2009 review... and here's to 2010!

So despite my prolonged absence on the blog in the latter part of last year, it doesn't mean that I was being unproductive and not achieving the goals I set for myself. In fact, it was quite the opposite! Although I didn't achieve all the things that I set out to at the start of 2009, I did have many other achievments - after all, life does not always bring what we expect and some things have to be put on the back-burner for a while, whilst other things move to the fore-front.

So, 2009, what a year...
- I got into knitting in a big way and learnt to knit hats as well as scarves!
- Although I didn't make much headway with my debt, I did increase my earnings, as did Jon, and manage to make it to the end of the month without habitually using credit, so I didn't increase my debt either, and due to bigger earnings there is now a disposable income to use towards debt.
- We saved money by WINNING a free trip to Vegas and very much enjoyed some time just for us.
- I unexpectedly got a promotion and now carry the title of "Deputy Editor"... it sounds glam, but my office isn't exactly Devil Wears Prada stylee if you know what I mean.
- Jon too got a promotion to "Team leader" which basically means he's in management.
- I learnt that being busy all the time doesn't mean that you are productive.
- I learnt to prioritise my commitments, and that some me-time is normally a top priority if everything else is to get done.
- I learnt how to say no.
- I decided to spend more time with my parents, and enjoyed it immensely.
- I realised that I have a great marriage and a fantastic husband, and that I need to invest in that no matter what the cost.
- I read so many books I lost count!

2010 here we come......
- I've signed up to a 10k run in aid of the A21 Campaign on March 14th. I've done no training whatsoever but am hoping that this is the start of a new habit, have got a week's free pass at the local gym. Sponsor me here.
- I've made a decision to make more of an effort to see old friends and to invest in new friendships, which means my Friday and Saturday nights are booked up for a while - and also that my cooking repertoire will have to expand!
- I've gathered together all our relatives' addresses and birthdays, maybe 2010 will be the year I actually send greetings cards (it's kind of expected of me in my new job!).
- I now have a disposable income which means we can pay off debt as well as live relatively comfortably.
- Having reviewed my priorities and commitments, I know that I can now give 100% to my responisbilities rather than spreading myself too thin. It also means Jon and I can work as a team! (AKA The Dream Team!).
- Have decided to just go for it in all things! - knowing that God is eternally faithful and will provide for every eventuality no matter what.
- I want to learn to sew! Which means giving myself time to practise rather than trying to do a rush job and expecting it to be perfect!

So... apologies for the lack of pictures! There will be more blogging in the near future, pics and all!
x

2010? How did that happen?!

Where did 2009 go? I can't believe it! I guess I better go back through my goals and see what changed, where we're at and what is to become of this coming year ahead.

There's so much I want to tell you but I simply don't have the time to put it into any sort of cohesive thought, but I will have a think tonight and maybe pop back in the morning with my 2009 news.

I am still without the internet at home so I'm finding it really hard to make the time to blog, which is a real shame as that was one of my goals. But, there are means and ways, I just need to decide to DO IT!

We shall chat soon my friends, we shall chat soon!

x

She runs, she runs!

That's right people, I have been running no less than three times this week! And I feel great! Even in such a short space of time I've noticed an improvement in that I'm running further and further each time and I'm not feeling like I will die when I get to the end - meaning that I'm slowly working my way up to push myself harder each time. This morning I even included a sprint at the end just to expend all the extra energy!

I was lucky enough a few months ago to win some She Active vouchers and last week had a day out in Brighton where I was able to spend them. I was thinking about getting some new trainers but seeing as they didn't do proper testing of your running style I decided to not take the risk and so bought some new running gear. So now, I can run at least looking like a pro!

Ronhill Aspiration Gilet SS09, £31.99.

Nike Women Dri Fit Tech Capri 09.

Nike Women Sleeveless Half Zip Top, £22.99.

Today, I also bought this DVD.

I figure I can't run everyday day, and as much as it will improve my fitness it probably won't change my bodyshape a huge amount seeing as I don't have that much fat to lose :0) But, I do need to tone up and I really enjoyed Pilates last year when I tried it as part of Sweat in the City, and these 10minute workouts will fit easily into my day! I'll let you know how I get on!

Gormet Cooking

Well, as you can see I've been busy in the kitchen again! And guess what, I cooked this one totally from scratch! (that's why I'm showing it to you, there's no skill involved in pouring sauce from a jar!).

I made this, sweet and sour pork, last week after buying BBC Good Food magazine on a whim. I've never followed a recipe before for a main course - baking recipes yes, but not dinner. Dinner comes from jars right?!

And it was surprisingly easy to do. The only slight hiccup was me walking around the supermarket thinking "What the hec does soy look like and where will I find it?". I came to the conclusion that seeing as Morrisons doesn't have a health food section and tofu isn't easy to find either, they must not stock soy. I figured that seeing as the recipe only required a teaspoon of the stuff that it can't be that important anyway.

The finished result was indeed delicious - tasted just like the shop bought stuff only less orange, which equals less MSG so I'm told.

The recipe can be found here. And now that I've seen their website I think it's safe to say that I won't be buying the mag again, as there's so many recipes online!

And just thought you might like to see the flowers I bought last week in a moment of crazy domesticity. They're still looking pretty good over a week later so turned out to be a good buy!

The rise of the domestic Goddess!

On Saturday I had the most domestic of days. I spent the whole morning cleaning the house in preparation for our first proper house-guest. (We have Jon's brother satying with us for a week or so). I even mopped the floors and polished all the window sills. This took most of the day, except for an hour when I was trapped in the living room waiting for the floors to dry... don't worry I had a magazine.

Then at 3pm I had the sudden urge to bake so I dug out the cook books that are normally just for display purposes only. Tana Ramsay came up trumps with a recipe for brownies. I dashed out to the supermarket so that I'd be back in time for Steve's arrival.

Ok, so I did have to call my mum twice whilst I was there - first to check that cream cheese was the same as soft cheese, second to check whether it mattered if you used normal chocolate instead of cooking chocolate (does it matter?! It's all chocolate!). I even grabbed a bunch of fresh flowers on the way out because they were so bright and beautiful! I don't have pictures of that though, sorry.

So I made the brownies - the swirlyness is as a result of a layer of white chocolate that you swirl around. Yummy yummy yummy! Part of me wishes that I had styled up the photograph with a freshly cut piece and some melting ice cream in a pretty bowl, but unfortunately I didn't think of that and now they're all gone (they didn't stick around for long, I can tell you!).


So yes, the most domesticated of days...

Next time I will fill you in on some new fitness gear that I've bought! (Just need to use it now!).

Where is the year going?

My apologies, my apologies, and we were going so well! I would have kept this blogging lark up had my computer not broken, yes we've been without a home computer since March (ish?) time and have since moved house, so even when it gets fixed, we'll have to sort outt he grand interweb for my dear blogging adventures to continue!

Never fear though, life has not stood still, I am still making progress with my goals and new goals have emerged and evolved as the year has gone on.

As I said, we moved house. Which meant I have now risen to the dizzy heights of domestic goddessness. We're now living on our own so it's all up to me to keep everything shiny and pretty, and I have to say that I am doing quite well (with Jon's help, obviously!).

My biggest success of the year, however, is my reading! I have probably read more books this year than I have in the last five put together! So yay for me :0)

Books I have read:
Cecilia Ahern: A place called here
Cecilia Ahern: If you could see me now
Cecilia Ahern: Thanks for the memories
(Notice a pattern? I still can't bring myself to read PS I Love You. I cried all the way through the movie and just reading the first page in Borders made me tearful. It's sooooooo sad!)

Malcolm Gladwell: Outliers: the Story of Success. I've read one of his others, The Tipping Point, and this was just as fantastic. It's non-fiction, kind of sociology-based but full of interesting real-life stories to back up his theories. Great if you want to find out more about what makes some people successful and others not so. If you like this kind of sociology-based book would also reccommend The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford. I read that whilst on honeymoon a couple of years ago, and although I'm not one for maths and finance, it was a really interesting read, again backed up by real-life stories, certainly gives you a new perspective on the world! Next on my list in the same vein is Malcolm Gladwell's Blink.

Jodi Picoult: My Sister's Keeper (I was so not expecting the twist at the end... if you've read it you'll be like "I Know!". When I got to that part I was sitting on the train and I let out a little squeal of shock. Luckily I was not alone and my friend was sitting there waiting for me to get to "that part!").

I'm currently reading one of Jodi Picoult's other books, Nineteen Minutes. It's about a high-school shooting from the perspective of the killer's mum. Not as much of a page-turner as My Sister's Keeper. I have to say I think I read her best one first (or so I've been told!).

One devastating development in the world of books though.... Borders on Oxford Street is closing down! I love that place! There's still one up on Charing Cross Road but that's just that bit further away from where I normally loiter about! Very sad news indeed!

So anyway, sorry there's no pictures today. I normally try and include some just to break up my ramblings but I'm actually at the library and didn't come prepared.

It's been a while....

Well, it has been a while hasn't it?! But that doesn't mean I haven't been changing my life. I've been so busy changing my life that I haven't had time to blog about it! (My bad, I'm sorry!).

However, now that we've had a week of glorious sunshine I feel like there's lots of new beginnings, fresh starts, Spring basically. So here's what I've been doing in my glorious weekend of sunshine:

1. I went for a run on Saturday morning - which makes for the second run this week and I'm going again tonight! Absolutely loving it, and have started running with a couple of friends in the evenings which makes it all the more enjoyable. If I stick at it, Jon says I can get some of those Nike Plus trainers so I can record my progress (yes indeedy, I am a marketers dream, with these trainers, and only these ones, I will become a marathon runner!).

2. I spent a lovely afternoon in the park with Jon. Got to get all the outdoorsy business out the way before Jon gets struck down for three months with Hayfever when we never leave the house!

3. Turned my room from this.....

to this.....

All clean and tidy, I've always wondered how things get messy so quickly, obviously it's the mess pixies isn't it? Because it's certainly not me!

I've also done a bit of crafting of late, but will save that for another day :0)