Resolutions Update - House Stuff

Resolution No. 11: Work in the yard. Clean out back yard. DIY Landscaping - Although we've made much progress.... still much is needed. We did clean out the back yard a few weekends ago.. and next to filing our taxes, I'd say it was a priority for this weekend. Yesterday we had someone come and basically scalp... or mow the weeds, edge and clean out the beds... Hopefully we can make even more progress this weekend. Better start looking for a mower on craigslist

Resolution No. 30: Buy a dining room set. Create a dining room that will be physically and conceptually the center of our home. During my most recent Canton trip.. I found the inspiration for this room... It's in pretty much the exact same condition it was when we bought it... Taupe walls, ugly white tile floors... we've added a cherry wood color hand-me-down dining room table from Teri and a Crate Kennel for our 8-year old black lab puppy. SO.. here's what I'm thinking. Goal: To be completed 100% by Thanksgiving
1) Hang Stained Glass Pendant Lamp
2) Purchase Wood Hutch, Preferably two-toned, dark wood with white interior walls/shelving
3) Paint Current hand-me-down table glossy white
4) Purchase Blue&White, Gray&White or Black&White geometric rug
5) Reupholster current hand-me-down chairs with Blue&White themed fabric
6) Paint Walls White
7) Purchase/Hang Art
8) Possibly purchase narrow buffet or bench

Before

Before

Resolution Update - Trip Resolutions

Resolution No. 7: Visit family in California - Scheduled May 5-9 (Just Meg... going to visit Mom for Mother's Day, attend Emily's NCL Senior Presents.. can't wait!)

Resolution No. 9: Visit Tricia, Doug and Rylie in Lena, IL - Scheduled May 7-9 (Just Dan... going to visit for Tricia and Doug's Lena Wedding reception)

Resolution No. 17: Plan/take a vacation (Pacific Northwest, NYC, Beach, CA Or Hawaii) - Scheduled!!! Maui with Family Gorham June 26 - July 3. Also Can't wait!!

Resolution Update

Resolution No. 2: Find fulfillment, work-life balance, and happiness in a job. (Meg) - If you'll remember, I was somewhat challenged to find any motivation to go to work during the fourth quarter of the year. The nature of retail jobs/careers is incredibly physically demanding in addition to the other normal pressures. I struggled with feeling like nobody understood what the pressures of my job looked like... how truly grueling it can be, etc. Because of the utter physical and mental exhaustion of the holiday season, I found myself with no work-life balance... apparently a lack of balance resulting in the "burning" of bridges. I resolved to move on, to find a more fulfilling job that would allow for plenty of balance. I applied for several jobs... was told a) I was over-qualified b) I was more than qualified but there was no open positions and that they would absolutely hold on to my resume. Most recently, I was asked to interview for a prestigious leadership program with Macy's - one week conference in NYC. Unfortunately, the conference overlapped with a previously planned vacation, and god for my career or not... I turned it down. However, I was asked to interview for a Sales Manager position at North Park on Monday and am feeling great about the move.. Hopefully a location change, increase in compensation, and new challenges will help me feel better about my job. I've come to the realization that although I am sick of hearing it, "I will out pace my peers" with this company. If I want it... I will be a (Vice President) Store Manager or District Merchant within 3-5 years, resulting in a significant increase in pay. As much as it pains me sometimes... I'm beginning to think this might be the time I put in so that when I'm ready... I really can (fund) and start my own design or decorating business without as much concern about money.

Resolutions - UPDATE

No. 4 Cook More. Eat more veggies/ healthier -- Definitely progress made. Tonight I made pistachio and potato chip cruted chicken with asparagus risotto. OK... Maybe not necessarily "healthy" ... but definitely homemade. and I did use almost all organic ingredients.

No. 8. Express myself artistically (Meg) -- Another one that at least I've got SOME progress to report... For Valentine's Day, Dan got me a bunch of painting and sketching supplies. I'll be honest.. they're still in the packaging but It was, without doubt, one of the most thoughtful gifts he has ever given me. I'm going to start on the designs for the mural on our backyard wall this weekend :)

No. 20. Practice more yoga.1-2x a week (Meg) -- Still searching for a class schedule that will really allow me to easily go a few times a week. Have started at least 2x a week at home. Progress is Progress.

No. 22. Planted an herb garden. Done... now lets just see if I can keep it alive.

No. 35. Spend a weekend in Austin, just the two of us. Technically this could be crossed off or checked... but I'd like for us to go again...

No. 54. Go to the dentist (Meg = done. Dan = Not Done)

No. 71. Clean out closet / donate / sell. Thank you Buffalo Exchange for the $205 dollar check. Now for the reject "stuff" ... gotta get to goodwill.

No. 83. Stop texting while driving. This one has been much easier than I thought it would be... I can honestly say... I'm about 98% reformed.

2011 New Years Resolutions - REVISITED

The Pittman Family New Years Resolutions

1. Stay a weekend at a B&B in a small town.

2. Find fulfillment, work-life balance, and happiness in a job. (Meg)

3. Start walking, jogging or hiking. and/or join a gym. Get some form of exercise @ least, 3x weekly. Get in shape

4. Cook more. Eat more vegetables/ healthier

5. Consume only one soda/fried meal a week (Dan)

6. Better invest idle alone time

7. Visit family in California

8. Express myself artistically (Meg)

9. Visit Tricia, Doug and Rylie in Lena, IL

10. Get a bike for Meg

11. Work in the yard. Clean out back yard. DIY Landscaping

12. Try to find a church that we like.. try to go.

13. Make time for extended family.

14. Save some money.

15. Invest money.

16. Finish certifications. Make progress towards data center (Dan)

17. Plan/take a vacation (Pacific Northwest, NYC, Beach, CA Or Hawaii -- At this point... looking like Maui with Family Gorham in late June. WOO!!! )

18. Learn to sew. Set up sewing machine. Make Curtains for master bedroom, living room, office, and dining room(Meg)

19. Manage migraines without as many meds (Meg)

20. Practice more yoga.1-2x a week (Meg)

21. Learn better stress management. Prioritize. (Meg)

22. Plant an herb garden

23. Go to Dublin, TX

24. Recycle. Buy a Bin. Take bottles and cans to recycling center at least 1x monthly.

25. Buy more organic produce. Buy fewer processed products.

26. Spend less on material "stuff" that doesn’t matter

27. Be more spontaneous with our plans.

28. Invite out of town house guests to stay with us.

29. Host a dinner or cocktail party

30. Buy a dining room set. Create a dining room that will be physically and conceptually the center of our home.

31. Paint house interior / power wash exterior

32. Stop condescending (Dan)

33. Replace light fixtures and ceiling fans in most rooms in our house. & add backyard lighting.

34. Replace fixtures (knobs, switch plates, etc.) throughout house

35. Spend a weekend in Austin, just the two of us.

36. Spend a weekend floating the Comal river in New Braunfels (or swimming in a natural spring) with pals this summer.

37. Go skiing or on a mountain vacation (2011 or Future)

38. Visit Grandaddy more often (Meg)

39. Go to Canton, flea market/thrifting more often

40. Go to NYC and/or Boston (2011 or Future)

41. Avoid laziness (Dan), Embrace laziness (Meg)

42. Go to farmers market more

43. Learn something new (skill) (Dan)

44. Stay in touch with old friends, Make new friends.

45. Finish wedding thank you notes

46. Send birthday cards to long-distance friends and family.

47. Start a bucket list

48. Try new foods and restaurants

49. Start having Date nights at least 1x weekly

50. Sell the Meg mobile, get the Meg a new car

51. Hang artwork, pictures and frames on walls in our house. (Also. Order prints from our wedding)

52. Minimize time spent watching desperate housewives and like trashy TV. Choose documentaries instead. (Meg)

53. Meditate. Spend more time thinking/prayer/meditation

54. Go to the dentist

55. Go to doctor for annual check-up (Dan) Find a gynecologist and make an appointment (Meg)

56. Go camping and/or hiking. Spend more time outdoors in general.

57. Plant a tree.

58. Go on a TX beer tour (for Dan's Birthday)

59. Go on a West Coast road trip...to Napa/ Russian River Valley/ Portland, Oregon (2011 or Future)

60. Throw a "housewarming" party.

61. Keep in better touch with Christopher and Emily

62. Go to CA for Emily’s HS gradation or Senior Presents

63. Go to the beach

64. Go to a drive in movie theatre

65. Stargaze.

66. Create a mural on the cement wall in back yard.

67. Get a hair cut. Make a style change (Meg)

68. Stop wasting time holding grudges, being a mean girl. Make a sincere effort to not say mean things about people.

69. Start Journaling/ Blogging

70. Read more (Meg)

71. Clean out closet / donate / sell

72. Do something with the "drum room"

73. Volunteer

74. Go to Ft. Worth zoo

75. Go to Dallas Arboretum

76. Walk the Katy Trail or around White Rock Lake

77. Go to Ft. Worth Botanic gardens

78. Go to the DMA

79. Go to Dallas Symphony

80. Go see one of the summer musicals / Take a day off to go to the TX Fair

81. Make an effort to not be as messy at home (Meg). Make an effort to clean more (Dan)

82. Cut back on candy and sweets, refined sugar in general (Meg)

83. Stop texting while driving

84. Use random acts of kindness to show our friends that we care.

85. Be genuinely comfortable in my own skin, physically and mentally.

86. Be a positive influence.

87. Have thanksgiving at our new home. Make new family holiday traditions

88. Take more pictures to document our first year as a married couple.

89. Fix the flip. Take more home videos.

90. Drink less coffee. Drink more tea. Take Vitamins and supplements.

91. Go to Ft. Worth Ginger Man, Flying Saucer, Ft Worth Beer Festival

92. Go wine tasting in TX Hill Country

93. Splurge on a pretty party dress. Wear it somewhere special.

94. Plan something special for our first anniversary.

95. Limit intake of Chili’s and comparable bad-for-you restaurants

96. Do the dishes as we go. Don’t wait until the sink is full.

97. Write down successful "recipes"

98. Surprise each other with small things that say “I Love You”

99. Pay off Macy’s/ BofA credit cards

100. Create Etsy shop to sell Goodwill/Thrift finds

Blog Challenge: DAY 4

My Parents

@ The Pacific Edge Villa during the (wedding) planning stage

(Note: This picture has been sitting uploaded in this draft for 48 hours. And about 15 minutes ago Dan pointed out to me that I've failed to update 2 days in a row now... And not that anyone cares.. but here goes: (Oh! and it's going to be brief, because clearly... it's 10:15 on a Sunday night.. and in our house.. that means bedtime.)

My parents. Unconditional Love... goes without saying. Support. Security. Funding. Best parents ever. Growing up, especially in high school, everyone had a friend who had "the cool parents." The ones who were OK with underage drinking, usually provided a place for it to happen.. and/or were out of town when it did... let you play loud music with obscene lyrics and have the door closed when you had a boy in your room... you know. I just never thought that was cool. Or maybe I did... and I'm just so enlightened now. Either way. The things that I think are cool about my parents.

1. They taught me to appreciate good food. (See previous post)

2. They taught me to appreciate good wine (with good food) and allowed me to consume moderate amounts. (I strongly believe that this influenced me to NOT abuse alcohol)

3. They never told me I could not. (In the.. follow your dreams sense). I had 7 (or 8) college majors. Transferred schools 3 times. Dyed my hair pink in the 10th grade.

4. They supported me, even when I quit (soccer in the 8th grade and SMU after 6 months).

5. They REALLY believe in me.

6. They think I'm a fabulous cook and tell me ALL the time.

7. They always planned the most elaborate and fabulous family vacations. As an adult I've come to appreciate the cost and value of vacations. These are some of my favorite memories, not because of the luxurious hotel rooms or expensive excursions (although I will say.. The Essex House Jr Suite overlooking Central Park, NYC is something I will NEVER forget) but because it was always just the 6 of us (I say that like 6 is a small number... I never really brought friends on vacations.. because there were 4 of us (kids) we always had a "buddy") but we traveled more like a team... I mean, we took up an entire row in the airplane! I think my favorite memory, or at least the one that sticks out most prominently in my mind tonight, is the night that Bruce came out. Let me explain. To preface: My dad, having worked in retail for 28 years, has (and I'm sure has always been) quite the metro-sexual. One year, in Maui, after a fancy dinner towards the end of our vacation, we piled in the rental car to drive back to the hotel. On the way, we passed the Lahaina mall... I'm really not sure why we decided to stop but we ended up wandering through countless cheesy shops. Mom got talked into some Dead Sea hand scrub. Bethany bought some "Maui Babe" tanning lotion... and Dad tried on a floppy (hawaiian print) cotton beach hat and started giving his best (stereotypical) gay guy impression. (This involved showing his fingernails (freshly buffed) and saying "Hi, I'm Bruce." Really.. the story ends there. To this day.. we give him a hard time when he's letting his Bruce show :)

8. They taught me modesty and perspective.

9. They loved me... even when I thought my (their) Macy's credit card was like an AMEX black.

10. They will always be there for me.

(Note: Dan's irritated that I'm still awake.. and now it's 10:50pm. REALLY BEDTIME!)

Blog Challenge: DAY 3

My first love

I can honestly say that Daniel is my first REAL love. And we all know that story. So instead I really want to blog about another first "love"... Cooking

I can't remember the moment I fell... but the relationship is definitely forever. My family loves to cook. Growing-up, my mom cooked dinner more than the average So Cal momma. Fast food was a rarity, dining out was limited to hole-in-the-wall or mom and pop shops... except for Sizzler. (Finally I understand why my mom would only let us talk her in to taking us there when Dad was our out of town. More than anything, I am thankful that I was brought up with a true appreciation for food. And not just "American" but all kinds of cuisines. Likewise, not just dining out, but cooking all kinds of cuisines. Food is so integrated in my upbringing that when I think back to my favorite holiday traditions or memories.. they're ALL about food. Italian on Valentine's Day, Tamales on Christmas Eve. My senior year of high school I decided that I wanted to have a graduation party. No streamers or cheesy "GRAD 2004" stuff... Instead I invited 12 of my closest friends over for a formal dinner party. Cocktail attire. The whole nine yards. I made tomato basil soup (I found the recipe from La Madeline... so much cream..) which I served in individual ramekins topped with puff pastry. Beef Wellington (also puff-pastry.. I was too inexperienced to see that this might have been overkill)... You get the picture. In high school, this was different... Now in my early 20s, my peers are finally on the same page. Almost. OK. Maybe it won't REALLY happen until my LATE 20s.

My mom (and my dad) taught be to be a pinch-of-this, handful-of-that kind of cook... I still whole-heartedly practice this method... the only downside... making it taste EXACTLY the same. So this brings me to why I decided to write about this LOVE not the Dan LOVE. I made Chili this morning in the crock pot we got for our wedding. How does it taste SO different than my Mom's? Maybe in 6-8 hours....

PS. Chili does not photograph well.. so I'm going to skip that part.