STILL here and haven't forgotten my goals

I haven't forgotten my goals...in fact, they are on my mind quite often. I just haven't had time to blog about them. SOOOO much stuff is happening, but SO much of it is good. First, it's Christmas time, and that has a big impact on my time. Second, I have a man in my life now. An incredible man whom I am quickly falling in love with. So, it's that fun, new relationship, warm/fuzzy, writing his name a hundred times a day feeling.

So...anyway...here's the status on my goals:
1. Clean my house: I've been doing better at this and though I didn't make my 12/1 date, I've made really good progress and I have to post before and after shots. Plus, now with my new guy, I have even MORE motivation to have a clean house.
2. File CD/DVDs: I've been getting better about filing current stuff, but haven't started on the old stuff.
3. Organize my studio: Not there yet.
4. Eat something that counts as fruit every day: Every day...not so much, but more definitely. Plus, I want to eat better in general, and I have to because my sweetie is diabetic, so I need to have good foods at the house.
5. Photocopy everything in my wallet: Not yet.
6. Do my dishes EVERY day: Still not EVERY day, but better than before.
7. Midnight bedtime: better, but not perfect.
8. Sell my old lightmeter: Not yet.
9. Get a new camera before Mar 2009: Not yet.
10. Get my car fixed and back on the road
11. Make a plan to save for Summit: Not yet.
12. Make a plan to save for Lakeside: Not yet.
13. Make a plan to save to visit my brother: Not yet.
14. Plan vacation time for next year: Not yet.
15. Get a flu shot: Didn't do this and I think it might be too late now, but I still don't have the flu.
16. Journal: Not EVERY week, but I have started journaling again.
17. Shoot a new picture every day: Not EVERY day, but definitely more.
18. Post each of the above said pictures and comment: Someday I'll post them.
19. Get someone to buy one of the above said pictures: Not yet.
20. Blog about each of my goals and take a picture of it: Not yet.
21. Get back in touch with man who's life I saved a few years ago: They sent me a Christmas card, so I have the address now. I still have to connect with them though.
22. Remember everyone's birthday in my family and send something: Not yet.
23. Buy a video camera: Not in the budget yet.
24. Do a photo session of myself with another photographer: Plans with Sarah when it's warm.
25. Read 2 chapters of my bible every day.: Not even close:
26. Put $50 into savings each week: Nope. Not yet. Still recovering from Christmas and car.
27. Tithe 10% each month: Did for Nov. but not Dec.
28. Scrapbook my pictures that I have from when I shot film: Not even close.
29. Business plan: working on it, but won't make the goal date.
30. Keep my phone, laptop, bluetooth, GPS, camera batteries, and Ipod touch charged. (Just call me gadgetgirl!): Getting better, but still not every night.
31. Train for the women's 5k and run it at Race in the Park for Breast Cancer on Mother's Day weekend each year: not time yet.
32. Answer 10 emails every day within 24 hours: Just realized that this is a bit redudant, but anyway...trying my best to answer emails promptly.
33. Get my receipts together for tax time: I think I actually have most of them together. I need to start calculating.
34. Put some of my fav. shots up on my studio walls: Not even close.
35. Send flowers (or something similar) to 5 people just because: Not yet.
36. Go camping before Summer ends in 2009: I have a plan for this! I have REALLY good plan for this.
37. Get rid of 101 things that are just clutter: I've been doing this, but not documenting it. My list needs to be better next year...more documentable.
38. Scan all 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 contracts and put them on disc and file them. (by 1/1/09): Didn't make this one, but I'm going to do it by the end of this project!
39. Take 20 mins each week to plan out my days as best I can for the week: Yeah...still not doing this!
40. Pay my bills on time every month: Trying to! Everything is still on and all of that, but my car broke and it's $5000 to fix. Yes, $5000 folks. How do you make a sad smiley with a tear?
41. Import and USE quicken to keep track of my accounts: Not yet.
42. Create a budget and stick to it: Finally sat down and went through my bills and wrote them down. Now I need to make the plan...
43. Clean my room: Did a little bit. Must organize too though.
44. Make my bed 6 days every week: I actually have been doing this more often. The fact that I have sweetie now makes me more motivated to have a clean house too though.
45. Take better care of my skin. Wash face every night. No more going to bed with makeup on the face, even if it's late: Nope. Still working on it. This list is a great reminder. Maybe I'll post it in my house.
46. Do 4th step on m, e-h, and a general one. (I'll explain later) (m - finish by 1/1/2009, e-h finish by 3/1/09, general finish by 5/1/09): Not yet, but I REALLY need to!
47. Return all voicemails (business and personal) within 24 hours with at least an email: Still not perfect, but working on it. I need more hours in the day!
48. Clean Jason's room (WITH him, not FOR him): It's the worst it's been
49. Re-arrange living room: YES!!!!! I did this! I did it!! I have to blog on this separately!!!!! Completed 12/15/2008
50. Clean out video cabinet and get rid of anything that I haven't watched in the last....2 years: YES!!! Did this too! Everything we have now fits in there!! YES!!!!!!! Completed 12/23/2008
51. Learn 1001 new ASL signs: This is a tough one because I learn new ones all the time, but it will remind me to keep learning.
52. Spend one day wandering through Middletown just for the experience and good shots: I'll do this when it's warm
53. Find 25 things at home to sell for ebay or craigslist: Not yet.
54. Read a chapter of a book in addition to my bible at least once per week: Not yet.
55. Check "Jenny from the Farm"'s blog every week and help keep her accountable: I've been reading as much as possible. Still trying to do this.
56. Pay off my car: Pay off my car repairs first!
57. Take an online course: Not enough time right now.
58. Recruit 3 people to do 101 in 1001. Nope. I've been telling people though.
59. Call my brother once a week: Not sure about the once a week thing, but more often definitely.
60. Leave and arrive at the times I say I will for 30 consecutive days. Not yet. Soon though. The holiday craziness is over.... There's hope.
61. Make the most comprehensive photography to-do list and don't make more than one! (Not yet)
62. Tackle that list! (Photography stuff is on-going, so I can't say complete it: Still working on it.
63. Pray with Jason every night that he's with me: Sadly, not yet.
64. Get a facial: Not yet.
65. Get a massage: Not yet.
66. Wear different jewelry one day per week: More often definitely, but probably not once per week.
67. Get a NICE suit for 2009 wedding season: Not yet. Catch up on bills and fix car first.
68. Have 101 "no spend" days: I should document this and do this now. I'm trying to be good.
69. Read "The Mom Factor" and complete workbook: Not yet.
70. Lead and go through another step study: Someday, but not yet.
71. Enter and win a contest: Nope
72. Get a passport: SO easy, so why haven't I done this?
73. Take Jason to Disney: Not yet.
74. Donate blood twice per year: Can't until May
75. Drink nothing but water and milk for one week per year: Been drinking more milk, but I'll have to really think and plan this one.
76. Make a quilt: Not even close
77. Write something and get it published: Not yet.
78. Make Crescia twice a year: Not yet, but I'm making it for my sweetie soon so that will be once.
79. Make Passatelli twice a year: See above.
80. Go bowling with Jason: I bought him a gift card for Christmas to do this, so I'm thinking this will happen soon. Completed 1/11/09
81. Get rid of yahoo account: Not yet
82. Find 10 new ways to make money with my photography: Not yet.
83. Make homemade bread with Jason: Soon
84. Get evaluated for braces: After Jason
85. Take $100 and hit the slots at the casino, ONCE. (Do not spend any gain) And once it's gone it's gone. (I know this sounds wasteful, but I've never been before, and MAYBE I'll come away with more than I went with. Remember, I can't spend anything I win): Fix car and pay bills first.
86. Pay back people I owe (Dr. H, A. J.-VT, A.R.-trumbull): Other bills first.
87. Get my own health insurance: Not yet.
88. Make the hallway closet usable: Almost.
89. Take a dance lesson (or two): not yet
90. See a broadway show (besides Lion King): fix car, pay bills first
91. Organize online files/folders to get rid of unwanted duplicates: not yet
92. Network with 25 new people each year (0/75): Not yet
93. Do a photo session with someone famous: not yet
94. Do a photo session with Jason once per year: I did one for 08 already. I did his pictures after I did some engagements in NH. It was good. I'll post a few soon.
95. Reconnect with Mr. Lunn before he retires (by 6/1/09): Not yet.
96. Have a consultation at a MAC counter (not the computer) and buy what they suggest.: Not yet
97. Take a class at the Apple store: Not yet.
98. Make a list of 25 fun things to do with Jason and complete list by end of project.: Need to start that list.
99. Find a long-term project for Jason and I do together and do it: Not yet.
100. Take Jason on a cruise: Not yet
101. Make another 101 list: In progress

I'm still here. Will do something less boring soon.

I'm such a slacker! BUT I'm not giving up!

I'm such a slacker! This is a crazy busy time of year and with one less week between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I'm ready to stick my head in the sand! As you might have figured out by now....I'M STRESSED! Shopping, working, cleaning, scheduling, budgeting, blah, blah, blah. There aren't enough hours in the day or in the night, for that matter.

I read an article today that talked about myths about busting stress. The only ones that were true were all unhealthy or illegal! What's up with that? There was one good one that was true...that pets can help relieve stress (not mine, I have an obnoxious parakeet!), but the other solutions that actually work: 1. Marijuana (it increases serotonin)(NO!! I'm not advocating this or participating, so no worries there! I'd rather be stressed!) 2. Alcohol (Depresses the Central Nervous System)(also not a big fan) 3. Retail Therapy aka SHOPPING (releases dopamine)(Great time to break the budget, right?) UGH! I'm not encouraged.

So the myths that aren't true: 1. Comfort food (most are carbs, and carbs causes highs and lows in your blood sugar) 2. Punching a pillow (actually causes more irritation and aggression) 3. Marriage (if it's a happy one, it can help, but otherwise it makes things worse)

I think my biggest stress causing problem: LACK OF SLEEP (which by the way is on my 101 list)(See...I do have a point that is actually related). I do it to myself every time. I sacrifice sleep in the name of productivity and getting work done. But, how productive or even creative do you think I am at 1:30a? Some nights I'm ok and I feel great while I'm working, but then it takes me three days to recover. Worth it? Probably not. What's worse? When I do get enough sleep, I feel GREAT! I'm happy, I'm productive, I'm organized even! So what's my issue? I still don't know. I think about it and wonder about those people who wake up with a nasty hangover and proclaim "I'm NEVER drinking again!", yet next weekend they are making their way toward that next hangover. Or people who stop smoking or lose weight. I hear them say things like "I feel so much better, I have more energy, I can breathe better", yet I find the smokers huddled in a corner to puffing away in 27 degree weather or the overeater ordering a couple of big macs at Mickey D's.

So, I guess the undeniable truth here is that I am a workaholic. I know you might be thinking this is a bit extreme (which I'm also known for), but it seems that this is an undeniable truth. No, no...don't minimize it to make me feel better. It's true. Some symtoms (I read online): 1. Finding my worth in my work. Hate to say it, but yeah...I do find some of my worth in my work. I love what I do. I love that I'm good at it. I love that other people love it. Not all of my worth is about my work. I do have a healthy love of self (in a non-conceited, fairly humble way) just because I'm me, but I do find SOME of my worth in my work. 2. Taking work home. Yeah...well, when I'm not on location, my editing work is at home, so that's kind of unavoidable. But, the amount of time I spend working at home in contrast to doing other things at home is out of balance. I cannot even tell you the last time I sat down to just watch a show, or read a book, that didn't involve my laptop being with an arms-length, just in case I got an email or because I'm "justifying" my "break" by doing some kind of work every 15 mins and then getting back to "break" activity. 3. Work is always on your mind. Well, to some degree this is a necessary evil. Working for a company where you are a partner does come with a degree of responsibility for not just you, but the company as well. I often think or say "A good businesswoman always has a card on her". Everywhere I go, there is potential for networking or new business, so while it's not always in the forefront of my mind, it is usually in there somewhere. 4. You have no social life other than work related events. I have to say that I've been entertaining this thought about being a workaholic for a while now, and have committed to do some things just for fun. I went to a cookie exchange this weekend knowing that I would get no work done, but that it would be fun and good for me. I went to a Deaf Christmas play yesterday with a friend. I spent an entire day at a friend's house a few weeks ago, and it was great! I haven't gotten past the guilt part of doing those things yet though. Therein lies the problem. I shouldn't feel guilty about having fun. I might be a slacker about blogging, but I'm no slacker about work. Perfectionism is weaved into this as well. I want to have everything done and everyone be happy with me, so I set unrealistic deadlines and go to extremes to meet them. 5. You get upset when others suggest you cut back on your work. GUILTY! Big time. My biggest defense: "You have no idea what it's like". Other defenses: "I'm doing better...Progress not perfection." "Work will get cut back when everything is done, and that's going to be soon." (REALLY? If everything gets done, then I'm in trouble because it means I have no job/future work). 6. You don't take vacations or you take work with you on vacation. GUILTY. Do you know that the only time I was at the beach this summer was for work? (with the exception of one evening when my sister was here from CA). I went to CA for a conference this summer. Don't you know my laptop was with me or at my hotel running slideshows or exporting files? And my Ipod touch and cell phone were on just in case I got an important email or phone call.

I do have a belief about this though. If I were better organized with my materials and time, I think I would feel better about the time that I do spend working and probably spend less time working. I know there's a phrase out there about working smart. I need to look into it. There are some things that can be done to combat workaholism. I've started doing some recently. 1. Set limits on time devoted to work. (I need to add "And stick to them." I've tried doing that. Care to know just how pitiful this is? Read on: I literally have told myself...I'm going to work for 15 mins and then fold the laundry. Then I'll work for 15 more mins and then do the dishes. Then I'll work for 15 more mins and then vacuum. How often do you think that works? Don't answer that. I know...not nearly often enough)(One more example of pitiful. I've come home at 11:30p and actually entertained the thought of opening up my laptop to check email and doing something quick. I don't have that ability. I have literally had to tell myself "When you walk in the door, do NOT even OPEN your computer). 2. Set aside quality time with family and friends. I have started doing this more. See above: friend's house, play, and cookie exchange. Also, I've committed time every night to play cards with my son. (No, not poker!) 3. Use your creativity towards a hobby. I've started doing that too. I've been much more conscious about taking pictures just for fun and not just because I'm contracted to. It's actually been great! Makes me feel like a field reporter and makes me look for interesting things to shoot.

Writing...writing is also good. It helps with the stress. And I actually LOVE to write.

So, all that ranting to say...I'm still here. I'm glad I have almost three years to accomplish my 101 and I'm glad that I've accepted that I'm not going to do it perfectly. There's much to be added to this including pictures for one of my goals, more writing on why I set each goal, pictures of my alarm clock for the nights that I did get to bed by 12am. And more. Stay tuned. I may be small, but I'm mighty, and I'm determined to follow this through! Grrr! I'm putting my game face on! Maybe I'll take a picture of that and post it!