if it happens) but learning health tips and eating properly balanced meals is.

As previously mentioned I have started taking piano lessons.  I have had four sessions now and I just love them.  But this week I would say they started becoming a challenge.  No longer is it simple stuff that I could pick up no problem.  Now I have to concentrate and practice much more.  So that is my other goal / challenge for this summer - to keep improving and learning piano. 

I also really really want to go to our local zoo.  I know that sounds weird but we have some baby lions there that I really want to see.  Baby lions = so cute:)  So I am going to plan a peaceful morning for my zoo day and stroll around to check out all the new exhibits, etc.  They have been doing tons of renovations on our zoo and I can't wait to see them.

So those our my summer time thoughts for today - hope you all have lots of fun plans for your summer.  Plan now so they all happen!

Pinterest Love

Check me out on Pinterest to see what I am loving right now!  I also love when social networking promotes something positive - good job Pinterest.

http://pinterest.com/missybecker/

Quote of the Week

A good laugh is sunshine in the house. (William Makepeace Thackeray)

So true - please tell me about the last time you laughed, I mean really laughed...

Childhood Favorite

Recognize him?

He is from my all time favorite book series / movies...Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables.  Have you read these books before?  They are written by the amazing Lucy Maud Montgomery.  Anne is the most entertaining character and most wonderful person.  The stories of her life as an orphan in Prince Edward Island, becoming a teacher and ultimately marrying her all time sweet heart (see above) and becoming a mother herself.  And there is SO much more - please discover the world of Anne of Green Gables - you won't regret it...and you will discover a Canadian masterpiece!

Blog Boosts!

I follow blogs of some really crafty woman and I thought I would share a couple of their blogs for you to check out:

This woman lives in Hawaii and I think she has really creative, modern items that she sews and I always enjoy checking out her creativity, as I'm sure you will too: http://oneshabbychick.typepad.com/

Sadie is in Scotland and I love her mix of colours and style and think she is really talented: http://stitchingupastorm.blogspot.ca/

Thank you both for your amazing talent!

Book Review: Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

I've already basically given it away that I love this book.  Own of my goals this year was to appreciate the 'classic' books I have in my collection already more fully.  I own the whole collection of Sherlock Holmes' stories but haven't read them all.  I highly recommend this book and encourage all to read a classic!  Let me know which book you choose and what you think of it!

Raining Day

I love rainy days!  I'm pretty sure there is something wrong with me...but I can't help it.  I just feel like the weather forces everyone to slow down (possibly stay inside) and enjoy things you don't usually get to enjoy.  I love the sound of rain (even thunder) and I feel like the air is so refreshing during a rain.  I do realize that this is May long weekend and people out at their cabins, camping, etc. will not be pleased about the storm last night and the rain today, so sorry folks!  Try and have a good weekend anyway:)

Really loving Sherlock Holmes...

I am almost done reading 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' and I'm really enjoying it - I just wanted to share that with you.

I strongly encourage everyone to read a book from their book collection that they have always wanted to and never get around to it.  Whether it be a classic, like Sherlock Holmes, or Jane Austen or L. M Montgomery or To Kill a Mockingbird...take the time to do it.  You won't regret it and perhaps you will discover a new love interest!

Aging

The key to successful aging is to pay as little attention to it as possible.  ~Judith Regan

I need to remember this today...yikes...I'm 31 now:(

Most Beautiful Dress I have EVER seen!

Here it is folks, I have no words that can express how much I love this dress:

Kate Middleton @ Olympic Event

Does it get any better than that?

Busy Busy

Sorry I haven't been around for a few days.  It has been a really busy week with a really busy weekend ahead.

My first piano lesson went really well.  Boy, do I have a lot to learn!  Remembering all those notes is hard...

My first lesson was 30 minutes and it felt like 2 - it went by so fast.  My teacher (Shauna) gave me about 6 pages of short songs to work on (which I have been so far) and I'm sure I will get more challenging stuff to practice soon.  I can't wait for next week's lesson!

Tonight is pizza night (every Friday) and I am finally going to put my feet up - can't wait!  We have a family wedding tomorrow so it will be a big day.  I will get back at my posts early next week - have a great weekend everyone!

Piano Lessons

So for years now, I have had a desire to learn a musical instrument.  I took piano lessons as a child for several years, but hated it.  Dealing with my mom and other issues just took all the fun out of the lessons, etc.  Blah blah blah!

Anyways, I finally decided to get my piano tuned and find a piano teacher.

 

Success!

Tomorrow I start my new lessons and I am so excited!  The lessons are going to cost me a little more than I hoped for…but that is ok for now.  I may not be able to take the lessons for as long as I wanted to (maybe only three months) but that will give me a good basis for my skills and I should be able to continue on my own after that.  I even found all my old piano books from when I was a kid that I can use!

I will let you know how my first lesson goes – I’m nervous but very excited!

Book Review: Four of a Kind by Valerie Frankel

I finished reading this book on the weekend and I didn't love it, but didn't hate it either.  It is hard for me to describe because I can't say there was anything wrong with it specifically (i.e. plot, language, depth) but it did not grab my attention or interest.  Having said that, if I really don't like a book I will stop reading it and I did not want to stop reading this book.  I did care enough to want to know what happened to the characters (4 woman who didn't know each other becoming friends), so that is a plus.  One of the main themes in the book is poker - so if you are a fan of poker you will appreciate that aspect of the book.  I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book unless you have read other books by Valerie and liked them. 

Now, I am getting back into Sherlock Holmes again.  Yea for me for attempting something on my wish list!

Have a great night everyone!

Old Fashioned Tea Party!

Here is a shot from a bridal shower I went to recently.  It was themed 'Old Fashioned Tea Party' and these were some of the decorations:

Time for some honesty

Being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise.
Sigmund Freud

I think this is a great quote and applies to so many different aspects of my life:  health, exercising, and finance.

If I'm being honest with myself regarding my health - it stinks.  I have terrible allergies which keep my immune system basically shot.  I have so many allergies that there is something in the environment bothering me all year.  So I need to remind myself of this constantly so I don't get discouraged about why I need more sleep than other people my age and why I can't do as much as some other people.  Sheesh...it makes me feel very old (I'm only 30) and almost sissy because I hear about what other people do that I know I could never do, but I guess I need to be honest.

If I'm being honest with myself regarding my exercising - I suck.  I do however walk for almost an hour 5 times a week but in terms of toning, muscle building and variety in my cardio...that is basically none existent.  I feel like every time I take 1 step forward with my 'new exercise plan' (there have been many in the past) I end up taking 2 steps back.  About three years ago, I lost 30 pounds all on my own (by that I mean on my own determination and plan) and am super proud of myself for that.  But somehow what I did then to loose the weight is not working now.  And that frustrates me so much.  Lately I have had a minor surgery on one of my toes and it is taking quite a long time to heal (or maybe I am just being really impatient, which is probable) and while it is healing I basically can't do any exercising.  I really need to get a good plan in place that is doable for me (keeping my health/stamina in mind) and I need to be honest.

If I'm being honest with myself regarding my finances - I'm heading in the wrong direction, fast.  Even though my debt is mostly due to 'big items' not not frivolous items (I said most, not all!) it is still way to high.  Way too high.  I have got to get my debt paid off and I need to be honest.

Item I'm going to save for: Kobo Touch

I think I have decided what I want to start saving my money for to buy myself: Kobo Touch!  Here is the link for it:  Kobo Touch Black.  The price has been reduced and it sounds so cool.  I'm really watching my money now (finally) so even though it is only $100.00 I need to save up for this.  I feel like it is a worthwhile item to save for.  Not as disposable as clothes...which I do not need more of (just really really want more)!  My only concern is whether my local library has electronic books that I can check out...cause I don't want to have to pay for e-books now.  Well, I will look into this and talk to you soon - have a great day!