A Look Back at 2011 Goals.

It is important to make progress on goals. It is important to look back at what was important a year ago and see if I have made any progress. I did it last year...you can read about it here. 

Looking back at my goals for 2011, I feel like I did a pretty good job of meeting my goals.

Goals for 2011:

1. Keep volunteering. This was a strange year for volunteering. I feel like I have so much more to give but no time to actually do it...I started an after school art club a few times a month and I volunteer at Spiva. I don't have energy for more than that...especially not if I am trying to keep up with my workout schedule. There were a lot of opportunities to volunteer with the tornado, but I was so busy and overwhelmed trying to help my mom, that I didn't do as much as I should have.

2. Make and give more handmade gifts--especially sewn things for new babies. This year, I made 30 stockings and several other sewn projects. My sewing machine has been put to good use this year.

3. Get my photos organized. Well....I organized all of my photos on an external hard drive. By year. By season. By event. Every photo since I have owned a digital camera. Thousands of photos. And then my cat knocked over the hard drive and nothing is accessible. I am hoping everything is still on there...it was 360 gigs of information. The photos that I have printed at home are not very organized. This is still a goal for 2012. I need to buy a bunch of photo albums....or make some scrapbooks...Something....my photos are getting ridiculous!

4. Get a new comforter--I really want something awesome from Anthro. I got a new comforter from Funtiques and I love it!!

5. Frame more of my Holga and darkroom photos, get artwork ready for a real show in a real gallery and photo competitions. I had an exhibit for 3rd Thursday in July. While I didn't frame many of the enlarged darkroom photos, I used these foto clips from photojojo to create photo grids with many of the 5X5 prints. I put a couple of my framed photos in a competition and didn't get any awards so I felt a little silly entering more...but I know I will this year. Framing is so expensive!

6. Organize the files on my computer. Shortly after I wrote these goals, my computer got super slow. I tried cleaning it off, but I could hardly edit photos or access my files. It was ridiculously slow. That was why I had so few blog posts last spring. In May, we got new computers at school...and that really helped speed things up.

7. Work hard to create a successful and amazing summer art program at a local art center. Since I was so busy with Art Lounge, I didn't end up doing the summer art program at Spiva. I'm glad it didn't work out. One day a week was more than enough for me. I would've been crazy-stressed-out-burned-out if I had worked full time all summer. The Art Lounge class was the perfect amount of art teaching for me with everything that was going on around town and helping my mom.


8. Seriously think about what I want to do next....masters? move? teach forever? I feel like I am having an amazing school year. Seriously, I love this year. I've got some good classes and I am really happy. Since I teach Art Lounge one night a week, I am hesitant to start a Master's program, but I know I need to start thinking about it more seriously.


9. I got a membership to the gym....I hope to work out at least 10 times a month ;-) I marked each work out on the calendar this year and it was 161 times. I met my goal....Most of the workouts were in February and march. Things tapered off in Novemer and December, but I definitely want to keep up a similar schedule for next year. I have gotten lazy the last few weeks...but I love feeling good and looking good so it is important to me. If I am not careful, I will drink sodas and sugary snacks, but when I am going to spin class and zumba every day, I stay away from those things and I feel better.


10. Watch one foreign film every month (this month I watched 3 streaming on Netflix) Hmmm....Nope. Did not do this. I did watch all of the Girl With a Dragon Tatoo movies...and a couple of documentaries...but not very many foreign films. I didn't watch many movies at all. This month, I have been really addicted to Mad Men. 

 

The last few are goals that could continue into the future...they are harder to measure and harder to reflect on whether or not I've made any progress.
11. Be more spontaneous.
12. Don't schedule so much stuff to do--make more time for my family. I envy that family on parenthood, they see each other all the time...I want to do that too. I still need to make this my goal...to be more
13. Be a better friend. Have more real conversations, be more supportive, more loving....

 I'm excited for 2012!!!

Goals for 2012

This is the time of year when people are looking ahead to the future. Here is a little wish list and goal list for 2012. I am hoping to cross a lot of things off this list! Looks like it is going to be a fun year!

Year in review...and looking ahead...

Year in Review. I am too lazy to do a photography year in review, because that involves accessing photos from my external hard drive...and I don't really feel like making a bunch of links back through all of my posts....But luckily, Kara inspired me to make a list similar to hers in regards to last year.  These are the thoughts that I will remember about last year.

2010-2011
1. Went to Vegas for the first time
2. turned 27
3. wore lots of wigs
4. went on a super fun road trip from Lake Havasu, AZ to San Diego CA and back to Vegas with my brother and his family
5. Went to the Costa Mesa Swap Meet
6. took lots of Holga photos
7. learned how to print in a darkroom
8. entered a 3-minute film competition and got 2nd place
9. hosted and organized TWO women's crafting retreats
11. went to a Monday night football game
12. my house got robbed
13. improved my sewing skills--made like 10 aprons
14. spent Halloween seeing Roger Waters in concert and then Power and Light--best costume party EVER
15. learned how to sleep in on the weekends
16. went to a Lady Gaga concert
17. sang karaoke duets
18. finally visited my grandparents in Texas
19. took scuba classes
20. threw lots of really fun parties
21. played hours worth of Words with Friends
22. read almost 10 books (I think)
23. started a Lomography club in Joplin
24. volunteered at a local charity over Christmas Break--the Ronald McDonald House
25. served on the education committee at Spiva (time spent sitting in meetings, working at local events and donating my art for fundraisers)
26. set up my own art exhibit at a local art walk
27. made a new friend that I met in an online class
28. took several online crafting classes
29. mentored a student after school once a week/'adopted' a student--by purchasing her some new clothes
30. taught my 5th year of elementary art

Goals from Last Year Revisited:
1. Give back more. My main goal for this year is to do more volunteering. I want to give more of my energy, time and money to people who really need it.  I think I did a pretty good job of this. Always room for improvement, but I feel like I did my best.
2. One little word: GIVE
This year, my one little word will be give. It is such an easy thing to do. I feel like I have a lot of things I can give to my students, friends and family...but also to those who are really in need. This goal should be measurable and even if it isn't something I can do every day or week, I know that I will reap the many benefits of giving...generosity, spreading random acts of kindness...it is important to me this year. An on going goal...I haven't set my One Little Word for this year. I tried to be as giving as possible, but I know I can always do better.
3. I want to continue with project 52. I ordered another journal and I intend to do it again. I will probably include more photo collages printed on cardstock from Picnik....maybe one every week or for major events. I decided not to do project 52. I still have the calendar, I may do it again in a year or two, I stated a couple of journals from various online classes. There isn't as much journaling involved, but I save keepsakes and play around with photos and found papers so it is good.
4. Write more quality blog posts. This is always something I strive for. I enjoy reading blog posts that are funny, entertaining and that have a good message. If I am not inspired, I try not to force it. If I haven't done anything creative, I don't load my blog with fluff. I haven't been posting as often this winter, but I am hoping to feel more inspired soon.
5. Continue my card swap club--super fun! The card club stayed alive, but died in the summer. Poor attendance....people stopped making time for it. Maybe it just wasn't as cool as I thought. I had a lot of fun and built up my card stash. I donated a big pile of extra cards from the swaps to a care package bound for a soldier shipping out to Afganistan. I actually haven't stamped since September-GASP!
6. Host a scrapbooking retreat: Nelliepalooza (in April for my birthday). I live in Joplin Missouri...if you are interested in finding out more please email me or leave a comment, it is going to be awesome! It was awesome. I even hosted part deux in the fall and am planning Nelliepalooza the Third this April. Can't wait!
7. Travel. I am planning a trip over spring break to Las Vegas for a few days and then over to Lake Havasu to visit my brother and new nephew--YAY!! I can't wait! YAY! Lake Havasu and Vegas in March...and then again in July, plus SoCal, a St. Louis weekend, a Branson weekend, a couple of KC nights, and a trip to Dallas in November. Not bad!
8. Concerts. I want to see more live music. Period. Two major concerts--Gaga and Rogers...Plus a few random local shows.
9. Really work on crocheting. I want to be able to crochet stuff. I suck at crocheting. I gave it a good go...and I might pick it up again this winter, but I am impatient.
10. Make some clothes, bags and other accessories using my new sewing machine. I really want to get good at sewing...maybe make some stuff for my Etsy shop. I haven't posted anything in my Etsy shop in a year, it is so much work to photograph, edit, write descriptions, post items, advertise, keep current, re-list, package, ship, etc. I have gotten better at sewing, I wouldn't say GOOD....I have probably made 10 aprons, and started using stitching in my crafty creations.
11. Photography. I want a Fujifilm mini 7 instant camera. Bad. I also want to work on taking more photos with Holga....and I want to invest in more equipment so that I can do some senior pictures, family pictures and kids photos for a profit....I got an instax and I love it. I recently posted a photo wall with 90 photos from last year in my living room (photos coming soon!). It is such a fun camera. I have started learning darkroom techniques and want to put a dark room in my basement--more for fun and experimenting than anything. This year, I want to get a negative scanner.
12. Cook more. I truly enjoy cooking a beautiful meal. I typed all of my favorite recipes into a book for my sister for Christmas. I am going to print out a copy for myself and add to it throughout the year. Ha! I just printed the recipes this week. I just need to cut them apart and organize them into a book. I have done pretty good with cooking, made ham and beans, potato soup, biscuits from scratched (they sucked), pulled pork, rolls, katherines potatos, roast, deviled eggs, all kinds of delicious things this year!

Goals for 2011:

1. Keep volunteering.
2. Make and give more handmade gifts--especially sewn things for new babies.
3. Get my photos organized
4. Get a new comforter--I really want something awesome from Anthro
5. Frame more of my Holga and darkroom photos, get artwork ready for a real show in a real gallery and photo competitions
6. Organize the files on my computer
7. Work hard to create a successful and amazing summer art program at a local art center
8. Seriously think about what I want to do next....masters? move? teach forever?
9. I got a membership to the gym....I hope to work out at least 10 times a month ;-)
10. Watch one foreign film every month (this month I watched 3 streaming on Netflix)
11. Be more spontaneous
12. Don't schedule so much stuff to do--make more time for my family. I envy that family on parenthood, they see each other all the time...I want to do that too.
13. Be a better friend. Have more real conversations, be more supportive, more loving....

 All of the photos in this post were taken on my mac, with the photo booth. I converted them to B&W using picnik...and the Holga-ish application. Quick and easy way to create a coherent series of self-portraits. 

4 Simple Goals

With the school year officially starting later this week, it feels like a good time to develop 4 simple goals. Thanks Elsie for the inspiration!!

These goals are things I want to accomplish before 2011.

1. Cook more meals at home. It has been a ridiculously hot summer and I have taken to eating junk these past view weeks. I am going to eat healthier lunches when school starts and try to cook 3-4 times a week so that I will have yummy and healthy leftovers. (And since you asked....tonight I am making Rhodes rolls for some BBQ pork sandwiches....and the entire house smells like rising bread)

2. Make all my Christmas cards. I am excited about this tradition. I have made my all my Christmas cards for the past 3 years. It is one of my favorite things. I love stamping...and I recently organized my craft room and I want to make as many cards as I can without buying anything.

3. Keep exercising. I started working out 10 weeks ago and I've managed to stay pretty strong running/walking 2.3 miles 3-4 times per week. I am worried that I will fall off the wagon once school starts. But if it cools off a little bit, hopefully I can keep going in the evenings. I've been doing it in the morning and I really love that but it will be impossible to do that when school starts. I woke up early last week and I thought I would try to go at like 5:30 but it was pitch black out and I only made it to the end of the walk way before a shadow spooked me, and I was so scared that I would get chased by a dog, skunk, raccoon, or scary guy.....so that isn't going to happen.

4. Do some soul searching. I feel like I need to do some planning for the future. Do I want to go back to school? Do I want to teach forever? Do I want to do something else for a while? I'm going to do some research and talk to people and figure out what I want to do, and try to figure out what I can do that will lead a rich, fulfilling life and career.

I've sort of had writer's block.....

Last spring I had about ten things to write about every week. Now that summer is here, I just don't want to be tied to my computer and I am feeling totally uninspired. I haven't stopped creating, I've just sort of taken a break from documenting it. I thought it would be fun to share some pretty pictures I took at a recent local art walk. If you don't want to read all the boring stuff, enjoy the pretty pictures!

Today is my second day of summer vacation. The worst part about a vacation is feeling like, 'wow...I don't ever want to go back to work....ever....." I guess that it is bad because I fee guilty, like I don't like my job. But it is good too because it means that I am really enjoying every single second that I do have off. Yesterday I did a few things on the computer that I needed to get done but I had been procrastinating. (ordered some more Instax film--yay!)  I am shooting a wedding this weekend so I have been getting ready for that. Today has been a major cleaning day. Clean sheets. Clean kitchen. Clean laundry (folded and put away). I drank some green tea and it really energized me to get some mundane tasks done!

I recently set a few new goals for myself....
1. Lose 5 lbs.
2. Keep a food journal
3. Work out at least 4 days a week
4. Avoid fried foods, eat more grilled meat with veggies and fruit
5. Limit sweets and other junk food

This is week four and I have done pretty well with all of my goals. My food journal was really easy while I was in school but I have slacked off on that this week. I have really stuck to working out....I must admit that the last time I ran a full mile was in Jr. high but I am nearly there now...I can't run an entire mile...haha...I live in a neighborhood full of hills...but I almost can. I jog/walk 2.4 miles nearly every day and I have gone hiking at a local nature center too.

I had hoped that the results from all this hard work would be paying off but I haven't lost a single pound. My clothes fit a little better but I am still the same size. grrr....that is frustrating. Week 4 is almost over and I am going on a trip next week so that might sabotage my workout and eating plan (who wants to be restrictive when they are traveling!) I just hope I don't have to start completely over when I get back. I want to meet my goal of losing 5 lbs. before school starts in August!!

I have been working really hard on some art goals too. I am planning an art exhibit this fall with my medium format photography (Holga pictures) and I am creating some sculptures with found objects as part of my exhibit. I am excited to be working on this and I will share pictures as soon as I am a little farther along.

These are a couple of my artists friends from college. One of my favorite thing about art walk is all the great old friends I see!

 At art walk the students at the local university create a screen print on site based on a post card picture from an old building downtown. The prints are so cool!

 Here is one of Scott's sculptures. It is a guitar made out of found objects. The entire show was so cool. Some of them were made my his students! He is so great!!

 Yes, the guitars actually work!

Frustratingly, the local photography studio that develops my holga pictures (for 25 cents each--total bargain!) is closing. I have been buying equipment to start my own darkroom, but that is pretty far in the future. I am excited to get it started but I will probably only be able to process black and white pictures so that may limit my options with the holga photography. Bummer.

I just entered some of my Holga pictures in a contest: HOLGAPALOOZA!! I don't really think I will win....but I am proud of myself for actually entering.

I just finished my first 'summer craft swap.' I am getting ready to mail off 16 sun glass cases. I will share pictures soon!

My family is going through some stuff so I am trying to relax but I am also worried about several situations that have developed. None of them involve me directly, but I am still feeling the stress for my parents and brother.

Oh and I have just a couple more pictures from the art walk to share with you. I took these with my iPhone hipstomatic app. Tacos and a Mexican coke! YUMMMMMM!!

Two Zero One Zero

I rang in the new year with a yummy dinner at a local Greek restaurant and then a house full of friends.


I decorated with tons of paper cut triangles, spirals and a couple of giant Happy New Year banners--inspired by Matisse. It was a magical night with a balloon drop and a midnight toast!



Well, I guess I should reflect over the year...so I am making a list of some of my favorite blog posts and artwork from the year. I hope you enjoy looking back as much as I have enjoyed writing this post!

Looking back on 2009
1. One little word for 2009: Inspire (mid-year-ish)
2. Made Project 52 work for me
3. Made a lot of butterfly and cupcake (more here) cards
4. Participated in a lot of online challenges
5. Turned 26
6. Started a summer stamping swap club
7. Preserved my baby book
8. Listed 99 things I have/haven't done....
9. Celebrated my 1-year-blog anniversary
10. Fell in love with Holga (more here here here and here)
11. Tried to be more organized (one of my goals for the year!)
12. Went to CKC baby!! (finished mini album)
13. Went camping
14. Went to St. Louis---six flags, roller derby, St. Charles
15. Thought that I had my identity stolen
16. Fell in love with my D500...and started a photography business
17. Realized that I could wear stylish aprons at school and make my outfits a million times cuter
18. Started hosting themed crops
19. Got an iPhone and fell in love with it
20.I was pretty much obsessed with owls.
21. Went to St. Charles in the fall
22. Had so much fun at my friend Daniel's wedding
23. Made a Where the Wild Things Are tape installation in my classroom (and pretty much fell in love with anything wild)
24. Went to KNOB
25. Started an Etsy shop
26. Started drawing a bit
27. Made all of my own Christmas cards
28. Admitted to being a Twilight fan
29. Celebrated my new nephew: Team JACOB!!
30. Took an online class: Blogging for Scrapbookers
31. Started having Wednesday Parades
32. Made my own polaroid garland

And now for a few words about the future:

Looking ahead to 2010
1. Give back more. My main goal for this year is to do more volunteering. I want to give more of my energy, time and money to people who really need it.
2. One little word: GIVE
This year, my one little word will be give. It is such an easy thing to do. I feel like I have a lot of things I can give to my students, friends and family...but also to those who are really in need. This goal should be measurable and even if it isn't something I can do every day or week, I know that I will reap the many benefits of giving...generosity, spreading random acts of kindness...it is important to me this year.
3. I want to continue with project 52. I ordered another journal and I intend to do it again. I will probably include more photo collages printed on cardstock from Picnik....maybe one every week or for major events.
4. Write more quality blog posts
5. Continue my card swap club--super fun!
6. Host a scrapbooking retreat: Nelliepalooza (in April for my birthday). I live in Joplin Missouri...if you are interested in finding out more please email me or leave a comment, it is going to be awesome!
7. Travel. I am planning a trip over spring break to Las Vegas for a few days and then over to Lake Havasu to visit my brother and new nephew--YAY!! I can't wait!
8. Concerts. I want to see more live music. Period.
9. Really work on crocheting. I want to be able to crochet stuff.
10. Make some clothes, bags and other accessories using my new sewing machine. I really want to get good at sewing...maybe make some stuff for my Etsy shop.
11. Photography. I want a Fujifilm mini 7 instant camera. Bad. I also want to work on taking more photos with Holga....and I want to invest in more equipment so that I can do some senior pictures, family pictures and kids photos for a profit....
12. Cook more. I truly enjoy cooking a beautiful meal. I typed all of my favorite recipes into a book for my sister for Christmas. I am going to print out a copy for myself and add to it throughout the year.


Okay so that is all I have for now...those are the things that I find most important to reflect on and look ahead to this month. Hope your year has started out with much love!!

Today is a Palindrome: 01022010 LOVE IT!! :-)