It's Better When...

Monday, Monday

Today was a good Monday.

You know those typical Mondays when you dread going to work, when you get there it's hectic, when you have a huge to-do list for the week, and when you are already looking forward to Friday afternoon?  Well today was kinda not one of those days.

Yes, I still groaned when my husband's (super loud) alarm went off 3 times. Yes, I still made a mile-long list to hopefully tackle this week, and yes I am looking forward to Friday already and our plans for the coming weekend.

BUT....this Monday was better than most because....

...getting out of bed is better when you make a hazelnut latte!

...doing your hair is better when you have a brand new cut and style that you love and feels heatlthy! (and getting many compliments throughout the day doesn't hurt either)

...an outfit is better when you include coral, such as adorable wedges and super fun dangly earrings both gifted from your great mom (not to mention the teal scarf as well!)

 

...teaching is better when you get to collaborate with your awesome team.


...driving home is better when you can roll your window down and open the sunroof!


...folding laundry is better when you watch "Friends" :)



....a house is better when it has a roof!

...working out is better when you have brand new, cute, work-out clothes to make you at least feel like you are fit and athletic when you really are gasping for breath and have terrible foot cramps

...biking for 7 miles at the gym is better when your husband encourages you and pushes you to finish strong during the last 5 minutes.

...chicken is better when you add garlic (a little brown sugar doesn't hurt either!)

...dealing with the politics of teaching is better when you have a husband that gives great inspirational speeches to make you feel better.

...and blogging is better when you have readers and comments!

So tell me, what are a few things that can instantly make YOUR day better?

What will 2013 bring?

Well I can already tell you it's brought 2 firsts for me...and it's only day 3?!?!

Today I purchased alcohol for the very first time. I have had drinks before, but it's also been at friend's house, or an all-inclusive setting so I've never actually paid for it or been asked for my I.D. So why, you may ask, did this "first" happen today? Today is my husband's birthday! I am making a nice dinner for him and thought I would get some white wine to go with it. I had NO clue what to get. If I hadn't texted a couple friends for suggestions, I would have just picked the bottle with the coolest looking label. I ended up getting Chateau Ste Michelle Sweet Reisling. Sounds fancy huh? If we like it, I'm going to write it down so we actually can remember next time! (I also plan to keep the bottle for some fun craft!)

The second "first" (does that even make sense?) was also related to this birthday dinner in that I purchased and will be cooking steak. I grew up in a no-red-meat home and so I asked my husband what kind of cut and then just picked the best looking one. We'll see how it goes!

As far as what else 2013 might have in store for me...
I'm not super into resolutions, because they never last through January for me. I can't make daily expectations, it just doesn't happen. So instead, I have been thinking about some goals I have for the whole year. Now some (or all) of them might seem pretty easy to reach, but I tend to take on too much and then get overwhelmed and not accomplish anything so I'm going to set reasonable, attainable goals so that I can look back next year and feel like I did a good job.

Here are my goals for this year:
~to exercise more--yes this is vague, but again I can't say "once a week" or whatever because some weeks are just crazier than others. I will know if I exercised more than last year seeing as last year my exercising consisted of daily workouts from April to May in preparation for my wedding. So if I can keep a somewhat regular schedule going to our gym I will be happy. I have gone 3 times this week already :) that will quickly change once school starts again on Monday.

~to read more--I haven't read for pleasure since I graduated from High School! Oh wait...I DID read the 3 Hunger Games books but 3 books in 4 years...that is so sad. Growing up, I had a book in my hand all the time, I devoured books. I want to get back into reading. To enjoy it, to want to pick up my book, to not be able to put it down. Please help me by suggesting good reads! I would be happy if I read at least 5 books for pleasure this year.

~to craft more--now that I have a Silhouette AND a Project Life, I have great excuses to get my craft on! I would also love to work on some DIY furniture projects and various Pinterest ideas whether for myself or gifts. Let the craftiness come!

~to make a recipe binder--I have SO many recipes dog-earred in Rachel Ray magazines and on Pinterest. I would like to actually combine everything into one binder so I can find things.

~to grow my blog--I would love to increase my followers, comments, etc. I'm not expecting or wanting to become a big-time blog this year, I would just like to grow a little bit.

Besides my goals, here are some things I am hoping will happen this year:
~be re-hired at the school I currently teach at, but I would prefer 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd grade.
~start a couple's Bible study with a few couples we know
~take a fun trip somewhere

What are some of your goals? What are you hoping will happen?