Monday, January 31, 2011

Menu Monday - 1/31


In the past 3 weeks,
I've lost ~9 pounds.
And I'm so excited.

I've been eating better.
Eating less.
And hitting the gym EVERYDAY!
Plus, I walk 2 miles for school everyday...
bonus work out!

So, for this week, 
I'm keeping it healthy.

Monday - Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken w/ Balsamic Carrots
Tuesday - Spinach Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken w/ Potatoes
Wednesday - Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Sandwichs
Thursday - Bestie Night (so, I may reward myself tonight!)
Friday -Fajitas & Guacamole (w/ wheat tortillas)

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Thankful Thursday - 1/27

And 7 years later, we are husband and wife.

And it's an amazing feeling.
To know I'll spend forever.
With my one and only.
My best friend.
The missing piece to my puzzle.
That completes me in every way possible.

Today, I'm thankful for my amazing husband.
And our wonderful relationship.

Love is a crazy thing.
It's powerful.
And I'm so glad that I surrendered to it
so long ago.

Yesterday, I found this note in my backpack
after I got to school.
Totally made my day.

I think it's safe to say it's been an AWESOME week!
I hope all of yours is just a great!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

It's Wednesday and It's a GOOD Week

Because...

Monday,
I swam through downtown.
And found a fish in my shoe.
Well, not really.
But as bad as the weather was,
I couldn't help but laugh
when I got to my car and I was soaked from the waist down.
That, I'm serious about.


Yesterday,
was a good hair day
because of my Much Love, Illy
and my favorite conditioner, Yes to Cucumbers!

Plus...
My big sister, Krysten @ After I Do
wrote a lovely little sister introduction about me over at her blog.

And today,
I'm featured by Lindsay @ Scenic Glory
in her weekly In Her Shoes feature!

So, so, so excited!
Please go check them out.
And follow them if you don't already.
You will looooove them!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Montemayor Guacamole

A few weeks ago,
I learned how to make guacamole.
And
in these past few weeks,
I've gone nuts.

Guacamole is my newfound favorite!

And since I'm rather a picky eater
and Mark Dean like a more seasoned avocado-style guacamole,
we really enjoy the way I make it.

So,
when you see guacamole on my weekly menu,
this is how we will be enjoying it!
___________________________________________

Montemayor Guacamole
I do apologize that it's not a very pretty picture...it was a random thought while eating it to share it with everyone! :D
Ingredients:
2 Avocados, ripe - duh!
2 dashes of Lemon Juice
A dash of Lime Juice
Garlic Powder
Salt
~2 tablespoons Sour Cream
(I'd add Cilantro but Mark Dean doesn't approve and since he eats more of it than I do, I don't insist)

Scoop avocado pulp out of avocados and smash until desired consistency.
Mark Dean & I really like ours smooth.


Add lemon and lime juice, garlic, and salt.

Fold in sour cream until smooth and creamy.

ENJOY!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Menu Monday - 1/24

Mark Dean has been complaining
About not being able to use his grill that much.

So, this week...
he's mostly in charge.

And when it comes to the things I'm supposed to make,
I'm very undecided.

Ugh...for some reason,
I'm dreading this week.

Monday - Nutella Pancakes
Tuesday - Grilled Chicken w/ Balsamic Carrots
Wednesday - Tacos or Enchiladas & Homemade Gaucamole
Thursday - Hamburgers
Friday - Fajitas & Homemade Gaucamole

{edit} : I didn't make it to the store today. The weather was ridiculous. I'm pretty sure I caught a fish in my shoe on the way to my car after class! So, I changed up the menu a bit to make use of what I have in the house. 

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Spring Wishlist

So, I'm not really enjoying this Winter.
At ALL.

And as I was browsing around this morning,
Colleen at There Comes a Yes
made a list in her inspiring post "Spring Wishlist".
So, I thought,
maybe this will make Spring come faster.

(I, usually, start wearing Spring clothes to bring it here faster.
But this year, I just can't do that.
It's rather ridiculous this year!)

My Spring Wishlist is, as follows:

1. Sperry's!
And you see, I should have gotten these a looong time ago
since I won a bet against Mark Dean for them.
Yet, they are still on my wishlist.

Ladies - don't bet your husbands. They don't pay up.

2. Cute headbands.
My favorites are these from Much Love, Illy!

3. Add more of this year's color to my closet.
Honeysuckle.
Pretty much pink.
So, I don't see why that would be a problem.

4. A smaller waist line.
Something like this would be ideal.


5. Jo Totes bag.
Of course, in pink.
I don't believe I will be waiting till Spring to get this bad boy.
2 weeks. Max.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Something I Miss

Already, I miss being able to sleep in.
To be the one in bed when Mark Dean leaves for work.

For ONE reason only.

You see,
I got to sleep in Friday
And I was reminded of that one thing I have missed all week long.

Every morning,
as Mark Dean is leaving for work,
he tickles my feet.


Of course,
it annoys the heck out of me.
But...
I love it.
And miss it so much.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Thankful Thursday - 1/19

After a week of classes...
well, it wasn't even a FULL week,
I'm exhausted.

And I am so ready for the weekend.

So, today, I am thankful for...

No class tomorrow!
Being ahead on my Spanish homework!
And a weekend full of baking!!!


This weekend, I will be testing out these {edit} 4 cupcake recipes
To make for my SIL's baby shower next weekend.

1. Cookie Dough Cupcakes
2. Double Shot Mocha Cupcakes
3. Chocolate Malt Cupcakes
4. Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

I will be sure to share my bakings!
Too bad you lovely blog friends of mine aren't here to be my taste-testers!!!
(And if you are near by, please feel free to drop by!)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Banana Cupcakes w/ Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting

Inspired by Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique - a small cupcakery in Houston.
Meant to melt Mark Dean's heart.
He is truly my inspiration for my baking.


I knew he would love these.
And he did!

And to meet the demand of request I've had for this recipe,
here it is!!!

ENJOY!
_____________________________________________


Banana Cupcakes w/ Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting


For the Banana Cupcakes
(recipe adapted from The Voice of Joyce)


Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
4 large Bananas - mashed
3/4 cup White Sugar
1 Egg
1/3 cup Butter, melted


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Coat muffin pans with non-stick spray, or use paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

Combine bananas, sugar, egg, and melted butter in a large bowl. Fold in flour mixture, and mix until smooth. Scoop into muffin pans.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Muffins will spring back when lightly tapped.

For Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting
(googled for the recipe...and unfortunately, cannot for the life of me find the source, again! but I do not take credit for it)

Ingredients
8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Nutella
1/4 cup Shortening
6 cups Powdered Sugar
~1 tablespoon Half & Half


In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cream cheese, Nutella, and shortening. Beat on high until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add a small amount of half & half (approximately one tablespoon) till you reach desired consistency.
(I actually ran out of powdered sugar at 4 cups and it still turned out YUMMY! And I prolly added about 2 teaspoons of half & half because I wanted a super smooth frosting.)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Twilight Tortilla Soup

Well,
Not really.

I found this recipe on Vogue.com and it's really just Kristen Stewart's Tortilla Soup recipe.
I just decided to rename it because Twilight and Kristen Stewart go hand-in-hand
And I believe Twilight is just as appropriate.

Anyways I'm super excited to try it.
And I'm excited to share it with you.
So, if you try it, let me know!
____________________________________________________

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 can Diced Tomatoes
1 Yellow Onion, diced
2 Jalapeno Peppers, chopped
2 Bell Peppers, chopped
2 cloves Garlic, minced
3 tablespoons Ground Cumin
4 cups Chicken Broth
(I plan to add Chicken, too)

Garnishing:
Paprika (~2 teaspoons)
Garlic Salt (~2 teaspoons)
Chili Powder (~2 tablespoons)
Avacado, diced (~1)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (~1 cup)
Fresh Cilantro, chopped
Flour Tortillas (~2)
Lime Wedges

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook garlic, onion, and cumin till onions are translucent.

Add bell peppers, cook until tender - 2 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently.

Stir in broth, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring periodically.

Cut tortillas into 2-inch wide strips, grill for a few minutes until toasted.

Top each bowl with ganishings.

I have a Big Sister

I got something pretty sweet in the mail today.


And I am so very, very excited to announce that my Big Sister is...
Krysten at After I Do!

You see...
Krysten hosted this link up for a Little Sister, Big Sister bloggie mentor program!
And...
Since I don't have a big sister...or little sister, for the match...I thought this was an awesome opportunity to be paired up with someone that I could go to for guidance and advise on a blog-level.

I'm so excited!!!
And am anxiously waiting to see where this goes and what I can learn from Krysten!

Monday, January 17, 2011

First Day of School

I'm super, duper excited.

I've always been the nerd that LOVES the first day of school.
And I don't mind that a bit.

I got a fresh, new backpack.
Got my binders ready for some hardcore note-taking.
And my books came in today.
With the exception of {one} that I have to pay full-price for.
Plus, I got a free protractor that someone left in their book and pen from Chegg!


I'm all ready for tomorrow.
The first day of classes.



I'm sure I'll retract that statement by the end of the semester!

Wish me luck.
And all A's!
:D

I hope everyone has a GREAT week!

Menu Monday - 1/17

Ah! It's the first week of school.
So, it's necessary I pick easy meals.
Cuz I gotta stay focused this semester!

On the table this week:

Monday - Lasagna
Tuesday - Tacos
Wedneday - Burgers of some sort - Mark Dean's in charge
Thursday - Bestie Night - I'm in charge of dinner! Guinness Roast, it is!
Friday - Spicy Potato Soup - new recipe I'm dying to try

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Thankful Thursday - 1/13

Hmm...today has been a quiet, chill day.
And you'd think reflection would have been part of the quietness.

But I didn't really reflect.

I did some realizing though.
I guess you could call it that.

I realized I've been quite the loner lately.
I can't explain why.
This is not to say that I'm a hermit.


I still go out and about.
As always.
I just haven't really wanted to be around anyone.
Lately, I've liked doing everything by myself, alone.

Mark Dean is the only exception.
I feel more dependent on him.
He's only person I really wanna be around.
Talk to.
Go out with.

So, I guess...
today, I'm thankful for this newfound attitude of mine.
It is deepening my love for my love, Mark Dean.
And that's not something to complain about.


Even if this little funk of mine is short lived.
At least that is what I'm getting out of it.

Kitchen Inspiration

I'm in the middle of a dream.
A daydream.
Involving a kitchen remodel.

But it will be a while till I can make my dream a reality.

So, here's some inspiration to keep me focused on the goal:
A NEW KITCHEN!

Lately, I've really been loving tin backsplashes. Maybe because a) it's kinda rustic and b) it's cheap!

I love butcher block islands. Mark Dean doesn't. So, I don't get one. But I still love them.

I never really liked granite. But my mom just got granite and I'm having a change of heart.
And Mark Dean likes it, too. 
So, this is in the future for the Montemayor household.

Jacqueline from Purple Chocolat Home's Pizza Oven is too die for. As well as, the rest of her DREAM kitchen. I'm so jealous. 
It will be a LONG while till I can get a bad boy like this.

Painted cabinets. {swoon} I keep battling the demons in my head that want to tackle this on my own. 
Am I up for the challenge?

3 ovens?!?!?
Please. And thank you.
2 will do, though.


And the more I look at the tin backsplash, the more I'm falling for the murals by Linda Paul, too.


Man, oh, man! How I want a fresh kitchen!
One day.
One day.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcakes!

That's kind of a mouthful.
AH!
That pun was totally intended!


Well, I whipped these up yesterday.
My advise.
Don't whip them up.
Take your time and put lots of love into it.
_______________________________________________

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcakes




For the Red Velvet Layer

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cups All-Purpose Flour
2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 cup Butter - Room Temperature
1 cup Sugar
2 Eggs
2 tablespoons Buttermilk
2 teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 tablespoon Red Food Coloring


Preheat oven to 325 degrees.


Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.


Cream butter and sugar together until blended and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and food coloring.


Mix in flour mixture until combined thoroughly. Remember to scrape the sides and bottom!


In a cupcake pan with paper liners, place about a tablespoon full on red velvet mixture in each cup. You DO NOT want to fill the cup all the way...not even half way because these will rise! 


Bake for 7-8 minutes. They won't look completely done but that's okay because they will go back in the oven with the cheesecake.


Cheesecake Layer


Ingredients:
2 - 8 ounce packages Cream Cheese - Room Temperature
1 - 14 ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla


Beat cream cheese, milk, eggs, and vanilla together until creamy and smooth. 
Remember to scrape the sides and bottom! And mix a little more!


Once red velvet layer is out of the oven, spoon cheesecake mixture into each cupcake until reaching the top of the liner.


Bake 15-18 more minutes at 325 degrees.


Cool completely.


Refrigerate for one hour.
__________________________________________


My tips for this recipe.


Scrape, scrape, scrape!
Obviously, I was too rushed to do this.
So, my cheesecake mix wasn't perfect.
But still good.


Play will cooking times.
Since you aren't cooking either layer very long,
watch what's going on.
That way, you bite into perfection!


These little babies are too good not to try.
And try again.

Enjoy!

Zuppo Toscana

Last week, Kasey made Zuppo Toscana for our first Bestie Night.
And it was yuuuummy!

So, last night, I decided to try out the recipe myself.
It was good.
But could def. use from perfecting.

Upon request, here's the yummy recipe!
___________________________________________________

Zuppo Toscana

Ingredients:
1 lb. Italian Sausage (Kasey used HOT sausage - my fav. while I used Mild Sausage - and Mark Dean preferred this)
2 large Potatoes - cut into cubes
1 large Onion - chopped

2 cans Chicken Broth
1 quart Water

2 cloves Garlic - minced
1/2 can Bacon Bits

Salt & Pepper - to taste

2 cups Kale or Swiss Chard - chopped - Kasey & I, both, omitted this
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

In a skillet, cook sausage in a skillet breaking up meat into pieces. Drain. (Kasey left larger chunks and we decided smaller pieces would be better. I did this last night and I liked it much better while Mark Dean preferred chunkier pieces of meat - we never agree on how food should be prepared!)

In a large pot, add  potatoes, onion, chicken broth, water, and garlic on medium-high heat until potatoes are tender.

Add sausage, bacon bits, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Turn on low heat. Add kale or swiss chard and whipping cream. Heat through.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

It's 1/11/11 + A Late Menu Monday

Happy 1/11/11 everyone!
Make lots of wishes today!

Today marks one week till I go back to school FULL-TIME...during the DAY!
I'm so, so, so excited!
And getting very nervous.

I've been working non-stop to:
get financial aid junk sorted out - UGH!
declare my major - which I'm sure I'm driving the advisor absolutely insane!
find my books as cheap as possible - not an easy task...and I may end up renting my books which I'm very nervous about!
practice getting up early - yesterday was a good run at this...today, not so much...

Next on the list of to-do's for school:
Do a practice run driving to school - I've never been to this campus before so, I always feel it's necessary to drive there and back at the correct times to know what I'm getting myself into. Crazy, maybe! Smart, YES!
Actually order my books - so I'm not one of those students that gets their books 2 weeks AFTER classes start...those kids always get on my nerves and I refuse to get on my own nerves.


I guess I better start enjoy my last week of "freedom"!
So, what am I gunna do?
Work on assignments for those workshops I started! :D
_______________________________________________

I'm so sorry!
I guess I'm getting a little behind on my weekly posts.
I really should try scheduling those.

So, up this week:
Monday - Ranch Cheeseburgers
Tuesday - Zuppo Toscana
Wednesday - Spinach & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken & Potatoes w/ Broccoli (and I'm gunna try mine with spinach this week!)
Thursday - Something with ground beef...just haven't decided what to make with it! Maybe something new!
Friday - Fajitas

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Awwwww! This Weekend has been...

AWESOME!
Because of you!

I'm so, so, so, so, so, so lucky to have some amazing bloggie friends!
Please come to Houston so we can go to lunch together and be real-life friends!
:D

Two amazingly, sweet, awesome blog pals of mine...
Shalyn @ Laugh Until Your Cheeks Hurt
Gentri @ Gentri Lee
Heather @ Some Kind of Wonderful
&
Deidre @ Decoy Betty
awarded me...lil ol' me...
this lovely award over the weekend!


So darn sweet!
I am ever thankful ladies!


To accept this award you must fulfill 4 things:
1. Thank and Link back to the person who awared it to you - check
2. Share 7 things about yourself - check
3. Award 10-15 recently discovered bloggers - check
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

Well, here at 7 things about me...

1. I love race cars. I drive a race car. I want a faster race car. But I want a SUV at the same time...so, I'd really like a race SUV. Ie. Jeep Cherokee SRT would make me happy.

2. I sleep in. Every day. It's a very bad habit. That I will soon have no choice but to break.

3. I blame my sleeping in habit on my pooch, Stuey. 

4. Mark Dean named our poochie, Stewart, after a motocross racer, James Stewart. But his original name was Hood Rat. Because Mark Dean found him in the hood, or ghetto, or projects, or an underprivileged area...whatever you'd like to call it.

5. I, obviously, have a very serious infatuation with Twilight. I will be visiting Forks this summer. In hopes of finding a vampire to bite me and keep me 22 forever. And I will come back and share all the awesome pictures I take.

6. I'm very average. My height is average. My weight is average...slowing tipping the scale to the side I don't like, which is average. My hair is average...blonde or brown. But my eyes, they are green, which is average...but I seriously love my eyes. If someone compliments me on my eyes, they are my friend for life.

7. I hate being outside. I don't like gardening, yard work, riding a bike, picnicing, playing, or doing anything else outside. I really don't like that about myself.

10 Awesome Blogs that YOU Should Check Out...

Jennifer @ Peas & Crayons - loooove this girl! She makes me want to eat broccoli!

Ashley @ Life as a Teen Photographer - I love watching this young lady learn and grow. :D She makes me miss being young!

Amanda @ This Horse gets Organic Carrots - I went to school with Amanda...and just recently found her blog. I love her passion and love for horses. I remember it from when we were in school but it's so great that she still has it today.

Rachel @ A Pretty Little Space - She just awesome. And takes some awesome pictures.

Danielle @ Life on Dahlia Lane - I've followed Danielle for awhile. But I love her blog so much that I want you to follow too!

My Buddy @ Blighted Area Blog - I know this woman in real life. And she's got so many funny stories to tell. The stories keep her kinda busy so she doesn't get to share them as often as she'd like. But when she does, she'll have you ROTFL. (She must remain anonymous due to she doesn't want it conflicting with her residents and employer.)

Carrie @ Our Small Haven - Another real life friend...well my SIL. So of course, I've followed her blog from the very start. But she deserves this award...and you should watch my lil nephew grow.

Lindsay @ Scenic Glory - I found this blog while I was on Carrie's blog one day and have become one of her newest followers. And her blog is up there on my Top Blogs to Check Daily! :D I love how she gets so involved with her followers with all her features and projects she starts!

Bren @ B So Chic! - Love this girl! And checking out her style. And adventures!

Lauren @ Moi in Afrique - I went to school with this girl too. We weren't ever friends...I doubt she even knew me. But I love her passion for what she's doing in Africa. Hmm...Huffman brings up very passionate people! Never really realized that!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Unleashing My Creativity + A Day in the Life of Edward Cullen

Over the last 3 years, my creativity has been bottled up.
I just didn't have enough time to express my craftiness.
And I'm so excited to realized that I had just locked it up...
And not lost it completely.

You see,
since starting this blog...
and got my new camera,
I've wanted to do some fancy-shmancy creatively crafty design stuff.

So, I started that blog design workshop.
And got a new design for Lil Mrs Housewife.
That will be unleashed real soon!

Plus, I can't stop creating them.
Ha!

And...
I started a 1-month Photo 101 class.
To learn how to get the most out of that awesome camera Mark Dean got me for Christmas.

One of the assignments was to do "A Day in the Life of..."
Well, my pal, Connie, and I decided to use the Edward Cullen cut-out she got me for Christmas for my project.
And here's how Edward's day went.

Edward, it's time to wake up!
Ooooh! Edward showering.
Edward getting ready for work...or school.
Edward doing the chores - mowing.
Edward grilling me dinner. :D
Edward hunting.
Edward had no luck hunting and is settling for ground beef.
I had a blast today!

I hope you're weekend is full over excited, crafty, creative fun!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Too Late to be Thankful???

Well, yesterday was a roller coaster ride.
Starting off with making me a lil nauseous.
Leaving me excited and exhausted,
at the same time.

That's why I'm writing this post right now.
Instead of yesterday.

Let me tell you about it.

I got up early yesterday because I was so excited about the blog design workshop I was gunna take later in the morning.
So, about 9:45, I go feed the dog in case he became a distraction while I was learning.
And LOCKED MYSELF OUT OF THE HOUSE!
10 minutes before the workshop started!
This must be where I hopped on the scary roller coaster.

Hubby rushed home.
But not fast enough for me to make the workshop.
Isn't he the best?!?

We decided to go to lunch instead.
And I got an email from the workshop host saying she overslept!
How funny!
That made the roller coaster take a good turn.

Then, it was time to make the dessert for my bestie-dinner-night.
And I was out of flour.
Another bad turn on the roller coaster.

I ended up buying a lil for us to share.
And we had an awesome night.
Kasey made Zuppa Toscana.
Which was delish!

Plus, Kasey was my subject picture for the day's picture of the day...well yesterday!

I got off yesterday's the roller coaster realizing the day wasn't really that bad!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

MIA

I'm really not, really.

It's just been an insanely busy week.

Getting ready for school to start.
Sorting out financial aid bull.stuff.
Working out. Gettin ripped. Started P90X again. :D
Starting some side-learning workshops.

But tonight, it's on.
Imma blog my heart out.

See ya later!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Menu Monday - 1/3

I'm so excited about this week!

Lots of new things it will bring:
2 new recipes
A new bestie tradition is starting
Starting some workshops to kick off learning early

I went to visit my bestie, Kasey, yesterday.
We realized we are so busy and overwhelmed with life.
And we have neglected to make time for one another.
We decided every Thursday, while her hubby works and Mark Dean is riding, we will have dinner and dessert with each other.

I'm so excited for this week!
Plus, it will be one week closer to school starting!
I'm ready for an amazing semester.

Monday - Sardinian Soup
Tuesday - Ravioli Soup
Wednesday - Tacos
Thursday - Dinner @ Kasey's (Bring dessert!)
Friday - Mozzarella Provolone Stuffed Chicken & Potatoes

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Top 1s of 2011

Happy New Year
from The Montemayor's!

This is us...at midnight.
Mark Dean is pretty much asleep.
And I'm looking pretty rough.

We had dinner at BJ's Brewhouse.
Where they have the best pizza in the world...almost.
Then spent a quiet evening with Brittany, my SIL, drinking fake wine.
While Mark Dean and my brother slept.

I truly hope you brought your New Year in in a much more exciting way! :D
___________________________________________________________

Time to get to the point of this post:
I saw this "resolution-style" list over at Krystal's Kitsch.
I know...I already did a resolution post but...
I loved this because I have a love for lists.

So...here it is.
And if you love it as much as I do.
And do a list of your own, come and link back cause I'd love to check out yours, too.


One thing I will learn: My digital SLR.
One place I will go: Somewhere, anywhere NEW! Mark Dean is going to Vegas (again, without me, most likely) so I want a mini-vacation of my own once I get finals out of the way (since this is the reason I can’t go to Vegas in the first place!) Anyone wanna join me on this destination-less adventure???
One physical habit I will break: Spending money on things I don’t need.
One physical habit I will cultivate: Finish things I start. I’m good at thinking of things to do...and starting them. But I never make it to the end because I find something else to start.
One mental habit I will break: Procrastination. I am used to putting so many things off...cleaing, studying, things that aren’t fun, etc.
One relationship I’ll repair: 2010 seemed to be full of relationship repair so, I’m not sure who else I could make amends with. Of course, I would love to reconnect with all of my ol’ middle school and high school buddies. :D
One work habit I will change: Start on homework the day it’s ASSIGNED...not the day it’s DUE.
One thing I’ll throw out: Throw out? I’m a hoarder at heart so, this is TBD. But I will throw things out. Promise.
A second thing I’ll throw out: Two things...in the same year! We shall see...
One thing I’ll eat more often: Home cooked meals.
One thing I’ll eat less: Fast food.
One thing I’ll drink more: Water, juice & caffeine free drinks.
One thing I’ll drink less: Dr. Pepper.
One resentment I’ll get over: I’ve come to terms with all my resentments. Although, I seriously wish these things I had to get over never existed at all.
One person I’ll treat more respectfully: Mark Dean. He’s my husband. He’s annoying. Husbands are annoying. Now, that I’ve come to terms with that, I’ll try to be more understanding and nicer. :D
One thing I’ll spend less money on: Anything other than food.
One other change I’ll make in my finances: Pay more on my debt than I do shopping for things I don’t need. So I can be debt free before the end on 2011.
One thing I’ll spend less time doing: Sleeping. And sitting around on the computer. I want to be productive with the time I spend on the computer (is that possible?).
And a thing I’ll spend more time doing: Studying. I’m determined to dedicate myself and get the best grades I can until I’m completely done with school.