Days go on...

Well, I am ashamed to report that February didn't go as planned. Ah well. I'm over it.

Things lately have been busy - at work and at home. To add to the busy-ness, I seem to have been getting a lot of songs stuck in my head. It doesn't help me concentrate. At all.

Welcome February!

Tomorrow is the first day of February, and the start of a new challenge for myself. For the month of February, I will not be eating out. That's right - no restaurants, no fast food, no Starbucks... sigh!

My motives are two-fold. First, eating out costs a lot of money. So, in theory, it will means savings for me! Second, I have got to get back on the healthy-eating train! I was doing really well this summer into fall, then I kinda jumped off the wagon.

So, I am not promising to actually cook all month, but I'm going to try and mix a little of that in, too. I have come up with a few ground rules, because every challenge has them.

1. Prepared foods and frozen foods will not count as "eating out."
2. Eating prepared foods at the grocery store (i.e. Wegmans, Whole Foods), will count as eating out.
3. If someone at work brings food in, it will not count as eating out (as long as I didn't order or pay for it).
4. I'm going to allow myself to eat out if it is a birthday celebration for a friend.
5. If my family takes me out to eat, I'm not going to say no. (I expect this after my Polar Plunge on the 26th.)

So, that's it. Wish me luck - I may need it, but hopefully I don't!

On a Boat, almost

Tomorrow I'll be on a boat! But I'm not bringing any flippy floppies.

I always find packing to be a big problem. Inevitably, I pack too much. This time around, I'm between suitcase sizes! I had too much for my small suitcase, but too little for my large suitcase!

Tonight I'll have to go back through my clothes and see what I don't need.

Cheap(er) Breakfast Sandwiches!

In case you love Starbucks' artisan breakfast sandwiches as much as I do, they'll be marked down to $2 (with the purchase of a beverage) from today until the 10th!

Sadly, I will be away during the majority of this special - which may be good for my waisline...

Richard Simmons, Rock and/or Roll, and Cruisin'

This week is an interesting one for me - it's finally time for The Rock Boat XI! This will be my third time going (read: rocking). Knowing that this is coming up makes for a tough (short) work week!

There are theme nights, which include Pajama Night, Glam Rock Prom Night, and Halloween!! So, I hope it goes without saying that I will be dressing up as Richard Simmons. I did this once in college, and it was a huge hit - so now it's time to reprise my role! Don't worry - costumes will surely follow!

Happy Wine Year!

New Year's Resolutions

Well, it's that time of year again - the beginning!

I get to make the same resolutions for the new year that I always do. This year, I resolve to make a conscious effort to achieve my resolutions!

Here they are:
1. Visit some Virginia wineries that I have not been to (and go back to some that I've been to).
2. Eat out less. I've actually got plans for this one - check back in February.
3. Get rid of things I don't need - and sell those that I can (eBay, Craigslist, watch out!).
4. Send Christmas cards. Luckily I have a whole year to plan for this!
5. Get my finances in order - once and for all! I've got a plan of attack...
6. Exercise regularly.
7. Run a 5k. See above. I'll also be using the assistance of Couch to 5k.
8. Go to church.
9. Take a photography class and/or a Spanish class. I've wanted to do both for a long time.
10.  Walk Annie more.