2012 Goal: Quarterly Update #3

It's half way through December so I'm a bit behind on my 2012 Goals update.

#1. Wear each pair of shoes I have (at least once)... 

Well, I've still been wearing shoes.  I kind of gave up on the whole documenting thing.  I got rid of a lot without wearing them to decide.  I'm ending the year with 43   shoes and 23 flip flops.  I'm not sure how many shoes I actually got rid of & how many were new this year, it's totally lame but when I was purging I never thought to write down what I got rid of.  There's about 6 more pairs I may get rid of still but I haven't quite decided yet.

Standing: Excellent.  I have less shoes than I started with, so I got rid of more shoes than I bought this year (I think I have 8 new pairs of shoes that I bought or won).  I think that's pretty dang good.

#2. Get rid of things... 

I went through boxes I've been holding onto that had things from my childhood in it or things I was holding onto that were my Nana's.  I got rid of a few things but most of them were too important to get rid of.  I cleaned out both of my closets and got rid of a lot of clothing I didn't wear anymore.  I should have tackled my outside storage closet but never got around to it.  Meh, oh well... I can try next year. 

Standing: Okay.  I mean, I got rid of SOME things.  


#3. Go on a date... 

I went on two online dates AND I've been dating Irish for 6 months.  I just wish I'd met him prior to tackeling the whole online dating thing.

Standing: Excellent.  Goal is complete.


#4. Sew a 50's style dress...  

I never made my 50's style dress.  I tracked down a few patterns in the size I needed but by the time I went to buy them they were sold.  Vintage patterns are in high demand... damn hipsters!  I may try again next year, you know, once my sister has recovered from helping me with the botched DYI dress we did (found here) or some miracle happens and someone lets me use their sewing machine to try sewing myself.

I did make a dress, "fix" said dress,  and then "trashed" said "fixed" dress and then never tried the project again.  I still want to make a maxi version of the dress but I guess until I can perfect the short version I shouldn't waste all the fabric needed to make the maxi dress.  

Standing: Good.  (See above).


#5. Finally making myself my no sew fleece blanket...  
*(Still)Nothing but cricket sounds here*

Anytime I thought about making the blanket Remington would remind me why I no longer do crafts in the house.  Also, just trying to fix things makes me want to kill him.  Mostly because I'm fixing the things he's ruined.  He's a complete moster when I try to make the bed or fold blankets so I just haven't had the gumption to try it yet.

Standing.  Bad.


#6. Get new glasses...  

I didn't get any farther than thinking I needed or should get new glasses.

Standing: Bad.


#7. Visit Bearizona...  

I didn't get around to visiting Bearizona.  

I did, however, drive to the Albuquerque Bio Park.  We (me, Crystal & brood) spent the day exploring the zoo, botanic garden and the aquarium. 

Crazy fact:  It takes less time to drive from Eagar, AZ to Albuquerque, NM than it does to drive from Eagar, AZ to Williams, AZ.  WHAT?!  Eagar to Albuquerque is 197.9 miles and Eagar to Williams is 209.7 miles.  

Standing. Okay.  Same difference, right?

2012 Goal: Quarterly Update #2

It's August so it's time for a dreaded check on my 2012 Goals.


#1. Wear each pair of shoes I have (at least once)... Well, I've been wearing shoes.  I, however, have either forgotten to document it or my iPhone has refused to take photos (never enough storage space) when I do remember.  I'm at 39 of 52 on my shoes and 6 of 23 on my flip flops.  


I've acquired more shoes than I probably should have and I'm sure my count is off one way or another.  I did get rid of 5 pairs of shoes without thinking about it so I feel good on that front.  I just need to recommit myself to the task of wearing new shoes & actually documenting them.  


Standing: Ok.  Maybe.  I'm good on the shoe part still but bad on the flip flop part so that totally equals out to an ok.  Right?!




#2. Get rid of things... Yeah, the only things I've gotten rid of are the things Remington has eaten and those things (iPod/iPhone charger cord, iTravel(s), alarm clock cord(s), lamp/Scentsy base cord) aren't things that needed to be gotten rid of. 


Standing: Bad




#3. Go on a date... I can safely say I have kicked this goals ass!  Not only did I try online dating for a month, and had 2 separate dates from the experience (even if the whole thing wasn't successful), BUT I went out and got myself a man to date in real life.  It's been a little over a month and it is going EXTREMELY well.  


Standing: Excellent.  Goal is complete.




#4. Sew a 50's style dress...  Yeah, not much has changed since my last report, except we fixed the (new) sash on the dress we did do.  We then promptly decided the dress still sucked.  We have ideas on how to fix what went wrong with the making of this dress.  Eventually, when we have the time & inclination we will try it again.


Standing: Good (still). 




#5. Finally making myself my no sew fleece blanket...  *Nothing but cricket sounds here...*
Really, you try making a fleece blanket in the Summer.  In Arizona.  Where it's 105-115 degrees during the day and if we're lucky in the mid 80's a night.  I'm okay with this goal staying at bad for this quarter.


Standing.  Bad.




#6. Get new glasses...  I could give the excuse that I've used some of the money I had in mind for glasses towards getting the A/C fixed in my car (or at least trying to) but really that would be a waste of a good excuse.


Standing: Bad.




#7. Visit Bearizona...  I've discussed it and thought about it but that's about it.  


Standing. Bad.




If I hadn't completed one of the goals I'd say that this report is a pretty dismal one.  But I DID complete a goal so I think it's not as bad as it looks.  Of course, it may just be all the endorphins running wild due to the fact that I am dating an incredibly cute & sexy Irish man who is adorable & fun and who kisses me senseless every time I see him.

2012 Goal: Quarterly Update #1

With April here I figured I needed to check and see how I was doing on my 2012 Goals.


#1.  I am well into my goal to wear each pair of shoes I have (at least once).  I'm at 27 of 49 on my shoes and 1 of 23 on my flip flops.  I've actually worn more but some days I totally forget to document my "new" shoes. 


I've worn several pairs of flips but only have documented one.  Now that it's warming up I'll be wearing them more so documentation should be easier to remember.  It seems that I started making a collage but never finish uploading it.  It actually happens more than you would think.  I start, get busy, remember late in the evening, start again and then fall asleep during the process.  Guess it's a good thing I'm not getting paid for this sort of thing.  I'd go hungry a lot otherwise.  


Standing: Good.


#2. Get rid of things...sounds so easy but really when it comes down to it it's a lot harder than one would think.  I've cleaned out my closet a bit, as well as my dresser drawers.  I could certainly go through both a few more times (and probably will) but I have a good sized box of stuff I'm getting rid of.  I just need to start going through the part of my closets that aren't clothes.  The storage part of the closets is what really needs to be gone through. Man, I have to admit I dread that process.  


Standing: Ok.


#3.  Go on a date... Yeah.  Does thinking about it count?  What about talking about it?  It should count a little.  I whole heartily had the intention to follow through but circumstances beyond my control got in the way.  I could have been more proactive but... sometimes those circumstances kick the shit out of you and being proactive has less to do with follow up and more to do with survival. 


Could of.  Should of.  Would of.  Whatever. 


Standing: Bad.


#4. Sew a 50's style dress.  I've come to realize that this goal is going to be pretty hard.  See... I don't own a sewing machine.  I do, however, have a sister who owns a sewing machine.  One I am not allowed to touch.  It's a bit of a bummer and a bit of a relief.  I mean, the thought of me operating a machine that's main function is fast moving needles... I sort of shudder at the thought.   


I'm sure my sis would be happy to sew the dress for me and let me do all the other stuff.  Okay, really she'd have to help me figure out how to cut the pattern since I don't know how jack about sewing and patterns make about as much sense as when I look at a map...seriously how does that stuff make sense?!  She totally allows me to play with scissors...just not sewing machines.  It's probably a wise decision on her part.  


I'm sure if I paid to have her old machine fixed she'd show me on that one but we (my niece and I) are not allowed to touch her new prettypretty sewing machine.  It's really not a personal thing against me or my lack of sewing knowledge.  At least no much.


I...er...we did do a DYI dress I found on Pinterest though.

Georgie (my sister) my seamstress.

The dress actually needs to be fixed before wearing.  Try and learn, right?!  I didn't cut the tank short enough so it's a bit weird.  To fix the weird waist part we just need to make a thicker belt.  I just need to go get the fabric and have my sister sew it up.  I absolutely love the way the skirt feels though.  Even if it hadn't turned out I've only spend $3 on the dress so far.  Okay, $4 counting the elastic thread I bought.  I'd say another $1 for the additional fabric.  So in total $5, not bad right?!  Especially considering I would have thrown out or given away the tank I used.  


I'm actually excited to do another one in a maxi style.  I've been trying to find fabric to match purple or pink since I have a few tanks in each color but it's near impossible.  I found a black tank at Target on sale for $5 so I snagged it with the intention of using it for the maxi dress.  I would think black would make finding coordinating fabric easier but who knows.  


Standing: Good,  I did do A dress.  


#5. Finally making myself my no sew fleece blanket.  


Standing: Bad.  


#6. Get new glasses.  


Standing: Bad.  


#7.  Visit Bearizona.  


Standing: Bad but Bearizona actually just reopened this month.  


As first quarters go I'm thinking I'm not doing too bad.  I definitely needs to kick some of the goals into gear if I want to get anywhere with them by end of year.  Considering how crappy this year has been so far I'm going to give the overall standing of my 2012 Goals a Good though.  

What I Wore Wednesday: Week 23

Joining at The Pleated Poppy 

Just so you get in the right frame of mind make sure to sing "Oops, I Did It Again" (yes, by Brittany Spears) while reading this.  

It's time to stop pretending and just admit that I have totally fallen off the no spending wagon and it's been a long hard road to get back onto it. I'm almost there.  Almost.

I've admitted it before and I'll do so again... I'm an emotional shopper and retail therapy totally helps.  

Last week I found some amazing things to pair with my black leggings.  Sadly, I did manage to shrink one of the shirts I bought to go with them so now it's too short to wear with it but it's still a cute shirt.  I am determined to make sure this super cute dress does not end up with the same fate.  As it stands now if it doesn't shrink I can wear it as just a dress in the Summer time when temps are at 115 degrees and I am sweating to death in my car with no A/C.

Dress: Lots of Love by Speechless, Macy's, $8.46

Leggings: gift

Necklace: Multi Colored Chains Necklace & Earring Set

 In Pink, Giveaway win

Belt: Target, $5.20

Shoes: Tribeca wedges, Ross

Cardigan: Forever 21

Dress: Lots of Love by Speechless, Macy's, $8.46

Leggings: gift

Necklace: 

Short: short: tiny riveted initials via noisycricket , giveaway win

Long:Multi Colored Chains Necklace & Earring Set

 In Pink, Giveaway win

Belt: Target, $5.20

Shoes: Tribeca wedges, Ross

The dress has a totally cute black mesh & secquines v cut in the back but I didn't get photo's of it & can't find it online.  Maybe next time.  Also,  

sorry for the blurry outfit photo's.  It just goes to show that my true talent does really lie in jewelry/accessory photography and not clothing photography.  

Necklace: 

Short: short: tiny riveted initials via noisycricket , giveaway win

Long:Multi Colored Chains Necklace & Earring Set

 In Pink, Giveaway win

I just love the detail in it.  It's sort of heavy though.

Earrings:

:Multi Colored Chains Necklace & Earring Set

 In Pink, Giveaway win

They're also heavy.

Ring:  In Pink, Giveaway win (can't find link online)

I am standing straight in this photo.  That is how tall these wedges are.  

They're super high but surprisingly sturdy & comfortable.

I bought these shoes from Ross about a year ago.  It was love at first sight, which is weird because I was never really into the whole Gladiator sandal thing.  I had half a mind to take them back but I never did because I secretly just plain didn't want to.  I really loved them. I've never worn them before Friday though I tried to wear them once before but after the broken lamp incident I put them away again, a little to afraid of them.

This is why my 2012 goal to wear every pair of shoes I own was such a great idea.  

I will definitely be wearing these pretty babies again soon.

Confession time again... when I'm indecisive about what shoes to wear my closet ends up looking like this in the morning...

Starting the New Year off right

So far in 2012 I've done pretty good remembering my goals for the year.  Of course, it's only day 3 of 366 (it's a Leap Year!) so I'm thinking getting behind already would have taken a lot of effort.  


I had added a goal to my list but I finished it before I got a chance to actually go and add it.  It would have read... 


#8. Fix, toss or redesign all the broken jewelry I have piled in a bin to be seen to "someday".

Well "someday" turned into Sunday (1/1).  After reorganizing my closet & counting all my shoes (for goal #1) I remembered my little hidden "someday" bin (amongst my jewelry box) and got to work.


I'm actually wearing one of the necklaces I fixed today.  It broke right after I bought it (I think I only wore it once) and just never got around to fixing it.  It only needed a minor fix but I had an idea (Hello, CRAZY!) to rearrange it a bit because the layout was a bit off (Hello, OCD!).  After finishing a necklace I was making (as a gift) I realized I was over opening & closing little jewelry loops so I left it as it was and just fixed the broken loop it had.  As long as I just look at it in pieces & not as a big picture I'm fine with its odd layout (...well, almost).

It's off right?! The left has more ovals on it than the right.
Got it at Target.

For those of you who aren't friends with me on Facebook, Instagram (@kittykerri), or Twitter (@kitty_kerri) today I started on goal #1 and wore my first pair of shoes.

  

As you can see, I counted and I have 49 pairs of shoes.  7 of which are sneakers, 3 are boots, and I am not even counting my flip flops in there.  I have 19 pairs of flip flops.  That is a total of 68 pairs of things to go on my feet... sorry, I can't call flip flops shoes.  

Nineteen pairs of flips...that seems a little crazy to me but hey, I do live in Arizona.  We can pretty much wear flips year round here.  I have just as many flip flops that I don't wear regularly as I do shoes so maybe I need to do a different count when full flip flop weather comes around.

If I counted slippers I actually have 72 pairs of things that go on my feet.  That isn't really a good description is it?  Socks totally fit into that description.  Hum... oh well.  You know what I mean, right?  Right!

These shoes were probably the first pair of "spiked" heels I ever purchased (any heels I had prior were chunky). They were one of, if not, the first pair of heels I bought when I decided to start wearing heels regularly and I started going out a lot.  I commented on FB that if you licked them they'd probably taste like alcohol.  It was a joke but one that is probably true.  Those shoes saw more bar action that I ever thought I'd see.  They were perfect for me at the time.  Black with low heels and ankle straps, which made them pretty sturdy and easy to walk in.  They're Ellemenno's from Mervyn's if that tells you anything about how old they are.  

I've decided to retire them since they're pretty worn.  The toes are all scuffed up and there is a hole in the top lining of the left shoe.  I didn't realize how worn they really were until I put them on to wear to work today (seriously, its been forever since I've worn them).  It's sad but they've been well loved.  That just leaves room for a new pair of shoes, right?!

For anyone wondering what a closet full of 68 pairs of shoes looks like, here you go...

Shoes, shoes, shoes & flips.

I've learned to keep them in boxes for two reasons.  1. It's easier to store/move and 2. It keeps the cats from eating them.  It's always a sad day when I forget #2 and find a pair of flips, a strap or bow or some laces eaten.  

2012 Goals

I'm not one to make a New Years Resolution.  It's like if you tag something with that you never end up doing it.  At least, that's how it is in my world.  I'm not sure if it's too much pressure that comes with the name or if it ends up feeling too much like a chore under that name but it is definitely something.  I think the only New Years Resolution I've ever kept is the ones I've made to NOT make a New Years Resolution.  Somehow that one is super easy.  


After seeing everyone else's NYR's and goals for the New Year I started thinking of things I would like to do in 2012.  I guess I could safely put them under the term of goals but I'm a bit afraid of that word.  It's that damn pressure thing again.  I don't like someone telling me what I have to do.  They can ask and/or make suggestions  but when I am TOLD that I HAVE to do something I start to get prickly.  It's a quirk, I know but it's one I accept so it's okay, right?!  


So here is a list of things that have popped into my head in the last few days of what I'd LIKE to do in 2012.  If I don't get around to something or I don't totally finish it I will be totally okay with that and there will be no hurt feelings or disappointment.    


1. Wear each pair of shoes I have at least once.  
I have at least 5 pairs of shoes that I've never actually worn, many I've only worn once and numerous pairs that I have and haven't worn in years.  They're all shoes that I just can't put in the giveaway pile when I clean out my closet for some reason.  Last night I meant to count all the shoes I have so I have an idea of what I'm up against but I forgot.  I got distracted by trying on a couple of pairs with the new stuff I bought at Old Navy ({fuchsia} shirt $4.23 & {black} dress $11.23).  I'm not sure if I should count my flip flops in this goal or not. That raises the count considerably.
***


2. Get rid of things I don't need or want but I've been holding onto for some reason.  
The shoes listed about do not count towards this goal.  Nor do useless things passed down through the family.  I will keep the box of gold imprinted non-usable drinking glasses my grandmother had till the day I die.
***


3. Go on a date...AUGH!!
This is pretty self explanatory.  I've been on a no men sabbatical since my (last) break-up.  I'm tired of dating my iPhone & DVD player.  It's time to get over myself, my awkwardness, my distrust in men & my hatred dislike of first dates.
***


4. Sew a 50's style dress.
This is pure insanity, I know.  I don't sew.  I don't even know how to.  I'm pretty sure the last thing I actually sewed was back in HomeEc in Jr. High/High School.  It was a cookie shaped pillow and it was pretty much a total EPIC fail.  Why so specific then, you ask?  Well, because of the patterns I found back in Oct.  I seriously love dresses like that, that type of cut is what looks best on me and it is something I WANT to sew so I'm willing to overlook my aversion to sewing.
***


5. Finally get around to making myself the double sided no sew fleece blanket I've had the material for since last December.  
You know, I may have actually had the material for 2 years.  I either picked it up when I made one for Will (for his trailer) when he went to work out of town in New Mexico or I picked it up last December when I made one for Will's Mom for Christmas '10.  After making a double sided full (or queen) sized blanket for someone else as a gift it's hard to get up the gumption to make yourself a double sided full (or queen) sized blanket.  Just the thought makes my back ache.  I can, also, imagine the fun it will be with Remington around.  He's worse than Parker when it comes to messing with blankets you're trying to do something with.  I see hours of frustration with this one.
***


6. Get new glasses.
It's time.  Way past time, actually.  I just hate having someone that up in my face, especially when they tell me depressing news.  I already know how bad my eyesight is...it sucks.  It's been so long that I can't remember what my vision used to be but it was negative triple digits.  I'm not blind but don't ask me to go into detail about what I see past the end of my nose without my glasses on.  Plus, my last experience was so horrible that I'd almost rather be blind than go through such an experience again.  It was a waste of money, time and patience. 
***


7. Visit Bearizona.
As far as I know it's the only animal exhibit in AZ that I haven't visited yet.  I can't decide what would be cooler...going in Spring or Winter.  


Spring = babies (and pretty colors).

via

Winter = snow (but there may be less animals because of hibernation).  

via 

Guess I'll have to just go twice!

It's by no means expensive (entrance fees at least, the whole trip may be another story) but it's more of a logistics thing.  Better start working on my powers of persuasion since this isn't one of the things I can go do by myself, nor would I want to.


P.S. Both photo's make me want to go in for a snuggle.  Does that make me crazy??
***


I'd really like to have an even number of goals (preferably 10) but its an OCD thing that I'm going to have to ignore because I can't think of anything else right now.